Kindergarten teacher gifts?

[IndianaPrincess]

You get to choose your kid's kindergarten teacher's gift?! Really?! Because I got a letter from the room mom the other day telling me that the 'past practice of a donation of $7 towards the teacher's gift is expected'.

Sorry I have to go retrieve my jaw off the floor!

I collected money for an end of year gift once and I put that anyone who wanted to give could and that no matter what, all the kids name would be on the gift. I just can't get over that "is expected" part!!!

 

[micheleq]

You get to choose your kid's kindergarten teacher's gift?! Really?! Because I got a letter from the room mom the other day telling me that the 'past practice of a donation of $7 towards the teacher's gift is expected'.

Now I have no problem with a group gift. And I have no problem with the room mom, this is her first kid in school and I'm sure she's just following the Nazi PTA 'suggestions'. But I thought that was obnoxious.

Ds will make cards or small crafts for all his teachers and paras. And we'll probably do gift cards, even if they're small $5 ones depending on my budget for Target/Walmart/book store/etc.

Oh boy! I think someone should have a gentle conversation with the room mom about how that was worded. I was room mom for DD5's preschool last year and while we had a suggested amount, I told everyone that it was completely optional and no child would be excluded from the card or gift giving.

We are in a new town now, so I'm not sure how things are done here. There is no room mom, but I might ask a few moms that I know if they want to chip in and give a gift together. I'll probably also do $5 gift cards to the special teachers and the two office secretaries as they are the ones that truly run the school! DD3's preschool has three teachers, and again no room mom, so I'll do gift cards for each of them unless someone organizes a group gift. Last year DD5 & I made small boxes of oreo truffles for each teacher and the crossing guard. The year before that we made white chocolate chex mix in celo bags. Both treats were a hit.

When I taught, I loved getting Xmas ornaments. I still have all of them on my tree. We are going to WDW in a few weeks, so I may purchase ornaments for teachers while we are there (providing all the teachers celebrate the holiday). And I had several students that made candy/cookies with their parents and that was a nice, thoughtful thing to do. Yum, I am thinking of one families homemade peanut brittle now!! Of course, a card from the student is always the best.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Yes, I do intend to speak to the room mom. I am guessing that she got the official info from the PTA and just regurgitated it. I want to kindly let her know that she should feel free to deviate from that and use her own judgment! I am also pissed at the PTA because when they sent home flyers asking for room mom volunteers I sent in a note on the back of it saying that I work full-time so I can't commit to being THE room mom as I can't be physically there too often, but to please pass on my info to whomever is chosen and I am happy to be her backup, help her out in anyway, share the phone calling, etc. She never got that note! Room mom is my neighbor, although I hadn't actually met her before (lives way down the street). I'm hoping to have her son over for a playdate and her over for coffee soon.

And I also intend to tell her that making it clear that however much someone can contribute (even $0) is ok and that everyone's name will be on the card no matter what is best. Leaving kids out because their parents choose to be cheap or truly can't afford anything is just cruel!

 

[IllumFan]

I've given Restaurant.com gift cards and the Spa Finder gift cards for preschool teacher gifts. You can use them at multiple locations, which I like. My son's teacher can pick a restaurant or local spa she likes instead of me picking one that she may not care for.

 

[mjkacmom]

Yes, I do intend to speak to the room mom. I am guessing that she got the official info from the PTA and just regurgitated it. I want to kindly let her know that she should feel free to deviate from that and use her own judgment! I am also pissed at the PTA because when they sent home flyers asking for room mom volunteers I sent in a note on the back of it saying that I work full-time so I can't commit to being THE room mom as I can't be physically there too often, but to please pass on my info to whomever is chosen and I am happy to be her backup, help her out in anyway, share the phone calling, etc. She never got that note! Room mom is my neighbor, although I hadn't actually met her before (lives way down the street). I'm hoping to have her son over for a playdate and her over for coffee soon.

And I also intend to tell her that making it clear that however much someone can contribute (even $0) is ok and that everyone's name will be on the card no matter what is best. Leaving kids out because their parents choose to be cheap or truly can't afford anything is just cruel!

I'm a class mom, and have done it in the past, and we are instructed (by the class mom coordinator) to send out letters asking for $5 from each family, 3 times a year (tricky tray, Christmas, end of year). We are to follow up with a second letter, and then a phone call (phone call only for the tricky tray - each class does a basket). It's been my experience that 99% contribute, and the gift is given by "the class," regardless of who didn't contribute (can't imagine leaving a name off of the card). Sometimes we are given the actual letter that is sent out.

As for backup, most of the time, there are more people who want to be class mom than there are spots, so they pick out of a hat, and there are 2 per class. It's not a demanding job here - we do the class gifts, send in food, drink, and paper products for the parties (out of our pockets), and call the parents if school is cancelled or delayed.

 

[Happiest mommy]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! all for the wonderful responses I recieved, I LOVED the Apple from BBW so I think i'm goint to go with those now if I could find a code to use online that would be great thank you all again the DIS Rocks!