January 8, 2010  
Filed under Uncategorized

School Supply Expenses On The Rise

As the second semester swings into a rapid beginning, many students and staff member s have taken notice of the inflation of school supplies. It seems as if each time parents and students look up, costs just keep rising for basic supplies such as paper, folders, binders, and writing utensils. However, who are these prices really affecting?
“It effects the parents,” said junior Patrick Linthecome. Linthecome also believes that the recession is a reason as to why students and parents are struggling to pay for school supplies. “Teens find it hard to get jobs, and those who have jobs often times get their hours cut, and this makes it hard for students to makes it hard for students to make money and buy school supplies,” said Linthecome.
Although student and parents are being affected, teachers are also feeling the pinch of the recession as well. “Some of my students do not have their supplies and I have to go out of my way to pay for them personally, because I want all of my students to be prepared to learn,” said Lindsay Holland, Spanish teacher. Aside from borrowing supplies from their teachers, students are also borrowing needed supplies from their peers in order to be prepared for class.
On the other hand, there are some students who are not looking for the bargains, but just looking to get their supplies. “There are really no cheap places to shop at the moment; so I just buy them all at the same store so that I know I have them,” said Sierra Thompson, sophomore.
However, whatever the situation may be, the economy is in a recession, with no sign of it getting better in the next few months-therefore it seems as if the inflation of school supplies will remain the same. Right now, students, parents and teachers are struggling because of the inflation of school supplies. “My mother is a single parent, and we usually buy our supplies in the summer when they are on sale, because no one is buying them at that time,” said Arnetia Pipikins, sophomore.
Although retail stores such as Wal-Mart, and Target are slashing prices, the school supply merchandise prices still seems to be on a steady incline. School supply expenses have incredibly increased when compared to five years ago. So, shopping around and looking for bargains seems to be the best solution for the rise in school supplies.

Written by: Asa Woodberry

Tags:

 Email This Post        Print This Post