Oh joy, it's another Teacher's Present thread!

[DrSeuss]

So, I stupidly said I'd do the collection. I informed parents via slips in book bags, no sum was mentioned. I deliberately kept no record of who donated and how much, that's up to the individual. Our catchment is very mixed and I don't want to know people's financial situation. Some gave a lot, some a little, some didn't give. My way of collecting was just to stand in the playground twice a day as usual, never asked anyone directly for money. So far, so what, right?
Except that two mums now want a card attached to the present, listing who donated. One says it is "important" that the teacher knows who gave. Er, why? We are buying a gift to say thanks for being a great teacher, not for a pat on the head!
Abui to just send the gift with a card saying, "From the families of your Y6 students"?

[Floggingmolly]

Some people are suggesting listing the donations in amount order, with the largest first. Why would that make pushy mum's head explode?
Giving the actual amounts will make it pretty obvious to everyone, including the teacher, exactly who gave what. Isn't that the point? .

[Bogeyface]

No, the point is Flogging that she will realise that despite her own beliefs, she gave one of the smallest amounts so will feel very very foolish for making a big deal out of it. Clearly she thinks she has been very generous!

[Floggingmolly]

I think I've posted this before; but when ds1 was in Reception they had a class collection, and everyone donated the suggested amount except one mum who refused to give anything as she disliked the teacher.
Fair enough, except that when the collecting mum had gotten everyone's signature on the card, she wrote in large capitals on the envelope -
"from everyone in Class x, except Charlie"
No one knew until it was presented to the teacher, and it left a pretty vile taste in most people's mouth, including, sadly, the teacher's who's gift it was.

[Floggingmolly]

It'll be exposed either way though, Bogey, won't it?

[wakeupandsmellthecoffee]

It's got nothing to do with money who gave what
Its about the kids
Why should child feel different if their parent didnt give a donation
Why can't people see the bigger picture
These are kids they all just want to be the same as their peers.

[phantomnamechanger]

when the collecting mum had gotten everyone's signature on the card, she wrote in large capitals on the envelope -
"from everyone in Class x, except Charlie" what a cow!!!!!

[ilovesooty]

Most professions are not allowed to accept personal gift. I don't know why it seem acceptable to promote the buying of gifts for this profession!!!

Agreed - and I speak as a former teacher. Little personal gestures - such as a verbal thank you or a home made card - from the pupils mean the most anyway. This whole situation regarding present giving seems to have got way out of hand - and I still think it has ethical implications.

My children do not give their teachers presents or even cards but they do say thank you especially after any extra activities which I know have taken extra time etc from the staff. I know from experience that this simplest way to show appreciation is becoming rarer all the time

Well said.

[exoticfruits]

It always used to be quite simple with a few chocolates, flowers etc.
I think it must be embarrassing to get expensive whole class presents.

[Bogeyface]

It used to be even simpler Exotic with a "Thank you" when you picked them up on the last day.

[exoticfruits]

That is going back a long, long way- I am old enough to have taught many posters on here and I got presents way back then!

[ladymariner]

I'm a TA and occasionally I get a little gift at the end of term, a bunch of flowers or a bat of chocolate, and I've always written and posted a thankyou note. I usually put some of those sparkly confetti smiley faces in the envelope too.
I have just been with a little girl whose elder brother came through school a couple of years ago. He was a bit of a handful and I spent a fair amount of time and effort with him, and we had quite a rapport going on. On the last day of term he mooched up, shoved a gift in front of me, gave me a hug and slotted off. I sent him a thankyou note as usual. His little sister told me he still has that card on his chest of drawers.

Op I think YANBU, those women should be ashamed of themselves. A gift isn't about the value, it's the thought behind it and would anybody seriously be happy with themselves leaving some children's names off a card?

[thebody]

I am a TA too and I would be happy with a hug.

never get involved with competitive giving.

get your kid to make a card if they want to and that's fine.

[Bogeyface]

Well I think we agreed earlier that it is probably a region thing Exotic! Presents here are still a rarity, and generally only happen for the Reception teacher by first timers! The rest of the teachers must get very pissed off with her on the last day :o

[DrSeuss]

Regional? Up here in the beautiful North East, most send a little something to primary teachers.

[viewwitharoom]

Not the norm here and we are further north, but it wont ever be the norm in this house as I stated earlier.

In my school (secondary) it is more common to get a card and tin of sweets for all the staff which go in the staffroom. Sometimes this even happens a few years later, like after a former pupil has graduated.

[DrSeuss]

So, the present was handed over, by two kids I chose because they are both really shy and never get picked. Not my child, I hasten to add! Hatchet faces were worn by some. A general gift tag went on the present, the Two Musketeers chose to have people write in a card if they had donated. They asked people themselves, I refused to give any list.

[ElizabethHornswoggle]

Not read all the replies, but just wanted to say YADNBU. Tell them to get lost.
Why the f* does it matter who donated what and how much?
None of their business.
I can't stand all this stupid bloody competitive present giving that seems to be the norm nowadays.

[namechangeforaclue]

Yanbu
Ignore glory seeking bitches

[exoticfruits]

Game, set and match to you DrSeuss- well done!

[DrSeuss]

Thanks, Exotic!