When do you give teachers end of year gifts?

[frannn]

I have some gifts for DD5's teachers and helpers. Usually I give these on the last day of school, but this week she has two half days and then on Fri, school ends at 9:30 AM. Today was the last full day. Should I hold off till Fri and hand them to the teachers after school, or send them in DD's backpack and let her give them out?

 

[mjkacmom]

Our last day was today, and I sent them on Friday. The teacher's usually give the kids thank-you notes, and this way they don't have to be mailed. $25 Barnes and Noble gift cards this year - not very original!

 

[kimisabella]

My dd's teacher got his gift last week - the class chipped in and bought him two box seats to last weekends Yankee game plus VIP club access, whatever that is - too bad the Yankees lost that day

 

[torinsmom]

For most of my parents this year---never I had 24 students and received something from only 6 of them. I am talking not even a homemade card saying thank you. It really hurt my feelings, because I really busted my behind this year.

I sent my son's teachers their gifts on the last day of school. I also had my son personally thank each one and tell them how they had made a difference in his life. I know from experience that those words of thanks can make a teacher's day.

Marsha

 

[luvmy3]

I send in my kid's teachers gifts on the very last day. Alot of kids bring things in at the end of the year party but that is such a hectic day for students, teachers and parents. I like to wait until everything calms down. Tomorrow is the last day for us, the kids have already cleaned out their desks and everything is home so there isn't anything for them to do in the 2 1/2 hours they will be there. They can give their teachers their gifts and at least get to see them open them.

 

[mominwestlake]

I always give mine a couple of days before the last day so the teachers can get out thank you notes without having to send them in the mail.

 

[MPLsDad]

My son gave his teacher and teacher aides their gifts today - the last day of school is Thursday. To be honest, I just wanted to get them out of my house and into their deserving hands.

By the way, I am a teacher. I don't expect a gift, but if I get a gift, I always send a written thank you note via snail mail with a stamp. It's the very least I can do to say thank you for the appreciation!

 

[penjen]

I had 24 students and received something from only 6 of them. I am talking not even a homemade card saying thank you. It really hurt my feelings, because I really busted my behind this year.
Marsha

I really appreciate you writing this. It made me think of DS preschool teachers a bit more. We are quickly getting something ready for them today. (last day of school)

 

[torinsmom]

I really appreciate you writing this. It made me think of DS preschool teachers a bit more. We are quickly getting something ready for them today. (last day of school)

Seriously, a handmade thank you card with a picture the child has drawn is a great gift. It doesn't cost anything but time, but it means the world!

Marsha

 

[momx2]

For most of my parents this year---never I had 24 students and received something from only 6 of them. I am talking not even a homemade card saying thank you. It really hurt my feelings, because I really busted my behind this year.

I sent my son's teachers their gifts on the last day of school. I also had my son personally thank each one and tell them how they had made a difference in his life. I know from experience that those words of thanks can make a teacher's day.

Marsha

Why do you expect one? I do my job everyday and nobody gives me gifts. I really don't get this mentality. We have teacher appreciation week and Christmas gifts for teachers. Why do you need another gift. Maybe you don't have teacher appreciation week, but even so why do teachers expect gifts? You get paid for your job, why do you expect more? I've always wondered that?

 

[CTdiznymom]

My DD is a first year 3rd gr. teacher, and I can't believe the gifts she received. I too think it is a little over the top to be buying such things for the teacher especially after teacher appreciation week. Here are some of the things she received:

assorted gift cards to coffee shops
gift cards for manicures
Book store gift cards
Boxes of thank you notes/stationary
2 plants
Beach towels in pretty beach bags with flip flops
Pedicure pouch
Handwritten thankyou cards from the kids

The room moms gave her a framed & matted class picture- the kids signed and wrote a short note around the pic on the mat.

They also bought a white directors chair with blue canvas seat and back. They had the kids stencil their handprints on the chair with assorted paint colors, and they wrote their names on their individual hand print. They also painted her name on the back of the chair. I thought this was extremely thoughtful, and something she will definately cherish and use.

 

[Aliceacc]

I normally send mine in on the last day.

But this year I got each of the teachers a big bag of classroom decorations (Thank you Scholastic's $1 sale!!!!) I also included a set of "Have a good summer" magnets from the teacher. So I sent them in last week, so the teachers could pass them out on the last day of classes this Thursday.

 

[Plantlady]

I give each of the teachers a geranium. Every year. Every teacher.

 

[thomas998]

Considering that you are a taxpayer like the rest of us and the teacher is about to get a three month paid vacation for the Summer... I think you, me and every other taxpayer in the country are giving them one hell of a gift that last day of school... its called a 3 month vacation.

 

[Aliceacc]

Considering that you are a taxpayer like the rest of us and the teacher is about to get a three month paid vacation for the Summer... I think you, me and every other taxpayer in the country are giving them one hell of a gift that last day of school... its called a 3 month vacation.

I teach math.

1) Around here, at least, it's two months: July and August.

2) Can we assume that, since you've discovered our little secret about a nine month job on a 12 month salary, you'll be getting your teaching certificate soon? (You have your Master's, right??) It's a wonder there aren't more of us with this wonderful racket we have going.

 

[donac]

My 2nd son just graduated from high school last week. I did send in some gifts but to just two people, his guidance counselor and high band director.

The guidance counselor was his counselor for his entire high school career and also for my older son. SHe was very helpful in getting them both into college. SHe was always there for both sons and for any questions I had.

The other person was the band director. He has worked with both sons and I have worked with him as band parent president. The amount of extra hours this man puts in that I know he doesn't get paid for is amazing. He has not only taught them music but taught them about working as a team.

I am also a teacher. I don't expect anything from any of my students. I have gotten some small things but they are totally unexpected and usually for taking the time to write a letter of recommendation for college or a scholarship. This is something I don't have to do but since I know them so well, since I have had them for 2 years, I feel it is important to help out the kids.

 

[Todd&Copper]

Make certain that whatever you do you give the presents BEFORE the final grade is calculated. Otherwise it is a waste of money.

 

[momx2]

I teach math.

1) Around here, at least, it's two months: July and August.

2) Can we assume that, since you've discovered our little secret about a nine month job on a 12 month salary, you'll be getting your teaching certificate soon? (You have your Master's, right??) It's a wonder there aren't more of us with this wonderful racket we have going.

I know you weren't responding to me, but I just wanted to say that I did have a teaching certificate. I let it lapse after going to law school. I do know that it is only 2 months, here it is June and July, that you are off. I also know that you do some work in the summer to prepare for classes. Also, you do get Fall Break, Christmas break and spring break, so all together you do get about 3 months off.

I know that teachers don't make a ton of money, but in my area a teacher can live really well and make around $30K to $50K as a teacher and more if you are in administration. I do realize that this salary is for only the time you teach, but you can choose to have it spread out over the entire 12 months. That is a really good job in Kentucky. I still don't understand why some teachers expect all the gifts. I really just don't get it. I'm not anti-teachers as some people might be, I just really don't get the expectation thing. I am a lawyer and I am employed by the state. I don't make a ton of money either, but I don't expect my clients to buy me gifts (actually it is illegal for me to except them). Why do some teachers expect them?

 

[Aliceacc]

I have no idea. I don't, although I do buy one for each of my kids' teachers each year. Not because they expect them, but in thanks for all they've done for my kids.

That said, on the secondary level, gifts really are a rarity. But I do LOVE all the notes I got on my final exams (even all those "Please, please pass me!" kinds of notes. )It's nice of those kids who close the year with wishes for a good summer, and promises to come back and see me next year. I get to thank them and wish them well on the last day of classes; it's so nice when those sentiments are returned.

For the record: I teach in a Catholic high school. In our school, all the administrators teach, from the President to the Principal to the deans to the Chaplain. Since many are religious, they don't receive a competitive salary. But even the lay administrators don't receive the 6 digit salaries that some local public school administrators receive. And, also for what it's worth: my husband supplements our income doing photography (he also teaches in a Catholic HS.) I supplement it with freelance writing. This will be our first trip to WDW in 19 years, and our last for quite some time. We simply can't afford to go more often.

Forgive me for reacting; had I not been quoted, I would have deleted my response by now. But I hate the constant dumping on a profession to which I have devoted over two decades. I'm not sure why a question about gifts had to degenerate to one dumping on teachers, but it so frequently does.

My apologies to the OP for the hijack. I'm unsubscribing, so don't feel the need to go on and on about all my free time. Besides, I have some freelance work I want to get done.

 

[WendyisDarling]

i send w/ child on the last day of school. Usually i am not organized enough to have them ready before then

DS has a lot of aides and so on, some scrawl out a thank you. Others don't get to it. I don't really care.

My "signature" end of the year gift has become GC's to Cold Stone Creamery. It justs says "summer" to me

I wish TA week were a little earlier in the year. I give gifts for both TA and end of year and they are so close to each other. Oh well.

Older DS is in MS and he doesn't want to give gifts. DSis is a HS teacher and said this is pretty common for boys. For TA week he chooses one or two teachers and writes a nice note and I send a gift. (his decision, i would like for him to do so for all, but he prefers to choose) I think he tries to give it to the teacher very discreetly.