Last day of school -Goodbye gift teacher? Didn't get one for appreciation week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Come on folks... are you kidding? Most of you give tips of $5, $10, and much more for one meal out or other service(s). I'm not comparing teachers to workers in fields that receives tips, I just trying to put in perspective the small amount of money discuss here about spending towards the people that probably spend/care/teach the most time with your child(ren); other than yourselves. While I know that $5 or $10 is a significant amount for some families, it's disgusting to see the tight hearted sentiments of wealthier families who can easily afford to show a little appreciation to their child(ren)'s teachers and belly ache about. (i.e., poster who pays $60K per year for two private school education. etc...)

Seriously??? You would call me "tight hearted" because although I contributed $2500 to the teacher's continuing education fund this year, bought each child's teacher and their spouse a ticket to the gala ($300), donated $50 to each teacher's classroom gift for Christmas (required was $10) and donated another $50 each for the birthday gift from class (again it was a required $10) and spent over $200 for each child's class for fun stuff that was enjoyed by the whole class all year (a huge box of stickers, festive pencils, fun erasers, craft projects for rainy days, grab bag gifts, etc)??

Oh, and I almost forgot underwriting the cost of bagels, donuts, coffee and juice during "teacher appreciation week" which cost just under $500 and underwriting one lunch that week which cost me just under $800. I paid for the whole school, not just 2 teachers. And the $100 I gave to each kids class for the "teacher appreciation week" gift (again, the required amount was $10).

But, I'm "tight hearted" and "a piece of work" because I don't see the need to give the teacher a $10 Starbucks gift card on the last day of school... Really??? Because my kid's teachers tell me "we wish we had more parents like you".

So teachers, which would you prefer? Money for continuing ed, supplies for your classroom, a generous gift card for Christmas, teacher's week and Birthday, gala tickets for you and your spouse, anything you want/need for the class bought at the drop of a hat and given with no questions asked or a potted plant? If you would really rather have the plant please let me know and I will be happy to oblige. God knows, I don't want to appear unappreciative by forgoing the plant and just spending money on things I thought you needed or would like.

Well, PP, you weren't so generous with the details of your exceptional teacher appreciation in your earlier post. Clearly, you go so far above and beyond teacher appreciation that we should all be shamed in the presence of your largasse.

Considering all the good you already knew you were doing, why on earth would you post on a thread and intimate that teachers deserve little more than a $10 Starbucks giftcard? Especially when your OP mentions not doing something for TA week? Were you trying to stir up trouble?

Certainly looks like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$10 Starbuck certificate for each teacher

A whole year they put in, and they get 10 bucks, hmmm

What a rude comment....First of all, teachers do not put in a whole year, they work 9 months out of the year plus they get winter & spring breaks off.

Depending on how many teachers a child has, I think a $10 giftcard is more than sufficient.

Is this woman serious? Oh, ok, they get summers off, and a winter break. Fine. 9 months of your child every day, and you think 3 cups of coffee, is sufficient. I have teacher friends, and trust me, they are talking about you behind your back.

Let's not forget, the hours they put in after school and/or before school, Parent-teacher conferences, student performances/programs, tutoring, which the majority of them don't get paid for (which all take place after/before school). Winter and spring breaks don't come free! A honest thank you for all you do, is what makes a teacher's day.

[Anonymous]

Op here- DD attended preschool 3 days a week/5 hr day. The graduation ceremony was so fabulous And my DD's little speech and happy glee about graduating - said it all. We brought a bouquet of flowers on the last day, handmade card from DD With a personal from both of us along with a $50 certificate to an upscale store so they could buy something personal for themselves. From the expression of the teacher, I realized an elaborate gift didn't happen often. Her appreciation made it even more worthy. The projects they did in this class were incredible. I wish I could have afforded more.

Moving forward, I did gain real insight from all the posts. I was actually unaware that teachers put in personal funds into their classroom. And I didnt realize about the other contributions that need to be considered with private schools. The post about how much we tip for restaurant services for one meal versus a whole school year hit me over the head. Thanks to whoever wrote in that one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lady, you're a real piece of work.

You do realize how lucky you are just to be able to donate $10K to the annual fund, right? I pay $7K just for PT preschool for my 3 yo.

So since teachers' gifts are really a drop in the bucket for you, why can't you you fork over another $25?

Anonymous wrote:I pay over 60K for 2 kids each year. I donate another 10K to the annual fund. I buy a table at the gala and I buy at least 2 teacher tickets for the gala, I buy at least one item for every fundraiser, etc...

I donate to the class gift coordinated by the room mom. I pay the class dues that goes to buy the teacher a birthday and Christmas present.

That is enough. I really don't feel obligated to give any more.

My kids went to schools where the vast majority of parents gave nothing directly to individuals since there were huge fundraisers that went to teachers. Class dues might be 50-100 so STU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Brought dessert for appreciation week for teachers. Last day of school coming up for preschool. What did your child get for teacher as goodbye gift? Or dId you do anything? We attend private daycare prEschool, part of me feels like they get enough.

[Anonymous]

I would get her MY BIGGEST HUG!! and flowers LMFAO!! xD im random like that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$10 Starbuck certificate for each teacher

A whole year they put in, and they get 10 bucks, hmmm

Not the PP you quoted, but that's what I gave for teacher appreciation week. There are 4 teachers, and I plan to give again at the end of the year. Sorry, that's all we could manage this year. I have however donated books to the classroom, and helped out when I can.

Sorry that the $10 gift card isn't enough for you.

New poster here, I gave the same gift PP! I gave a nice christmad present and plan to give an end od the year gift as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$10 Starbuck certificate for each teacher

A whole year they put in, and they get 10 bucks, hmmm

Interesting. I thought they had salaries? Who knew?

[Anonymous]

Hmm, so we've discussed what was too little, but how much $/gift is too much?

[Anonymous]

I give $20 Target gift cards to each of the 4 teachers. We're not rich, but I budget it out. I think they work pretty hard. And everyone can find something useful at Target (clothes, food, home stuff) versus Starbucks. I have also done Wegman's gift cards.

[Anonymous]

PP - We also do a nice note!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I pay over 60K for 2 kids each year. I donate another 10K to the annual fund. I buy a table at the gala and I buy at least 2 teacher tickets for the gala, I buy at least one item for every fundraiser, etc...

I donate to the class gift coordinated by the room mom. I pay the class dues that goes to buy the teacher a birthday and Christmas present.

That is enough. I really don't feel obligated to give any more.

For preschool? You are a sucker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have given gifts for all teacher's birthdays, holidays, and teacher appreciation week including teachers outside the classroom. And in addition we contributed to gifts for the class twice this year and volunteered several times. I will give something at the end of the year, but it won't be substantial. I personally just don't like the constant request for gifts all through the year and when you have to get gifts for more than one teacher at a time it does add up.

I want to teach here!
I teach HS and here is a list of all of the xmas gifts I have received in the last 12 years:
1. a $20 Starbucks gift card, 2011 (awesome!)
2. A bag of Lindt Chocolate truffles, 2008 (awesome!)
3. "Suck my dick" written in purple marker on my classroom door, 2002 (super awesome!)
4. Xmas cards with very sweet notes from students, various years (best gift - well, except for the Starbucks gift card)

So really people, anything you want to give at anytime is greatly appreciated. I promise. I don't expect anything. I feel bad for the poster above; that does suck that you are solicited for gifts throughout the year. That isn't what it is about, but teachers, like any other profession (or SAHM!) like to be acknowledged for a job well done (if you think it was a job well done).

You are hysterical! I bet you are a great teacher too thanks for the ideas, not the op, but I will get ours a Starbucks card.

I loved that post too-especially the "super awesome" part.

I can stand at one of those gift card racks for 30 minutes second guessing myself and then I decide to see if another store has better cards. This year we got "wish lists" from the room-mothers. Made.life.much.easier. If I am going to spend money on a giftcard I would rather just know it's a store/restaurant the teacher likes. I used to do Starbucks cards (which I love), but I've read enough DCUM threads to know some people hate getting them?!

You know it's always the best teachers who don't expect anything, but are so grateful for anything. It's the crappy ones who scoff at gifts or decide families must have enough money to spend more. I actually overheard a preschool teacher crying because her class only gave her modest gifts at the end of the year. I know for a fact each parent in that class was asked to give 40-50 a person for the winter holiday Visa card. I also know said teacher drives a fancy car and lives in a swanky neighborhood. Apparently some cards, plants, etc just did not meet her expectations. Oh and she wasn't a great teacher at all.

[Anonymous]

Please, save all your bulls it 'anonymous' you need to get a life if all u can do is nit pick on a nice person who makes perfect sense!
Go away!
Geez-

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$10 Starbuck certificate for each teacher

A whole year they put in, and they get 10 bucks, hmmm

I think $10 is fine. We give $10-15 gift cards for Christmas, Halloween, Teacher's Week, and end of year. It adds up, especially if you have more than 2 kids.