Ask the Readers
By Carla Slavey
Reader ’ s Poll :
Parent ’ s ask their own questions about school supply lists
Sometimes as a reporter , when you ask what seems like an obvious question , you don ’ t get the answer you expect .
It ’ s one of the most exciting and interesting parts about being in journalism . Asking a question , even what seems to be the most innocent of questions , allows the reporter to see a subject through someone else ’ s eyes . Take SEKY ’ s most recent reader poll question , for example . As someone who doesn ’ t have children myself , I , the reporter , made an assumption that with mere weeks left to go before the first day of school , parents would be making plans to pick up items on their kids ’ supply lists .
Of course , when I was a child ( cue nostalgic music ), we didn ’ t have “ supply lists .” I went shopping for what I thought I would need – pens or pencils , notebooks , Trapper Keepers with the Ann Frank designs – and that was it .
Somewhere in the intervening years , the concept of a supply list was created . And I , assuming that since those items were considered necessary , figured schools would want to get those lists out as soon as possible , for the benefit of all those involved . Not so , apparently . Asking parents where they shop for the things on their supply list and whether they have been able to find everything they need led to some interesting answers , most of which were , “ Where are these lists ?”
It appears that at least some schools don ’ t get those supply lists out until just before school begins .
So , for the reader ’ s enjoyment , here are a group of answers that didn ’ t match my expectations for the question of where parents shop for school supply lists .
( Some comments have been altered to correct grammar .)
August 2022 SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky • 41