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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.

Member since 7/05

57538 total posts

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Message edited 9/1/2011 3:09:17 PM.

Posted 5/13/10 7:32 PM
 

CathyB

Member since 5/05

19403 total posts

Name:

Re: End of the year gifts?

I can't speak to how much to give, but I don't think a letter to the principal is lame. Especially with so many districts probably considering layoffs for next year it may make the difference for her, you know?

Posted 5/13/10 7:35 PM
 

Stacey1403
Where it all began....

Member since 5/05

24065 total posts

Name:

Re: End of the year gifts?

Posted by nrthshgrl



I'd also like to write a letter thanking her. Would it be lame to write something to the principal?

She has truly gone above & beyond for my son & it meant the world to us.



Not lame at all!!! Damien's teacher actually just had a baby this past Friday and I plan on writing a letter because she is not tenured and she is a phenomenal teacher!! She also went above and beyond with us. She is actually technically a long term leave replacement and with budget cuts I don't want them to lose her!


As for a gift our class mother sends us a note as to what we are giving as a group and how much.

Posted 5/13/10 7:53 PM
 

ChrisDee
My Girls

Member since 11/06

9543 total posts

Name:
Christine

Re: End of the year gifts?

I have been the class mom for Jordan every year since Kindergarten. We usually collect $10 from each kid at x-mas and the end of the year for the teacher. We tend to get gift cards, although one year we gave the teacher a new rocking chair for her reading area( she needed on bad and was thrilled). I also give a gift on our own. I usually spend between 25-40 dollars. I have done Vera Bradley stuff, Mother's Bracelets(tear jerker'sChat Icon ), I gave one teacher scrapbooking stuff(she was into it). I also have given the lunch aid, lady at front desk and principal gifts. Usually jewelry, I have done Tasefully simple stuff and Vera Bradley(on sale) etc

Posted 5/13/10 7:57 PM
 

MrsGmomof3
...

Member since 6/08

3290 total posts

Name:
Irrelevant

Re: End of the year gifts?

Last year, the class moms collected 5 dollars from each kid and we collectively gave the teacher a VIsa gift card.

This year, we will probably do the same thing. Its easy, and the teachers love them.

As for the letter, its a GREAT idea. The letter will go into the teachers personnel folder

Posted 5/13/10 7:58 PM
 

jes81276
summer fun!

Member since 3/06

4962 total posts

Name:
Jaime

Re: End of the year gifts?

Posted by nrthshgrl

In daycare, we used to do anywhere between $25-50 for the teachers during the holidays.

What do you guys do for the teachers at the end of the year?

My son's teacher just got married. We've looked up her registry so I can get her a gc to Bed Bath & Beyond.

I'd also like to write a letter thanking her. Would it be lame to write something to the principal?

She has truly gone above & beyond for my son & it meant the world to us.





As a teacher, if a parent wrote a letter, that would mean the world to me....that is very thoughtful and it is nice to feel validated once in a while. I think it's an extremely thoughtful gesture...and something I would treasure!

Posted 5/13/10 8:23 PM
 

nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.

Member since 7/05

57538 total posts

Name:

Message edited 9/1/2011 3:09:46 PM.

Posted 5/13/10 8:23 PM
 

jes81276
summer fun!

Member since 3/06

4962 total posts

Name:
Jaime

Re: End of the year gifts?

Posted by nrthshgrl

Will she know I wrote the principal? It would seem kind of strange to send her a copy of it, know what I mean?




my principal would likely share it with us..

Posted 5/13/10 8:25 PM
 

cantbelieveit
Love these kids!

Member since 10/05

4708 total posts

Name:
Tammy

Re: End of the year gifts?

I would totally write the letter. Not sure if I'd include a copy to her though. I am sure she'll hear about it.

Posted 5/13/10 8:31 PM
 

nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.

Member since 7/05

57538 total posts

Name:

Message edited 9/1/2011 3:09:57 PM.

Posted 5/13/10 8:33 PM
 

browneyedgirl
family is all that matters

Member since 6/06

6513 total posts

Name:
browneyes

Re: End of the year gifts?

Posted by nrthshgrl

Posted by jes81276

Posted by nrthshgrl

Will she know I wrote the principal? It would seem kind of strange to send her a copy of it, know what I mean?




my principal would likely share it with us..



Excellent - a teacher!

Here's where it gets a bit messy.

My son has ADD. His teacher told him that she also has ADD & was on the same medication he was on when she was a kid. She really, truly gets him. She told him that she notices he gets embarassed & sometimes upset if she tells him to pay attention. They created a secret signal between them to get him to pay attention (she lightly knocks on the desk a certain number of times). Even Parent-Teacher night, she explained how she managed it in college to me. She also pointed out that he still has a problem sitting in a chair but that it's expected & he's really putting effort in to not be disruptive.

She's a gem. Is it safe to assume that she's told her principal she has ADD? She does seem open about it - at least to my son & to me. Being in HR, I'm particularly sensitive about sharing medical info with an employer.




a letter is the most wonderful thing a parent can do for a teacher. i would share a copy with her--not all principals will share with the teachers and it would be nice for her to have a copy for herself.

regarding the ADD--i wouldn't put it in the letter. i would say something like she truly understands my son in so many ways and has brought her own experiences and understanding into helping my son control his impulses and excel academically. the principal can take that for what she wants. i wouldn't put anything in writing regarding a teacher's medical history because although the principal might know, the secretaries and people in administration probably don't.

Posted 5/13/10 8:47 PM
 

jes81276
summer fun!

Member since 3/06

4962 total posts

Name:
Jaime

Re: End of the year gifts?



regarding the ADD--i wouldn't put it in the letter. i would say something like she truly understands my son in so many ways and has brought her own experiences and understanding into helping my son control his impulses and excel academically. the principal can take that for what she wants. i wouldn't put anything in writing regarding a teacher's medical history because although the principal might know, the secretaries and people in administration probably don't.








agreed....

Posted 5/13/10 9:09 PM
 

Erica
LIF Adult

Member since 5/05

11767 total posts

Name:

Re: End of the year gifts?

just FYI. Many school districts have put a cap on how much a teachers can accept. I have seen $75 as a pretty steady rule. That includes gifts from the class (cannot combine money from whole class in one big GC)

I'm sure it's done without knowing and I'm sure it's accepted, but teachers could get in big trouble if it ever came out. If you are the class mom - I would split the GCs up.

Posted 5/13/10 11:22 PM
 

Elizabeth
Mom of Three

Member since 9/05

7900 total posts

Name:
"MOMMY!!!"

Re: End of the year gifts?

I love the idea of the letter to her and her principal. When you feel they went above and beyond, how can it be wrong? Esp if you have a challenging child. (Raises hand) I didn't do the letter last year but I did give my son's teacher an extra gift in addition to the class gift because I just loved how she "got him", I could see it in her eyes from the first parent teacher meeting we had. And he had a phenomenal year.

I don't know what you were thinking of spending but I'd definitely keep in mind Erica's input. I didn't know they had a cap in some places but I've never gone bigger than $20. I wonder if a teacher might feel weird about accepting a large gift from a parent even if there was no cap.

I just like the idea that there are teachers out there who really get our kids and go above and beyond.

Posted 5/13/10 11:46 PM
 

hazeleyes33
LIF Adult

Member since 5/05

13060 total posts

Name:
Ginger

Re: End of the year gifts?

The class mothers usually send around something and request $10.

Posted 5/14/10 1:22 PM
 

2boys4me
He's coming soon!

Member since 4/10

4260 total posts

Name:

Re: End of the year gifts?

I'm crashing from the pregnancy board, although I am a nanny for two elementary school age kids and one going into elementary school next year and have been for the past two years so even though I am not their mother, I can relate to everything you ladies say and probably have many questions I can ask you to help me out!

That being said, I went to a wedding three weeks ago and sat next to a teacher from a really well-to-do North Shore high school and I couldn't believe what she was telling me when it came to end of the year gifts. She got Louis Vuitton bags, and many other super expensive gifts, and the smallest amount that she ever got was like a $100 gift card to Starbucks.
I've subbed for a few years, have an education degree, about to finish up my masters in education so to be honest, the first thing I thought was "oh my gosh I'd love to work there" lol but then after thinking about it for awhile, that really stinks for some students parents. I grew up in an affluent school district and we were broke, it was the hardest thing to go through, esp. as a teenage girl (girls are jerks) but I couldn't imagine how it feels to be some of the moms of her students how aren't able to buy a friggen Louis Vuitton bag, I bet they feel so much pressure. And really, as much as ladies love purses, that is not why teachers teach, to get things.

Posted 5/14/10 5:02 PM
 

Tah-wee-ZAH
Kisses

Member since 5/05

15952 total posts

Name:

Re: End of the year gifts?

Posted by browneyedgirl

Posted by nrthshgrl

Posted by jes81276

Posted by nrthshgrl

Will she know I wrote the principal? It would seem kind of strange to send her a copy of it, know what I mean?




my principal would likely share it with us..



Excellent - a teacher!

Here's where it gets a bit messy.

My son has ADD. His teacher told him that she also has ADD & was on the same medication he was on when she was a kid. She really, truly gets him. She told him that she notices he gets embarassed & sometimes upset if she tells him to pay attention. They created a secret signal between them to get him to pay attention (she lightly knocks on the desk a certain number of times). Even Parent-Teacher night, she explained how she managed it in college to me. She also pointed out that he still has a problem sitting in a chair but that it's expected & he's really putting effort in to not be disruptive.

She's a gem. Is it safe to assume that she's told her principal she has ADD? She does seem open about it - at least to my son & to me. Being in HR, I'm particularly sensitive about sharing medical info with an employer.




a letter is the most wonderful thing a parent can do for a teacher. i would share a copy with her--not all principals will share with the teachers and it would be nice for her to have a copy for herself.

regarding the ADD--i wouldn't put it in the letter. i would say something like she truly understands my son in so many ways and has brought her own experiences and understanding into helping my son control his impulses and excel academically. the principal can take that for what she wants. i wouldn't put anything in writing regarding a teacher's medical history because although the principal might know, the secretaries and people in administration probably don't.




Barb, I agree with this. Don't mention the ADD, her principal most likely does not know. But do explain how she has gone above and beyond in accommodating J's needs/learning style in her classroom.

I know in my district letters both good and bad get placed in a teacher's personnel file. A positive letter from a parent is worth it's weight in gold. Unfortunately, not enough parents take the time to write them when a teacher does go above and beyond.

Posted 5/14/10 7:59 PM
 

MrsH
LIF Adolescent

Member since 3/07

766 total posts

Name:

Re: End of the year gifts?

I am a teacher and the best gifts I have ever received are the letters letting me know that I have reached a child and have made a difference. I would absolutely send the teacher a copy of the letter-it will make her day. You can't assume the principal will show her-that should happen but it doesn't always happen. It is so great that your son had such a positive experience in school this year.

Posted 5/15/10 7:14 PM
 

mathteach
Roll Tide!

Member since 8/08

3169 total posts

Name:
Christine

Re: End of the year gifts?

One more teacher chiming in....I rarely get gifts bc by the time kids get to high school, the bloom is off the rose so to speak.

BUT the best gift I ever got was a bouquet of supermarket flowers. The card was written by the kid "Ms. M I will miss you. Thank you for being my teacher. I used to hate math and now I love it."

Trust me, if you send her a letter (not just a copy of the principal's) she will treasure it forever.

Posted 5/16/10 8:16 AM
 
 

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