What to get for son's school class?

[Tinkerbell58]

One trip we brought home Mickey straws for my DD's classmates. On a different trip, we were able to get the glasses used to view the Osbourne Christmas lights--and they're free!

 

[BlindTyldak]

We'll be buying something for everyone in my DD's class . . . I don't think my 6 year old who begged to be able to do this for her friends cares how tacky parents think it is, she just wants to spread her excitement and some pixie dust with others.

another mom said she found "mood pencils" at ToT for $1 each, that change color when you hold them. That's what we're going to look for.

 

[ppony]

I agree. but I will go one step farther by saying that I feel it's tacky to bring home souviners from ones vacation to pass out in a classroom. not everybody wants some sort of trinket from someone elses vacation.

it also looks like one is trying to make brownie points with all the kids just to be popular.

I wouldn't want my DD to bring in some souvineer from someone elses trip. again, I say it is tacky. JMO.

Thanks for sharing your opinion but I guess I'll just be tacky then. I didn't ask for opinions of whether I should do it but what. It's not like the kids aren't going to know where he was all the time he is gone. They won't know before hand becuase my son doesn't know when he's going. I know from first hand experience (as one child from my son's K class went to WDW last year) that him eing there was the thing that made my son ask when we could go and not when they brought back something for each of the kids. I thought it as really generous and my son enjoyed it, they wer just pencils but they all loved them anyway. If they don't want it they don't have to take it. My son likes to give things to others so there is nothing wrong with letting him continue with his generous spirit. And I seriously doubt any of the 6 year olds will have such a cynical attitude to even think about DS trying to score brownie points and if the parents do? Oh well.
Thanks for those wanting to HELP and for some great ideas. The one about getting something for the classroom is a great one too if I find something down there they would like. Schools and classrooms always need things for sure! Even if it is a few books. I'll probably ask the teacher before I go.

We'll be buying something for everyone in my DD's class . . . I don't think my 6 year old who begged to be able to do this for her friends cares how tacky parents think it is, she just wants to spread her excitement and some pixie dust with others.

another mom said she found "mood pencils" at ToT for $1 each, that change color when you hold them. That's what we're going to look for.

Yes m,a'am! They LOVE to share. And those pencils sound really fun! I'll look for them as well!

 

[ppony]

HEY! I happened to have my son's conferences today so I thought while he was out of earshot (because he doesn't know he's going yet, he won't until he figures it out on the way to the airport at 4AM that morning ) I asked the teacher if there were anythings she could think of that I could keep an eye peeled for or needs that I might be able to pick something up for at WDW that she could think on it for the next month and a half becuase we wanted to bring something back for the class or each student. She was genuinely excited to hear it. Her face lit up actually. She's a wonderful teacher. I'll have to keep my peepers peeled for something special for her too.

 

[welovedis]

HEY! I happened to have my son's conferences today so I thought while he was out of earshot (because he doesn't know he's going yet, he won't until he figures it out on the way to the airport at 4AM that morning ) I asked the teacher if there were anythings she could think of that I could keep an eye peeled for or needs that I might be able to pick something up for at WDW that she could think on it for the next month and a half becuase we wanted to bring something back for the class or each student. She was genuinely excited to hear it. Her face lit up actually. She's a wonderful teacher. I'll have to keep my peepers peeled for something special for her too.

Great to hear that she was so receptive of the idea. I also wanted to reiterate that I used to do the same and always thought the same as you, that is was a way to share the magic and my son enjoyed it. I just wanted to pass along some info about what we've experienced and what our school district has now implemented.

I asked the principal why the sudden change and he said just what I posted above, many parents didn't like the idea of their child coming home with a souvenier from someone else's trip, especially during the school year. Some parents got so angry that other parents would not only pull their kid out of school for WDW but then had the nerve to send in a trinket or souvenier.

He said the "no food" rule is based on a new district policy that is stricly enforcing no outside food allowed because of possible contamination issues and allergy issues.

Again, I'm not passing judgement or telling you not to do something, just passing along some thinking from the other side of things as to why some other parents don't want items sent home with their kids.

Hope you have a magical trip & that is one lucky teacher!

 

[ggeorgiagirl]

I am a teacher...and I go to Disney A LOT (I live 3 hours from Orlando). What I do for my students is go to the Downtown Disney stores and ask for a few of the free stickers. They have ROLLS and ROLLS of them and give them away for FREE! Hit all of the stores and you will have a FREE little something for each kid (and spend your $$ on your own kids). I teach 5th grade and they loved the stickers!

 

[ppony]

Great to hear that she was so receptive of the idea. I also wanted to reiterate that I used to do the same and always thought the same as you, that is was a way to share the magic and my son enjoyed it. I just wanted to pass along some info about what we've experienced and what our school district has now implemented.

I asked the principal why the sudden change and he said just what I posted above, many parents didn't like the idea of their child coming home with a souvenier from someone else's trip, especially during the school year. Some parents got so angry that other parents would not only pull their kid out of school for WDW but then had the nerve to send in a trinket or souvenier.

He said the "no food" rule is based on a new district policy that is stricly enforcing no outside food allowed because of possible contamination issues and allergy issues.

Again, I'm not passing judgement or telling you not to do something, just passing along some thinking from the other side of things as to why some other parents don't want items sent home with their kids.

Hope you have a magical trip & that is one lucky teacher!

Thanks Karen. I didn't think you were passing judgement at all. No worries! And that was a good thing to think aabout with district polices on food. I know ours is if they get food it has to be store bought and sealed. That's what we do for birthdays anyway. Still...I'm thinkin' I have lots of options and I really like the idea of maybe a few stickers, pencils and a character crayon and something for the whole classroom might be the nicest. We'll see how funds hold out where we get there!
It's relly too bad some parents get SO bent out of shape about things! From what I see in my son's classrooms, most parents can't even be bothered to dress their kids properly for cold and rainy weather when they are told repeatedly they are going on a walking fieldtrip! That was SO depressing to see on several occasions. I gave up my rain coat and unbrellas to a few kids that had nothing to protect them. And some of the poor kids you could just see were starving for adult attention the way they glom on to another adult in the room. UGH! Don't get me started. So I think I'm not going to worry about the 1 or 2 parents out of 20 kids that might have issues with it. I feel bad for those kids. You just can't please everyone.

 

[disneymac]

They had some great books in DTD - I forget the store - you could give it to the classroom. That way it's something bigger and for everyone and it lasts.

edit: Oops - didn't see the second page - wow threads can change fast, can't they! Just wanted to say that most likely it's the parents who are upset, not the kids. Generally speaking, kids like getting gifts and even if it makes them want to go to WDW too, they aren't going to be mad or upset because you were thoughtful enough to give them a gift. Kids need to learn that everyone is different and some kids are going to be able to do things that they can't. That's just life and it's too bad that sometimes some parents overreact.

 

[MyGoofy26]

When my cousin was in pre-school, each day a different parent was in charge of snacks (2 days a week so it was just once every couple months) We brought back a bag of Mickey pretzels in carry on - no problems at all. We also grabbed extra napkins from the food court so that each kid had a WDW napkin. Then we bought two boxes of the oreo type cookies - one chocolate, one vanilla. The kids LOVED it.

 

[1princessX2princes]

Forgive me if this has been posted, no time to read today...

I just purchased the mikey mouse crazy straws at Port Orleans Riverside food court. They are 49 cents each and have been a big hit with our friends kids who are in the kindergarten and 1st grade range. So that would only be 10 dollars for 20

 

[P-Dust]

We like to mail a coconut to the kids classrooms. We have done this twice and the teachers and kids love it! They sell them at the Poly and at CBR. The coconut goes through the mail system like a postcard. (I can just picture a mailman carrying it into the school now!) 2 things to be aware of:

#1: the Disney mail is S L O W! So do it on your first day.

and

B: Remember to take the school address with you.

p.s. your child can write a short message to the class on the coconut.

It's a hoot!

 

[ppony]

We like to mail a coconut to the kids classrooms. We have done this twice and the teachers and kids love it! They sell them at the Poly and at CBR. The coconut goes through the mail system like a postcard. (I can just picture a mailman carrying it into the school now!) 2 things to be aware of:

#1: the Disney mail is S L O W! So do it on your first day.

and

B: Remember to take the school address with you.

p.s. your child can write a short message to the class on the coconut.

It's a hoot!

That is the BIGGEST HOOT! I LOVE IT!!!! Can they mail it from the gift shop or should I find a PO to do it?? That is just a great idea!!!! So much other stuff to chew on, but I thank you guys SO MUCH for helping! I'm EXICTED! I get so much pleasure from giving to others, I wish I could do it more often. You guys rock!

 

[bellefan7757]

I am also a teacher, first grade, and I do not think any of my students would be upset about getting a small gift from a child who had been on a trip to Disney World. To the OP, how generous of you to want to do something nice for the class. One thing the teacher might enjoy is a stamp to use on student papers - I have one of Mickey that they all enjoy and I'll be looking for others when I am in WDW - in 6 days!!

 

[daisyduck123]

You might check with your child's teacher to see if there is a bigger Disney related item that could be used for the class. We did that a few times when our DD was younger. Stuff like measuring cups, muffin tins, posters, figurines, etc., were useful to the entire class for different projects and DD was proud that she contributed to the class.

I have not read any posts past this one (#7), but I'm a 1st grade teacher & think this is a much better idea than getting little trinkets for the class! Many of those will not even make it home. (You would not believe the stuff kids leave behind on the floor at the end of the day).

Some Disney things I'd love for my class:
huge box of Disney crayons or markers for my class writing center
Disney book with audiotape/cd for the listening center
Disney book for the classroom library
Disney themed copy paper
Disney themed envelopes
Disney rubber stamps

Those are just a few ideas.

 

[welovedis]

We like to mail a coconut to the kids classrooms. We have done this twice and the teachers and kids love it! They sell them at the Poly and at CBR. The coconut goes through the mail system like a postcard. (I can just picture a mailman carrying it into the school now!) 2 things to be aware of:

#1: the Disney mail is S L O W! So do it on your first day.

and

B: Remember to take the school address with you.

p.s. your child can write a short message to the class on the coconut.

It's a hoot!

P-Dust, I had forgotten about this since our very 1st trip. DS sent one to his, then preschool, and it was a riot. No one could believe it got there intact!

Anyone know about how long it takes to arrive? We get in on a Sat afternoon and get back the Sat after. If we go right to CBR or the Poly & mail one on Sat, will they get it by the following Friday (FL to Western NY)?

 

[P-Dust]

ppony, the coconut ,with postage, cost between $15 & $20.00. We then took it to the Poly service desk/guest relations and they took care of it for us. We mailed it on a Tuesday afternoon and it beat us back to Maine when we returned a week later. Enjoy your trip!

 

[ppony]

ppony, the coconut ,with postage, cost between $15 & $20.00. We then took it to the Poly service desk/guest relations and they took care of it for us. We mailed it on a Tuesday afternoon and it beat us back to Maine when we returned a week later. Enjoy your trip!

EEEK! I'll still do it but me thinx only a couple coconuts! Is the coconut "shaved" of it's rough exterior so it's easier to write on? Still a great idea, I MUST do one or two especially since we are going at Christmas time. THANKS P-Dust!