End of year teacher gifts?

[Anonymous]

Are end of year teacher gifts typical? If so, are they usually just small items, or do folks give gift cards (how much)? What if you already gave a gift card last month for teacher appreciation, should you do one again? We will definitely do a card/note, just trying to figure out if we should be giving something bigger too.

[Anonymous]

From my experience as a teacher:
In MCPS pre-K programs, about a third of the class will bring flowers or a gift for the teacher.

In wealthier elementary schools, usually half of the class would bring an end of year gift for the classroom teacher. Middle and high school teachers may receive three-four gifts/cards total.

In Title 1 schools (elementary), usually one or two students bring a gift or card.

That being said, a note of appreciation goes a LONG way. It’s a nice bonus if accompanied by a $10-$15 gift card (target, Amazon).

As a parent, I also try and remember to send in a handwritten thank you card and $15 gift card to the secretaries, and will often send a note or email to admin letting them know we appreciate them (if it has been a good experience).

If it’s too much to get together at the end of the year (and if your child has had a positive experience with their teacher), you can always send a quick email letting know one or two things that were particularly meaningful to your child.

[Anonymous]

Do whatever you're comfortable with! I keep handwritten cards from my students and have them 10 years later, anything means a lot!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do whatever you're comfortable with! I keep handwritten cards from my students and have them 10 years later, anything means a lot!

This is it. From a parent, a kind email goes a long way cc principal if you think they are above and beyond.

[Anonymous]

In our elementary school, the room parents get a gift certificate for the teacher based on donations received at the beginning of the year. Everyone donates $25 at the beginning and the pot of funds is used for class parties, teacher appreciation week, teachers birthday, and the end of the year gift.

[Anonymous]

$500

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$500

LOL. The gift limit is $20. More than that and teachers can potentially lose their jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$500

You gotta get all your kid's classmates in on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$500

You gotta get all your kid's classmates in on it.

Even then (if a group gift) there is a limit. Were we not supposed to talk about that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From my experience as a teacher:
In MCPS pre-K programs, about a third of the class will bring flowers or a gift for the teacher.

In wealthier elementary schools, usually half of the class would bring an end of year gift for the classroom teacher. Middle and high school teachers may receive three-four gifts/cards total.

In Title 1 schools (elementary), usually one or two students bring a gift or card.

That being said, a note of appreciation goes a LONG way. It’s a nice bonus if accompanied by a $10-$15 gift card (target, Amazon).

As a parent, I also try and remember to send in a handwritten thank you card and $15 gift card to the secretaries, and will often send a note or email to admin letting them know we appreciate them (if it has been a good experience).

If it’s too much to get together at the end of the year (and if your child has had a positive experience with their teacher), you can always send a quick email letting know one or two things that were particularly meaningful to your child.

Do the middle-class parents who give gift cards to elementary school teachers usually give one for teacher appreciation and one for end-of-year? Or do they usually pick one or the other?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From my experience as a teacher:
In MCPS pre-K programs, about a third of the class will bring flowers or a gift for the teacher.

In wealthier elementary schools, usually half of the class would bring an end of year gift for the classroom teacher. Middle and high school teachers may receive three-four gifts/cards total.

In Title 1 schools (elementary), usually one or two students bring a gift or card.

That being said, a note of appreciation goes a LONG way. It’s a nice bonus if accompanied by a $10-$15 gift card (target, Amazon).

As a parent, I also try and remember to send in a handwritten thank you card and $15 gift card to the secretaries, and will often send a note or email to admin letting them know we appreciate them (if it has been a good experience).

If it’s too much to get together at the end of the year (and if your child has had a positive experience with their teacher), you can always send a quick email letting know one or two things that were particularly meaningful to your child.

Thanks for your thoughtful post.