gifts for teacher at end of school year?

[fairydust89]

Just wondered if anyone gives gifts for there child's teacher as a thank you on the last day of the school year? I'm not sure whether to or not. I know a lot of people do but is it a waste of time as most people have the same ideas and the teacher may not expect a gift for just doing there job. Can't decide.

[LondonSpoon]

It's been said before, I'm a teacher, and as much as I love a gift a note is very appreciated. Even a post it is lovely!

Definitely not expected though.

[loosechange]

We do. I used to get them to decorate something like a mug, but realized that everyone was foist, and had visions of the poor teachers with a cupboard full of lovingly over decorated (as only a child can) china.

After reading here that thank you notes are appreciated I get the children to make a card, and usually accompany it with a bottle of wine.

[loosechange]

WTF is foist?! Everyone was doing that.....

[fruitpastille]

Lottery ticket in a nice card? I like getting wine - everyone seems to like Prosecco at my school! Not everyone brings something so don't feel you have to although it is always appreciated. I'd avoid baked goods as there is often lots at the end of term and some is inevitably wasted.

[toomuchicecream]

For me, the best gift is a card or letter or email explaining anything I've done that you've appreciated that year (if I have.... ;) ) and how it's made a difference to your child. If it's copied to the Head, so much the better.

I have a box file with all the nice letters and cards I've received over the years and when things are getting on top of me, I take them out and re-read them, to remind me why I do my job. They are also useful for quoting in job applications....

[jennielou75]

My pupils parents club together and I get a card signed by all of them and a nice gift card. I really appreciate it and keep the cards.

[Cleo1303]

We all contributed to getting a card, flowers and John Lewis vouchers.

Some of us also gave little individual gifts - wine, champagne, chocolates, flowers in hanging baskets or planters, interesting things to eat from Carluccio, gift boxes/bags of really nice bath stuff, scented candles, books - Oliver Bonas usually has something interesting - or anything really that we thought they would like.

[fatowl]

I'm a teacher, but I'm not in the UK. The main focus for teacher gifts where I am is "Teacher's Day", which was last week rather than end of term.

I got a number of wrapped gifts, which in all honesty will get re-gifted, but what I will absolutely treasure is the handwritten notes from the students (I teach ESL so the English isn't great but I love that they try!)

My favourite this year was from one of my Y8s, who I have had since she was Y7, when she arrived at our school with virtually no English at all.

"Dear Miss Fatowl, thank you for teaching me the English and I sori our class is too noise".

And one from my (very honest) Y5s Thanks for teaching us English but the book we read this term was a bit boring"

But I got a better review from Y4
"Thank you for reading Charlie and the Chocolate factory with us and bringing real chocolate. I think we should eat more chocolate in school"

Sorry...off the point a bit, but handwritten notes are what we genuinely treasure.
And wine.

[fatowl]

Another thought, if you want to do something- start sending treats for the staffroom (ie for all the teachers) but do it in the run up to the end of term (while we're struggling to keep going an unexpected treat is lovely), but by the last day of term, we're skipping out of the door and flowers/boxes of stuff is just another thing to carry.
I worked at one school where the classes did a rota to keep the staffroom supplied for the last 10 days or so of term - it was much appreciated (but require some organisation between the classes and I know not all schools can do that)

[Cleo1303]

Fatowl I should say that all our teachers drove to school. I wouldn't have suggested things like planters or hanging baskets if they had been going on the bus!

This thread has reminded me of a story I heard a long time ago about a teacher who was retiring and was universally hated by the children and his colleagues. They clubbed together to buy him a lawnmower. He lived in a third floor flat.

[fruitpastille]

Blimey cleo it's more like a 'best teacher' key ring from Asda round these parts! It's the thought that counts

[Cleo1303]

fruitpastille I can assure you I wasn't one of the parents doling out the champagne, and it's amazing what beautiful scented candles you can get very cheaply in TKMaxx!!! I totally agree it's the thought that counts.

[jennielou75]

Absolutely. I just like the fact they are so organised it means there is no obvious competition. Our class reps organise it all. Well I suppose it could get competitive over amounts put in......

[Cleo1303]

We got told by our class reps what we were expected to put in!!!!!