Teacher Appreciation Week

[Anonymous]

At our ES, all staff will get $50 gift card with money received by the PTA. I am glad the front office staff, the cafeteria staff and all the other employees that get forgotten will get a gift card. The same things happens during the holidays.

Teachers get birthday presents and end of year gifts organized by the room parents.

I am very pleased by this arrangement.

[Anonymous]

Wow. Some of these schools are really overboard.

Our elementary pta does a breakfast, a lunch, and a “supply cart” to restock classroom supplies (which I think is silly since the school has access to discounted materials, but whatever).

The high school where I teach does breakfast burritos one day and usually puts a gift in our mailboxes one day (school swag—socks, a hat, an umbrella). The food is paid for by pta, the swag comes out of admin’s morale budget.

Neither school does anything with cash or gift cards, thankfully.

[Anonymous]

I am guessing the change from relying on classrooms to provide the gift cards for their specific teacher comes from the fact that the participation is often disproportionate- you usually get a lot of participation (and therefore a much more lavish gift) in the younger grades - the more senior grades often participation for donations is far lower and therefore the teachers may not get the same level of "appreciation" gift. Additionally, the staff at all the schools really do quite a lot for the students - it's a joint effort between custodial staff, specials teachers (enrichment activities AND the various therapy teachers etc.) and the front office staff (especially the clinic team) to keep the school running smoothly for our students. I am all for making sure that the teachers and staff alike are all treated equally in terms of showing our appreciation for their hard work all year long - even if that means that I won't be purchasing a gift directly for my students' teacher, but instead contributing to a collective gift for all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am guessing the change from relying on classrooms to provide the gift cards for their specific teacher comes from the fact that the participation is often disproportionate- you usually get a lot of participation (and therefore a much more lavish gift) in the younger grades - the more senior grades often participation for donations is far lower and therefore the teachers may not get the same level of "appreciation" gift. Additionally, the staff at all the schools really do quite a lot for the students - it's a joint effort between custodial staff, specials teachers (enrichment activities AND the various therapy teachers etc.) and the front office staff (especially the clinic team) to keep the school running smoothly for our students. I am all for making sure that the teachers and staff alike are all treated equally in terms of showing our appreciation for their hard work all year long - even if that means that I won't be purchasing a gift directly for my students' teacher, but instead contributing to a collective gift for all.

+1

[Anonymous]

It’s Appreciation for Teachers, not ancillary staff. Celebrate them at a different time. The teachers are with these kids for 6 hours a day. That deserves its own appreciation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am guessing the change from relying on classrooms to provide the gift cards for their specific teacher comes from the fact that the participation is often disproportionate- you usually get a lot of participation (and therefore a much more lavish gift) in the younger grades - the more senior grades often participation for donations is far lower and therefore the teachers may not get the same level of "appreciation" gift. Additionally, the staff at all the schools really do quite a lot for the students - it's a joint effort between custodial staff, specials teachers (enrichment activities AND the various therapy teachers etc.) and the front office staff (especially the clinic team) to keep the school running smoothly for our students. I am all for making sure that the teachers and staff alike are all treated equally in terms of showing our appreciation for their hard work all year long - even if that means that I won't be purchasing a gift directly for my students' teacher, but instead contributing to a collective gift for all.

I don’t like the idea of giving someone else my money and them deciding how it’s spent. It’s my money I’ll give it to whoever I want when I want. Sending money and gift cards to a PTO also takes the personalized element out of it. I’d much rather write a note to individual teachers and staff. For some people we include a picture my kid drew or a small gift or gift card, for others they just get a card.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s Appreciation for Teachers, not ancillary staff. Celebrate them at a different time. The teachers are with these kids for 6 hours a day. That deserves its own appreciation.

Exactly. This is one of our issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am guessing the change from relying on classrooms to provide the gift cards for their specific teacher comes from the fact that the participation is often disproportionate- you usually get a lot of participation (and therefore a much more lavish gift) in the younger grades - the more senior grades often participation for donations is far lower and therefore the teachers may not get the same level of "appreciation" gift. Additionally, the staff at all the schools really do quite a lot for the students - it's a joint effort between custodial staff, specials teachers (enrichment activities AND the various therapy teachers etc.) and the front office staff (especially the clinic team) to keep the school running smoothly for our students. I am all for making sure that the teachers and staff alike are all treated equally in terms of showing our appreciation for their hard work all year long - even if that means that I won't be purchasing a gift directly for my students' teacher, but instead contributing to a collective gift for all.

I don’t like the idea of giving someone else my money and them deciding how it’s spent. It’s my money I’ll give it to whoever I want when I want. Sending money and gift cards to a PTO also takes the personalized element out of it. I’d much rather write a note to individual teachers and staff. For some people we include a picture my kid drew or a small gift or gift card, for others they just get a card.

100% this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am guessing the change from relying on classrooms to provide the gift cards for their specific teacher comes from the fact that the participation is often disproportionate- you usually get a lot of participation (and therefore a much more lavish gift) in the younger grades - the more senior grades often participation for donations is far lower and therefore the teachers may not get the same level of "appreciation" gift. Additionally, the staff at all the schools really do quite a lot for the students - it's a joint effort between custodial staff, specials teachers (enrichment activities AND the various therapy teachers etc.) and the front office staff (especially the clinic team) to keep the school running smoothly for our students. I am all for making sure that the teachers and staff alike are all treated equally in terms of showing our appreciation for their hard work all year long - even if that means that I won't be purchasing a gift directly for my students' teacher, but instead contributing to a collective gift for all.

No it’s actually not a joint effort among everybody like one big kumbaya. Some people do more and work harder than others. You have no idea how a school works and I can tell you don’t actually work in one. If you did you would 100% agree that teachers should be getting the biggest gift card, not ancillary staff or admin. You’re probably the one behind this change which no one agrees with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am guessing the change from relying on classrooms to provide the gift cards for their specific teacher comes from the fact that the participation is often disproportionate- you usually get a lot of participation (and therefore a much more lavish gift) in the younger grades - the more senior grades often participation for donations is far lower and therefore the teachers may not get the same level of "appreciation" gift. Additionally, the staff at all the schools really do quite a lot for the students - it's a joint effort between custodial staff, specials teachers (enrichment activities AND the various therapy teachers etc.) and the front office staff (especially the clinic team) to keep the school running smoothly for our students. I am all for making sure that the teachers and staff alike are all treated equally in terms of showing our appreciation for their hard work all year long - even if that means that I won't be purchasing a gift directly for my students' teacher, but instead contributing to a collective gift for all.

No it’s actually not a joint effort among everybody like one big kumbaya. Some people do more and work harder than others. You have no idea how a school works and I can tell you don’t actually work in one. If you did you would 100% agree that teachers should be getting the biggest gift card, not ancillary staff or admin. You’re probably the one behind this change which no one agrees with.

I’ve been a teacher for 14 years and would absolutely 100% support including custodians and secretaries in the appreciation week. I’m sorry that you don’t feel they work as hard has we do.

That said, I don’t love the idea of gift cards and putting a number on the amount of appreciation. A card and a bagel and I’m happy for the week. Give the custodians and secretaries bagels too!

[Anonymous]

We do Staff Appreciation Week, but all the other folks in the building understand that’s how we do it, rather than a separate day/week for all the various job classifications. This way, nobody is excluded. We’re limited by available donor money and volunteer hours, just like every nonprofit. Doing it this way lets us leverage those finite resources to recognize everyone that deserves it. It takes every single adult in the building to make the school function properly, and we thank them all equally. It’s not much… I truly wish it could be more… just a couple of catered meals and lots of signs/decorations, but I’ve seen firsthand the community-building that happens among the entire staff when they have a chance to share food together. It helps with an atmosphere of teamwork, and our kiddos benefit from that.

I think, if you don’t agree, don’t participate and perhaps join your PTA or PTO to make changes. I’m sure this school’s organization is a group of volunteer moms trying to survive but willing to give up precious free time to try to help. I don’t think it is very productive to post anonymously to try to rally a protest against people that are just trying their best. We struggle for volunteers at our little school and every year we have less people willing to help. When we get complaints, and we always do, we welcome them to join our PTA to help but suddenly no one responds back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We do Staff Appreciation Week, but all the other folks in the building understand that’s how we do it, rather than a separate day/week for all the various job classifications. This way, nobody is excluded. We’re limited by available donor money and volunteer hours, just like every nonprofit. Doing it this way lets us leverage those finite resources to recognize everyone that deserves it. It takes every single adult in the building to make the school function properly, and we thank them all equally. It’s not much… I truly wish it could be more… just a couple of catered meals and lots of signs/decorations, but I’ve seen firsthand the community-building that happens among the entire staff when they have a chance to share food together. It helps with an atmosphere of teamwork, and our kiddos benefit from that.

I think, if you don’t agree, don’t participate and perhaps join your PTA or PTO to make changes. I’m sure this school’s organization is a group of volunteer moms trying to survive but willing to give up precious free time to try to help. I don’t think it is very productive to post anonymously to try to rally a protest against people that are just trying their best. We struggle for volunteers at our little school and every year we have less people willing to help. When we get complaints, and we always do, we welcome them to join our PTA to help but suddenly no one responds back.

You talk to people like this and wonder why nobody responds back?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We do Staff Appreciation Week, but all the other folks in the building understand that’s how we do it, rather than a separate day/week for all the various job classifications. This way, nobody is excluded. We’re limited by available donor money and volunteer hours, just like every nonprofit. Doing it this way lets us leverage those finite resources to recognize everyone that deserves it. It takes every single adult in the building to make the school function properly, and we thank them all equally. It’s not much… I truly wish it could be more… just a couple of catered meals and lots of signs/decorations, but I’ve seen firsthand the community-building that happens among the entire staff when they have a chance to share food together. It helps with an atmosphere of teamwork, and our kiddos benefit from that.

I think, if you don’t agree, don’t participate and perhaps join your PTA or PTO to make changes. I’m sure this school’s organization is a group of volunteer moms trying to survive but willing to give up precious free time to try to help. I don’t think it is very productive to post anonymously to try to rally a protest against people that are just trying their best. We struggle for volunteers at our little school and every year we have less people willing to help. When we get complaints, and we always do, we welcome them to join our PTA to help but suddenly no one responds back.

You talk to people like this and wonder why nobody responds back?

LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am guessing the change from relying on classrooms to provide the gift cards for their specific teacher comes from the fact that the participation is often disproportionate- you usually get a lot of participation (and therefore a much more lavish gift) in the younger grades - the more senior grades often participation for donations is far lower and therefore the teachers may not get the same level of "appreciation" gift. Additionally, the staff at all the schools really do quite a lot for the students - it's a joint effort between custodial staff, specials teachers (enrichment activities AND the various therapy teachers etc.) and the front office staff (especially the clinic team) to keep the school running smoothly for our students. I am all for making sure that the teachers and staff alike are all treated equally in terms of showing our appreciation for their hard work all year long - even if that means that I won't be purchasing a gift directly for my students' teacher, but instead contributing to a collective gift for all.

No it’s actually not a joint effort among everybody like one big kumbaya. Some people do more and work harder than others. You have no idea how a school works and I can tell you don’t actually work in one. If you did you would 100% agree that teachers should be getting the biggest gift card, not ancillary staff or admin. You’re probably the one behind this change which no one agrees with.

I’ve been a teacher for 14 years and would absolutely 100% support including custodians and secretaries in the appreciation week. I’m sorry that you don’t feel they work as hard has we do.

That said, I don’t love the idea of gift cards and putting a number on the amount of appreciation. A card and a bagel and I’m happy for the week. Give the custodians and secretaries bagels too!

I should clarify that I don’t think the gifts should be equal for a classroom teacher vs an aide. I’m not saying they should get absolutely nothing, but why are we evenly dividing all contributions when frankly, some staff do more than others?

[Anonymous]

Even among classroom teachers, some work harder than others. That’s why I like the idea of letting each class get gift cards for their own teacher.