$10 per student

[luvtogo12]

I think $10 is nice, but $5 would be more accessible for students, and IMO it is just plain wrong not to include the kids who didn't contribute. I get angry about that kind of stuff. So what if some kids don't pay and get "credit" for the gift. Giving a gift isn't supposed to be about getting credit for it in the first place.

I agree. Many cannot afford the $10.00 and the child should not be made to feel "left out" because they can't afford it.

 

[JVL1018]

I give my children's teachers $25 gift cards-I wish we had a group gift where I only had to contribute $10.
I did a group gift (asked for $5 per child) as room mom the year my daughter was in K, and not all the kids participated, but we signed the card from the whole class.
I haven't done a group gift since(DD is in 3rd now and I have been room mom for her or my son each year) because it's just too much hassle, people aren't happy of you do it, people aren't happy if you don't. I don't need the grief.

 

[Kathi OD]

I always spend $25 per teacher- and DS7 has 4 in his room; he is autistic- my son loves her and the other teacher and the 2 aides. A small price to pay IMHO for my son thriving.
To me $10 is a bargain.

$10 might be a bargain to you, but a hardship to others.

As a teacher, I don't like the idea of a group gift for that reason alone. Add to the fact that the students who can't afford the pre-determined amount can't sign the card and you've got a real mess brewing. I can see an amount being suggested, but any contributors should be able to sign the card. Also the suggested amount should be lower.

 

[hegsag]

I am room mom for my dd's 1st grade class. I requested donations but certainly didn't put an amount - I just said any amount appreciated but not mandatory. It doesn't matter who gives money - the entire class will be on the card. During the Holiday party I am having each child decorate a wreath (I bought all the ornaments to go on an artificial wreath) so that the teacher will always have this gift from "the class of 2020". We havve a single mom in our class with two kids - I would rather her spend her hard earned money on her children than on a grown woman & I bet the teacher would feel the same way.

 

[Briarmom]

My husband and I decided on the phone a few min ago we would contact her and contribute what ever was lacking so all the kids names could go on the card. As that is my main concern that all the children feel included. When the teacher is opening her gifts. I remember being one of those kids in school. It isn't easy

Have a good day.

That's one of the best things I've heard in a long, long time.
What a wonderful thing you're doing.

 

[krcit]

Does your school have a PTA? Our school has a PTA and the PTA is in charge of class moms. We are not allowed to leave off any child's name from the class gift wether they contributed or not. We are also not allowed to ask for more than $5, no matter how many teachers/aides are in a classroom. That is a district wide policy and I think it's great. Some people give the money, some give more, some don't participate but EVERY childs name is on that card. I would speak to the principal or the PTA president about that room mom.

 

[NewCrew42]

At our school, we request money for the group gift, we do not require an amount, families can just contribute what they would like. The gift is given from the class, so all children are included in the gift giving! I have been a homeroom mom for several years, so I have collected the money. Not all particiate, but most do, and most send around $20. That is for a primary classroom teacher. I have done this so much, that if only $200 were collected, I would and have personally added more money to the gift. Teachers are not paid that well, and spend much of their own personal money on the children in their classroom.

Now, DS is in middle school, and I send each teacher a $10 gift card. The things teachers have to put up with is unreal, from kids and from parents. I feel the least I can do is give them a small gift at Christmas.

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

I gave the suggested amount of $30 for two teachers but I could care less if a person who gives less receives "equal billing" on the card. Thank God my ego isn't that sensitive. Parents should give what they are comfortable with and all children should sign the card.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Now, DS is in middle school, and I send each teacher a $10 gift card. The things teachers have to put up with is unreal, from kids and from parents. I feel the least I can do is give them a small gift at Christmas.

AMEN!

 

[C.Ann]

First off, it's completely inappropriate to ask children to bring in $10 each for a teacher's gift. If a family can afford to buy a gift then they should be able to do so on their own. If a family cannot afford to contribute to a gift the last thing they need is a note asking for $10 so their child can be like everyone else.

Secondly, every child should be able to sign the card. No other explanation should be necessary.

I'm sure some communities are doing just fine right now and their economy hasn't been effected as much as others (I'm just not sure where that is). However, there are 533,000 folks out of work in one month in this nation and the last thing they need is a letter coming home asking for more money for the child's school.

I'm sure the room mother meant well and is trying to put together a nice gift for the teacher. However, this plan wasn't thought out too well.

I agree. Many cannot afford the $10.00 and the child should not be made to feel "left out" because they can't afford it.

I agree.. It seems that those who are doing well or have been fortunate enough not to be one of the many who have lost their jobs recently really don't understand the importance of "only" $10 at this particular point in time.. I think it's just hard to understand if you aren't in that position - or have never been in that position..

$10 might be a bargain to you, but a hardship to others.

As a teacher, I don't like the idea of a group gift for that reason alone. Add to the fact that the students who can't afford the pre-determined amount can't sign the card and you've got a real mess brewing. I can see an amount being suggested, but any contributors should be able to sign the card. Also the suggested amount should be lower.

The voice of reason.. And of course, from a teacher!

 

[aprilgail2]

And I don't think $10 is at all excessive. I usually spend $25- $30 per child on my daughters' teacher. I am just not a fan of the class gift. We did this in Kindergarten for teacher's appreciation and it was a hassle. No one has attempted to organize such a thing in the three years since. I'd rather just buy something myself and be done with it.

I agree- I would be happy as heck if the class parent would take 10.00 for the class gift- when I get something on my own it would have to be at least a 20.00-25.00 gift card- I would feel way to cheap giving a 10.00 gift card to someone myself!

 

[EveDallas]

I think in these times that's a lot. I mean if you have several kids, it really adds up.

I agree. I have one DS. I could handle $10. My sister has 4 kids. No way could she come up with 40 extra dollars at Christmas.

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

It got so out of control in our school that we now have a $75 maximum on a class gift for the teacher. One year, I had a class mom collect $20 per family - the teacher got a $150 Amex gift card and a video camera. It's ridiculous. The PTA & principal stepped in and put a stop to it. The maximum allowed to ask for is $7 per family if there is a teacher and an aide and $5 if only a teacher.

And, I think the class mom is a witch for leaving ANY children's names off the card. It's either a CLASS gift or it's not. What a mean and hurtful thing to do.

 

[XYSRUS]

Wow-room mom here. I asked for any amount people feel comfortable giving. Today was the last day for collections and I've gotten 6 responses out of 20 kids. Do I really sign from the class for 6 kids? I'm still debating this one in my head. I'm also done trying to pull teeth to get people to donate stuff/food for the party. I do this so that all the kids can have a great party, but I tell you there's no love lost for most of the parents. Or they all show up on party day to take pictures of Susie or Jr. and are oblivious that there's other kids to consider. Oh I could go on for days. If you want to donate to a class gift, great...do it. If not, great...then don't. People are always making drama when there should be none.

 

[ReneeA]

Wow-room mom here. I asked for any amount people feel comfortable giving. Today was the last day for collections and I've gotten 6 responses out of 20 kids. Do I really sign from the class for 6 kids? I'm still debating this one in my head. I'm also done trying to pull teeth to get people to donate stuff/food for the party. I do this so that all the kids can have a great party, but I tell you there's no love lost for most of the parents. Or they all show up on party day to take pictures of Susie or Jr. and are oblivious that there's other kids to consider. Oh I could go on for days. If you want to donate to a class gift, great...do it. If not, great...then don't. People are always making drama when there should be none.

I don't understand why there has to be anyone organizing a "class gift". Why in the world would anyone take it upon themselves to assume that they should offer such a service?

Do it like they have always done it - people can manage to buy their own gifts and give them to the teachers themselves. Do we really think that teachers are that materialistic to want a big gift from the entire class...or will they truly be fine with what the individuals decide to do?

People make themselves more work than needed.

 

[NewCrew42]

I don't understand why there has to be anyone organizing a "class gift". Why in the world would anyone take it upon themselves to assume that they should offer such a service?

Do it like they have always done it - people can manage to buy their own gifts and give them to the teachers themselves. Do we really think that teachers are that materialistic to want a big gift from the entire class...or will they truly be fine with what the individuals decide to do?

People make themselves more work than needed.

If you are room mom at our school, you are required to do this by the school. I would guess that is the case with the majority of room moms who collect money for a collective class gift.

 

[XYSRUS]

If you are room mom at our school, you are required to do this by the school. I would guess that is the case with the majority of room moms who collect money for a collective class gift.

True that!

 

[JVL1018]

I don't understand why there has to be anyone organizing a "class gift". Why in the world would anyone take it upon themselves to assume that they should offer such a service?

Do it like they have always done it - people can manage to buy their own gifts and give them to the teachers themselves. Do we really think that teachers are that materialistic to want a big gift from the entire class...or will they truly be fine with what the individuals decide to do?

People make themselves more work than needed.

Because there are plenty of people who expect to give a class gift-for most people it is less expensive than buying your own gift for the teacher.

So as room mom you are asked by part of the parents why you didn't get together money for a class gift-in their opinion it is easier for the parents to just throw in $5 and be done with it, than have to spend more money(usually) and go out and get something yourself.

Then there are the other parents who don't want to be part of a group gift and want to do it on their own, and decline to give any money toward a class gift, so you can't win.

 

[NewCrew42]

fyi - Being a room mom is a thankless job. No one wants to do it. If you are the room mom, you can't do anything right. I have one mom who calls me EVERYTIME I send a note to tell me how she thought I could have planned or done whatever it was better. One time she called me just to say I left the final "e" off of the word "envelope". And she is just my regular complainer. I have offered the job up to parents many a time, but I have never had any takers. Also, I find the ones who complain the most do the least. Just my experience.

I also volunteer for Race for the Cure, my constantly complaining mom called me to tell me her food was served cold at Runway for the Cure, I am not even on that committee or part of that organization. She simply said, well it all raises money to find a cure for cancer so I am sure you can get word to those in charge to let them know about my food. Now, just imagine having her in your class!

 

[*Fantasia*]

fyi - Being a room mom is a thankless job. No one wants to do it. If you are the room mom, you can't do anything right. I have one mom who calls me EVERYTIME I send a note to tell me how she thought I could have planned or done whatever it was better. One time she called me just to say I left the final "e" off of the word "envelope". And she is just my regular complainer. I have offered the job up to parents many a time, but I have never had any takers. Also, I find the ones who complain the most do the least. Just my experience.

I also volunteer for Race for the Cure, my constantly complaining mom called me to tell me her food was served cold at Runway for the Cure, I am not even on that committee or part of that organization. She simply said, well it all raises money to find a cure for cancer so I am sure you can get word to those in charge to let them know about my food. Now, just imagine having her in your class!

no appreciation whatsoever. i would have told that mom- "would you like to take over my job? sounds like you have better ideas and you can spell better too!" or "would you like to help me out next time to make sure the plan works out better and there won't be any typos?"