Start of school year teachers gift

[llamajohn]

What would primary school teachers and staff appreciate as a gift for the first week or so term? I know it's really hard work those first few days.

There's probably 25 members of staff, including support staff

Was thinking maybe 3-4 little tubs of mini rolls /crispy treats and the like?

Or do you think something more long lasting?

Even if it does, you do not have to do it as well, you know.

They've just had six weeks off.

Meanwhile I have worked FT all summer juggling childcare commitments. If anyone needs a gift, it's me!!

What? Buying your teacher a gift at the beginning of the year? Never heard of this a teacher and Mum! Absolutely no need, please this can't become another stupid tend like gender reveal occasions...

Completely unnecessary in my opinion and smacks of being too try hard.

As someone who taught for many years, I would find it uncomfortable and like you were trying to curry favour. I would feel an odd sense of pressure for the rest of the year.

You obviously have time on your hands. Why not offer to volunteer in school? They would probably value your time much more than any gifts!

I've taught for nearly four decades and this has never been done anywhere I've worked. Like other teachers on here, I'd find it a bit odd, and awkward. I wouldn't quite know what to make of it or how to respond.

As a gift discreetly left straight into staff room or office without drawing parents attention to it I think it's a lovely idea.

Just labelling all your child's possessions would be gift enough.

If you insist then not sweet treats.

Buy some classroom suppliers, crayons and pencils of all skin tones, a box of metallic pencils (I still remember how exciting it was to get to uses Mrs X special colours for work going on the wall), various craft odds and ends from Baker Ross or similar

Nooo i think its suck up!
And ive been a teacher in the past.
Yes, start of term is quite hard but most jobs have times of year that are harder than others.
Come one - its their job, the one they get paid for doing. The one they've just had 6/8 weeks off for.
Its lovely to receive a card or some kind of token at the end of the year if the parent feels we’ve made a real positive difference or gone above and beyond.. but we havent even gotten started yet, theres no need for mini rolls! Also feels a bit patronising tbh. Its not that hard at the start, we aren't tired, we aren't dealing with the same okd friendship/behaviour issues we've had for the past year, snd getting to know a whole new class is actually one of the better times.

I feel exactly the same way. Ex-teacher.

If someone had to buy something...I'd rather they bought it for the kids/classroom. If they had to. Which they don't.

People don't need presents for doing the job they have chosen. In my school, some home made ethnic snacks might go down well in the staffroom, but otherwise, most adults try to avoid too many sugary, fatty treats. It might be welcomed by some but no one will be overwhelmed with gratitude. We're not paid that badly!

Presents from parents to an individual teacher at the end of term are flattering but not usually actually welcomed (lots of flowers and boxes of chocolates aren't that desirable generally). A,card thanking the teacher for specific reasons related to their child is much more appreciated.

I’d feel like this was massively overstepping and inappropriate.

Nah, my sister has been teaching for 30+ years and I'm forever getting an offload of chocolates/biscuits/sweets at the end of the each school year. They don't need more sweet stuff.

The teachers I know would far prefer having a couple more parents volunteering their time to go into school to read with the children or go on trips than presents of any sort.

They’re not going to give your child special treatment just because you’ve brought in sweet treats.

If it’s primary school, they probably still have a lot of treats to get through from the end of the school year.

Having thought about it...things that actually would have helped would have been:

Sanpro and packs of underwear
Toothbrushes/paste
Deodorant and other toiletries
Hair ties
Wipes
Cartons of juice & cereal bars
Maybe some mugshots/pot noodles
Any wrapped long dated foods like brioche, madelines etc
Spare school socks
Spare uniform
Black duct tape for patching up shoes/backpacks in an emergency,
Safety pins for patching together skirts/trousers
Spare calculators, pens, rulers etc

As these were all things that I had to regularly buy out of my wages or track down for my students who had nothing at home and were hungry, had no basic hygiene supplies or equipment. I was always sneaking things to them at break or lunch and frequently running out. Much more appreciated than anything for me, personally.

I'm a teacher, I don't know anyone that's on a diet! What a weird comment!

Oh ok, just my school then. We must be greedier than you over the summer!

I work on a very busy ward full of professional adults… sweet treats that are bought for staff disappear very quickly! Nice boost of energy when breaks aren’t always available!

Biscuits, tea bags and coffee x

This is a bit much!

Snacks or tea/coffee gift set would be well appreciated! Stationery is always necessary, too, and you can go with something personalized, like large desk pad calendars or notebook+pen sets