Gifts

[Disneyisthebest]

Hi,

I have 2 children (year 1 and reception) and am starting to think about end of year gifts for the teachers.

I realise it is very early but my son is SEN and we usually like to make something and he can only do little bits at a time so by starting it after Easter it means we have time to allow him to take his time.

Last year I just bought my daughters teacher/TA (she was in reception last year and my son who is now in reception had the same teacher she had) some nice stationary and made a magnet using my daughters drawing of the teacher/TA. However, this year I'm not sure what to do, the teacher and TA's do so much for my son, they really do go above and beyond for him - and do lots for him that really isn't in their job description but they do it nonetheless.

We are going to make something small (not sure what yet) but would also like to get something that will really show how appreciative we are. I've thought about getting some sort of gift voucher for them to spend on resources but what do teachers really think of these? As there are 4 people to buy for just for my son I can't spend loads on each. Anyone got any ideas?

Gift voucher for resources is a great idea. You could pick out some books and donate to the school library, too. You could buy a classroom resource like a butterfly kit maybe.

Definitely get your children to make cards, you could write a separate one yourself.

A staffroom present could be a good solution - some sort of treats. I suggest sending it in well before end of term so that it will actually be eaten.

I think buying class resources is a bit like those charity gifts. I'd buy something for the teacher for themselves.

I wouldn’t bother making anything more than a card, then write a nice message in that.

The majority of teachers do not want lots of bits of pupils artwork up at home/stuck on their fridge.

Disclaimer: don't want this to sound grabby, just ideas of what may be appreciated!

Not resources- you're wanting to give them a gift not a donation to the school (unless you want to do that specifically which would be lovely - but don't make it their gift).

Something small and handmade is lovely. One of my most treasured gifts is a small wooden bowl that a pupil made with her grandfather (Turned? She told me at the time all about how they used the little turning mechandim). It was lovely and I still use it years later.

One idea may be to organise a clubbing together with other parents (no set amount or obligation!) I know as a parent I would appreciate the ease of someone else doing that and as a teacher it would be amazing! (have never had it myself before) - I would definitely appreciate the thoughtfulness partic of the organiser and probably parents could contribute less than they would spend on individual gifts anyway but you could get e.g. a great voucher.

Certainly one thing that would be really treasured is a really personal card in which you write how you feel - it is clear from your post that your son's school staff are fab and just letting them know how you recognise and appreciate that would mean a lot to them.

I am not a fan of the "class collection"- in ours it is usually a yummy mummy who organises -because she wants to suck up to the teacher- and doesn't care if people can't afford it/don't feel they want to give a gift.

Also be careful with class collections as some schools have rules about how much can be accepted. Lots of little things from different people are ok, one big gift voucher may not be able to be accepted.

As a TA I would like you to say thanks for putting in the extra effort and going above and beyond and I would like you to reiterate that to my head of school as I feel sometimes they are so pressured into getting results that they lose sight of what teachers and TAs actually do that we don't get paid for. So a heartfelt thanks in a card is always appreciated.

If pushed i would always say stationery, nice pens and post it's as i'm always misplacing mine or the kids pinch them.
Would love someone to make me a bowl now though!