I always sent them in the mail over the holidays. It is a great experience for kids to get notes in the mail. I taught in a deprived area and preferred to do it this way--I sent every child a Christmas card (it was not a problem in this community). To the children who gave gifts (probably about third), I included a thank you note on the Christmas card. That way, no child would feel bad about not giving a gift.

Yes, our kids' teachers have always sent thank you notes. Some put it directly into their backpacks on the day that the gift is given, some email a note, and a few sent them home via snail mail over break. (We have 3 kids!)

I don't expect the notes, but they are lovely. And it invariably makes my post-holiday discussions with the kids easier when I can say "Mrs jones send you a thank you note the day she got your gift! Now let's write to grandma and then go play her fun game."

I'd say we got TYs from about half of the teachers (we do a gift card + handmade thing from kids for a 'thought that counts' addition & that the kid gets into the spirit of thanking)... Some teachers have also done a blanket 'thanks for all the thoughtful stuff" type of thing in the weekly summary home, which I think works too. I don't mean to add additional 'work' to a teacher's life.

Anonymous wrote:I don't expect them, but my kids teachers always have.

+1

I work in a Title I school. If I get a gift I know that the child and his/her family has really made an effort and possibly a sacrifice. If a child is going to give a gift it usually is first thing in the morning. I then use specials/electives or lunch to write a thank you note and give it to the child by the end of the day. The child usually is quite surprised that I am handing them an envelope and gets worried. I always explain that the card is a Thank You Note to thank them for the gift and that the card is not anything bad. I ask them to give the card to their parent or guardian.

We sent in a gift yesterday, and my kids teacher sent a note home yesterday afternoon. I think it's nice to send a little note.

Anonymous wrote:I have been teaching for a few years , but am in a new school and receiving more gifts than I have in the past. I have no idea if thank you notes are expected. Can anyone advise? Middle school

Yes, send them. If there is a mistake to be made here, err on the side of sending.

Anonymous wrote:I don't expect them, but my kids teachers always have.

+1

I sent email thank you notes.

----teacher

I send them, but I do so through email. I don't know how many times I sent thank you cards only to find them in desks in the spring.

I don't expect them, but my kids teachers always have.

I was a teacher. I always sent thank you notes.... even for the half-filled bottles of Avon cologne. (I taught in a very economically depressed area of the country)
Yes - set a good example for your students. I always gave the notes to the students when they returned from the holiday break. They were excited to get a note from the teacher, too.

I'm a parent and don't expect them.

Teacher here.
Yes, please send thank you notes. It's the appropriate thing to do when anyone gives you a gift. Parents thought of you and spent money to give you something, Thank them.

I have been teaching for a few years , but am in a new school and receiving more gifts than I have in the past. I have no idea if thank you notes are expected. Can anyone advise? Middle school