Thank you gift cards for LOR

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At their FCPS high school, my kids gave a thank you note with a $10 gift certificate to each teacher who wrote an LOR (2 for 1 kid and 3 for the other).

These people took 2-3 hours of their time to do something they didn’t have to do. I’m glad you think their time was worth $10.

You think LORS take 2-3 hours?

[Anonymous]

Its like a teacher gift/end of school gift. I'd double or triple what you'd get for a normal teacher.

100-250 seems right to me.

[Anonymous]

Private school. A thank you note from kid and a $15-25 gift card - Starbucks, etc.

[Anonymous]

NYC private school. Thank you note and a batch of home-baked cookies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NYC private school. Thank you note and a batch of home-baked cookies.

No one wants a batch of home-baked cookies!

[Anonymous]

Gift cards inappropriate. Write a thank you note.

[Anonymous]

Gift card is expected at our private….

[Anonymous]

DC wrote a thank you note and gave merch from the college they are attending.

[Anonymous]

HS teacher

Generally I receive nothing. I would like to receive a thank you (either verbal or written) letting me know they have acknowledged the work it took and to share the results of where they are going next year! So often they are former students who I don't see daily anymore, so it's kind of a black hole. Each one takes around an hour between chatting with your child and writing the letter so it's a significant undertaking to write 10-20 of them each year and the acknowledgement saves me from burning out on them.

Sometimes I get a small gift ($10 GC, chocolate, a pen or magnet from their chosen school, a coffee mug) and those are always lovely but not expected.

Please don't give large sums of money (in public school, not sure about private). It makes it feel so transactional, and that's not what it's about. It's part of the job description of being a HS teacher. Anything over $100/family/year in my district is supposed to be reported and it just makes it awkward.

[Anonymous]

We did $250 per teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC wrote a thank you note and gave merch from the college they are attending.

Why do you think someone would want that? Do adults typically go around wearing or using items emblazoned with a school’s name/emblem that they have no connection to?

[Anonymous]

We did a note and $50 gift card.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HS teacher

Generally I receive nothing. I would like to receive a thank you (either verbal or written) letting me know they have acknowledged the work it took and to share the results of where they are going next year! So often they are former students who I don't see daily anymore, so it's kind of a black hole. Each one takes around an hour between chatting with your child and writing the letter so it's a significant undertaking to write 10-20 of them each year and the acknowledgement saves me from burning out on them.

Sometimes I get a small gift ($10 GC, chocolate, a pen or magnet from their chosen school, a coffee mug) and those are always lovely but not expected.

Please don't give large sums of money (in public school, not sure about private). It makes it feel so transactional, and that's not what it's about. It's part of the job description of being a HS teacher. Anything over $100/family/year in my district is supposed to be reported and it just makes it awkward.

Thanks for sharing! It's very helpful.

[Anonymous]

When my mom worked at a private, the norm was $100-150 per LOR. But the key was to be a teacher who was selective in giving them out. They aren't as meaningful if the same teacher will write one for every kid who asked.

That was ~15 years ago, so I bet now the private school going rate is $200-250 per LOR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did $250 per teacher.