How can parents show teachers (primary) that we appreciate them

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More than ever I really want my child's primary school to know I understand (as someone in the profession) their workload and the demands being placed on them now.

I'd love to arrange something as a thank you, but not sure what is allowed in terms of 'gifts' and declarations. The last thing I want to do is cause more work for my child's school where I know the head is running the school very well on top of covering any staff absences (including cleaning and dining staff!).

Don't forget to include TAs and midday supervisors, the latter are working in hot stuffy halls, even with windows open. Have to have very close contact with no masks as can't hear children speaking as it's noisy, it's not always about problems, many children just love to chat to them. Also, it's physically hard work as well. TAs give everything as well, and some of ours aren't having a lunch break as having to cover for staff shortages.

I asked my OH and he echoed other teachers on here: an email to the head. Being collectively praised by the parents in his class to the SLT would make his day.

Mind you, in my last school I created a new programme (think enrichment) that the parents loved. I got lots of lovely emails singing my praises, copied to the Head.
She made me redundant out of the blue next term and gave the programme I had built from scratch to the Deputy.
But the emails made me feel like I wasn't a complete waste of space! I got a lot more when I was leaving too. The parents telling me they appreciated me meant the world to me at that point (although I also loved the huge flower delivery the parents of my tutor group coordinated and got sent to reception!)

Worshipping Teacher cilture
@Leobynature are you new? Some of the bile directed towards teachers on here has been horrible and I not a Teacher.
Teachers and TA's (the latter don't even get a decent salary)are entrusted to care for your most precious dc. Traditionally they have always been recognised at Christmas etc at Primary level.
With COVID they must now work in unsafe conditions. Their only mitigation is potentially being able to open a window but of course than parents complain because their precious child is cold and why should she be cold as the virus doesn't affect her. Not a thought for her teacher Mrs Smith who is the wrong side of 50 and has Asthma or Chrohns .
They also have additional work cleaning, gate duties, lunch duties etc and producing a scheme of work every work online even if no child is isolating.
They definitely deserve extra recognition and thanks.

I agree a lovely email to the Head saying how the teacher has been appreciated or thank you note to the teacher. Even a thank you verbally at pick up is so appreciated. Parents often only speak to teachers when there is a problem.

DS’s teacher was off with covid (now back). We sent a huge bunch of flowers to her and used the rest of the collection money to buy treats for the staff room (this was ok in our school). For Xmas we are doing another collection for the teacher and TA for vouchers or a hamper of things. A couple of parents in our class know the teacher personally though so are able to tailor things to her taste.

I’ll join the teacher worship club! The teaching staff at DS school have been amazing.
I can’t get over how much effort they put in with the kids and in keeping in contact with parents.
The head teacher for example stands at the end of the drive in every weather at drop off and pick up time and chats to parents and kids - she knows all the kids names! Can’t imagine anything like that ever when I was a kid

Well done teachers, you’re doing fab and thank you

My son is a Primary school teacher and what he appreciates most is letters of appreciation, especially from the children. Perhaps you could organise some sort of book of appreciation for your child’s class?

They don’t want fancy presents. Just a nice email would do.

Worshiping teachers????

The teachers I know (including DH) have been expected to work in small stuffy classrooms throughout the last lockdown (with vulnerable and key worker children), work through the Easter and May holidays (and remember unlike other professions they cannot take time off outside school holidays), work with no PPE, sort out help for parents who are struggling financially and mentally, find ways to provide meaningful work for children who are at home as well as being in class all day (both during the last lockdown and also now for children who are self isolating), and at the same time somehow look after their own families and health worries.

It sounds like they will now be told by the Government that their pay will be frozen for several years (and contrary to media comments, their pay is already pretty low considering the level of qualification, experience and hours worked etc).

Doesn't sound like worship to me.

The thing that means the most to my DH (and which has kept him going over the last few months) is those parents who tell him all the work is appreciated. It doesn't even need to be copied to the Head (although that good for his performance review!). Just expressing and understanding that a lot is being expected of teachers and that their efforts are appreciated means a lot.

The best thing is a card or email telling them they’ve done a good job. Honestly much better than a present. I’m a teacher and I have kept all correspondence like this.

Some PTAs are setting up Amazon wish lists or similar for items needed in classes to try and help stop teachers having to dip into their own pockets for resources. For those schools where they are giving £300 gifts to teachers, maybe ask whether a wish list would be more appreciated.

@Leobynature

I really don’t get this worshipping teachers culture which I strongly feel should end. Lots of professionals do a great job- police, social workers, nurses, doctors etc. They get paid a decent salary. And not all families can afford to chip in for vouchers or presents, some children are barely getting enough to eat. If you happy with a service someone offers tell them.

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Worshipping teachers culture

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On mumsnet

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Have you ever read any threads here, ever?

Our class teacher has just done a fab job of teaching 30 7 year olds a full fortnight of lessons via Ms teams. She has 4 kids at home herself and has been poorly but she has been there every day with a smile on her face. In the midst of this she has been on teams meetings with me Re a senco referral for my son. Its their first day back in school today and the parents have arranged a box of wines to be delivered from a local company to say thank you.

My DC like to take gifts - is this a complete no at the moment ?

My class rep is organising hampers with items from local businesses rather than a voucher. Hopefully we'll be able to send them in and quarantine so the teacher and TAs (reception class) can take them home on the last day. I'll probably donate £20 for all three of them as a) they deserve it and b) I'd have spent a hell of a lot more than that one way or another if they hadn't been working so hard to teach my child since schools opened again!

Good point about emails to the head and mealtime supervisors though.

Email to head.
He or She will pass it on.
It's by far the most appreciated feedback my DD has had (secondary).

Hoping that presents that can be quarantined will be OK.

Email with a thanks and a kind message.

Please don't give booze. I don't drink and I don't want parents to waste their money on something that I will end up donating as a raffle prize.

Teacher here. Most appreciated gestures: be on time at drop off and pick up, make sure child has correct equipment and PE kit on right days, read newsletters and note dates and never need chasing up about stuff. It's the routine stuff each day that really makes my life easier. Not bothered in the least about presents. Email to the head is icing on the cake.

I sent an email to the head, it's taken an enormous effort for everyone working in a school to get them up and running and keep everyone as safe as they can, with zero support from the government.

I'm a supply teacher and whilst staffroom hampers are a fab idea some of the places I have been recently haven't allowed sharing food or drink so I'd check that out first other wise can't go wrong with vouchers and a nice card

I have sent an email to the teacher thanking her for everything they are doing this term -they are going way beyond their ‘job spec roles’, surely that is blatantly obvious to everyone. Cc’ed the Head. We will also do a class voucher collection for teacher and TA, usually ends up ~£250 between them.

Just been reminded that presents may not be allowed to be passed to the staff due to Covid in most schools. It’s worth checking before people buy gifts.
Vouchers will be the simplest and safest gift l guess.

Gifts are fine at my school (from teachers to children and vice versa) but maybe check with the school first as everyone is interpreting Covid rules differently.