vent about dd's elementary school

[nicurn]

As y'all know our school secretary is leaving after this year. She's been at the school for 7 years (since it opened) and the pta is supposed to put together a present for her. This should not be hard right? Well, I took julianne's idea about handing out the cards saying, "all I ever needed to know about the school I learned from corinne", handed them out last friday, asked for them to be back monday afternoon.... (like that happened). anyhow, this afternoon I went door to door asking if they had filled them out. After the 4th person told me they were "too busy" I admit I was feeling a tad bit grumpy but I didn't say anything. I then get to the 5th grade teachers who were just rude about it. One even walked away as I was talking. So, now I'm so done with the staff. (I will not be doing staff appreciation next year) I then get to kate's teacher and ask her if she's done it yet. She looked at me and said, "nope". Which in a normal tone would have been fine, but it was pretty much conveyed that she would not be doing it at all. So now I'm counting to 100 so as not to be really bitter, (it's not working by the way). I put together a fairly nice end of year book for her that took some effort and I really like it, but after today... I don't want to give it to her. I don't think she'd keep it since she's not staying next year and I really don't think she'll appreciate it, so I think I won't give it to her. (can ya tell I'm bitter). But honestly, after the year we've had with her, this just really put me over the edge. I'm really tired of the selfishness of the staff, of the attitudes, etc. I'm done. Sorry for the length of this post, I'm just still very cranky about it. maggie

 

[WDWMom]

Maggie,

Some times I wonder why I even try to do things nice for some of our teachers. For the most part, they are very helpful and I do not have problems with them but then there are others. DS 9's teacher has been a royal pain in the rear and I am not doing a year end gift for her (thanks goodness she has been moved to another school and DS7 won't have her).

On the other hand, give her the gift. You worked hard on it and you will get the satisfaction of doing some thing nice to someone else.

 

[JudithM]

Maggie, I firmly believe that some people do not appreciate our efforts when it comes to putting together sbs. So much for a Monday deadline. I realize teachers & others in the school are busy at the this time of the year, but it wasn't like you were asking for a handwritten dissertaton .

Last summer I put together a memory book about a friend's sister. Only two of the seven siblings contributed although some nieces & friends did, too. Well, I brought it to a family summer gathering to give to the husband. Some of the sisters saw it & really liked it. I could tell they wished they had put something in. Oh well ....

A similar thing happened with the family recipe sb I did in April. I needed a deadline since it was a bridal shower gift, & I was flying to the shower for the day. Awhile later a cousin wanted to know why I didn't email her. Well, her email address changed & one of her daughters gave me the wrong address - not MY fault. Plus five of her adult children knew about it. Could no one tell their mom? Again, not MY fault!

So believe me I understand how frustrating this is for you. You seem to have a generous heart about making sbs for others.

As for Kate's teacher ... if you do not want to give the sb to her, save it for Kate as a memory of 3rd grade - even if you have a lot of the photos in a Kate album.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

How frustrating for you! Big Bummer -

So you didn't get any cards back at all? Did they not like the school secretary? What's going on there? I just feel really bad for the secretary -

I am sorry you are going through this - I know teachers have a lot on their plates - They are busy - But they also know it is nice to be appreciated - So you would think they would want to pass that on to someone else -

 

[Franne]

I am a teacher and how I would love to get a scrapbook of my year at school. If this teacher is not appreciative of that, I would either put in it what you have, or let your daughter have it as Judith said.
It's a shame that the teacher can't appreciate your time and efforts. Too bad you're not at my school, we would love it!
Franne

 

[JulianneP]

I'm right there with you Maggie! My deadline for my neices Grad album was March 1st. I have to drive to my sisters house in Fx Station (.45 min) to pick up her pictures and poem today! So I can finish for the party on Sunday!

So sorry about Kate's teacher. What a mean spirit she must have and has no business teaching children. However if you do give her the album maybe she will use it to reflect this summer about her roll as a teacher. Or the guilt of being so mean will eat her up inside.

I know at my school the secertary just about ran the whole school! How sad that they can't find 5min to write her a note. Seems to me that there may be a little school spirit problem at your school. Very sad.

Hope your day goes better

 

[MARGARETMOUSE]

Hi Maggie. I'm with you...I wouldn't give the sb to the teacher. A sb is a work of time and love. It is to be given to someone who you love or care deeply about. Obviously you do not feel this way toward the teacher....so I would keep it. If you still feel you need to give her an end of the year gift, go and buy her a little something.

I just spent the past couple of weeks making my son's First Grade teacher a sb. I sent a note home to all the children's parents, asking them to have the children write a little something about the teacher and include a pic of the child. I then took each one and devoted a 12X12 page to each kid. I got a pretty good response. Out of 25 kids, I got 20 back. I thought for sure that most parents would blow it off.....so this was a pleasant surprise for me! This is Mrs. Linen's 40th year of teaching First Grade, and I wanted to give her something special to remember her class by.

Just go with your heart.....do what would make you feel the best!
Good luck!
Margaret

 

[Spinning]

I don't think I would want to give her the scrap book either. SO much time and effort went into it but also a lot of YOU went into it.
I say use that photo show and hand her a CD with all your pictures on it! Decorate the cover. Use the free trail!

 

[nicurn]

thanks everyone for your posts. I am going to keep the album because she absolutely won't appreciate it (and she completely put me over the edge yesterday). Kate can pick something out of the target supply closet but I'm done. maggie

 

[OurDogCisco]

Good for you Maggie.... Sometimes and I know this is not what everyone wants to hear but teachers, secretaries, etc.... All are working a job. Don't get me wrong some love it with a passion and are more grateful than others but some are just working a job. It is sad. I discovered that this year at my dds school. It made me not want to do anything for school next year. But then, I have to ask myself who I am doing it for. And, I am doing it for my dd. So, before you give up maybe you could volunteer and do something else next year that would give you more happiness...and less frustration. Tina

 

[nicurn]

next year I will still be in the library, and probably in the art room... depending on which teacher she gets and who else wants to be room mom, I may do it again. (I do like the 4th grade teachers, they are all very friendly). I am not going to do pta stuff though.... I'm just done. maggie

 

[mcnuss]

My guess would be that the teachers did not put out any effort on this project bc there is something going on between them and this secretary. I think it's fishy that none of them did it, and that they were glib about it. Is there anyone you could ask confidentially?

As for giving the sb to your dd's teacher, no way! You should only do something that special for someone who has been special to your child.