Teachers, would this be weird?

[CaughtInHisTrap]

I read that teachers are among those finding it most difficult to get shopping in after they've finished work. So I was thinking of maybe buying some shopping and taking it to the school next week. I'm not sure what I'll be able to find but things like loo roll, soap, tins, crackers, maybe pet food?

I have terrible anxiety and I'm struggling atm, I haven't stockpiled or anything so I know the worry of turning up to buy a few bits at the shop only to be faced with empty shelves. But I'm a stay at home mum and don't have an important job like school staff do so I thought it might be helpful. I just don't know if it'd be a weird thing to do, just show up at school with shopping?

I'm a bit embarrassed to do it, but tbh I'm really scared and I think it would be much less frightening if we were looking out for eachother and appreciating key workers for all they're doing.

I'm not a teacher, but I think it's a lovely idea and would probably be very well received.

Primary school it would probably be lovely. I'm secondary and staff are scattered so it would be a bit hard to know what to do with it maybe. But we would love to know you're thinking of us? X

I hope so, I really want to do it as I'm feeling so much appreciation for my sons teachers/school.
They've sent home packs of work for the kids, they're offering packed lunches to be picked up for children entitled to free school meals. And they're continuing to work through it all.
It's so overwhelming when you don't have much to feed your family and the shops are empty..you feel so alone in a selfish world and I really hate that feeling!

It's a primary school. And part of it is that I know sometimes (a lot of times) teachers are taken for granted and not appreciated. You really are appreciated by a lot of people and shouldn't be left with the added worry of not being able to get the shopping in!

I know I'm probably being soppy but I'm just feeling a lot of love for my sons teachers atm and the anxiety of what's going on is overwhelming me so much, I just want to spread some kindness.

Speaking as a teacher I think that's a lovely idea and will be really appreciated.

I think that's a really wonderful gesture and so thoughtful.
I'm a primary teacher but I'm lucky to have DH wfh to brave the shops.
I can think of several colleagues who are single or have young kids though who have struggled this week and would be enormously grateful.
In fact, you've inspired me to do the same and take some supplies in to work with me.
Thankyou op

As a teacher- please don't. We are doing fine. We are not working shifts like healthcare workers.

Leave the stock on the shelves for people to buy themselves, or donate it to the foodbank collections at the supermarket door.

You can have this thing and not know it. Minimise social contact.

We do not need more things to do in school than we have already.

It's a kind gesture, but no.

Ok I'm going to do it..I'm so shy and embarrassed though so maybe I can leave it at the office doors with a note
I thought maybe some teabags, biscuits/cakes, tissues and toiletries too. What do you think? Is there anything specific you can think of?

I agree with @iloveapoloneck I'm a teacher in primary and will be working next week. Many primary schools have been delivering food parcels to the most needy of families, which staff have donated. The best thing to do would be stay away from school, with your family. (I mean this in the nicest way possible).

Oh I just read the last message and am thinking again. I really am keeping a distance and have only left the house to buy food but I don't want to be a busy body

I wouldn't do it either. It is really kind of you to think of doing this though.

I don't think anyone would think you a busybody but it's such uncertain times that we really wouldn't be allowed any unnecessary risks. Thank you for thinking about us though.

The food banks would really appreciate your donation right now. It’s a lovely thought!

It’s a lovely thought, but not necessary for most teachers. We can shop on the way to and from work or at weekends, unlike shift workers.

Instead, email the head and thank them for all they’re doing, then put whatever spare you can afford in the foodbank collection.

Ok, I'm glad I posted. I just felt so sad when I read that and the thought of the lovely teachers I know having to deal with it. I know what you're all saying and that you're saying it with kindness.
The food bank is a great idea

I hadn't thought about sending an email to the head, I will do that too

It's a lovely thought but I know that the staff in my school would rather our parents were keeping themselves safe and at home.
Our head has been sharing emails,with us, from parents expressing their appreciation.
Their kind words have meant the world and made us smile (and cry) in equal measure!

As a headteacher we are definitely not feeling the love from the media and public but this is a lovely idea. However, I agree that it’s probably not a good idea to put yourself at risk of infection. A better idea may be to lobby the CEOs of the major supermarkets to include teachers in the early openings for NHS staff. That way there is still items available for teachers to buy the bare necessities instead of scratching around in hope for a loose toilet roll or rogue bar of soap.

Thank you all the same though.

It's a lovely gesture OP but maybe buy a box of biscuits (if you can find any of course) for the Staff Room & then donate some other stuff to your local food bank instead?

I"m sure they'd appreciate that. 🙂

As a teacher I'd love that! And as a person I'd love that it was practical too. Amazing idea. X

....... unless you can find soap.

When you are mixing with small people generally it is always well to wash your hands often, but with the extra concerns, the extra hand washing will be needed, and I've not seen soap on the shelves all week.

OP, thank you for thinking of teachers at this time. We are so used to being vilified by most, your thread has put a smile on my face and restored some of my faith in the public!

Please email the head and let the school know direct how much you value the staff. It will make everybody's day and help get the week off to a happy start! Words are all you need here.

Email the head, tell them what you were planning to do and see if they think it will work or have any other suggestions?

As a primary teacher, this is a lovely, kind thing to think to do. I know at my school it would be totally appreciated and a morale boost. But like others have said, we can shop after work, we may not get the best pickings but there are so many other sections of society who are so much more worse off.

An email to the head or admin staff would get shared to all staff and this too would be such a morale boost without any extra risk to yourself.

Parents have been posting messages of thanks on my school's twitter page and it is lovely! Thank you for thinking of us, it's so nice to know.