End of year class gifts?

I have a question for all those with kiddies in daycare/preschool. How does your school do class gifts? Does someone coordinate a "group" gift, or does everyone just do what they want individually?

I'm taking over the PTO at our school next year, but the woman handling it this year has basically checked out and decided not to do anything for the end of year gifts. I'm BOMBARDED right now at work and we are moving in 3 weeks so I have no time to coordinate anything, but I volunteered to send a letter to the room parents and organize it to a small degree.

What we've done in the past is send a VERY detailed and complicated letter to each parent, listing the suggested amount of $25 for each lead teacher and $20 per assistant teacher, and $1 each for the specialists (yoga, gym, dance, etc).

I can't possibly organize something like that, and I also think it's extraordinarily tacky, so this year, I prepared a letter for the room parents to send out to each parent, asking just for a general contribution if they want, without a suggested amount, and we will collect all the money and distribute it fairly amongst the teachers, according to a percentage.

Now, mind you, we had a meeting last week to finalize the class gift situation and TWO parents attended to give their feedback. Now, all of a sudden, my email and voicemail are getting flooded with complaints from parents, who want us to go back to the old way of doing it, without anyone offering to help at all.

This is starting to tick me off, so I want some perspective on how other schools do it.

Yes, I know, long winded... sorry!

Re: End of year class gifts?

We gave money to the class mom in the late fall--part of it went to their holiday gift, the other part for the end of the year gift. We all gave the same amount (although it was an option to give less) and she divides it up between the head teacher, ***'t and director. We also all submitted pictures and quotes from the year for a book she is putting together.
I am sorry you are having to deal with coordinating this at the same time you move!

Re: End of year class gifts?

At DS's preschool it depends on if there is anyone willing to step up and coordinate it or not. This year nobody wanted to (which is fine by me) and we all just give our own gift to whomever we want to. There's no PTA or class moms at his school.

At DD's elementary school the class moms collected money at the beginning of the year to cover a couple parties and a holiday gift and end of year gift for the teacher. If anyone wants to supplement that's up to them.

Message edited 5/18/2011 8:45:40 PM.

Re: End of year class gifts?

We do a group gift for our classroom teachers. A monogrammed LL Bean bag with $100 gift cards to Barnes and Noble

Re: End of year class gifts?

In DS preschool last year it was exactly as you described. Where we collected money at the end of the year for teacher appreciation gifts. Not everyone gave the requested amount and some gave nothing. However, this year I co-coordinated the rummage sale and we made a LOT of money for the school. The next day we had a parent meeting and voted to use some of that money for the end of year teacher appreciation gifts.

This year and last year we also had a teacher appreciation week where we did:
10 minute chair massages for the teachers from a licensed massage therapist who is also a parent.
one dozen roses per teacher
"walk of fame" put a roll of red paper on the entry floor. Gave every teacher a tiara and all the kids clapped.
Last year we also gave out apple cut outs that the kids decorated. We made them into trees and had them line the hallway for the rest of the year.

This year one mom volunteered to coordinate getting every child to put a hand print on an apron for their teachers. It was the class "gift."

Last year we made memory books for the teachers, but getting responses was really hard. We were supposed to give them out during teacher appreciation week but they got them at the end of school luncheon instead.

This year every child received a paper for each of their teachers and the director. We are supposed to put a photo of our DC on the page and then write why the teacher is special to our DC. Once we get them back, they will be laminated into a book for the teachers.

Re: End of year class gifts?

I would want a suggested amount. I have no idea what is appropriate and would want a guideline. I might give $100 and another parent gives $150. If people aren't chipping in the same amount then they are better off giving on their own.

Re: End of year class gifts?

Re: End of year class gifts?

As someone who has been class mom and PTA chairperson(for years). I will tell you this(please do not take it the wrong way) This is the nature of what you have chosen to take on. People will always complain and offer zero help, there will always be a handful that are a total PITA and it will always in some way feel unfair to someone. It is A LOT of work. If you are truly too overwhelmed to do it, maybe pass it on to someone else that has more time. These types of positions are what you make it. It your head is not in the right place, this may end up being more stress then it is worth to you. KWIM?

Re: End of year class gifts?