Teacher gift - how much $$

[Az Pirates]

I saw the thread about end of the year teacher gifts. I'd say gift cert. was the top choice.

So if you do a GC - how much do you spend?

 

[aprilgail2]

I usally give 20.00 gift cert to each teacher. One year I got them on ebay 25.00 G.C for 20.00!

 

[Barb D]

I have no advice, but I have a question of my own. Both of my big kids started out the year at a 2-day-a-week tutorial for homeschoolers. We pulled DS out in February because he and the 7th grade curriculum weren't a good fit (not because we disliked the school). Today is the last day of school. I'm planning on getting B&N gift certificates for DD's tutors (four of them), but what about DS's tutors (five of them?)

Both kids are going to public school next year, and both were there (at the 2-day school) for 2 years before this year.

And I need to know this today!

 

[CEDmom]

Originally posted by Barb D
I have no advice, but I have a question of my own. Both of my big kids started out the year at a 2-day-a-week tutorial for homeschoolers. We pulled DS out in February because he and the 7th grade curriculum weren't a good fit (not because we disliked the school). Today is the last day of school. I'm planning on getting B&N gift certificates for DD's tutors (four of them), but what about DS's tutors (five of them?)

Both kids are going to public school next year, and both were there for 2 years before this year.

And I need to know this today!

If your son is no longer in the program I don't think you need to give the tutors anything. If you really want to then I'd give 1/2 of what you're giving for DD since he was only in the program about 1/2 the time your DD was.

As far as what to spend in general. With GC I'd say at least $10. With a gift you could spend less and make it look like more. For teacher appreciation we gave DD's 3 teachers nice flowering plants in nice pots and it only cost $3 each because I got everything on sale. So it you're on a tight budget I'd go with a gift and shop around.

I'm still undecided about the end of the year. I give a big gift at Christmas so other gifts need to be much smaller.

 

[HollyJoy]

We usually spend about $10, more if I REALLY like the teacher! LOL But just remember, it's the thought that counts!

 

[pumba]

this was a few years ago....but each kid brought in money and they put it in one big GC at a local mall that could go to any of the stores in there.......she was thrilled .....as we all would be......if there are twenty kids and each gave ten dollars.....wow

 

[Az Pirates]

Originally posted by pumba
this was a few years ago....but each kid brought in money and they put it in one big GC at a local mall that could go to any of the stores in there.......she was thrilled .....as we all would be......if there are twenty kids and each gave ten dollars.....wow

That's what DS's class is doing - except the GC is going to be for home depot.

I had decided to send $15.00, but of course all I could find this morning was a twenty.
Now why is it that I never have a $20 when I'm out shopping, but have nothing else when it's time to send $$ to school?

It's all good though... DS loved his teacher this year! He was really great with the kids.

Thanks for the replies

 

[Ratpack]

As the DH of a teacher, I recommend GC in the $1000 range or higher.

Seriously, DW gets things anywhere from home made items to $50 GC and anywhere in between. She cherishes each one just the same. So just do what your heart tells you and you will be fine.

 

[Otto's Doll]

We usually spend between $10 - $15.

 

[Barb D]

I ended up doing $10 B&N certs for DD's tutors, and $5 for DS's tutors and the two admins who do much of the work. They all seemed pleased.

I was surprised that the Starbucks in B&N doesn't sell or even take Starbucks certs. They only take B&N certs.

Today was DD's last day at her 2-day school, and the silly string was flying!

 

[sharoncity]

We usually collect from the class and give one big one to the teacher. I like to give GC to the school secretary, principal, speech teacher.... to a bookstore. I usually give $5 or $10 to each one of them. I figure $5 almost covers the cost of a paperback for the beach right?!

 

[gshoemate]

I bought DD's teacher a $20.00 gc for TGIF. She is the most wonderful teacher. I know this is her first year at this school, it may be her first year teaching. She has tought my DD so much. I think I am also going to get her a little plant (thanks to a suggestion on the DIS) and I am going to print on thick paper "Thanks for helping me grow", then take a headshot photo of DD and put it on the paper, put it all on a popsicle stick and stick it in the soil of the plant.

We also got the bus driver (don't forget, their the one's that get our children to and from school safely) a $20.00 gc from TGIF. He has been wonderful to my DD, who insisted on riding the bus. I wanted to drive her but she wouldn't have anything to do with it.

 

[Kewz1]

I just got my kids' teachers $15 GC from Barnes & Nobles. Don't forget to let them know they can use them at the Starbucks!

Kristen

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I get my kids' teachers (5th grade and under) $10 certificates to Holcomb's teacher supply for Christmas, and to Panera Bread or another restaurant for end of year--no one wants to cook on the last day of school!!!!
Robin M.

 

[themepark]

I usually spend $20-25. For DD's teacher, I am getting $10 to Panera, $10 to a bookstore, and $5 to an ice cream shop she likes. Sometimes, I get a movie rental GC for $10-15 and then add bags of microwave popcorn and movie size candy I get at Target.

 

[Kallison]

I'm getting DS's teacher the year end finale of F R I E N D S on DVD -- we've been taping the shows for each other and sending them back and forth via DS. My older DS had her too, she is the best teacher ever.

I usually spend $10-$15 or give $5 if the Room Mom is collecting. Depends on how much I like the teacher

 

[cheeringmom]

For my daughters preschool class of 13 we are all donating $20 each giving each teacher $130 gift certificate. Beats #1 teacher stuff.

 

[mamamia]

Every year around the holiday time and then again at the end of school the class parent usually sends out a letter saying they are collecting money for a gift for the teacher (which usually turns out to be a gift certificate). I have been the class parent in my children's classrooms many times, so I know the drill. With that in mind, I am having second thoughts on doing a collection for my DS's 3rd grade class (I'm the only class parent there).

Let me explain. I did the whole letter thing at the holiday time and out of 18 kids we only collected $30.00 (I asked for $5.00 each). I have also had to collect money for the class parties (as per the teachers request). For the parties we requested $2.00 from each student. Well, again the same 6 people contributed and I wound up spending my own money for the crafts and whatever else wasn't covered. Also for the parties I asked for donations such as paper goods, chips, juice, etc. And guess what, only 1 person helped out there. I am the only parent that has ever gone on the class trips. I laid out extra money for the parties and crafts so the kids wouldn't miss out on things - its not their fault the parents are not sending in the money.

This teacher has a reputation of being mean. He isn't mean, he just has a lot of rules. My poor DS gets in trouble on daily basis (for talking too much). The kids have learned so much. This is my youngest child and I think that he got the best 3rd grade education he could have gotten even though he got in trouble a lot - but he knew the rules. This teacher also doesn't have much of a personality. But I liked his teaching methods. One thing he did is he always had something positive to say; even if my son got a low mark on a test, the teacher would write something like "good try".

Okay, I'm probably rambling at this point. So my question is would it be bad of me to not collect. If I don't collect I will send him a $25 g.c. from my son to somewhere around here (I like the home depot idea). I feel like he deserves more than that, but I'm afraid I won't get much more. Also there is a rumor that he is retiring in June. Also with the holiday collection I just signed the card from "your 3rd grade class" so that none of the kids would feel bad.

What do you guys think?

 

[Az Pirates]

That's a tough one. I know when I talked to DS's room mom today she said that most parents sent in something - but the amounts ranged from $5.00 up to $25.00
She was trying to decide how to handle that. She did not know if it would be tacky to put the amount of each persons contribution next to their name or not.

While I like it when the room mom pools contributions (easier for me and nice for the teachers to have a larger amount as well) - I certainly don't think it's necessary. If you don't think you'd get much response, it may be best to just send in an individual gift and let those who want to do something come up with their own gift.