I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you...

Sam Lowry: Excuse me, Dawson, can you put me through to Mr. Helpmann's office?
Dawson: I'm afraid I can't sir. You have to go through the proper channels.
Sam Lowry: And you can't tell me what the proper channels are, because that's classified information?
Dawson: I'm glad to see the Ministry's continuing its tradition of recruiting the brightest and best, sir.
Sam Lowry: Thank you, Dawson.

(Brazil)

Can some one please explain to me why school supply lists are so difficult to come up with?  Does curriculum change that much every year that this needs to be a closely held secret until the public (or in my case the Mother) needs to know?  And just what security measures are taken to insure that no pre-released information leaks to the public?  For example, I might be willing to undergo the wet noodle treatment for a slightly advanced look.

I was just nicely informed by my daughter's Middle school that they don't give this top secret information out until a week before school starts.  And then its mailed...it is not uncommon for local mail to take a week to arrive here.  So there is every possibility of not receiving the school supply list until after school has begun and the supplies needed.

I then asked if that meant that it wasn't that big of a deal if they didn't come with anything but general supplies the first day.  <GASP>  What could I be thinking?  Receptionist lady transmits telepathically.  Verbally she tells me that she supposes it depends on the teacher, but they do expect the kids to come with all the items on their supply list.  And the supply lists are different depending on what "team" they are assigned. 

So I know I'm being extra daring here, but I asked if she could check my daughter's "team," surely with less than a week before team assignments are supposed to be mailed (by the way in orientation they told us they'd be mailed around the 10th, yet receptionist lady tells me "It's always been this way." Obviously in person they don't want to admit what they will be putting us parents through, for fear of mob violence), in all probability most of the placement has already been done.  Wouldn't you think?  You would think I'd asked Ed McMahon for the secret numbers for the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes!  "That information is not available until the mailing process has been completed!"  Top Secret Supply Lists...I knew this school was good, but WOW! 

I thought about telling her that my husband has a pretty high level security clearance with the government so I'm sure it would be OK, but something told me that wouldn't work...

Guess I'll be hitting Wal-mart, scrounging the mostly bare shelves at 9:30 pm Tuesday night before school starts.

Comments

[Dawnyel]

I love that here, our Walmart GIVES the lists out. I haven't checked for whether or not they have the middle school lists, but I'm sure they do. But from my experiences going to high/middle school, they always give more supplies when you go on that first day anyway!! ARGH!!

[Sketchy]

Our Walmart gives out lists too Dawnyel, but not our schools -- at least not until after the school releases it. But thanks for the idea.

[Sister Stephanie]

I'm sorry your school sounds very strict! We did get Hannah's list from the school office. I don't know what she would have done if they wouldn't have given it to us. She was so jealous that her sister's was "on the website" What they do for elementary school that you no longer get in middle school. *sigh*

[Sketchy]

Steph - Addie's picture is on the website? Or her school suppy list? Brooke's will eventually be on the website, but not until after we get the team information. So next Thursday remind me I need to call the school...

[No Cool Story]

I hear your pain.
I never had this problem with neither elementary nor MS, but there's no way to find out HS's stuff. Can you believe I have a child in H.S.? carzy.
Anyways, boo hoo for you. Sorry