OT: teacher end of year gift?

[kinntj]

One of the parents of my DD's fellow classmate sent a letter asking to give $5 per teacher x 3 = $15 per kid. There are 20 kids in the class. She wants to give gift certificates to a Day Spa to get whatever service they would like. This is preschool, so I'm not sure if this is something you do for teachers at the end of the year.

So I'm asking is it customary and do you think it is reasonable. I did contribute for the Christmas gift, since it's like an extra bonus during the holidays like giving extra money to the mailman or any service person. I absolutely love DD's teachers, but DD only goes 2 days a week for 2 1/2 hours.

What do you think?

 

[Julia M]

well, I know alot of people don't approve of this kind of group gift, but I think it's nice.

Keep in mind, if they are asking for $15 from each family, they won't get it. So, it's not as much as it sounds like.


julia

 

[torinsmom]

How do they know that the teachers will like a spa certificate? I think a group gift is nice. I'm a teacher and have been surprised with this before, and it was much appreciated. I can only use so much lotion, mugs and candles, LOL.

I would suggest a gc for a local mall unless you are sure that the teachers would use the services of a spa.

Marsha

 

[daisyduck123]

To the op....yes, in my area it is very common to contribute to a "class" gift for the teacher. What kind of nice gift could one individual family give the teacher for $5.00? But if the families pool their money together...a nice gift can be given. At my school, the room moms don't usually state a dollar amount...they just ask for a contribution...usually anywhere from $5.00-$25.00 is given. I usually give $20.00.

I have to go along with the above poster who suggested a gift card to the local mall.

I'm a 1st grade teacher & have been very fortunate...my class gift at the end of the year is usually about a $200.00 gift card to the mall. Love it!!!

 

[cinamin27]

did you all read that the OP posted that this is PRESCHOOL and that her daughter only goes there for a total of 5 hours for the week???

uuuhh, no, I would not contribute. I think that is a bit out of the ordinary for preschool. my daughter is 13 so things may have changed since then but no way would I give $15 to a preschool for them to give a present to the 3 teachers that my child only sees 5 hours a week! if the school wants to give those teachers a year end bonus, then let it come out of the preschools funds.

others might see different, so flame away if you want.

 

[momxx5]

It is fairly common around here.
Both for preschool and elementary school.

Our preschool is great and the teachers are awesome. We do a teacher appreciation luncheon and collect $2/child, and have the luncheon catered. The teachers love it.

At the elementary school I have done both. Sometimes the collecting money is easier, the teacher gets a better/bigger gift for mall certificate. Other times not that many people donate and it is harder to justify a small cash amount to be from the whole class.

I think it is up the the individual/family. To some people $15 is alot. This year it would be for us, but since we do give end-of-the-year gifts, $5/teacher is easier on my budget because I could not find a nice gift for $5.

 

[kinntj]

How do they know that the teachers will like a spa certificate? I think a group gift is nice. I'm a teacher and have been surprised with this before, and it was much appreciated. I can only use so much lotion, mugs and candles, LOL.

I would suggest a gc for a local mall unless you are sure that the teachers would use the services of a spa.

Marsha

The mother that is putting this together is on the board for the preschool and I'm assuming she knows the teachers fairly well. We did the mall certificate (each $100) for the towncentre for Christmas, so I think she wanted to mix it up a bit and do something different. I was wondering the same thing, because if the teachers are anything like me, I don't like to use someone else for my hair and nails (if they have their own stylist already). Maybe they'll be willing to get a massage after teaching those little munchkins all year long. LOL! I know they deserve it!

I should email the parent and ask if it's something they said they wanted.

Thanks!

 

[lilprincessnbuzz]

It sounds like too much, especially for preschool. It seems that teacher gifts used to be much simpler. I do think a gift certificate from pooled resources is a very nice idea but it doesn't need to be so extravagant. A certificate to a restaurant or the movies would be just as nice. I think gifts in gereral have gotten out of hand.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I would contribute. I don't think $15 is that much for someone who has been caring for your child at school all year. Even if it is only 5 hours a week. I know that my ds's teacher genuinely cares about him and that means alot to me. If I was going to get her something I would probably spend more than $15, so I think $5 a teacher is pretty good. JMHO.

 

[ceecee]

I usually get my DD's teachers a $25.00 gift card to a restaurant (if I know what she likes) or Target. In preschool (2 half days a week) I got each teacher a potted rose ($5.00).

 

[msmayor]

The biggest problem with these type of gifts is that parents who find themselves financially unable to contribute feel guilty.

I rarely organize such things, but if I do I make it clear that any contribution is appreciated, and never specify a dollar amount. No one should be told how much of a 'gift' they should give, and no parent should feel forced to give.

 

[Danemom]

I am a preschool teacher and certainly do not expect gifts. I appreciate every end of the year thank you just the same, whether it is a gift certificate, more lotion/candles , or just a verbal "thank you!".

I am curious why some of you feel differently just because it's preschool. Is the shorter hours? 5 hours a week, for 9 months is 180 hours. I think a $5 gift is not extreme.

if the school wants to give those teachers a year end bonus, then let it come out of the preschools funds.

I can't imagine the preschool that would charge high enough fees to do this. My school is NAEYC accredited and is able to charge some of the highest fees in the area. We still sometimes must rely on the church that supports us for financial help.

 

[Nolcrest]

I'm a pre-school teacher myself so this is how I feel.

I personally would rather the families don't ask for the class to make a contribution. Each family feels differently about gift giving and it is uncomfortable for me to be on the receiving end when I know families are in different financial situations.

I'm okay with no gift. In the past, I've received many beautiful gifts and handmade notes and pictures from the kids and honestly both are appreceiated.

Now - to be brutally honest. I Hate the gift certificates to the Spa. I'm not a spa kinda person and I feel it is such a waste of money for the parents. I hate to say this but I usually "give" those certificates away to someone else who will use it. If anything, along those lines I would rather I received a certificate to my hairdresser instead of a spa.

For me - and everyone is different - a certificate to a mall or better yet a bookstore or teacher store is Extremely useful. I always use those certificates in a way that will benefit my class by either buying books or supplies. Last year I bought a parakeet for our classroom pet.

And for those who feel we are Only pre-school teachers, OUCH! I've kept my 4 & 5 years olds safe, happy and have comforted them during illnesses when family wasn't there. I've helped families receive needed services and therapies for their child and have done my best in preparing them for Kindergarten readiness all while having fun.

It's okay, deep down, I know that I'm not Just a pre-school teacher. That I have truly helped a child in building their foundation for a successful future.

Anyway, don't feel you need to contribute if you are not comfortable doing so. A sincere teacher wouldn't want you to do this. I absolutly feel a spa certificate is a waste unless you all know this is what the teacher would appreciate.

 

[rdsx28]

Hi,
last year my daughter was in preschool 5 days a week 9-11:30. We were asked by the room mother if we could donate 10.00 for an end of the year gift for the teacher and the teaching assistant. I thought this was more than reasonable. We gave the teacher movie passes and a restaurant gift certificate. She was extremely appreciative and the assistant I think got a gift certificate also. I think a spa gift certificate is a very personal gift and not appropriate.Everyone has their own preferences on these things and not everyone likes those type of things.As far as being"only a preschool teacher" they are the first of many for your child and they motivate your child on their road to learning and a good start is so important for them. My daughters teacher was wonderful and I am grateful for my daughters love of school and a smooth adjustment to kindergarten.I think teachers are the best and deserve a great big THANK YOU for all you do!

 

[gopack]

Preschool teachers are overworked and underpaid. They are laying a foundation that can greatly influence how your child will view "real" school. I think $15 is quite reasonable. As someone else said, everyone will not contribute so it will not be as much money as you think. To all of the preschool teachers out there, I am extremely grateful for the wonderful preschool teachers my children had and I know the job is physically and mentally exhausting.

 

[kinntj]

The biggest problem with these type of gifts is that parents who find themselves financially unable to contribute feel guilty.

I rarely organize such things, but if I do I make it clear that any contribution is appreciated, and never specify a dollar amount. No one should be told how much of a 'gift' they should give, and no parent should feel forced to give.

I agree with this 100%. They use to do this at my last work place too. They would ask for a set amount from everyone (baby/wedding) and some would feel bad and left out if they couldn't afford it. Eventually, they stopped doing this for those who couldn't afford it. They would just throw a potluck instead.

It would be best if she would have worded it like you said and ask for any contribution that parents are willing to give. That way she can put all the kids names on the card. Now she will only put the kids names on there that contribute the money she asks for.

I'm new at this school thing, so I'm glad I asked and got everyone's opinions on it.

 

[Sinderelli]

I am a 1st grade teacher in a Catholic school (grossly underpaid....but I love my job!!) I would LOVE to receive an end of the year gift certificate to a teacher store or to the mall. I spend so much money on supplies over the summer that any contribution would be great. However, I work with some teachers who would absolutely HATE this...so it all depends on the teacher. Personally, a g.c. to a spa would probably not get used...but that's me. I give my son's teacher and assistant each $50.00 to a local mall at the end of the year. I hate when I receive an amount higher than my assistant...it always makes me feel guilty.

 

[torinsmom]

Well, as a teacher who works with children aged 3-kindergarten, I can tell you that we deal with as much or more than elementary teachers do. Not only do we have to deal with the children and their individual personalities and needs, we also have to deal with the parents a lot more than the teachers of older children. And this is more of a hassle than I have ever experienced with a child.

Out of my 25 children, 20 are reading, and yes this includes most of my 4 year olds and one 3 year old. At the beginning of the year, we had 4 readers! I tell you what, my assistant and I have worked our behinds off. I don't get upset if I don't get a gift, but a thank you would be nice. Usually we only hear if someone has a complaint. Most of our kids are with us at least 8 hours a day, some are here from open to close--11hours a day. We see them awake more than their parents, so in my opinion, a little gift or card is a great way to show you appreciate us.

I can't imagine anyone buying a gift that costs less than $5---where in the world would you find it? If you don't want to contribute, don't. I have asked for contributions for a group gift from my son's class, but had a card that anyone could sign, whether they donated money or not. It does seem, though, that the higher income parents were the ones not contributing. Go figure......

As far as the school giving teachers extra money, most schools cannot afford to do this. There is a high overhead, and most preschools do not even make a profit these days. Teachers are underpaid as it is, and preschool teachers make far less than those in elementary. It is nice to get a gift card to make our salary stretch a little further.

I still think the spa is a little personal. I don't like any of that stuff, including massages. Maybe the gc could be for a mall that has a spa. Then they could choose that if they liked.

Marsha

 

[kinntj]

I'm a pre-school teacher myself so this is how I feel.
I personally would rather the families don't ask for the class to make a contribution. Each family feels differently about gift giving and it is uncomfortable for me to be on the receiving end when I know families are in different financial situations.

And for those who feel we are Only pre-school teachers, OUCH! I've kept my 4 & 5 years olds safe, happy and have comforted them during illnesses when family wasn't there.

Anyway, don't feel you need to contribute if you are not comfortable doing so. A sincere teacher wouldn't want you to do this. I absolutly feel a spa certificate is a waste unless you all know this is what the teacher would appreciate.

I'm sorry that my opening post brought on hurtful feelings. I have two kids and my oldest is 3 and is almost over her 1st year of preschool with one more year to go. My other is 2, so we have 1 year before she can start, so this whole school experience is new to me. I came here just to get a consensus on what most parents do. I just mentioned it was preschool just in case some parents handled preschool gifts differently from elementary. I didn't in any way mean that preschool teachers don't earn their place in the teaching world. All teachers aren't just teachers. I chose this preschool because they are nurturing and my DD just loves giving her teachers pecks on the cheek before she goes home.

I agree with the spa thing and will ask the mother if she knows for sure that the teachers would want this sort of gift. This spa is extremely expensive too, so your money just doesn't go as far. I go to the spa that's in the next town and they charge 1/2 of what this place does and I get top notch service.

My DD's teachers also go the extra mile, by coming out to the car and getting my DD out of her carseat and bringing her inside. At the end of the day, they bring her to the car and buckle her in. I don't even have to get out of my seat. I just sit in line and wait my turn. That in itself is an added bonus. OUr preschool only costs $685 a year for 2 days, so there's no way they could take out extra pay from that. We also sell cheesecakes to help with the costs of maintenance (playground) etc., so they don't have to raise tuition rates.

No, you're not just a preschool teacher, we know you're much more. Of course I didn't realise that until my DD started school.

 

[tallpkb]

Every year I've done teacher gifts for my girls. This year, all I feel like giving my youngest daughter's teacher is A BROOM.
Sorry, just had to vent...