DS finishing primary school soon, I want to thank the teachers. Is a letter appropriate? Suggest a gift that everyone can enjoy please.

[MrsMuddle]

DS2 is just about to finish P7, and his brother left the same school a couple of years ago. I've not had much to do with the school - I'm in Scotland, and we don't seem to have as much parental involvment as elsewhere. No parent volunteers or school governers etc.

It's the school that we are in the catchment for - and 99% of children here go to to their local school, so it wasn't one I "chose" - ie, I can take no credit for picking it.

Anyway, it's been absolutely brilliant. Better than brilliant. Every single teacher has brought out the best in my DS, and they have been incredibly happy there. Whatever they go on to do in the future, I am confident that the school is responsible for giving them the best posible start in life.

I'd like to write to the head and let hew know how wonderful I think the school and all the staff are, but I'd also like to send a gift that can be enjoyed by all the teachers, the assistants and the janny.

Do you think it's appropriate to do this? Will she think I'm unhinged? What gift could I give that can be enjoyed by everyone?

Advice please.

How about some nice pots and plants for the reception area? - they can all enjoy them and it will benefit the school too.

cakes for staffroom home baked?

Letter - lovely.
What's your budget?

I think it would be great.
How much do yuo want to spend?
Crate of wine?
I did this for staff at my kids' nursery.

Big box of chocolates for the teachers will go down a treat. As will some nice biscuits. They will sit and eat them when the little darlings are playing outside.

I think it's a great idea and what you have written in your post would be a fabulous letter. I think teachers love to get this kind of feedback and don't think they'll think you're unhinged! Suggestion of plants sounds good but might be a good idea to do plant vouchers or they'll probably die over the summer holiday!

My family are mostly teachers and I have to say that although some biscuits/choccies are nice, they usually end up with soooo many in the staffroom when most of them are trying to be healthy. Wine a good option

Lovely idea, they will be really pleased. Don't have to be extravagant though, just cakes or chocs and a nice letter from you and dcs.

Books, books, books.. something like the guiness book of records is always fun.

If you want to spend a lot of money, then something like a parachute that the kids can play with at playtime would be fun, or a basketball and net or similar.

Obviously a letter is the main thing that people will value. Most teachers get enough wine and choccies etc but would prefer a more practical donation.

chess set for wet playtimes; comics for same;
games for classrooms etc

Thanks, all. I'd spend about £30 or £40, so some wine and maybe some cookies or muffins is a good idea. I'll do it next week or the week after, so that they can have a boost before the end of term at the end of June. They'll be inundated with sweet things then.

Thanks for the advice.

We had a collection at ds's nursery and they decided to buy a really nice bird table with it - I thought that was a fab idea.

the card sounds a lovely idea.
A new set of nice mugs for the staff room would go down well here not to mention some nice stuff to go in them. and chocolate. Teachers are mostly of the chocaholic persuasion.

The letter would probably go down much better than any presents, but chocolates as well.

I would give a letter, a really nice book or set of books (I've always tried to find something that older boys would enjoy), and some gorgeous chocolates or biscuits for everyone to share. If you go for a book, make or buy a bookplate to go inside, saying it's from you/your child, with the date and everything.