Comments on: Green School Supplies Letter to Teacher http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/ Green and Natural Parenting Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:28:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Lisa @Retro Housewife Goes Green http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6882 Lisa @Retro Housewife Goes Green Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:46:17 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6882 As the wife of a teacher I can tell you a lot of the time, if not most the teachers can add things to the list but the school makes them. So really the letter should go to the school. My husband would LOVE to have a totally green and non-toxic room but he doesn't have that power. He does have the kids use his non-toxic cleaners if they need to use something in place of the stuff that was on the supply list and he recycles but there isn't much else he can do. So go to PTA meetings and green the whole school. :) I know not ever parents has that time but if you do you may be surprised how many teachers will back you. As the wife of a teacher I can tell you a lot of the time, if not most the teachers can add things to the list but the school makes them. So really the letter should go to the school.

My husband would LOVE to have a totally green and non-toxic room but he doesn’t have that power. He does have the kids use his non-toxic cleaners if they need to use something in place of the stuff that was on the supply list and he recycles but there isn’t much else he can do.

So go to PTA meetings and green the whole school. :) I know not ever parents has that time but if you do you may be surprised how many teachers will back you.

]]> By: VikingMom http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6881 VikingMom Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:41:22 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6881 Love Love the list and letter. So, far I have had eco-savy teachers with my two. My two kiddos are also gluten free and many of the school supplies are NOT gluten free. I have explained to the teachers that it is far easier for me to buy the supplies to guarantee that they are gluten free. It happens they are also eco friendly. We have been using Clementine Art crayons, pens and paints with happy success. My daughter's friends always want to borrow her pens because the colors are different from the Crayola. One teacher fell in love with the brand because it was so much easier to clean up. Purell and many of the hand-sanitizers are NOT gluten free due to the alcohol. We have success with Burts Bee Hand Sanitizer which has Aloe and Witch Hazel instead. I also have made my own and sent it with them to school. For note books and sketch books we fell in love with Eco Jot. Bless Bless Love Love the list and letter. So, far I have had eco-savy teachers with my two. My two kiddos are also gluten free and many of the school supplies are NOT gluten free. I have explained to the teachers that it is far easier for me to buy the supplies to guarantee that they are gluten free. It happens they are also eco friendly.
We have been using Clementine Art crayons, pens and paints with happy success. My daughter’s friends always want to borrow her pens because the colors are different from the Crayola. One teacher fell in love with the brand because it was so much easier to clean up. Purell and many of the hand-sanitizers are NOT gluten free due to the alcohol. We have success with Burts Bee Hand Sanitizer which has Aloe and Witch Hazel instead. I also have made my own and sent it with them to school.
For note books and sketch books we fell in love with Eco Jot.
Bless Bless

]]> By: Sarah http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6880 Sarah Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:02:16 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6880 I think this is great- I know a lot of parents would never even think to stray from a list like that! I saw that a couple of people mentioned supply lists from (bad, bad) Wal-Mart- here's a link to one mother's experience with those lists. It seems as if Wal-Mart just made up some supply lists and made them look like they came from the schools?! Check it out here: http://kelbycarr.com/truth-about-wal-mart-back-to-school-lists/ I think this is great- I know a lot of parents would never even think to stray from a list like that! I saw that a couple of people mentioned supply lists from (bad, bad) Wal-Mart- here’s a link to one mother’s experience with those lists. It seems as if Wal-Mart just made up some supply lists and made them look like they came from the schools?! Check it out here: http://kelbycarr.com/truth-about-wal-mart-back-to-school-lists/

]]> By: NtJS http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6879 NtJS Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:51:47 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6879 great letter! We just went through buy school supplies, but the big problem we had was that certain things didn't exist. "12 pack washable markers in basic colors" - yeah, you can get that in a 10 pack, you can get them non-washable, but you can't get all three. We just didn't need them bad enough to try Wal-Mart... there's not much that we need bad enough to get us in there. great letter! We just went through buy school supplies, but the big problem we had was that certain things didn’t exist. “12 pack washable markers in basic colors” – yeah, you can get that in a 10 pack, you can get them non-washable, but you can’t get all three.

We just didn’t need them bad enough to try Wal-Mart… there’s not much that we need bad enough to get us in there.

]]> By: Frugal Babe http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6878 Frugal Babe Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:16:27 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6878 Thanks for the tip about CleanWell. I will never let my son use chemical hand sanitizer - it's nice to know that there are other options out there. Thanks for the tip about CleanWell. I will never let my son use chemical hand sanitizer – it’s nice to know that there are other options out there.

]]> By: AnnMarie http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6877 AnnMarie Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:14:22 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6877 Thank you!! My DD isn't in school yet either but I checked out the lists for K and 1st grade the other week since it was in the newspaper. I was aghast at a lot of the stuff but hadn't even considered doing it my own way. This will give me the courage to do so. The one I really hated was a VINYL coated art smock. It's my kids clothes underneath, I'll send what I want to send (probably an old shirt of DHs!). No way will I send vinyl. As to Purell and other whole classroom products--I'm hoping DD will be taught well enough at home to eschew such items. (I'm with the side that says we over use antibacterials and are making ourselves as a society sicker by getting rid of the minor bugs. You know, all us adults survived school w/o them.) I'm also annoyed by all the brand names. I wonder what they'll do if DD shows up with non-Crayola brand crayons and markers? Thank you!! My DD isn’t in school yet either but I checked out the lists for K and 1st grade the other week since it was in the newspaper. I was aghast at a lot of the stuff but hadn’t even considered doing it my own way. This will give me the courage to do so. The one I really hated was a VINYL coated art smock. It’s my kids clothes underneath, I’ll send what I want to send (probably an old shirt of DHs!). No way will I send vinyl.

As to Purell and other whole classroom products–I’m hoping DD will be taught well enough at home to eschew such items. (I’m with the side that says we over use antibacterials and are making ourselves as a society sicker by getting rid of the minor bugs. You know, all us adults survived school w/o them.)

I’m also annoyed by all the brand names. I wonder what they’ll do if DD shows up with non-Crayola brand crayons and markers?

]]> By: pierrette http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6876 pierrette Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:27:09 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6876 I love this... I love this…

]]> By: Melissa http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6875 Melissa Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:32:47 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6875 Tiffany - I just want to tell you that I appreciate how you're doing a lot of the 'leg work' when it comes to making my family healthier and more eco-friendly. Tips like these are things I never thought of (kids aren't in school yet) but really open up my eyes. Now if I can just find a way to convince my kids that school hot lunches aren't cool. Tiffany – I just want to tell you that I appreciate how you’re doing a lot of the ‘leg work’ when it comes to making my family healthier and more eco-friendly. Tips like these are things I never thought of (kids aren’t in school yet) but really open up my eyes. Now if I can just find a way to convince my kids that school hot lunches aren’t cool.

]]> By: Tiffany http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6874 Tiffany Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:34:39 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6874 CC, Thymus Vulgaris Oil has been used for a long time. It is hardly untested as you seem to be hinting. It is in fact a main ingredient in Listerine, a huge corporate product. It was used in days past to medicate bandages and you can even drink tea made with it. It is both safe AND effective. CC,

Thymus Vulgaris Oil has been used for a long time. It is hardly untested as you seem to be hinting. It is in fact a main ingredient in Listerine, a huge corporate product. It was used in days past to medicate bandages and you can even drink tea made with it. It is both safe AND effective.

]]> By: CC http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6873 CC Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:15:26 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6873 I work for a personal care product company and I'm concerned about the CleanWell product. They have a great website, marketing and packaging but the active they use (Thymus Vulgaris Oil) is not recognized as a safe and effective ingredient. Don’t be too quick to deem it as the “green answer” if you don’t know it is safe and effective! Alcohol based sanitizer have been around for decades and have tons of data to support their use. Small companies (like CleanWell) slip around FDA regulations unnoticed while larger manufactures (such as PURELL or GermX) have immense amount of research and development in their product to prove their safety. I work for a personal care product company and I’m concerned about the CleanWell product. They have a great website, marketing and packaging but the active they use (Thymus Vulgaris Oil) is not recognized as a safe and effective ingredient. Don’t be too quick to deem it as the “green answer” if you don’t know it is safe and effective!
Alcohol based sanitizer have been around for decades and have tons of data to support their use. Small companies (like CleanWell) slip around FDA regulations unnoticed while larger manufactures (such as PURELL or GermX) have immense amount of research and development in their product to prove their safety.

]]> By: Jaimelee http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6872 Jaimelee Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:10:36 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6872 That Wal-mart comment scares me! Love the letter I will pack this away for later but hopefully by that time schools will be more green period. That Wal-mart comment scares me!

Love the letter I will pack this away for later but hopefully by that time schools will be more green period.

]]> By: Jen http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6871 Jen Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:34:38 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6871 That letter is perfect. Thanks for sharing. That letter is perfect. Thanks for sharing.

]]> By: Polka Dot Mommy http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6870 Polka Dot Mommy Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:48:39 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6870 Perfect. I had to link you! Cheers! Jamie Perfect. I had to link you!

Cheers!
Jamie

]]> By: Tiffany http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6869 Tiffany Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:59:17 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6869 Here in Ohio the lists are even at Wal-Mart. There is a big display with lists for each school and grade. Here in Ohio the lists are even at Wal-Mart. There is a big display with lists for each school and grade.

]]> By: Bonnie Sayers (autismfamily) http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6868 Bonnie Sayers (autismfamily) Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:52:15 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6868 My kids are 12 and 13. We are with LAUSD and we have never been given a request for school supplies. It must be a regional thing. My kids are 12 and 13. We are with LAUSD and we have never been given a request for school supplies. It must be a regional thing.

]]> By: Brooke http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6867 Brooke Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:57:51 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6867 This is a really great idea. I remember getting those stupid school lists (even in high school!) that had completely wasteful things on them, like Kleenex. This is a really great idea. I remember getting those stupid school lists (even in high school!) that had completely wasteful things on them, like Kleenex.

]]> By: julie http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6866 julie Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:45:57 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6866 I love the letter... I am going to forward this to all my friends who are parents that are getting ready to head back to school. I love the letter… I am going to forward this to all my friends who are parents that are getting ready to head back to school.

]]> By: Sommer http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6865 Sommer Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:53:43 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6865 The ending to your letter, "The Nut Job Parent" cracks me up! Great letter and advice! The ending to your letter, “The Nut Job Parent” cracks me up! Great letter and advice!

]]> By: Momma http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6864 Momma Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:39:28 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6864 This letter is fantastic! I never even thought of being able to stray from the list. You always think you have to follow the directions the teacher gives....even as adults! Thanks for shining the light in my face! This letter is fantastic! I never even thought of being able to stray from the list. You always think you have to follow the directions the teacher gives….even as adults! Thanks for shining the light in my face!

]]> By: Tiffany http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/08/12/green-school-supplies-letter-to-teacher/#comment-6863 Tiffany Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:37:33 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1385#comment-6863 Cindi, With some stuff like paper towels and plastic bags they probably do get slushed together but I am not concerned with health issues there so much as doing my part. Other things like crayons, hand sanitizer, pencils, etc...those things were put in a personal bin at my son's school and I labeled ALL my sons stuff last year. Cindi,

With some stuff like paper towels and plastic bags they probably do get slushed together but I am not concerned with health issues there so much as doing my part. Other things like crayons, hand sanitizer, pencils, etc…those things were put in a personal bin at my son’s school and I labeled ALL my sons stuff last year.

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