Class rep didn't include all kids names in the end of year card

[Whydiddnt]

Aibu to be mortified?

The class rep organised a whip around for the end of term teacher gift. Not everyone chipped in for various reasons however, the vast majority did.

I've just found out that the rep only listed the children whom contributed in the card, instead of writing it from the full class.

Is it just me that finds this mean and horrible? Why would anyone leave out a couple of children who's parents probably couldn't afford to chip in.

It wouldn't have taken any extra effort to address the gift from the whole class. It's not the children's fault that their parents couldn't afford it. I really hope those poor kids were none of the wiser.

I agree. It's a card that goes with the gift.

I’m a teacher and I prefer names in so I can individually thank parents. When this has happened at my school there’s usually 10/15 out of 30 who contribute. It’s a private card with names in, no teacher would judge parents with children’s names not in but I hate the way that people who have contributed don’t get a thank you when it was their money!

This. It depends where you live I guess, but surely you could afford £1? I'm in two minds, but not sure it's a bad thing to include the names

In my son’s class only 10 parents from 30 contributed to the class gift so the card was signed from them. I assume the other parents are doing their own thing and their names will be on their own cards.

But the kids doubtfully know or care.

What a bizarre take. Our class reps have been lovely. Reminding the class of all the shite they may have forgotten and organizing a gift.

God it sounds exhausting having that mindset.

Family's who use food banks really carnt afford £1

I find the whole 'giving the teacher a gift' idea odd. It wasn't a thing in my day, even to give a card, at least not at any of my (state) schools in the 80s. A card, however, I could understand - with a heartfelt message, especially if the teacher had gone above and beyond.

I love going round charity shops and at this time of year there are always lots of 'best teacher' themed tat items, so these gifts are probably just clutter to the teachers too, however well intentioned, and a general contributor to ultimate landfill of things we don't need.

I did the collection this year, I included it from everyone, even though some didn’t contribute.

That’s why you do a nice card and a voucher! Instead of tat

Of course the gift is from the people who paid for the gift. The rep did exactly the right thing, people that didn’t contribute but want the glory are the very unreasonable ones!

No not really. Class reps are very new, we managed perfectly fine for generations without one. No one needed to remind us of school events, we either read the newsletter or spoke to other parents. Reps where not needed or even thought about, like I said it's very New. As for being pestered for money for presents, why? No would should have to justify not contributing or shamed on the class app, sorry that's just horrendous.

Well we disagree. And that's fine. :-)

None of that is my job as class rep. Seems like it's varied across schools. It's my job just to represent the class at the PFA and organise fund raising. Not to pass on messages from the school or organise the teacher gift.

I only pass on messages from the PFA to when it's our class's turn for the bake sale etc.

Vouchers are nothing but a con. "This voucher can be spent online in any branch of our stores ..." "See our website for a list of places you can spend this 'I love shopping' voucher ..." or alternatively, how about giving these amazing "ten pound notes" which can be spent in absolutely any shop, restaurant, pub, market, car boot sale, buying a used washing machine from a bloke you met on Facebook ....

At my DCs school, the card is physically suggest by each by eachbof the parents who contributed to the gift- its not considered a card gift or card.

One of the parents puts on the year WhatsApp that they've set it up for anyone who wants to contribute & then those parents write whatever message in the card that they want to. Most parents who chose not to contribute got their own card & gift instead.

I always contribute as its so much easier than doing it all myself.

When one of my children was in reception we had one of the parents trying to organise a class present for the teacher.

I personally do not look the idea of class presents, not because we cannot afford it. Anyhow, I declined to contribute as did a few others, I think she wrote the name of all the children on the class card/gift.

This didn't affect my child one iota, they did however, have great pleasure being one of the few handing them their gift they had got for the teacher.

That class gift did not continue in year 1 as it transpired the children wanted to gift the teachers themselves.

No it wasn't my child, I chipped in so was deemed worthy.

I get it. I’ve similarly been annoyed by the organiser of ours who shared a list of who had contributed and how much they had contributed. I felt mortified for some of the other families. No idea if the kids whose parents hadn’t contributed were allowed to sign the card. The amount of fuss over when to hand over the joint gift was also more than I could bear. Will certainly be doing my own thing next year!

I don't think it's about leaving the children out, it's blatantly obvious to all that it's the parents who gift such things. I am an educator and I can guarantee you that the parents who dislike us never contribute to the class collection!! I don't judge anyone for what they do or don't give - I'm just grateful for everyone's thanks.

Edited to add - what a parent gifts me has no impact on how I treat their child or see them! Each to their own. Some people's love language is gifts. For others it's different. The children are grateful as they are the ones who we have the relationship with, and they don't decide the class collection.

What's a class rep?

This gift thing seems to have grown. When my DCs were in school only avfew gave gifts or cards. In my own schooldays it was unheard of.

Agree, that's why the comment it depends where you live. Tbh if you do have kids in this situation, it's beyond unacceptable and inappropriate to even be doing a class gift and asking for a contribution.

Iv seen this f ery and stopped it. I always just put from kids of x class on the card. Unsurprisingly there were parents who insisted those that contributed went on the card.
What your describing is whole new level of mean ass virtue signalling

I think she was correct. If I hadn’t contributed it may have been because I didn’t agree with it and I certainly wouldn’t want my child named on it.