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Mumsnet Discussions: Education : DS finishing primary school soon, I want to thank the teachers. Is a letter appropriate? Suggest a gift that everyone can enjoy please. (17 messages)
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Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By MrsMuddle on Mon 12-May-08 22:37:45
DS2 is just about to finish P7, and his brother left the same school a couple of years ago. I've not had much to do with the school - I'm in Scotland, and we don't seem to have as much parental involvment as elsewhere. No parent volunteers or school governers etc.

It's the school that we are in the catchment for - and 99% of children here go to to their local school, so it wasn't one I "chose" - ie, I can take no credit for picking it.

Anyway, it's been absolutely brilliant. Better than brilliant. Every single teacher has brought out the best in my DS, and they have been incredibly happy there. Whatever they go on to do in the future, I am confident that the school is responsible for giving them the best posible start in life.

I'd like to write to the head and let hew know how wonderful I think the school and all the staff are, but I'd also like to send a gift that can be enjoyed by all the teachers, the assistants and the janny.

Do you think it's appropriate to do this? Will she think I'm unhinged? What gift could I give that can be enjoyed by everyone?

Advice please.
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By FloridaKbear on Mon 12-May-08 22:39:21
How about some nice pots and plants for the reception area? - they can all enjoy them and it will benefit the school too.
Contact the poster See this person's profile Contact mumsnet about this post By ButterflyMcQueen on Mon 12-May-08 22:39:58
cakes for staffroom home baked?
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By Slouchy on Mon 12-May-08 22:40:05
Letter - lovely.
What's your budget?
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By moondog on Mon 12-May-08 22:40:32
I think it would be great.
How much do yuo want to spend?
Crate of wine?
I did this for staff at my kids' nursery.
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By avenanap on Mon 12-May-08 22:41:27
Big box of chocolates for the teachers will go down a treat. As will some nice biscuits. They will sit and eat them when the little darlings are playing outside.
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By SmudgeyDoodle on Mon 12-May-08 22:41:42
I think it's a great idea and what you have written in your post would be a fabulous letter. I think teachers love to get this kind of feedback and don't think they'll think you're unhinged! Suggestion of plants sounds good but might be a good idea to do plant vouchers or they'll probably die over the summer holiday!
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By SmudgeyDoodle on Mon 12-May-08 22:43:06
My family are mostly teachers and I have to say that although some biscuits/choccies are nice, they usually end up with soooo many in the staffroom when most of them are trying to be healthy. Wine a good option grin
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By chunkychips on Mon 12-May-08 22:43:31
Lovely idea, they will be really pleased. Don't have to be extravagant though, just cakes or chocs and a nice letter from you and dcs.
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By robinpud on Mon 12-May-08 22:44:52
Books, books, books.. something like the guiness book of records is always fun.

If you want to spend a lot of money, then something like a parachute that the kids can play with at playtime would be fun, or a basketball and net or similar.

Obviously a letter is the main thing that people will value. Most teachers get enough wine and choccies etc but would prefer a more practical donation.

chess set for wet playtimes; comics for same;
games for classrooms etc
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By MrsMuddle on Mon 12-May-08 22:48:09
Thanks, all. I'd spend about £30 or £40, so some wine and maybe some cookies or muffins is a good idea. I'll do it next week or the week after, so that they can have a boost before the end of term at the end of June. They'll be inundated with sweet things then.

Thanks for the advice.
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By cat64 on Mon 12-May-08 22:49:14
The letter / card would be REALLY appreciated by all teachers I know. To be fair, a nice tin of chocs always goes down well in our staffroom too. Things for the school we'd 'be polite' about, but, tbh, we'd prefer a tin of chocs grin
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By MsPontipine on Mon 12-May-08 23:55:27
We had a collection at ds's nursery and they decided to buy a really nice bird table with it - I thought that was a fab idea.
Contact the poster See this person's profile Contact mumsnet about this post By gigglewitch on Tue 13-May-08 00:08:42
the card sounds a lovely idea.
A new set of nice mugs for the staff room would go down well here blush not to mention some nice stuff to go in them. and chocolate. Teachers are mostly of the chocaholic persuasion.
grin
Contact the poster See this person's profile Contact mumsnet about this post By twinsetandpearls on Tue 13-May-08 00:56:57
The letter would probably go down much better than any presents, but chocolates as well.
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By ecoworrier on Tue 13-May-08 10:05:45
I would give a letter, a really nice book or set of books (I've always tried to find something that older boys would enjoy), and some gorgeous chocolates or biscuits for everyone to share. If you go for a book, make or buy a bookplate to go inside, saying it's from you/your child, with the date and everything.
Contact the poster See this person's profile Contact mumsnet about this post By MaloryTowers on Tue 13-May-08 10:12:21
im ateacher so have seen this doone many times

a card with thanks poured out always goes down a treat

crate of wine would be FAB

ditto chocs/cakes etc


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