to feel vaguely annoyed about the teacher's present collection?

[prettybutclumpy]

I have been collecting donations for my DC's teacher at school with another really lovely mum. She suggested that all the children should sign the card rather than just the kids whose parents had donated to the present. I think about half the class parents have donated, the others may be doing their own thing or not think teacher's presents are necessary. I don't have any issues with either of these positions. However....AIBU to be vaguely annoyed that the teacher, if she does her sums, might think the average donation wasn't much when most donating parents have given a fiver, and some even a tenner?

I think class collections only work if everyone agrees and contributes. If not, then those that contribute are left feeling that they shouldnt have bothered with paying as you can sign anyway and those that dont want to join in feel they have to as everyone else is.

I much prefer to buy my own presents, more personal and full choice of what gets bought.

Don't you want to be a self appointed adult Present Monitor?

I think most staff would prefer only cards or perhaps an enormous box of chocolates to the staffroom soon with a label saying "What a great year so far! Only x weeks to go, with thanks from the Smith family".

I did do a class collection, once, many years ago - can't even remember who signed the card/ donataed or whether the teacher liked it! Now I only bother with a gift if my DC actually ask if they can do one. My DS3 left junior school last summer and asked if he could buy his maths teacher a card and present - not his everyday teacher, and that's what we did.

I tell you what, reading this I am bloody glad both my DC have left school. When they were at Primary school they took something in on the last day of term that they had chosen individually, class collections never existed.

Small, personal and thought out gifts chosen by the child are all well and good but dd1 wants to give her reception teacher some pick and mix and a new pen.

I'm not sure her teacher would be that thrilled

I would value a card signed by all the children in the class much more than one signed by half of them. The amount of money does not matter either; the best thing I have (and still have kept) is a handmade card given by a child. I keep all the cards and can remember many of them but cannot remember the gifts - with one exception. A child who loves crafts made me a notebook cover and embroidered my name on it; she really worked hard at it and I really value it (and I never lose my notebook at work!)

Why do people still persist in giving teachers a gift at the end of term - I vowed to stop posting on these threads but it just annoys me so much .......... surely most teachers would actually prefer you do something - help with reading/join the pta/just something practical than yet another gift voucher/pot plant whatever.

I am currently trying to organise something for my TA as she will not be with my class next year :(

One of the children stated that we should have a minimum amount, and only those who contributed could sign the card. I soon corrected him and said that people should bring what they feel able and signing the card is not conditional on bringing money.

I would hate to think that any of my class were made to feel uncomfortable and I know some of my families are in real poverty. I tried to make mine understand this - if you only have a £1 spare, 10p is 10%, if you have £100 and give £5 is only 5% - the first person has given more. They seemed to get it.

Whistling bay - pick & mix and a new pen would make an awesome present :)

My son used his pocket money to buy five rather battered charity shop books for his teacher's book corner with a note that he learnt to love reading there. She welled up!

I think anything other than a token gift should be banned.

Gifts obviously from the children are lovely and thoughtful ones obviously from the parents are mainly showy thoughtless items chosen solely for financial value and are a bit wank really.

I told myself not to come back yet here I am. Sigh.

Why is it divisive? An email is sent round asking if you'd like to contribute the same amount each to a present. If so, you know where I am in the playground. I get given the money and in return I give a sticker. Simples. Some people will choose to contribute, some not. There's no chasing down of people who don't contribute. Out of those that don't contribute I don't know whether they choose to do their own thing or not. Even if everyone is given stickers they still may choose not to sign. One person organising a collection cannot be made responsible for all the kids ensuring that they either sign a sticker or make their own card or whatever. The present is handed to the teacher on an agreed date by all the parents as a token of appreciation. There is no big glory moment. If people want glory then they can contribute and buy their own thing. Our class chooses to get vouchers as the way we see it the teacher can choose something to treat themselves. We split the money so that the LSAs get something too and we buy biscuits/chocolates for the office staff and caretaker as we appreciate the part they play in the school too.

I hope that clears up that myself and the other parents in my class are not heartless/sinister or whatever else you may be thinking. We are just genuinely trying to do a nice thing.

Pick and mix and a new pen are an AWESOME present!!

My DCs do a card each year and they write in it what they have enjoyed most of all about having Mr/Mrs X about their teacher. We put in a £5 voucher for a book shop so they can choose a book to read in the holidays.

Truly horrid to think of some kids not being allowed to sign the card for such a reason.

It's divisive because people receiving the request to contribute don't all have the same financial means. It doesn't matter whether there's "pressure": those of limited financial means can do without having to deal with the situation.

I think it should be unacceptable for teachers to receive anything other than individual token gifts or gifts that can be shared with colleagues.

teacherandguideleader - She is quite adamant this is what she wants to give. I think I will feel the need to add a disclaimer 'chosen by dd' so the teacher doesn't think I am crazy!

Cadbury

How do you get the email addresses? Because I absolutely sure that none of the 3 primary schools I have been in would give out emails to another parent!! 2 won't even give out class lists!!!

And I wouldn't give my email to a random person in the playground either - infact I doubt anyone could pick me out of a line up in this school!

For teacher collections, I can bare,y afford it. A fiver or a tenner? No chance of that happening. My DC like the teacher just as much and are part of an equal class. Why should they be left out because of financial reasons? A teacher will prefer havi everyone saying nice messages that only a select few, and blameless children being left out.

Small, personal and thought out gifts chosen by the child are all well and good but dd1 wants to give her reception teacher some pick and mix and a new pen.

I'm not sure her teacher would be that thrilled. But she will be thrilled. Your dd has chosen it. It is what she wants to give. I've been given a few sweets wrapped in a tissue and the look on the child's face as they give them is never to be forgotten. That is worth far more than gift vouchers. Teachers are paid enough and do not need large amounts of gift vouchers.

the email address collections are another new (and crazy) phenomenon. At the kids old school, the class reps hassled people with a clipboard at drop off and pick up, for email addresses and phone numbers. With a hard sell on how they 'needed' your details to keep in touch. Then they sent jolly emails inviting you to pay a desposit of £20 for the pleasure of going to a restaurant you didn't like, with people you SHOULD be friends with, just because your children are in the same class. The very best email was about a collection for a wedding present for a parent

Since we moved areas and moved schools a few years ago, we escaped the class rep madness, and have managed to stay fully involved and supportive of the school - going as far as volunteering with reading support every week for a group of kids, baking a thousand cupcakes for cake sales and giving teachers cute but messy and heartfelt home made cards.

I love gifts that have been chosen or made by the children. Pick and mix = great idea! The things I have kept gave been cards with messages from kid on one side and parent on the other, eg "thank you for teaching x this year; her confidence has come on in leaps and bounds etc etc". I was made a scrap book when I left one of my schools which had a pic of me and a note drawn/written by each child. Truly one of the most beautiful things ever!

No the teacher won't be doing sums... And if she hasn't got all signatures, just half, she'll probably think that's a shame!

Back to the original question..........as a TA I know that no teacher would do the maths to work out the average contribution. The teacher/TA would just be grateful for the gesture. Do you think the teachers opinion of a child/their parents is down to how much ,or if , they contribute?
I receive gifts every Christmas and end of year. I couldn't honestly say which children do and don't give me one. The best gift I have received was a huge hug from a very difficult yr 6 boy, I nearly cried.