To buy flowers for teacher at parents evening

[thesurreymum]

We have parents evening and I thought I would buy each of my DCs teacher a bunch of flowers. Just to say I appreciate all that they do, nothing fancy. Is it weird, will it look like I'm trying to get brownie points?

just generally think that they do a great job.

So tell them this. They'll welcome these positive words.

You could go further & send the Head an email saying this.

You don't need flowers. Regardless of what you mean, it makes it about you, instead of the meeting or the teacher.

I always gave DS's school a big box of biscuits at the end of the year and just before Christmas, to be shared out amongst all the staff. Not just the teachers but the other staff too, who also support and help your child without your knowledge. Also made stuff like tiffin for the staffroom, that went down well too.

However appreciative, I wouldn't give something on Parents' Evening, it's just so awkward. Far better to make your appreciation known as you've done here. I told DS's Y2 teacher that he had said to me, "She's the best teacher in the world" and her eyes actually filled with tears. I'm sure that was one of the nicest "presents" she could have had.

I think the sentiment is lovely but I don't think parents evening is the right moment. What about a bunch of dafs and an Easter card at the end of term. As someone mentioned they need to give professional feedback in a short space of time. Receiving a gift and thanking you for that will mean very little time for that and potentially will be quite awkward for them if they need to give negative feedback.

I work in a school, do not do this, your kid will be ribbed about it in school and you'll look like an arse licker!

I think if it's just two teachers, and meetings are in classrooms, then it's a lovely idea. If you decide against flowers, then biscuits/chocs/cakes and a card expressing thanks for the staff room is always welcomed.

I'm a teacher, we've got Parent's evening this week and I think it's a lovely idea - I would certainly appreciate it!
Teacher morale is so low at the moment - just look at teacher retention - that a small gift can really make someone's day!
I don't even think this is reserved for just teachers, nobody thinks twice about tipping restaurant staff, hair dressers, masseuse etc why is not appropriate to show appreciation in other careers when you think someone has done a good job?

agree with this. Perhaps get the children to design them a nice Easter card.

I think its lovely and you would absolutely make a knackered teacher smile

OMG so weird and embarrassing. You’d be the talk of the school.

As a teacher I would have hated this.

love getting feedback and ‘thanks’ from parents - but not at parents evening. Nowhere to put them / awkwardly public / would really rather just talk about your child without a bouquet between us.

OP your heart is in the right place - but an end of term biscuits / card / a thank you email with head of year / head teacher copied in so they can see it too - those are the best

Most people do show their thanks; at the end of term. Surely as a teacher you're familiar with this?

End of term, yes. Parents evening, no.

Weird.
It would look like 'performance giving'.

If you want to say thanks, and be appreciative to the staff / school generally (as a happy staff are well led by an excellent head, and there are lots of other staff you won't have direct contact with like the PPA cover, the SENCo and so forth), then send a box of biscuits or tub of chocolate into the staffroom with a nice card.
It will be much appreciated on any day, but even more so when they are on site for a 12 hour day.
If you really appreciate something a particular teacher (or teachers) has / have done, then send an e-mail to them to thank them and copy in the Head.
That is worth 1000x more than some public display which would just be embarrassing for all.

It will definitely look like that. Wait til the end of the term for your kind gesture. The teacher may then feel under pressure too only be positive!!

Then end of a term or Christmas.

Parent's evening would be odd

Nope.

It would just make other parents feel shit and the teacher feel awkward, I think.
I always used to give teachers at the end of the school year but some parents go way ott

In my kids’ primary school, parents’ evening lasts till like 6.30pm. My relatives and friends who are secondary teachers might be there till 8pm but they get a break before it starts to get food etc.

I mean it’s hardly a midnight shift…

No presents at parents evening that is just odd. I also hate being given flowers full stop (anything with lillies in is dangerous for my cats, they are an obligation to go home and cut stems and find a vase etc, it feels depressing watching them slowly die personally!)

Also won't eat anything homemade (I have no idea what other peoples kitchen/ hygiene standards are) but appreciate a wrapped box of biscuits at the end of term- I'd leave gifts until then

If you want to give flowers take them in after dc's school year finishes. Maybe the following day or two when teachers are in and students are done. Definitely don't do it at parents evening, it could come across as your trying to encourage good feedback/grades etc.

I think it's weird and bit OTT. How about some Easter cookies instead?

Sure people can go 'but it is doing good'

But that idea when it out of what a lot of people's normal is tends to be more '' I have decided my decision to do good is more important than how it is received by the other person, it doesn't matter what they think my feelings are more important than anything else"

I am sure the teacher may appreciate them a little more if you made an appointment personally and handed them over then and not at parents night? same way some people don't like publicly receiving flowers for valentines day at work etc or being proposed to with a lot of people watching?

Maybe think how they would feel rather than you ticking a box of doing good?

It's a nice idea but they will have to carry them home, maybe on the tube, or cycling with another heavy bag. It's a cute thought to give them something but they really don't need or want it.
If you are very keen, maybe something quite practical like amazon voucher, shopping voucher? Easier for both to carry. But you don't need to bother.

The whole doing it at parents night is more look at me and how nice I am rather than appreciation of the teachers as there are many opportunities to show your thanks and appreciation at other times through the school year.

Christmas or end of year. Definitely not parents evening! (Sorry op!)