Hellobee Boards

My son's daycare also put a letter in our mailbox telling us that it is Teacher Appreciation Week. They suggested gift ideas (a hand-written letter, a plant, a gift card) that each student could give their teachers.

I found this to be AUDACIOUS. I believe in thanking teachers, but the suggested gift was just too much in my opinion.

I am a middle school teacher, and I would NEVER:
1. expect a gift or
2. suggest a gift.
I am always thankful to receive gifts during the holidays, but gosh, I just couldn't believe how bold this letter was from daycare.

We also received a note from my DD's school. I included suggestions of what we can bring and reminded us of all the different teachers we can thank (PE, art, music, GT, etc) . I am overwhelmed. One of the suggestions was to cover the class for 30 min so the teacher can have a longer lunch break. This is odd to me since I'm not a teacher so I feel completely I'll equipped to cover the class?? I will be making sure to do something for each of the teachers but it is quite stressful! The letter is from the PTA and not official school communication so I'm not offended, though. Next year I'm putting a note in my calendar to get started earlier!

@Truth Bombs: yeah that is an interesting point about whether you are comfortable with another parent watching. Also, my DD is in first grade, and there are quite a number of moms who either work part time (like me) or stay at home, so there are definitely people who are available. Still a strange request though.

@T-Mom: @Truth Bombs: I even think it's crazy for school-age kids! I feel like it's a liability issue.

Plus...parents are just different from teachers. The few field trips I've been on with parent chaperones, the parents are basically afraid to do any kind of discipline. Like kids might curse or throw something right next to them, but they don't say anything. I once had a parent (who I really, really liked!) LOSE a kid on a field trip when we split into 4 student/1 adult groups.....it was a total nightmare.

Just....no. Bad idea.

@Truth Bombs: @T-Mom: we were asked to cover naps so the teachers can have a group lunch provided by the school. I asked the director about it. She said that if we don't have coverage, then they find subs, take turns, etc. I asked how it was legal and she said that licensing is aware they do it every year. The director and other staff are walking the building the whole time and checking on the parents. I know all the parents in R's class, there are only 6 kids, but if I didn't I don't know how I would feel about it. Even if it is nap time.

But yes, she is in day care because we work. Luckily two parents, out of the 12, are able to go during their nap and cover an hour but not the whole time they would like.

Wow. I'm not even sure what to say about this, but I think I would be a bit shocked if I saw that note.

I do have a lot of friends who are teachers and I do agree that they are underpaid and have to deal with a lot of politics.

I try to donate money every quarter to my one friend because she works in a inner city school district that is underfunded.

@mediagirl: I think this is totally ridiculous. I *might* understand if it was a public school teacher, but considering the money most families bend over backwards to spend on daycare expenses, it seems like lining up a week full of stuff for teachers is overboard. Especially because teachers already get stuff for the holidays, end of the school year, Valentine's Day, etc. I'm all for showing appreciation for teachers, but I think this goes along with the over-holidayzation of schools in general.

Jinxed myself... just got the teacher appreciation email... Not that I don't want to do something, but I have a sick baby who I am solo parenting all weekend. This is the last thing I want to think about! ARGH.

@Jess1483: That is my concern too. Teacher appreciation week is now (May) and then in June they transition to the next class. So do I do end of year gifts as well? Thats a lot in back to back months.

@Truth Bombs: @NorCalWayfarer: @Smurfette:
I was at school just now for field day and one of the other moms volunteered to watch the kids during recess one day next week so the teacher could have a longer lunch. That makes a little more sense to me and I don't really have a problem with that ... It's only 15 min.

Ours is similar too I've given nice gifts for holidays, donated lots of supplies and snacks and volunteered every few weeks for the year. I don't mind giving a card and flowers but something every day of the week? And requesting it out of parents? Ugh. Annoying.

This is crazy! When I taught the pta put together something similar but they asked that each kid pick one thing to participate in which was perfect and almost all the options were free. One day was bring a single flower from your yard with the idea being it would make a bouquet and the pta supplied vases. One was make a card, one day was give a hug day etc. I think there was a day that was bring a piece of candy or something similar. It was a fun week but largely because our pta was awesome and they arranged stuff like a lunch and paying a sub to float between classrooms so the teachers could go get a chair massage. Our kids were elementary aged so they kicked the teachers out for two minutes to fill the kids in on the "secret" and posted flyers in the halls so it mostly feel in the laps of the kids to do stuff like bring a flower or make a card.

My daughter is at on-site daycare at my work. They have a parent committee who organizes the week. They recommend a $20 donation per family and then use it to do something special for the teachers each day. Monday-doughnuts, Tuesday- pancake breakfast, Wednesday - yoga class, Thursday - ice cream sundaes, Friday / lunch. They also have themes each day thatbthe kids are suppose to dress for. Overall, I think its very well put together and doesn't put pressure on the parents to do something everyday!

Omg as a working mom every single extra errand freaks me out because it is so hard to figure out how to execute it. This sort of requirement would drive me crazy and exactly the sort of thing I dread about my son going to school.