School pollyanas!

[disneyjunkie]

Wow Snoopy, that was an excellent story. I think sometimes we get so caught up in the gift giving that we forget the true meaning of Christmas.

If a teacher wants to do a gift exchange, she/he should check with the parents in advance to make sure they can/want to do this. Another option would be to ask that the gifts only come from the $1.00 store.

 

[Tinkbell]

Snoopy, thanks for posting your story. I can tell from your posts that you are just as compassionate as your mother.

 

[mum4jenn]

Thanks Snoopy.....I am in tears over your story. You r mother was a wonderful person and if the world had more compassion like that then the earth would be a much better place.WOW!!! You are blessed for sure. I agree that your story would make a great movie. I think I will print it and put it in my Bible.

 

[MNT568]

I know that Christmas is not about what you "get" and that we should teach our children the true meaning of Christmas but I totally understand how Colleen and her DD felt. If you are going to participate in classroom gift giving, I think parents should follow the guidelines set by the teacher. My DS's preschool also did the $5.00 toy gift. All the kids were so excited about their presents. Some kids got mini etch-a-sketch, coloring book & crayons, bendos, matchbox cars, a sticker book, etc. My DS got Papa Ginos gift certificates. He was upset. Yes, the gift certificates were for $5.00 but all the other children had little toys to play with and to show each other and my DS had 5 pieces of paper. How do you explain that to a 4 year old? All he knew was that he didn't have a toy to play with and the other kids did. I am sure Colleen's DD felt the same disappointment that my DS did. Yes, the gift certificates will be used and we will make a fun trip to Papa Ginos. But I think that parents should think how their child would feel if this happened to them. Again, if you are going to participate, you need to follow the guidelines or if you don't agree with them, speak to the teacher before hand.

 

[JAP]

Originally posted by Colleen A.

While the school does allow the class to exchange gifts, this year, all the 3rd grade teachers got together and sent memos home. They requested that instead of buying them gifts, donate money to a organization called Angel Flight (they fly sick children to hospitals free of charge). My DDs teacher announced today that they collected $880.00.

That is terrific!! What a neat idea. My DD's school went carrolling and asked for donations. Our group went to approximately 11 houses and raised $175.00. All the funds went to our area child welfare department. DD was very proud and had a great time.

 

[Jenn]

Instead of a gift exchange, my daughter's Kindergarten class did 2 things:

1. Each family was to send in 15 individually wrapped candies - one piece for each child (lollipops, small candy bars, etc.) The kids made a huge Santa pinata and the teachers put 1 treat bag inside for each student filled with all the different types of candy - each child got the exact same bag.

2. Each student was to donate a gently used toy or book to a needy family. The kids were very involved in a discussion on giving and helping those less fortunate, they got to pick out their gift (with Mom's help), wrap it, and label it with boy/girl and an age range for the toy. My daughter donated a pair of Fisher Price roller skates that she had used maybe twice. We bought a special gift box to wrap them in and made a big deal about how fortunate we are.

I thought both of these were great and no feelings were hurt.

 

[d.kurz]

Originally posted by Kallison
Snoopy made me cry.

Me too. Again.