Class gift for 1st grade teacher

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I like putting something little together for teacher(s) that say thanks and happy holidays. I get them a little mug and DD coffee card, or I was talking to my DD's teacher last year about nail art so I got her a little OPI kit on Black Friday for like $10... Just little things. I mean, I would give it to them if it was requested, but I wouldn't be super happy about it. I'm pretty sure I don't have to worry about that here though. Most families are pretty low income and I couldn't imagine them being asked to give $20.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Our room parents collect $20 total for the year. That amount includes $7 towards Christmas, $7 towards end-of-year, and $6 at teacher appreciation week. It is optional to contribute, but they will send out "friendly reminders" regularly if you don't pay up.

There is also a cap on what teachers can receive each year in our state of MA ($50-$75, can't remember exactly). Anything over gets sent to the teacher account in the school office and can be put towards books and supplies for the class.

I think the asking amount is always higher due to wanting to cover those who can't or won't pay.

I love my girls' teacher this year and gladly contributed, but last year was another story. I should've sent that women a bill!

Give what you can and only if you desire to; you aren't committed to contribute.

That makes sense to me, but not just $20 for a gift.

 

[ronandannette]

If. Which means if you don't want to, don't. Personally, I would have been more than happy if this had been offered to me when my kids were in school. Factoring in the time to shop to buy a gift on your own, and adding the cost of the gift bag or wrappings, I think it's a bargain

This^^. I'd have just gone ahead and sent the money and been glad somebody else had stepped up to take care of it. And although I'm not a teacher, I'd imagine they would appreciate a single, group gift of any size much more than 15 or 20 Christmas ornaments or boxes of candy.

 

[pryncess527]

If the kid has more than one teacher, and it's $20 for several then that feels like a lot.
If it's just one donation for 1 teacher, then $20 sounds about right to me. It's about what I'd spend if I were buying my own gift.

 

[scoutie]

As a teacher, I would also be mortified if parents felt obligated to get me a gift. Most teachers love getting notes, letters or emails saying how much their child loves their class. I have a folder full of them that I pull out when I am having a bad day.

You should never feel obligated to contribute to a gift, and no teacher wants any parent to struggle with this. I doubt that the teacher even knows what the room mother is doing.

As a mom, I do spend between $20-30 on gifts for my kids' teachers and childcare workers. They are incredible people and have always gone above and beyond for my kids. I also know that none of them would ever expect a gift.

 

[cijay]

I'm actually quite shocked about the expensive teacher's gifts. I'd never really heard of it before until my friends' kids were talking about them but it was usually an ornament (I shudder to think of their cabinet after 30 years of teaching) or jewelry (I shudder to think of their jewelry box, too.)

The gift card is a good idea (I think gift cards are great ideas unless you know just what the person wants or likes) but the total $ stymies me. So does expecting a person to cough up $20. I never thought to expect a 'tip' (essentially what it is). Had they wanted to contribute to help pay with all of the things I bought for the class it'd be one thing but any money received would have gone right back into the class.

With gifts for teachers though, did everyone see the episode of Little House where they all bought Reverend Alden bibles? He had his old ratty one and people all wanted to replace it but he loved his old bible. (Refresher, Laura ordered medicines to sell so that they could get a better one than Nellie's parents were buying, they went broke and were left with the wooden box that the medicines came in.) That's teacher's gifts, office gifts, obligatory gifts all around. How many coffee cups does a person need? I use one for bailing cat crunchies, another four for risers to keep a plant pot steady, a pencil holder, a big one for remotes (someone must have thought I drink a lot of coffee at once) and my one in the bathroom. I have a necklace, it's a chakra and it never comes off. I wear a watch on one wrist and medical bracelet on the other and I don't have pierced ears. Does anyone want any more watches, bracelets or earrings? I use daytimers to write notes to myself on, grocery lists or just keep it in my purse for emergency paper. Bath products are varied. The more expensive, the more raunchy the smell and I don't wear perfume. My friend who is still teaching, every year gives me a huge bag of bath stuff to pick through. She doesn't take baths, only showers so there are lots of bubbles and gels that she doesn't use/like so I use them. I do USE the things the kids gave me but not for what they're hoping, I just wish they'd keep their money. It was really a joy to teach their kids and so much fun to find ways to prepare the class. Starting your day with a 'mugging' of hugs and one always gave me a little plastic tea cup of "tea" to drink when I got there in the morning, THAT'S what I loved.

 

[mjkacmom]

When my kids were in elementary school, class moms would ask for $5 twice a year, for Christmas and end of school gifts. Right when my oldest started, they made a "rule" that the amount would be $5 - it was not up to the class moms. Therefore, teachers can actually figure out how many contributed (usually around 80%). I always contributed, and gave my own gift (Amazon gift card).

I'm in NJ, too, and our teachers do pretty well. I think salaries start around $45,000, and many are making six figures. I give because I appreciate all they do, not because I think they need the money. Our teacher last year had a household income much more than ours!

 

[moniqueand2]

From my experience, the note is usually written "give the amount that you feel comfortable giving." Most of the parents respond by sending in $20.00.

 

[Flight]

A note indicating what I have done to have good influence in the life of a student would mean more to me than a hundred gifts.

If parents really would like to show their appreciation for education, then they can spend their money on books for their own kids. If they would like, they could donate books the the school library or directly to the teacher. There is always a need for pencils, erasers, sharpeners, paper clips, staplers, and highlighters. Spend the money on those. With stores such as Dollar Tree, it is a small financial commitment for a big return in classroom supplies.

Don't forget the donations of tissue boxes. Surprisingly how important those are to a classroom.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Northern NJ here - I spent $25 per teacher when my kids were younger so $20 doesn't sound bad to me.

 

[aprilgail]

Don't forget the donations of tissue boxes. Surprisingly how important those are to a classroom.

Even in high school we send those in- every year since grade school they offer either a free homework pass or 2 extra points on a test grade etc for tissue donations!

 

[anniemae]

No, it's definitely $20 just for the teacher. The email is from both class moms and says, we are collecting for Mrs. ***, if you want to contribute, please send in $20 for her gift. We send in $20 at the beginning of the year for class party stuff and this past thanksgiving, I still sent in Thanksgiving paper goods that the class moms requested (you had to pick from a list). I know the teachers work hard and I appreciate them but I just think $20 is too much to ask and I know they always request the same amount for the end of the year gift.

just don't contribute and do your own thing. You don't HAVE to participate in the class gift.

 

[Minnesota!]

Well, we do $25 here, per teacher, so $20 doesn't seem out of line. When my youngest was in 1st grade, we all chipped in "what we could" (I did $25) and we got the teacher a Coach purse and a nice dinner out for her and her husband. For Kindergarten, it was a nice dinner out and tickets to a play at the Orpheum. Etc. I can't remember 2nd grade, ha ha! I am sure I will get the email this week on what the plan is for this year.

Older son has 3 main teachers (his class has never done an organized gift) - each will get $25, and then 2 teachers who work with him before/after school. I will get each of them $20 to somewhere. Typically Target or Visa.

 

[Shanti]

I am a government worker and get no "gifts" at Christmas or at the end of the year. Yes, I am sure a lot of teachers work hard but a lot of people work hard in their jobs, not just teachers. I am sure they put in extra hours at times but they get off all summer, Christmas break, presidents break, Easter/Spring break and numerous days off during the year, they get off far more days then any other profession, so let's be fair in judging how many hours they are working.

The teacher in question works very hard every day for the OP's specific child- that's the issue under discussion. $20 is minimal in the context of what the teacher does during (and before and after) the school year. You have no knowledge of the demands of professional teaching. We're not "government workers" who punch in a time clock; we're professionals who have to work extra hours regularly until we get the job done, no overtime pay in the equation. The very fact that you think we get holidays like President's Day off shows that- the kids are out of school on government holidays like those, but not us. Our work day and work year don't end when the child's does.

If the OP thinks her child's teacher does a poor job, she shouldn't give her anything, I agree. But if she thinks the teacher is good, then as I said, that $20 is a pittance in comparison to the amount of unpaid work the teacher is regularly expected to take on.

 

[bsblady01]

Well, we do $25 here, per teacher, so $20 doesn't seem out of line. When my youngest was in 1st grade, we all chipped in "what we could" (I did $25) and we got the teacher a Coach purse and a nice dinner out for her and her husband. For Kindergarten, it was a nice dinner out and tickets to a play at the Orpheum. Etc. I can't remember 2nd grade, ha ha! I am sure I will get the email this week on what the plan is for this year.

Older son has 3 main teachers (his class has never done an organized gift) - each will get $25, and then 2 teachers who work with him before/after school. I will get each of them $20 to somewhere. Typically Target or Visa.

where do you live that teacher's get gifts like that.

 

[andiraye]

To me, excellent teachers can never be paid enough. But even if they were paid more than they currently are, I would happy to give them a gift to show my personal appreciation for them teaching, nurturing and caring for my children so well. My kids have had the very good fortune of having passionate, caring, skilled teachers throughout elementary school and I'm constantly grateful for them. Holiday and end of year gifts are a way to show my gratitude.

That being said, having been in a position in which I felt squeezed, nobody should feel obligated to contribute or to contribute more than they are comfortable with.

 

[wishesuponastar]

I would just give my own gift. $20 is a very high amount to contribute.

 

[endy]

I've never heard of a class mom either. Canadian tho. I know $20 would have been more than I could have afforded when DS19 was in elementary school. That and I despise being asked ( almost the same as being told) how to spend my money.
A few years I bought the plain glass ornaments from Michael's and swirled colors of paint inside to make unique gifts. At least it was different from the many mugs and candy gifts.

 

[daisyduck123]

I am a government worker and get no "gifts" at Christmas or at the end of the year. Yes, I am sure a lot of teachers work hard but a lot of people work hard in their jobs, not just teachers. I am sure they put in extra hours at times but they get off all summer, Christmas break, presidents break, Easter/Spring break and numerous days off during the year, they get off far more days then any other profession, so let's be fair in judging how many hours they are working.

Teacher here (25 years now)....you don't have quite the right picture.

Sure I get "Summers off" but I don't get paid during that time either.

I am a 10 month employee. I work 191 days and get paid for 191 days...that is it. I do not have paid vacations, paid holidays, nope. And "Presidents Break??" Nope, we get that Monday off, that is it. Christmas Break?? In my county, our first day off for Christmas Break is Christmas Eve. We do get off the time between Xmas & New Years, but that's it. And keep in mind...those are not paid days off.

You're a government worker?? You get paid vacations I'm sure.

 

[bsblady01]

I've never heard of a class mom either. Canadian tho. I know $20 would have been more than I could have afforded when DS19 was in elementary school. That and I despise being asked ( almost the same as being told) how to spend my money.
A few years I bought the plain glass ornaments from Michael's and swirled colors of paint inside to make unique gifts. At least it was different from the many mugs and candy gifts.

here it is called a room mom they help out with class party's and field trips. they also help out during other class events