So, this next week is Teacher appreciation. I thought it was a week long celebration because that is what happens at my girls' school. I found out it really is just one day.
The activities planned for the staff at school (it includes everyone who works there, not just the teachers) are breakfasts every morning, chair massages, little presents every day, like flowers, tote bags etc. There is also a drawing everyday for chances to win gift cards for coffee, movies, massages.
I always help out and enjoy it, but this year I am feeling like we are really doing to much. I would rather spend the money and get something the whole school would enjoy. Don't get me wrong, our school staff is amazing and we want to acknowledge their hard work. I guess just not to the extreme we are going. I mean the bottom line is that they do get paid to do this job.
So, if your children are in school, what is being done for Teacher appreciation? What are your thoughts on Teacher Appreciation. It is always good to get other ideas and see what is happening in other neighborhoods. Thank you.
KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.
Our school seems pretty
Our school seems pretty proactive about these things but I haven't heard anything. In my opinion, you can't thank them enough. I volunteer twice a month in the classroom and quite frankly I always leaving wondering how the teacher does it. Nearly 30 kids to one teacher!
What I don't like is where there's pressure to fit a certain price point or if there's a sense of obligation. But obvoiusly this is not a problem at our school.
Our student council has
Our student council has outlined 5 days of suggested gifts (based on our 5 senses). I think that's too much. I told my daughter (who wanted to participate in every gift day) that we will be writing thank-you notes to the teachers and possibly a small gift because it comes so close to the end of the year. I've been doing a small end-of-year gift (typically around $15).
I do have mixed feelings about the gift giving. Part of me thinks of it as a teacher bribe, and part of me thinks they do work hard. But since one teacher never acknowledged a gift card (she only said thanks for the chocolates to which the card was attached), I've been annoyed with the concept.
Side note: I probably should have said something then, but I didn't want to make a big deal. It's silly and I shouldn't waste another minute thinking of it.
Another mom brought up teacher appreciation week on the soccer field today. She was quick to say that she doesn't like these gifts at all. You choose your job, so your reward should be in finding fulfillment in the job. I see her point.
But me...Well, I know I'll do the end-of-year gift because I like both teachers my kids have this year. It'll be small, though, so not to look like a bribe. But the appreciation gifts...I'm thinking no.
Another side note: I think some parents think of this gift giving as a competition, too. The what did you get? Oh, I got (something expensive). That's annoying.
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.
Our school celebrates 1 day
Our school celebrates 1 day and the PTO puts on a great lunch for the teachers. The full week sounds fun, but too much. I like it that all are included though. That is a nice thought.
I always have a hard time thinking of the teacher gift. $15 dollars is a good amount. I have a friend with five kids and they all want to do a teacher gift. Their mom gets creative and they all craft something for the teacher.
I think its wonderful that
I think its wonderful that the school is giving back to the teachers. I once was in a 3rd Grade class and had a female student shoot me the finger, so I know exactly how challenging the job is. I've had a student in Kindergarten that shot the bird and said the F word. In my opinion, if a school wants to keep great teachers, they should use every positive incentive and recognition for a job well done A teacher is molding your childrens minds, working after hours, spending more time with your children then you do, and you think the school is going overboard with rewards? It seems to me that the school knows exactly how to keep the teachers happy so they will return next year.
One Happy Mom in Arizona.
Wow - that is an awful lot.
Wow - that is an awful lot. At our school, all the parents are asked to kick in $5 for a big lunch for the teachers of each grade (Chinese lunch for first grade teachers, etc).
Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 6 and 2.
At our school, the PTO sent
At our school, the PTO sent home a letter with a weeklong of daily suggestions: Monday- Send an apple, Tuesday- Send a note or draw a picture, Wednesday- Classroom supplies i.e. pencils, tissues to get ready for next year Thursday- a donation of a book to the library (my favorite) and Friday- a special treat your teacher will enjoy.
I thought these were pretty good suggestions. I am going to go with a few, library books, thank you note and probably a classroom supply but will only do a thank you note at the end of the year. This way I can help their teachers get ready for next year and help the library. I love my kids teachers too they are so great. I do think parents compete with gifts, like the mom who brings in a $50 gift card to Red Lobster and that great for them but I can't afford that and if I could still wouldn't.
I wonder how the teachers feel about teacher appreciation day.... Any teachers out there? Acutal teachers, not family members of teachers. If so give us your opinon please.
Jennifer is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com and mommy to four beautiful girls who range from 9 to 4 years of age.
Our school does a week long
Our school does a week long set of activities.
The room mothers coordinate 5 days of stuff for my daughter's teacher, and yes, the APT does a big luncheon for 90 staff on one of the days.
The office accepts voluntary contributions to pay for the luncheon.
For the teacher, we were asked to contribute to a class gift.
Day 1 - we each bring a single flower. Room mother provides vase for bouquet of 25 flowers.
Day 2 - kids all wear her favorite color
Day 3 - some of money collected used to bring her a coffee and baked goods in the a.m.
Day 4 - luncheon in the classroom. Paid for by class fund collected at beginning of year.
Day 5 - each kid has made (last week) a scrap book page that was compiled by the room mothers and will be presented to her....along with some gift cards bought with the contributions.
Other than the hour we spent making the scrapbook page...it's pretty easy. Mostly work for the room mothers.
Happy2BMommy, is a stay-at-home mom who just turned 40 (argh!) with a 6 yr. old daughter and a 4 yr. old son, and is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Scottsdale.