Anonymous
Post 12/20/2013 14:15     Subject: S/o teacher gift card - only 1/3 of the class contributed
I hate group gifts as well. I much prefer to give a gift just from our family, and always opt to do that.

Still, I think the right thing to do is sign from the whole class.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2013 14:07     Subject: S/o teacher gift card - only 1/3 of the class contributed
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would send a friendly reminder email for donations and mention that you will be signing the card from only the people who donated unless you get critical mass


Bitch.


That wasn't directed at me but that's uncalled for. This is obviously a heated topic with many (valid) sides. The only invalid one being the parents who don't do anything and can't be bothered. Is that you? If not, then what do you care?
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2013 14:04     Subject: Re:S/o teacher gift card - only 1/3 of the class contributed
Anonymous wrote:
Whole class, or don't do it at all. Teacher will know that each person didn't give $2.50. Return the money or just say whole class. I have been teaching a long time, we aren't stupid, but if you were petty enough to only put the donor names I would think that was obnoxious. Some people didn't give because they are jerks, some couldn't give, some can without feeling it at all, some give and it is a big deal. We know how it works, we know the parents. If you are so snotty that you only write the contributors names, I think you are underestimating the teacher.


Another teacher here. Absolutely this.

Honestly, if I got a group card with 9 children's names signed on it, I would think the room mom was kind of petty, and I would feel sad thinking that another parent might be harshly judging the actions of those parents who I know CAN'T contribute. If you are acting in your capacity as "room mom" then you are doing something on behalf of the whole class. You asked the parents to contribute towards a class gift. Some parents contributed. It's still a class gift.

I assume you are giving me a gift because you want to show me your appreciation. It is the thought that counts, not the value of the gift.

Your teacher appreciates your taking the time to organize this. It is not necessary, but it is very much appreciated. Thank you.


This exactly.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2013 13:10     Subject: S/o teacher gift card - only 1/3 of the class contributed
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm signing from the whole class. This is the first time I've been room parent where there was such a low contribution to the class gift - hence the question.


Why do think that is?



Not sure. Teacher seems well liked. Perhaps people just want to do their own thing.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2013 12:38     Subject: S/o teacher gift card - only 1/3 of the class contributed
Anonymous wrote:I would send a friendly reminder email for donations and mention that you will be signing the card from only the people who donated unless you get critical mass


Bitch.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2013 12:25     Subject: S/o teacher gift card - only 1/3 of the class contributed
Anonymous wrote:Whoever contributes to the teacher's gift signs the card, simple as that.


+1

Sign the card when you out your money in the contribution folder.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2013 10:27     Subject: S/o teacher gift card - only 1/3 of the class contributed
Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm signing from the whole class. This is the first time I've been room parent where there was such a low contribution to the class gift - hence the question.


Why do think that is?
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2013 17:40     Subject: S/o teacher gift card - only 1/3 of the class contributed
OP here. I'm signing from the whole class. This is the first time I've been room parent where there was such a low contribution to the class gift - hence the question.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2013 15:34     Subject: Re:S/o teacher gift card - only 1/3 of the class contributed
Oh my gosh! How is this even an issue. If you are collecting money for a "class gift", then it is from the whole class regardless of who sends in the money. Just sign the card - "Your fourth grade class" or something like that. You don't have to have all the kids sign individually. We've done class gifts many, many times. Sometimes I've been a room parent and sometimes I haven't. I have never in the too many years we've done this heard of parents getting their panties in a wad over who is included on the damn card.

The posters chiming in about only including those who paid just suck. And you know what? I guarantee you your kids suck too.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2013 15:28     Subject: Re:S/o teacher gift card - only 1/3 of the class contributed
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't care to contribute to group gifts. Nor would I expect to be
listed on the card that accompanied the group gift.

What annoys me is when a room mom assumes that if I didn't give her money, I didn't give the teacher a gift. Or endless emails with guilt ridden messages about not getting money from everyone yet with underlying accusatory tones.

Room mom, do what you want. Just let me do what I want and stop harassing me!





Perhaps try some basic communication? Ever think that you could just hit 'reply' to the room mom's e-mails and actually tell her that you are doing your own thing? Or is it more fun to just complain


Because its not anyone's business what I am doing. I don't feel obligated to explain myself to the room mom.


No, you were complaining about the endless emails. Last I checked most of us are not able to read minds. Btw, I can guarantee you that the room mom could care less about what you are doing. She or he just wants to get the task done and to do so needs some basic information. You are ridiculous PP.


You're right. I got 11 emails from the room mom about the donations for the class gift. My point is only email once, send a reminder as it gets closer, and end it. 11 emails is obnoxious. If I didn't send money in by when you requested, it's not because I missed your first 10 reminders.


Wow you are a piece of work. Why don't you volunteer to be room mom next year?


+100
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2013 11:09     Subject: S/o teacher gift card - only 1/3 of the class contributed
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do I sign the card from the whole class or just the names of the children whose families sent money?


If you have class, you sign it for the entire class.


Sorry, this is wrong. Why is it classless to note that it is from those who paid? Others may be doing their own thing or may have a personal reason for doing nothing...if it is a few OR if it is those you know can't swing contributing, list everyone...otherwise, don't...and it is just as classy, dear.


You often don't know who can't swing contributing. We do our best to contribute, but we have 4 kids with more than 4 teachers that we need to give gifts to and we simply can't afford all that. The one time we gave just $5 a teacher, I heard about how stingy we were through another parent.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2013 11:03     Subject: S/o teacher gift card - only 1/3 of the class contributed
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Whole class, or don't do it at all. Teacher will know that each person didn't give $2.50. Return the money or just say whole class. I have been teaching a long time, we aren't stupid, but if you were petty enough to only put the donor names I would think that was obnoxious. Some people didn't give because they are jerks, some couldn't give, some can without feeling it at all, some give and it is a big deal. We know how it works, we know the parents. If you are so snotty that you only write the contributors names, I think you are underestimating the teacher.


Another teacher here. Absolutely this.

Honestly, if I got a group card with 9 children's names signed on it, I would think the room mom was kind of petty, and I would feel sad thinking that another parent might be harshly judging the actions of those parents who I know CAN'T contribute. If you are acting in your capacity as "room mom" then you are doing something on behalf of the whole class. You asked the parents to contribute towards a class gift. Some parents contributed. It's still a class gift.

I assume you are giving me a gift because you want to show me your appreciation. It is the thought that counts, not the value of the gift.

Your teacher appreciates your taking the time to organize this. It is not necessary, but it is very much appreciated. Thank you.


OP, if this is how your teacher may react, I agree with previous posters - give back the money and let every parent give their own gift and card. What I wouldn't do is to sign on behalf of parents who chose not to participate for one reason or another.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2013 10:59     Subject: S/o teacher gift card - only 1/3 of the class contributed
Anonymous wrote:It sounds as though it's a damned of you do, damned if you don't on the room parent's part. Maybe the room parent could arrange for a group card signed by the entire class or maybe some sort of artwork done by all of the kids in the class (maybe the room mom could frame it as her part of the teacher's gift). Then send out a teacher FAQ - listing the teacher's favorite hobbies, stores to shop at, restaurants to eat at...and then let the individual parents decide whether or not to send in a gift card or not. 7 $5 gift cards work just as well as one $35 gift card.

Room parenting is not always an easy job. Thanks to all who take on the task.


Thank you! And brilliant idea for next year.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2013 10:57     Subject: Re:S/o teacher gift card - only 1/3 of the class contributed
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't care to contribute to group gifts. Nor would I expect to be
listed on the card that accompanied the group gift.

What annoys me is when a room mom assumes that if I didn't give her money, I didn't give the teacher a gift. Or endless emails with guilt ridden messages about not getting money from everyone yet with underlying accusatory tones.

Room mom, do what you want. Just let me do what I want and stop harassing me!





Perhaps try some basic communication? Ever think that you could just hit 'reply' to the room mom's e-mails and actually tell her that you are doing your own thing? Or is it more fun to just complain


Because its not anyone's business what I am doing. I don't feel obligated to explain myself to the room mom.


No, you were complaining about the endless emails. Last I checked most of us are not able to read minds. Btw, I can guarantee you that the room mom could care less about what you are doing. She or he just wants to get the task done and to do so needs some basic information. You are ridiculous PP.


You're right. I got 11 emails from the room mom about the donations for the class gift. My point is only email once, send a reminder as it gets closer, and end it. 11 emails is obnoxious. If I didn't send money in by when you requested, it's not because I missed your first 10 reminders.


Wow you are a piece of work. Why don't you volunteer to be room mom next year?