Reply to Pressure from Teacher Gifts

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I hated when room parents seemed like they were asking for money all the time. Then, I became one. It’s a massive, thankless job. Part of that job is collecting for class gifts from the class to the teacher for TAW, Xmas and end of school year. The card will note it’s from the whole class…but is so much better when everyone just contributes to the one big gift. As a room parent, it also looks kinda of cheap to present a $75 gift card for Xmas from 30 kids.  I’ve done both and I’ve experienced both as the room parent and as a teacher.

If you don’t want to give or are unable to, don’t. It’s no big deal at all. Don’t stress about it - it defeats the whole purpose of the season. We love your kids no matter what.

If you want to give, as a room parent, giving to the class gift is preferred. As a teacher, I had lots of small gift cards floating around and, logistically, it’s easier to have one rather than lots. (I don’t teach now but I still have a drawer of small gift cards because I often forget about them or don’t have them handy when I need them.)

Teachers appreciate anything - from a cherry greeting, to a card to a gift.

Finally, as both room parent and teacher, I’ve contributed way, way more for class expenses than I ever collected. Again, it’s a thankless job and people get annoyed at you for doing what is your job. And yes - at our elem school - collecting for class gifts to the teacher IS part of the job.

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And yet many classes don’t have room parents. [/quote]

How is this relevant? We are talking about classes that do. [/quote]

It’s relevant because the PP said it’s a “massive, thankless” job…but it’s also one that’s not necessary. As others have said, we can do away with room parents.[/quote]

I’m the poster who mentioned having been both teacher and room parent. The only times I stepped up to be room parent is when the teacher repeatedly asked for room parents and no one else stepped up. I’ve never seen an elementary teacher at our Vienna location NOT ask for a room parent.

Also, to the person above saying a lot of money for gifts was requested, my guess is it was an early in the year request to cover all class gifts.

Whether YOU support a room parent  being used isn’t relevant. Their roles are pretty limited, but important to the class at times: winder party, end of year party, TAW activities, class gifts for winter holidays, TAW and the end of the year. Regardless, it still takes planning and work. Those times you sign up to bring plates or brownies checks off an easy box for you to help, while the room parent planned the party, activities, food, etc. and then helped implement the party - all of which is at the request of the teacher. The fact that some teachers don’t use room parents isn’t relevant because we aren’t talking about those classes. [/quote]

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