Public School is becoming a luxury

How can people afford to send their kid, or kids, to public school in New Brunswick? The school supplies lists are up now for most schools in the area. For my son to attend grade 1, he is required to purchase markers, pencils, coloured pencils, highlighter, erasers, a bottle of glue, 4 glue sticks, safety scissors, dry erase markers, a white board, lined paper,2 boxes of ziplock baggies, 2 box of tissues, unscented baby wipes and headphones. In addition, he must bring $35 on the first day of school for the remaining "necessities" that the school will provide, have non-marking soled sneakers, a change of clothes and of course, a backpack. To add to the expense, the supplies list is brand-specific (ie Crayola markers, etc), with few exceptions that may be purchased at the Dollarstore.

$43 to complete the classroom supply list, $50 for the backpack, $25 for sneakers and the $35 set aside to bring on day one. This is before factoring in any clothing he will need for the fall, which I'm sure will add up quickly. You cannot tell me that every family can afford this expense. Next year I will have 2 children in school and therefore will be buying duplicates of the previously mentioned items. How does the average household afford this great expense?

 If the government continues to make cut backs in the schools, it will get to a point where people can't even afford to send their kids to so called "free" public school. Education in this country is a right to all of its' citizens but it's starting to seem more like a luxury.  If a teacher is only given a classroom budget of $50 for the entire school year, they can't very well be expected to pay out of pocket for the children whose families couldn't afford these expenses. Who is buying the school supplies for the children who show up empty handed?

Yet another major issue to add to my topics of discussion for the Home and School Association this year. Won't you join me in this debate and help ensure that every family can afford to send their children to public school?