Trapper Keepers

**lynnzop**[$] · #1 08-11-2004, 02:44 PM

Son is now going into 5th grade. Every year previous, his grade school list specifically says "NO TRAPPER KEEPERS". Every year previous, I have seen Trapper Keepers at every store we go to, and have to say "no, you can't have one because they specifically say so."

This year, 5th graders have, right there in black and white: One Trapper Keeper.

Do you think I can find ONE Trapper Keeper anywhere?????? Not Target, KMart, Shopko, WalMart, OfficeMax, OfficeDepot, Staples...nobody carries them. I did manage to find them online at mead.com, but that's it.

Hopefully it will ship by next week when they start school.

Have I mentioned this year how much I detest back to school shopping????

I'd rather have teeth extracted.

Lynn
who has everything on "the list" except the stinking Trapper Keeper and who woulda thought that finding an eraser would take trips to three different stores

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #2 08-11-2004, 02:46 PM

I

Trapper Keeper. They're the coolest.

**thinkerlady**[$] · #3 08-11-2004, 02:47 PM

YOu know--I never understood why we don't allow kids to have trappers. They are really a good system for organization. I just don't know why schools (mine included) don't like them. I have always thought the idea was great--I am a big one for teaching organization -- but no one seems to listen to my ideas. I am constantly outvoted on the topic every year.

**lynnzop**[$] · #4 08-11-2004, 02:52 PM

Quote:

mjfrombuffalo said

I

Trapper Keeper. They're the coolest.

Great. Can I borrow yours for Jeremy to use this year?

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #5 08-11-2004, 02:55 PM

I don't understand why schools ban them, or honestly HOW they can ban them. If a parent wants to get one for his/her child, what, is the school going to expell the kid or something? sheesh.

Jer can have my Trapper Keeper. It's pink, with a design of angelic cartoon pigs on it and the front tab (the part with the velcro) is half torn off. The inside is covered with metalic-purple marker comments such as "Mary Jane Loves Jim Curry" and other edifying bon mots.

**lynnzop**[$] · #6 08-11-2004, 02:57 PM

Oh yeah, I'm sure he'd love that.

I never had a trapper. And if they help with organization, I'll buy one for Jer, one for hubby and one for me.

This year, the new "banned" item is bookbags with wheels.

Damn I hate BTS shopping.

**thinkerlady**[$] · #7 08-11-2004, 03:02 PM

Oh yeah--until the orthopedic docs get a hold of that one. Wasn't it just a year or so ago they were promoting the school bags on wheels because books were too heavy?? Personally I think they are awkaward for little kids, but then again so is a heavy boodbag.

**lynnzop**[$] · #8 08-11-2004, 03:10 PM

Yeah, we weighed Jeremy's backpack one day. It was 15 pounds.

I thought the reason they banned certain items was more of the "not everyone can afford them" argument.

Whatever, it's stupid. I think I'll call the school and ask just where they suggest buying a Trapper Keeper. Nothing like stirring up a little trouble early in the game.

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #9 08-11-2004, 03:12 PM

Quote:

lynnzop said

Yeah, we weighed Jeremy's backpack one day. It was 15 pounds.

I thought the reason they banned certain items was more of the "not everyone can afford them" argument.

Whatever, it's stupid. I think I'll call the school and ask just where they suggest buying a Trapper Keeper. Nothing like stirring up a little trouble early in the game.

When my briefcase hits 11, I feel it. 15 for a pre-teen is insane.

**lynnzop**[$] · #10 08-11-2004, 03:21 PM

If he didn't just throw everything in there instead of only bringing home what he needs, I'd feel sorry for him.

And he puts rocks in his backpack.

He's a 10 year old boy, after all. Rocks are important.

(You honestly wouldn't believe the stuff I find in there sometimes.)

theeye · #11 08-11-2004, 03:34 PM

Um. What's a Trapper Keeper?

**thinkerlady**[$] · #12 08-11-2004, 04:19 PM

It is a binder that had folders, is three hole punched, has a cool velcro snap, and some zipper too! It is really cool.

Lynn if you are desperate, I can look around here and send it to you.

**lynnzop**[$] · #13 08-11-2004, 04:21 PM

Thanks Angie, but I think I'll call hubby (he's up in Minnesota) and see if he can't find one. Otherwise, I'll just order one online.

theeye · #14 08-11-2004, 04:34 PM

Apparently, they became cool in the 80s.

Gee, back in the dark ages when I was in school, we just called them three-ring-binders.

*emeleel* · #15 08-11-2004, 05:19 PM

Ah, but Trapper Keepers are different and special. And, okay, less durable.

The rings were usually plastic, at least when they first came out, and there's that all important fold-over and velcro-shut flap on the right side. When they first came out, they usually came with a couple of pocket portfolios, too. And lots of cool designs, which you don't usually get with regular 3 ring binders.

But they never helped me organize. !sigh

As for rolling backpacks, the issue came up on another board I'm on - apparently there are several issues. Noise, kids tripping over them in halls as other kids wheel them around, and they take up more space in the classroom.

**amykhar** · #16 08-11-2004, 05:19 PM

I had one in high school. I loved the darn thing.

*emeleel* · #17 08-11-2004, 05:24 PM

I loved mine, too! Can't remember what it looked like though. I think mine was plain. It was one of the really "in" things that we could actually afford to buy the real thing instead of a knock-off.

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #18 08-11-2004, 08:17 PM

Quote:

theeye said

Apparently, they became cool in the 80s.

Gee, back in the dark ages when I was in school, we just called them three-ring-binders.

These were most definitely NOT three ring binders.

**lynnzop**[$] · #19 08-11-2004, 08:36 PM

Alrighty then....I have a lead on where I might be able to find locally.

No, they are not three ring binders. But neither are they the canvas binders with a zipper cover that are everywhere this fall. And noting that Jeremy has the "mean" teacher, I don't want to start him out on the wrong foot by sending him in with the wrong supplies.

phoenixx · #20 08-11-2004, 08:56 PM

Memories of dazed doodlings on my Camo TK..... Writing punk band symbols everywhere on the darn thing

**thinkerlady**[$] · #21 08-11-2004, 09:43 PM

Well--she may be the "mean" teacher Lynn, but I am pretty darn impressed that she is requiring a trapper. Good for her.

**Prepoia**[$] · #22 08-12-2004, 12:37 AM

At our school kids can get any kind of binder system they like. But trapper keepers are heavy and while made for organization, the kids seem to take forever to find which pocket or folder their assignments are in. For organization, the fad of two years ago worked best (especially for the organizationally challenged) which was an accordian type file. They came in all the fashion colors and was easy to carry (sometimes stuffed into a trapper keeper.)

The bags on wheels makes sense but the kids have trouble maneuvering them in and out of the doors which are always jammed with other kids. They also do not fit into lockers and since they take up a lot of space many of the kids have to leave them in the hall and have no place to keep them during lunch.