...to think that mass gift-giving to teachers at end of year is tacky?

[MuddlingThrough]

Do teachers really want 30 packets of Cadbury's Roses, bought because the high-street shops have sented out yet another way to turn genuine sentiment into a tacky marketing opportunity? Or should we just say thanks instead?

Ass licking?

No way, nice to be nice n all that (for me anyway) I feel no need to kiss ass or lick it ewww.....

We chose to buy a gift for DD's teacher and TA because we wanted to. Definitely did not feel like I had to at all. We sent in a box of chocolates and wine each, plus made cards. We also sent in a card with a letter of thanks to the head who is leavingthis year.

DH and I also made sure we said our thanks to her teacher's when school eneded today.

When I was teaching I certainly never expected gifts, but any form of thanks (verbal of gifts) were greatly appreciated obviously. Words of thanks from parents and children were very welcome!

Macca, you deliberately misunderstand.

my best ever pressie (as preschool playworker) was a voucher for turksish baths

I didn't expect anything but I loved getting homemade cards.

one ds has requested wine for his teacher (and boy, she derseves it!!).

The other ds hates his teacher and she has not been particularly kind or helpful so I am not going to force him to give her something...

I suppose I kind of see it as tipping. I tip other people for good service, even though I have already paid. So, if I feel my child's teacher has done a good job then why should I not express those thanks in some way?

DD was very keen to buy a gift for her teacher to say thank you. She chose wine and chocolates as she things they'd like that, as she knows mummy would (!) - LOL, not sure what that says about her mummy TBH!

Hathor - WTF?

Oh actually, forget it [bothered]

we are not allowed o accept pressies at work.

The class reps in my sons school arranged a collection, suggestion £10+ per parent, to buy cards and a nice present for each of the four (2 teachers and 2 classroom assistants). Should suffice as nice present for each. We were all happy to contribute, I think all parents feel their children have thrived and developed lots in this reception year. Us parents are also clubbing together £3 each to get a card and a nice bunch of flowers for our two classreps who have done a sterling job (both with kids in years above and who knows what it entails!)

Nothing to do with ass licking at all, just that it is nice to be able to show appreciation when we are happy with the quality of education our most precious ones get!

Sure, they are paid salaries, but that is not the point!

slurp

My fridge magnets were £1.50...but it said something on it about teachers

"If you can read ...soemthing"

I had £3.00 so bought 2

custardo, does that slurp indicate ass lick?
Why lick ass? We dont have the same teachers next year.

Probably, but I asked ds1's teacher, and she likes shortbread.

slurrp

Macca - sorry I thought you were commenting earlier on my reply to poster named 'kickassangel' Now realise you were asking custardo about her American-style slurping noises.

american stlye how very dare you !

slurp with northern accent

I usually make cakes for the teacher to share with the other staff etc...think it's unfair that dinnerladies, etc...probably often get forgotten....

at dd's school we're not allowed to give presents to the teachers, but the girls give cards, which is really lovely as they tend to gather round the teacher and the teacher opens the cards and oohs and aahs, very sweet, and no competition as to who gave the biggest most expensive present.
The year 6 girls' parents can however all get together and buy something for all the junior school girls to enjoy (play equipement, bench...), which is brilliant.
I do love the school's ethos, which is very strong and makes for an excellent atmosphere.

We did homemade cards and a small present for the teachers and dd1's teaching assistant. It does get ridiculous though - some people bring in very expensive presents for lots of teachers, headmistress etc. I also did a note for ds's teacher as i thought she was fab and did far more than the call of duty.

I think vouchers are a good idea.

DS1 also had a fab student thisb year who really inspired him, am thinking of doing a letter for her Uni Lecturers. What do you think? Just saying that ds1, who finds adults hard due to scn etc found her really approachable and likeable, and that his confidence blossomed in her care.

I've bought my daughter's teacher a bottle of champagne. I bought her teacher last year a bottle of champagne. I am a mean git, and I also believe very firmly that the state should be paying teachers adequately...

...but, but, but, they have been fabulous teachers. Last year's teacher took a weeping four year old and helped her become a confident, happy little girl who's got loads of mates and could by that stage grasp a few rudiments of reading and suchlike. This year's teacher is in his first ever year of teaching and has given it everything - he's totally exhausted at the moment, you can see it - and has managed a diverse class of everything from illiterate four year olds to six year olds who can make a decent stab at reading Moomintroll. He deserves champagne. He deserves the card we're all signing from him. He's a total love and he's done a splendid job.

slightly off the subject but when i told my 5 year old dd to thank her teacher today she asked why? i said 'for all her hard work' and the reply came back 'she didn't do any work she just told us what to do' !!

No problem. I still no ass kissa though

DS just moved schools and has gone from being "class loon" to "class notbadish".

I speak with teachers twice weekly to show DS1 I shall stand for none of his nonsense shite...so therefore bought the magnets as a kind-of thankyou as they are helping anyway..

[for the record]

My son wants to buy his teacher a teddy and some chocolates. Sweeet but a waste of money imo.