How much are you giving teachers this holiday?

[Anonymous]

I do $100 for the teacher, $50 direct to her and a other $50 in the class fund.

Ive never heard of a cap on limits, is that a thing in this area? I've never had money sent back fwiw. And how would they know in a class collection?? I only have 1 child and school is not his strong suite so I err on the side of giving more because I know his teachers work hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The acting principal sent an email out that specifically said not to exceed $20. I find it odd there was even an email sent out encouraging parents to give teachers money, at all. MCPS seems to get worse every year.

Probably bc it is a problem. They should honestly just make a no gifts policy. Buy stuff off the class list wish. Better yet, teach your kid some manner and good behavior. That would be the best gift of all to teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last year the room parent asked for $45 per child (Kindergarten) for a teacher’s class gift. That’s more than I spend on my DH for Christmas, but I Venmo’d anyway.

yep, they are asking now for between $40-$50 per child

[Anonymous]

$25 gift cards for the three favorite teachers for each kid. $10 gift cards for all other teachers. In all, each kid will be giving out $150-$175 in gift cards to teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do $100 for the teacher, $50 direct to her and a other $50 in the class fund.

Ive never heard of a cap on limits, is that a thing in this area? I've never had money sent back fwiw. And how would they know in a class collection?? I only have 1 child and school is not his strong suit so I err on the side of giving more because I know his teachers work hard.

MCPS does— it’s $20. That’s the same as the gift limit for federal employees. I don’t know about the other districts, but I’d be incredibly surprised if they’re any different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do $100 for the teacher, $50 direct to her and a other $50 in the class fund.

Ive never heard of a cap on limits, is that a thing in this area? I've never had money sent back fwiw. And how would they know in a class collection?? I only have 1 child and school is not his strong suit so I err on the side of giving more because I know his teachers work hard.

MCPS does— it’s $20. That’s the same as the gift limit for federal employees. I don’t know about the other districts, but I’d be incredibly surprised if they’re any different.

DP. We are in Loudoun, and I've never heard of a limit here.

[Anonymous]

$0

[Anonymous]

$25 gift cards. 10 teachers.

We do not but gifts for dh and self

[Anonymous]

0.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Write a really nice card. The more specific, the better. I keep these in my desk as mood boosters on the toughest days.

This! I love getting cards! Honestly, that means more to me than a gift certificate.

I also read them on rough days. Old cards have actually kept me from quitting. I had a really rough week last year, hitting rock bottom. It was a stack of old cards that helped me clearly see reasons I should stay. Teachers don’t get a ton of kind words.

So the handwritten notes at the beginning of the school year, the holidays, and Teacher Appreciation Week that I write along with a gift card are not enough for you? Good to freaking know.

Oh, martyr, climb down. We need the wood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Zero because it’s not really a thing anymore I think.

I used to run the entire teacher appreciation program at our school pre-covid. I don’t bother anymore and I’m sure no one even notices the difference.

You don’t have to do it, but it most certainly still is “a thing.”

[Anonymous]

Room parent suggested $100 per child for the whole year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Write a really nice card. The more specific, the better. I keep these in my desk as mood boosters on the toughest days.

This! I love getting cards! Honestly, that means more to me than a gift certificate.

I also read them on rough days. Old cards have actually kept me from quitting. I had a really rough week last year, hitting rock bottom. It was a stack of old cards that helped me clearly see reasons I should stay. Teachers don’t get a ton of kind words.

So the handwritten notes at the beginning of the school year, the holidays, and Teacher Appreciation Week that I write along with a gift card are not enough for you? Good to freaking know.

I once wrote a wonderfully handwritten sentiment to one of my children’s teachers. I heard through the grapevine from a busybody PTA mom of a friend of my child’s that the teacher was creeped out by the note and went off about it in the teachers lounge in front of the PTA mom. I was so embarrassed I’ve never written a note like that again.

Sounds fishy. In 20 years of teaching, I’ve never seen a PTA mom or any parent in a teacher’s lounge other than setting up/serving/cleaning up all-staff events like a teacher appreciation brunch. But maybe you indeed wrote a really weird note?

She was there for the last-day luncheon put on by the PTA My note only thanked her for being a wonderful first teacher and introduction to school, and helping my child acclimate to school so easily (it was kindergarten, which made it more awkward; I had to see her for years at school pickups!) and how my child was already sad and tearful about leaving her class. Nothing weird.

There is your answer: she was a first year teacher. Everything is weird when you are a first year teacher. My guess is that she came in and made a remark to veteran teachers that she was surprised by your note. Then the busybody PTA mom sauced up the story when she served it to you and you gobbled the whole tale down. Worse, you let it color your interactions with subsequent teachers. Really, PP, really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Zero because it’s not really a thing anymore I think.

I used to run the entire teacher appreciation program at our school pre-covid. I don’t bother anymore and I’m sure no one even notices the difference.

It is still a thing, but it’s telling that the program you ran disappeared and no one noticed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Room parent suggested $100 per child for the whole year.

I would honestly assume she’s joking. That is so far beyond remotely reasonable that it can’t possibly be real.