If you're a room parent who planned the class gift...

[Anonymous]

Another room parent here...Our PTA requests a set amount from each family at the beginning of the year and pools the money. It's then divided equally between classrooms. I have no idea who from our class contributed, just that we received a set amount to work with for the year, to cover gifts, parties, and activities. I really like this - no singling out or pressure to contribute for those who really can't afford it, and no disparities between classrooms. So the holiday gifts for our teacher and assistant came from the whole class. Families could opt to do their own thing as well - some did, some didn't (and again, I have no visibility on who did what, nor do I really have an interest).

[Anonymous]

We had great participation - 26/27 kids gave. Most gave above the amount I suggested ($10). We told families up front that all gifts would be from all the children , regardless of whether all families contributed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another room parent here...Our PTA requests a set amount from each family at the beginning of the year and pools the money. It's then divided equally between classrooms. I have no idea who from our class contributed, just that we received a set amount to work with for the year, to cover gifts, parties, and activities. I really like this - no singling out or pressure to contribute for those who really can't afford it, and no disparities between classrooms. So the holiday gifts for our teacher and assistant came from the whole class. Families could opt to do their own thing as well - some did, some didn't (and again, I have no visibility on who did what, nor do I really have an interest).

I would hate to have the PTA pool it divide equally. If it's an amazing teacher I might give 30 or 40 to the class gift, but if the teacher is not good I might give little or nothing. I don't want my hard earned money going toward making a crappy teacher feel special. I am glad our room parents organize something. If the PTA tool over and doled it all out equally I would not contribute and would instead get my own gift cards for the teacher who rock.

[Anonymous]

Parochial school - 100% participation. We collect an gift a group gift to lead teacher and aide, also PE-music-foreign language-library-office staff-custodians-principal receive gifts as well.

[Anonymous]

I am a teacher. 7 out of 9 kids.

[Anonymous]

13/21 gave

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was our first year contributing to a class gift and gave cash anonymously. Should we have put our name on an envelope and contributed? Is someone keeping track of who gives and ho doesn't?

No, I just track the number of people who participate. Not "who." As a room parent, I try to set an amount based on the number of students in class. In my case, I suggested a donation of $5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another room parent here...Our PTA requests a set amount from each family at the beginning of the year and pools the money. It's then divided equally between classrooms. I have no idea who from our class contributed, just that we received a set amount to work with for the year, to cover gifts, parties, and activities. I really like this - no singling out or pressure to contribute for those who really can't afford it, and no disparities between classrooms. So the holiday gifts for our teacher and assistant came from the whole class. Families could opt to do their own thing as well - some did, some didn't (and again, I have no visibility on who did what, nor do I really have an interest).

I would hate to have the PTA pool it divide equally. If it's an amazing teacher I might give 30 or 40 to the class gift, but if the teacher is not good I might give little or nothing. I don't want my hard earned money going toward making a crappy teacher feel special. I am glad our room parents organize something. If the PTA tool over and doled it all out equally I would not contribute and would instead get my own gift cards for the teacher who rock.

+1

I think it's a horrible idea for the PTA to pool it and divide it equally. Luckily our school doesn't do that either!

[Anonymous]

Is that the Colvin Run PTA that takes over the teacher gifts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
3. Some parents who want to give the teacher a bigger gift are aggravated that they know they are only subsidizing parents who give nothing letting them hide.

This is what annoys me.

What annoys me are the bean counters. For me, the point is to give a gift to the teachers for their hard work in teacher my children. I don't need the acknowledgment that I gave more than others. It's not my business that Sally's mom is struggling post-divorce to pay her bills or that Johnny's grandfather just had a stroke and the family is paying expensive medical bills or that Jimmy's parents don't know how to budget and overspent their holiday budget and had nothing left. The point is that Mrs. Smith was an excellent teacher and deserves a holiday gift. I give extra when I have extra and I give the minimum when I don't...because I have it to give. I'm not subsidizing the parents, I'm ensuring that Mrs. Smith gets the acknowledgment that she did a good job teaching our children and that we, the parents, are grateful. Even the parents who didn't contribute are usually grateful. And if I were the organizer, it would always say from everyone.

Hear, hear! +1000

[Anonymous]

23/24. Second grade NW DC public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a teacher. 7 out of 9 kids.

What school has 9 kids?