Gifts for Teachers in U.S. Schools

Thanks for the tag Rihana. When kids were in Pre-school it was just two teachers and we would gift a gift card to a local restaurant or Borders bookstore card. When they entered elementary school it was usually a group gift with class mom collecting it. We recd an email from the Principal about disclosure of any gifts over $25 under the law and this was uncomfortable for many teachers. So we couldn't give any personal gifts. I started participating liberally in Luncheons where all teachers are treated with good meal/desserts. Now in middle school we could donate to the school district fund giving credit to a particular teacher. Last year when my kid had a fall I realized how little attention do the nurses office or the front office employees get and so ended up gifting the school nurse and got some holiday treats for the front office at school. Now in high school I don't know the school policies. Maybe will end up gifting the Gym teacher. Amazon card works for all. I try to keep in mind the nice teachers at extra-curricular activiyies and get an idea of their preferd store like Bookstore/Amazon and get the card.

 

YES.But not about the child like/dislike.Typically if the teacher is caring and doing a good job, we tend to gift more.

Sometimes, my DD's will tells us what the teachers favourites are/what kind of gift cards or something they would like to buy themselves and give to teachers.

And also, I try to gift to teachers at the year end who worked hard for the kids.It's just way of showing our appreciation to the teacher.


During Chrismas,we tend to give everyone but at the year end only for particular people.

 

Gifts cards is the way to go, I feel. Else I have chosen to send candles. I am not big on chocolates and one year my DD chose to give tomato plants to her teachers at the end of school year and most teachers wrote back saying they have never grown a tomato plant and were excited to try it! I also know of many teachers who use the gift cards to buy books for classroom or stuff for classroom. Younger grades even if it is some work a personalized card always touches the teacher. Teachers at this level up to grade 4 at least, appreciate it much. I am not sure about other states but our state also has a policy of gift card over 20$ should be made known to the principal and we are discouraged.

My DS in middle school now refuses to give cards to his teachers! So we pretty much have outgrown that after elementary school. While we celebrate teacher appreciation week with food for teachers for a week or so, there are no room moms organizing anything. So we pretty much stick to Christmas and end of the year gift giving!

 

Yet another lazy mom replying..gift cards.
Starbucks /amazon cards for people outside school. For school teachers Room parents collect about $50 per year or something like that ..beginning of the year and about $20 for the end of the year gift. I think they manage with that.

 

ROTFL!! So true! Umm, wonder how I missed this thread..Sorry, @rihana. Anyway, for future reference, here goes:

This year, the kids' schools had a "charity tree" put up. We had to buy the gift cards, and stick it on the tree with the teacher's name.
For example, "In honor of Mrs Teacher" from the Dimhere family, Amount: XX.

So public display: Which teacher got the most? Which family donated how much? and Who was considerate enough to donate to the music/art/front office ladies..

A lot of parents who thought could skimp, were forced to shell out to look good in the school lobby! Genius, I say!

 

time for gifting teachers... end of the year appreciation type I want to gift as some friends above said. for X-mas i did 25$ gift card (olive garden, or 2 more restaurant they can use it) and happy holidays card. Now I want to keep it to 10$ (mostly end up with a giftcard ) and an appreciation card.
WOuld like to know from others too,