Public Education does NOT come cheap!

After paying over $200 for registration just for James to start high school,(and over $100.00 for Kaylie) I spent an hour last night reading through all his disclosures and making a list of what each of his classes are requiring. $30.00 for this, another $30.00 fee for that, with add'l monies needed for various other items half-way through the year-anywhere from $25 - $75), notebooks AND 3 ring binders AND dividers, AND page protectors for EACH of his 8 classes, pens, pencils, colored pencils, tape measure, safety glasses, scientific calculator (already had that from 7th grade, yeah me!)and other small miscellanous items. Then on to Kaylie's disclosures. Notebooks and 3-ring binders required for all her classes, plus art supplies - another $30.00...the list goes on. And of course, all monies have to be paid immediately before they can participate in said class that has fees required! Now, we had a few things here, but still needed to hit Walmart, which was an absolute zoo -everyone else shopping for the items they needed - and after buying the required binders, and bare minimum of what James and Kaylie needed, I still spent over $50.00! AND I still have to go get more items this weekend! Alot has changed from when I was in high school - no fees other than purchasing a yearbook, were required. (per my Dad). You think having young kids are expensive with diapers and formula, and constantly buying clothes and shoes as they outgrow everything so fast, then they hit Jr. High and High School and WHOA! I won't even bring up clothes as buying school clothes is still LESS expensive than paying for required school supplies and fees! Thanks for listening to me vent. I really don't feel any better tho!