Group Teacher Gift

[discnewbie]

I am organizing group teacher gifts this year for both of my children's teachers. I've asked each family if they are interested, to donate $5 towards a restaurant gift card. I have 8 families for one class and 9 for another class, and I have cards for them to each sign. Initially I thought it was a nice idea -- kind of thoughtful for the kids to get together and do something, and to give the teachers something they would use -- but I've gotten some criticism over it. One mom told me that it would not be worth it unless I could get 10 families. Another mom (who is also a teacher) has said she thinks $5 is too cheap and she would be offended because of how cheap it is. I have received nice comments, too. What do you all think?

 

[Spencerfamily]

I am a teacher (in the UK) and I think it is a lovely idea. I genuinely adore every gift I am lucky enough to receive; the cost of it is immaterial. Sometimes the most special ones are homemade by the children themselves; sometimes when they reveal how they shopped for it and they REALLY believe it is the perfect present for you; and sometimes it's something that is just 'right'- whether it is bath stuff, wine or choccies.
I have never received a joint present but if I did it would be wonderful and the children who gave it would receive as many thanks from me (and hubby) as those who gave me an individual gift or even just a card.
Basically, being a teacher is a complete honour, sharing in children's adventures every day. Any thank you, in any form is appreciated- I, and I am sure most teachers, love them all.

Go for it, ignore the critics- it is a thoughtful and fabulous idea.

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

I think that is a great idea.

First, teachers get so many gifts, and people mean well, but scented soaps, lotions, mugs, candy, etc - those things are the norm and one can only use so much. I prefer to purchase for myself the things I really like and appreciate.
You would not believe the assortment of above listed things my mother gave me when she retired from teaching.
She never threw them away but she never used them either.
She tutors children these days and they still bring her stuff like that.
She sent me home with 2 bottles of scented soap just this past weekend.
("Thanks, Mom, I don't want it either..." )
The dog is going to smell great!

It's not that she does not appreciate it, because...

Second, it really is the thought that counts.
I've seen teachers make a big deal out of the smallest of gifts, given from the heart.
(Pictures students draw of me with their class are favorites, as well as hand-written notes.)
It is nice for teachers to be remembered and appreciated.
But I think you have hit on a much better way to appreciate them than scented lotion.

Third, a restaurant gift card is something that anyone can use.
Teachers need to eat too, and everyone enjoys a dinner out with their sweetheart.
And 8 students x $5 = $40 and that is enough for dinner for two in most places.
You could even say that you'd like a donation of a minimum of $5 per child and allow them to give over and above as much as they like.

Tell "It's Too Cheap" Mom to feel free to pony up as much as she would like to...

Tell "It's Not Worth It" Mom that teachers would rather get a gift card they can use than a bunch of smelly soap or lotion any day.

Teachers LOVE to get gift cards to places like Starbucks and Panera, and those are lower budget places in comparison to dinner restaurants.

Gift card to Starbucks vs. flower scented lotion or a mug...
it's no contest.

Hoping other teachers chime in...
Good luck with your gift project.
Getting adults to agree to anything is like herding cats.

 

[kirstenb1]

I have been in charge of this for many years now. I try to tread lightly, when asking parents for money.

However, one mom pointed out that the demographics have changed so much at our school---much more affluent in the last several years. She suggested asking for the minimum contribution, but phrasing it so that if anyone wanted to contribute extra, it would go directly to the teachers' gifts.

(I had asked for $10 per child, to cover pizza/drinks/chips/cookies/fruit, and the teacher gifts---each class has about 18 kids, and we had enough to do $100.00 per teacher---I was thrilled!! When our oldest was little, I always had to ask for more, knowing that several children would likely be unable to contribute).

 

[luvmy3]

I am organizing group teacher gifts this year for both of my children's teachers. I've asked each family if they are interested, to donate $5 towards a restaurant gift card. I have 8 families for one class and 9 for another class, and I have cards for them to each sign. Initially I thought it was a nice idea -- kind of thoughtful for the kids to get together and do something, and to give the teachers something they would use -- but I've gotten some criticism over it. One mom told me that it would not be worth it unless I could get 10 families. Another mom (who is also a teacher) has said she thinks $5 is too cheap and she would be offended because of how cheap it is. I have received nice comments, too. What do you all think?

She'd be offended by the amount of money her gift was? Don't listen to people like that, nobody likes their opinions anyway

I think a group gift for a GC is a great idea. We have pretty much always done that for our teachers, and sometimes the amount is very high, and sometimes its is small. I have never heard of any teacher not appreciating it.

What we usually do is ask for set amount, but word it so that any amount (even less) would be appreciated. Through the years I have found most parents like the idea of contributing to a group gift.

 

[Toy Story Fan]

I am organizing group teacher gifts this year for both of my children's teachers. I've asked each family if they are interested, to donate $5 towards a restaurant gift card. I have 8 families for one class and 9 for another class, and I have cards for them to each sign. Initially I thought it was a nice idea -- kind of thoughtful for the kids to get together and do something, and to give the teachers something they would use -- but I've gotten some criticism over it. One mom told me that it would not be worth it unless I could get 10 families. Another mom (who is also a teacher) has said she thinks $5 is too cheap and she would be offended because of how cheap it is. I have received nice comments, too. What do you all think?

I think a group gift is a great idea. One year my son's class went together and gave the teacher a cruise on our local river with brunch included...she was thrilled! One year I put together a scrapbook with every child's picture and a special note from each of them...priceless! The scrapbook cost next to nothing, and you should have seen her face. She could barely read the pages through all her tears! (Followed by endless hugs). I believe it's not the price of the gift or the size, it's the thought that counts!

 

[danygirl]

I taught for 9 years. I would rather get one big gift card than 9 five dollar Starbucks cards! I LOVED sweet gifts i got from kids too.

 

[chris31997]

I think it is a great idea and getting something together is sweet of you.

Is it possible the one who thought it was too cheap, wasn't thinking clearly and either misunderstood or did not do the math right

I had a friend who was a teacher, with something like 30 kids in her room she would end up with 2 gifts from them each year. Christmas and End of Year. After the 2nd year of teaching she started regifting/donating, almost everything because she almost always ended up with duplicates.

I know she would have loved a restraunt gift card.

 

[darnheather]

I think $5 is each is great and you get as much as you get. The teacher will appreciate it.

 

[ceecee]

I did this one year as well. I asked each child at the beginning of the year to contribute $5 for 4 parties and then another $5 for a teacher gift at the end of the year. Out of 20, only 14 gave for the parties and 10 for the gift. Some of the mom's said they already got a gift or they don't do gifts.

 

[mjkacmom]

As class mom, I am instructed to do this twice a year and most people contribute. Most families also give a separate gift. I don't put names on the card - the gift is from the class

 

[Kathi OD]

I don't put names on the card - the gift is from the class

As a teacher, THIS! I know that some will say it's unfair that those who didn't contribute are getting credit, but children shouldn't be left out because their parents choose not to contribute.

FWIW, the best gift I ever got was a hand-written letter I got from a 6th grader at the end of the school year. 25 years later, I still take it out and read it from time-to-time. That young man has no idea how much his heart-felt words touched my heart.

 

[torinsmom]

You don't have to put an amount. You could say you would like to collect money from parents for a gift card and let people give what they want/can. Some may give $5, some may give 20, some may give nothing.

As a teacher, I do love group gift cards, no matter the value.

 

[Alexle2007]

This was my 1st year at public school and we do not have room moms. I tried to take up a collection for a group gift, 3 of the families said they'd like to contribute and then 2 of them backed out and said they wanted to get their own gift. So we ended up getting the teacher a $25 gift card to Starbucks ( which I know she loves!) The other parent signed the card and then I had all of the kids sign the card for the group gift. My son's teacher said this was the 1st card in her 8 years of teaching that had been signed by the entire class and she was deeply touched. And by having the other parent and myself sign, she knew who had actually contributed to the gift. So it was win all around.

 

[eduk8r26]

At my sister's school, her room mom collected money and bought her a Kindle Fire. But she is in a rather affluent area, too.

 

[MSSANDRA]

A gift card is a perfect gift but please do not leave out any child. Either have
EVERY child sign the card, or just sign as "from the class". There are always families that can not give, as well as some who choose not to give. I would not ask for a certain amount, but just ask for donations and buy one for the amount you get.

A sad story: I am a director at a preschool where most parents pay tuition and can afford extras. A few are scholarship kids, and a few have other people to pay their tuition. Our last day of school is always a field trip to a local zoo and this year we ended with lunch at McDonald's. Many parents were bringing in gifts for staff. We have one particular family that I am well aware of their financial situation and I make sure that trips, shirts etc for this child are taken care of. When we left the zoo, the mom told me they needed to make a quick stop and would be there in a few minutes. They went by the $ store and bought his teacher and me a 1.00 gift. SOOOO sweet, but then I noticed the mom was not eating lunch. I know she spent her money on a gift instead. Of course I offered to buy her lunch (very discreetly and with her knowing I was completely aware of her situation) but she refused. Of course I did not enjoy one bite of lunch and the worst part was she got me a pack of car fresheners that I can never use due to allergies. That pack however will be saved by me forever!

 

[discnewbie]

Wow, thank you everyone for your replies so far! I appreciate it! I thought it was a good idea.. it's just sort of hard to know after hearing some other comments.

 

[pfp258]

Teachers in public schools tend to have higher salaries than pre-school teachers. If there was a collection for a class gift at Christmas or end of the year and I felt the teacher was good and my child had a good classroom experience I would always donate $15-$25. I figured that would be how much I would spend personally and there might be some in the class that could not contribute and so a bit extra would cover. (Although I was always annoyed when my child was in class with a friend of hers. The parent never contributed and would boast about it...saying that they always collected so much and everyone's name was on the card so it didn't really matter. How someone could feel justified in doing this always amazed me!)
Now, I do teach pre school and get paid by the hour. I have a BA in early childhood education and have been teaching at the same school for more than 10 years. I make just over $20 an hour and with the amount of time I dedicate to my job it probably is really about $8. I am not complaining as I love my field of work however with a class of 20 children I am always amazed that I often receive an end of the year gift card usually between $40-$60. Now if all the children contribute that works out to be between $2 or $3 a child. It always makes we wonder if I should just suggest they purchase books for our classroom or some other item on our wish list. I also wonder if a parent really asks parents for a $2 contribution? I always feel a bit devalued when I receive a gift like this.
Now as a pp mentioned there is no better gift than handwritten notes or letters from parents. I am lucky that I receive several of those each year. They typically bring me to tears and reaffirm my love and dedication to the children and my choice of teaching careers! I

 

[kirstenb1]

As class mom, I am instructed to do this twice a year and most people contribute. Most families also give a separate gift. I don't put names on the card - the gift is from the class

I have all the kids sign the card, they enjoy it, and do not know who contributed and who didn't.

 

[torinsmom]

Teachers in public schools tend to have higher salaries than pre-school teachers. If there was a collection for a class gift at Christmas or end of the year and I felt the teacher was good and my child had a good classroom experience I would always donate $15-$25. I figured that would be how much I would spend personally and there might be some in the class that could not contribute and so a bit extra would cover. (Although I was always annoyed when my child was in class with a friend of hers. The parent never contributed and would boast about it...saying that they always collected so much and everyone's name was on the card so it didn't really matter. How someone could feel justified in doing this always amazed me!)
Now, I do teach pre school and get paid by the hour. I have a BA in early childhood education and have been teaching at the same school for more than 10 years. I make just over $20 an hour and with the amount of time I dedicate to my job it probably is really about $8. I am not complaining as I love my field of work however with a class of 20 children I am always amazed that I often receive an end of the year gift card usually between $40-$60. Now if all the children contribute that works out to be between $2 or $3 a child. It always makes we wonder if I should just suggest they purchase books for our classroom or some other item on our wish list. I also wonder if a parent really asks parents for a $2 contribution? I always feel a bit devalued when I receive a gift like this.
Now as a pp mentioned there is no better gift than handwritten notes or letters from parents. I am lucky that I receive several of those each year. They typically bring me to tears and reaffirm my love and dedication to the children and my choice of teaching careers! I

You would be surprised how little some public school teachers make. NC is 46th among teacher salaries in the US. Even with a Master's Degree and 14 years experience, I make only slightly more than you do. It's sad how many careers make more than teachers, but it's the way it is I guess.

I teach PreK/K at a Montessori magnet school and have my students for 2 years. I was hurt that I did not even get note or card at the end of the year from many of my parents, especially the ones whose kids have been with me for 2 years. Like you, I work really hard, working 1-2 hours a day above and beyond my required hours. Maybe I shouldn't take it so personally though.....