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End Of Year Gift...

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CookieMomster
Golden

Member since 5/09

6414 total posts

Name:
Me

End Of Year Gift...

What are you giving? Do you contribute to class fund AND get something on top of that?

Posted 5/10/16 7:35 AM
 

EricaAlt
LIF Adult

Member since 7/08

22665 total posts

Name:
Erica

Re: End Of Year Gift...

I will contribute and get something as well. The class mom is only allowed to collect $5 per teacher and DS has 2.
Thinking a $25 GC to Nordstrom plus a cute beach towel or tote to go with it. Something cute for the summer. He is in 1st grade

ETA - for my 4 year old's PreK I will probably do a GC as well. Since it's a private school and small class the class mom collects more money.

Bus driver will get money.

Message edited 5/10/2016 7:56:08 AM.

Posted 5/10/16 7:53 AM
 

summerBaby10
let's be nice

Member since 9/07

10208 total posts

Name:
Wifey

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Our class mom collects but I will also give a gift on my own. My son's K teacher is young & cute so maybe a sephora GC.

Posted 5/10/16 10:27 AM
 

Lauren82
LIF Adult

Member since 10/06

4580 total posts

Name:
L

Re: End Of Year Gift...

I am doing a gift card for my girls' teachers...I usually do somewhere between $25 and $50 on a gift card and a small token gift (personalized stationary for writing notes, etc.).
I do $5 gift cards for the special area teachers.
I also do a small token gift (plant?) for the secretaries and the nurse.
The bus driver gets a $25 gc because he goes above and beyond for my kids (stops at my house if they aren't on the bus stop and gives them a few extra seconds to get out there...helps my daughter with her backpack since she has a broken arm).

We typically don't have class gifts, which is fine by me, because I always contribute to that and buy my own gift.

Posted 5/10/16 9:48 PM
 

Chai77
Brighter days ahead

Member since 4/07

7364 total posts

Name:

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Honest question- why is contributing to the class gift not enough? I feel like there is such pressure to give all these gifts nowadays, between the holidays and end of the year, teacher appreciation week... Bus drivers, teachers, specials teachers, therapists, secretaries.... and with multiple kids in school, it really adds up!

And I think it's strange that when I worked in schools for five years several years ago, I got very few gifts for anything. Maybe one or two holiday gifts and a couple of holiday cards over the years. I was a therapist though, not a teacher.

Posted 5/14/16 9:20 PM
 

hmm
Sweet

Member since 1/14

7993 total posts

Name:

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Posted by Chai77

Honest question- why is contributing to the class gift not enough? I feel like there is such pressure to give all these gifts nowadays, between the holidays and end of the year, teacher appreciation week... Bus drivers, teachers, specials teachers, therapists, secretaries.... and with multiple kids in school, it really adds up!

And I think it's strange that when I worked in schools for five years several years ago, I got very few gifts for anything. Maybe one or two holiday gifts and a couple of holiday cards over the years. I was a therapist though, not a teacher.




yes crashing, but I agree with you, IT's over kill on LI with the gifting. This why so many parents are stressed out, keeping up with the jones. I hear it all the time from friends.

It makes it hard for those who cannot afford to contribute to the class fund and add something extra.

Posted 5/14/16 9:25 PM
 

Lara&Aidansmommy
For mom i miss u ETC ILOVEU

Member since 3/07

13921 total posts

Name:
ETC I LOVE YOU

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Lands ends totes filled with crabtree and evelyn lotion sets. No class has a contribution gift.

Posted 5/14/16 9:42 PM
 

Lauren82
LIF Adult

Member since 10/06

4580 total posts

Name:
L

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Posted by Chai77

Honest question- why is contributing to the class gift not enough? I feel like there is such pressure to give all these gifts nowadays, between the holidays and end of the year, teacher appreciation week... Bus drivers, teachers, specials teachers, therapists, secretaries.... and with multiple kids in school, it really adds up!

And I think it's strange that when I worked in schools for five years several years ago, I got very few gifts for anything. Maybe one or two holiday gifts and a couple of holiday cards over the years. I was a therapist though, not a teacher.



I give my own gift along with the class gift because typically the contribution is between $5 and $10 and I choose to spend more than that on the gifts. Many parents do one or the other (from a teacher perspective). I wouldn't feel obligated to do both.

Posted 5/14/16 10:32 PM
 

PatsBrat
LIF Adult

Member since 10/06

2326 total posts

Name:
Ms. Brat

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Posted by Lauren82

Posted by Chai77

Honest question- why is contributing to the class gift not enough? I feel like there is such pressure to give all these gifts nowadays, between the holidays and end of the year, teacher appreciation week... Bus drivers, teachers, specials teachers, therapists, secretaries.... and with multiple kids in school, it really adds up!

And I think it's strange that when I worked in schools for five years several years ago, I got very few gifts for anything. Maybe one or two holiday gifts and a couple of holiday cards over the years. I was a therapist though, not a teacher.



I give my own gift along with the class gift because typically the contribution is between $5 and $10 and I choose to spend more than that on the gifts.



I also give my own gift because I don't think $5-$10 is adequate to thank the person who took care of my child for 10 months. I feel that a small individual gift and note are a nice extra to show my appreciation for a happy and successful year.

Posted 5/15/16 7:59 AM
 

anonymoususer
LIF Adult

Member since 7/08

3393 total posts

Name:

Re: End Of Year Gift...

When does it end though? End of elementary school? I feel like middle and high school teachers always get left out

Posted 5/15/16 2:40 PM
 

PatsBrat
LIF Adult

Member since 10/06

2326 total posts

Name:
Ms. Brat

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Posted by anonymoususer

When does it end though? End of elementary school? I feel like middle and high school teachers always get left out



My oldest is in 7th grade. I give all of his teachers $10 Amazon gift cards for the holidays and send in a large Edible Arrangement for all of his teachers in June.

Message edited 5/15/2016 6:45:26 PM.

Posted 5/15/16 6:44 PM
 

Lauren82
LIF Adult

Member since 10/06

4580 total posts

Name:
L

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Posted by PatsBrat

Posted by anonymoususer

When does it end though? End of elementary school? I feel like middle and high school teachers always get left out



My oldest is in 7th grade. I give all of his teachers $10 Amazon gift cards for the holidays and send in a large Edible Arrangement for all of his teachers in June.



My kids are only in 2nd and 3rd grade, but I plan to give through high school. My parents always did and I plan to do the same...probably a gift card for each teacher.

Posted 5/15/16 6:57 PM
 

MrsProfessor
hi

Member since 5/05

14279 total posts

Name:

End Of Year Gift...

If there is a class gift, I'll contribute and have DD write letters or cards (she has one teacher for ELA and one for math, 3rd grade)

I was a teacher and while I did appreciate gifts, there came a point where I had enough mugs, etc. If I saw something really unique, then maybe. When DD was in first I got flowers for both her teachers and a GC for the aide.

Posted 5/15/16 7:29 PM
 

nycbuslady
LIF Adult

Member since 9/15

1066 total posts

Name:

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Posted by Chai77

Honest question- why is contributing to the class gift not enough? I feel like there is such pressure to give all these gifts nowadays, between the holidays and end of the year, teacher appreciation week... Bus drivers, teachers, specials teachers, therapists, secretaries.... and with multiple kids in school, it really adds up!

And I think it's strange that when I worked in schools for five years several years ago, I got very few gifts for anything. Maybe one or two holiday gifts and a couple of holiday cards over the years. I was a therapist though, not a teacher.



I agree. They get paid to teach the class. Isn't that enough?

Posted 5/15/16 9:59 PM
 

Chai77
Brighter days ahead

Member since 4/07

7364 total posts

Name:

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Posted by nycbuslady

Posted by Chai77

Honest question- why is contributing to the class gift not enough? I feel like there is such pressure to give all these gifts nowadays, between the holidays and end of the year, teacher appreciation week... Bus drivers, teachers, specials teachers, therapists, secretaries.... and with multiple kids in school, it really adds up!

And I think it's strange that when I worked in schools for five years several years ago, I got very few gifts for anything. Maybe one or two holiday gifts and a couple of holiday cards over the years. I was a therapist though, not a teacher.



I agree. They get paid to teach the class. Isn't that enough?



Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too! I totally understand tipping restaurant servers and hair stylists, most are underpaid, have no benefits and depend on tips. I generously tip them.

But teachers and most other full time school staff (and I'll throw in sanitation workers, mail carriers etc) make a decent living wage with benefits in most cases. So I say all this tipping and gifting is out of hand! It feels very much like a keeping up with the Joneses mentality.

Posted 5/15/16 10:10 PM
 

Lauren82
LIF Adult

Member since 10/06

4580 total posts

Name:
L

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Posted by Chai77

Posted by nycbuslady

Posted by Chai77

Honest question- why is contributing to the class gift not enough? I feel like there is such pressure to give all these gifts nowadays, between the holidays and end of the year, teacher appreciation week... Bus drivers, teachers, specials teachers, therapists, secretaries.... and with multiple kids in school, it really adds up!

And I think it's strange that when I worked in schools for five years several years ago, I got very few gifts for anything. Maybe one or two holiday gifts and a couple of holiday cards over the years. I was a therapist though, not a teacher.



I agree. They get paid to teach the class. Isn't that enough?



Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too! I totally understand tipping restaurant servers and hair stylists, most are underpaid, have no benefits and depend on tips. I generously tip them.

But teachers and most other full time school staff (and I'll throw in sanitation workers, mail carriers etc) make a decent living wage with benefits in most cases. So I say all this tipping and gifting is out of hand! It feels very much like a keeping up with the Joneses mentality.



I don't look at end of the year gifts as a tip, I look at it as a thank you for helping my child grow and thrive.

Posted 5/16/16 7:14 AM
 

Chai77
Brighter days ahead

Member since 4/07

7364 total posts

Name:

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Posted by Lauren82

Posted by Chai77

Posted by nycbuslady

Posted by Chai77

Honest question- why is contributing to the class gift not enough? I feel like there is such pressure to give all these gifts nowadays, between the holidays and end of the year, teacher appreciation week... Bus drivers, teachers, specials teachers, therapists, secretaries.... and with multiple kids in school, it really adds up!

And I think it's strange that when I worked in schools for five years several years ago, I got very few gifts for anything. Maybe one or two holiday gifts and a couple of holiday cards over the years. I was a therapist though, not a teacher.



I agree. They get paid to teach the class. Isn't that enough?



Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too! I totally understand tipping restaurant servers and hair stylists, most are underpaid, have no benefits and depend on tips. I generously tip them.

But teachers and most other full time school staff (and I'll throw in sanitation workers, mail carriers etc) make a decent living wage with benefits in most cases. So I say all this tipping and gifting is out of hand! It feels very much like a keeping up with the Joneses mentality.



I don't look at end of the year gifts as a tip, I look at it as a thank you for helping my child grow and thrive.



It is a gift. I don't see it as a tip either. But if I will have three kids in school with multiple teachers, bus drivers, bus matrons, etc, this could easily add up to several hundred dollars a year, or more, if you are spending $50 per teacher gift alone. My school does an obligatory class gift too. I'm just wondering how people do it.

Message edited 5/16/2016 9:07:43 AM.

Posted 5/16/16 9:06 AM
 

TheDivineMrsM
2 girls 4 me!

Member since 8/08

7878 total posts

Name:
Mama mama mama....

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Our unofficial "class mom" for DD2's preschool class is collecting a ridiculous sum of money per student...but there are three teachers and they were all great. So I'll grumble and write a check lol.

DD1's class mom (kindergarten) hasn't sent out a memo yet but I assume it'll be less. Her teacher is fabulous too. Not sure what to do about the specialists (art, music, PE). Eek.

Posted by anonymoususer

When does it end though? End of elementary school? I feel like middle and high school teachers always get left out



I'm a HS guidance counselor, DH is a HS math teacher. Neither one of us comes home with tons of gifts. We don't feel left out, no worries. If there's a particular teacher that you think went above and beyond, pick up a box of chocolate or something and call it a day. No one expects excessive gifts (and PSA: NYC teachers can't accept monetary gifts at all). Or just have your child write a card saying thank you. I save handwritten cards from students and read them on tough days.

I tell all my students to just wave at me from the Nobel Prize stage, and that's enough of a gift for me ;)

Message edited 5/16/2016 11:23:15 AM.

Posted 5/16/16 11:15 AM
 

NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..

Member since 11/09

54921 total posts

Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Posted by Chai77

Posted by nycbuslady

Posted by Chai77

Honest question- why is contributing to the class gift not enough? I feel like there is such pressure to give all these gifts nowadays, between the holidays and end of the year, teacher appreciation week... Bus drivers, teachers, specials teachers, therapists, secretaries.... and with multiple kids in school, it really adds up!

And I think it's strange that when I worked in schools for five years several years ago, I got very few gifts for anything. Maybe one or two holiday gifts and a couple of holiday cards over the years. I was a therapist though, not a teacher.



I agree. They get paid to teach the class. Isn't that enough?



Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too! I totally understand tipping restaurant servers and hair stylists, most are underpaid, have no benefits and depend on tips. I generously tip them.

But teachers and most other full time school staff (and I'll throw in sanitation workers, mail carriers etc) make a decent living wage with benefits in most cases. So I say all this tipping and gifting is out of hand! It feels very much like a keeping up with the Joneses mentality.



I agree. I contribute to the class gift and that's it. They get paid a salary to "take care" of my child.
I don't get gifts for doing my job every year.
I don't even get a Christmas gift from my boss!

I also feel like, other than a gift card I would have no idea what to get them. I don't know their tastes, etc. I don't want to be running around, stressing out, trying to find a good gift when half the shit they get the probably toss.
I know I would.
I wouldn't want a thousand mugs or lip balm/hand lotion sets or tote bags that are not my style etc.

And wasn't it just "teacher appreciation week"
So there's that.
And Christmas
And end of year.

It's becoming excessive IMO


Message edited 5/16/2016 1:24:54 PM.

Posted 5/16/16 1:18 PM
 

Lauren82
LIF Adult

Member since 10/06

4580 total posts

Name:
L

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Posted by Chai77

Posted by Lauren82

Posted by Chai77

Posted by nycbuslady

Posted by Chai77

Honest question- why is contributing to the class gift not enough? I feel like there is such pressure to give all these gifts nowadays, between the holidays and end of the year, teacher appreciation week... Bus drivers, teachers, specials teachers, therapists, secretaries.... and with multiple kids in school, it really adds up!

And I think it's strange that when I worked in schools for five years several years ago, I got very few gifts for anything. Maybe one or two holiday gifts and a couple of holiday cards over the years. I was a therapist though, not a teacher.



I agree. They get paid to teach the class. Isn't that enough?



Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too! I totally understand tipping restaurant servers and hair stylists, most are underpaid, have no benefits and depend on tips. I generously tip them.

But teachers and most other full time school staff (and I'll throw in sanitation workers, mail carriers etc) make a decent living wage with benefits in most cases. So I say all this tipping and gifting is out of hand! It feels very much like a keeping up with the Joneses mentality.



I don't look at end of the year gifts as a tip, I look at it as a thank you for helping my child grow and thrive.



It is a gift. I don't see it as a tip either. But if I will have three kids in school with multiple teachers, bus drivers, bus matrons, etc, this could easily add up to several hundred dollars a year, or more, if you are spending $50 per teacher gift alone. My school does an obligatory class gift too. I'm just wondering how people do it.



My feeling, just like with tipping, is that if you want to and are able to, you give. If you can't or don't feel the need to, you don't. No teacher is judging you for it. I have the ability right now to do it, so I do. If someday I don't, I will still write a nice letter that I cc to the principal thanking the teacher for all that they have done for my child. "Keeping up with the Joneses" is a personal feeling...no one is forcing anyone to do it, so if you think it is excessive, you don't have to do it.

Posted 5/16/16 2:42 PM
 

BriBri2u
L'amore vince sempre

Member since 5/05

9320 total posts

Name:
Mrs. B

Re: End Of Year Gift...

I contribute and get a separate gift as well.

ETS that I personally don't feel comfortable with just contributing a small amount as a class gift. My sons teachers have been amazing with him and I want to thank them with a little bit more.

Not everyone contributes to the class gift and not everyone gets a separate gift and that is more than acceptable. I don't 'keep up' with anyone. I do what I can when I can.

Message edited 5/16/2016 4:48:36 PM.

Posted 5/16/16 4:43 PM
 

WonderLady
LIF Infant

Member since 1/15

355 total posts

Name:

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Posted by Chai77

Honest question- why is contributing to the class gift not enough? I feel like there is such pressure to give all these gifts nowadays, between the holidays and end of the year, teacher appreciation week... Bus drivers, teachers, specials teachers, therapists, secretaries.... and with multiple kids in school, it really adds up!

And I think it's strange that when I worked in schools for five years several years ago, I got very few gifts for anything. Maybe one or two holiday gifts and a couple of holiday cards over the years. I was a therapist though, not a teacher.



It's an LIF thing imo. My friend that are teachers say they get a couple gifts from each class, maybe 1/6th of the class

Posted 5/16/16 5:48 PM
 

KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination

Member since 5/05

4431 total posts

Name:
Karen

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Posted by WonderLady

Posted by Chai77

Honest question- why is contributing to the class gift not enough? I feel like there is such pressure to give all these gifts nowadays, between the holidays and end of the year, teacher appreciation week... Bus drivers, teachers, specials teachers, therapists, secretaries.... and with multiple kids in school, it really adds up!

And I think it's strange that when I worked in schools for five years several years ago, I got very few gifts for anything. Maybe one or two holiday gifts and a couple of holiday cards over the years. I was a therapist though, not a teacher.



It's an LIF thing imo. My friend that are teachers say they get a couple gifts from each class, maybe 1/6th of the class



The class gift is definitely enough. Many people don't even do that.

DD splits her day with two classes, gen ed and special ed. The Gen Ed teacher I chip in for the class gift and at least half the parents do not. For special ed, that is a little different and I do buy individual gifts but the teacher and aide go above and beyond. If she was just in Gen Ed, class gift would be it.

Posted 5/16/16 5:53 PM
 

Teachergal
We made a snowman!

Member since 1/08

3239 total posts

Name:

Re: End Of Year Gift...

I contribute the $5-10 to the class gift and then I do a separate gift for the teacher. My giving the teacher a gift has nothing to do with keeping up with the Joneses. In fact, I don't think about the other kids or parents at all when I do it. I give the extra gift because I want to say thank you to my son's teacher for going above and beyond to make his year a successful one. Not every teacher is the same and certain ones are special. My gift is a way to say that I acknowledge that.

Posted 5/16/16 8:44 PM
 

PatsBrat
LIF Adult

Member since 10/06

2326 total posts

Name:
Ms. Brat

Re: End Of Year Gift...

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by Chai77

Posted by nycbuslady

Posted by Chai77

Honest question- why is contributing to the class gift not enough? I feel like there is such pressure to give all these gifts nowadays, between the holidays and end of the year, teacher appreciation week... Bus drivers, teachers, specials teachers, therapists, secretaries.... and with multiple kids in school, it really adds up!

And I think it's strange that when I worked in schools for five years several years ago, I got very few gifts for anything. Maybe one or two holiday gifts and a couple of holiday cards over the years. I was a therapist though, not a teacher.



I agree. They get paid to teach the class. Isn't that enough?



Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too! I totally understand tipping restaurant servers and hair stylists, most are underpaid, have no benefits and depend on tips. I generously tip them.

But teachers and most other full time school staff (and I'll throw in sanitation workers, mail carriers etc) make a decent living wage with benefits in most cases. So I say all this tipping and gifting is out of hand! It feels very much like a keeping up with the Joneses mentality.



I agree. I contribute to the class gift and that's it. They get paid a salary to "take care" of my child.






Actually, that's not correct. Your child's teacher is paid to teach. The "care" part is done for free and is paid for in hugs, pictures colored, smiles and enthusiasm.

Teachers aren't required to:

hug a sad child
Wipe away tears
Listen to fears and worries
Solve social problems
Provide snack if it's forgotten
Celebrate birthdays and milestones
Cheer at concerts and plays

But they do.


The list goes on, and those are the reasons I give an additional gift.

Message edited 5/17/2016 7:25:55 PM.

Posted 5/17/16 7:24 PM
 
Pages: [1] 2
 

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