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Saturday, November 27, 2010

Twenty Seven

Big Sis switched schools this year, and it has been a change for the better.  The teachers seem more interested, the parents more involved, the learning accelerated.  Despite being mere blocks from each other, the change in schools also came with a change in demographics.  With our 'starving student' status, we are definitely in the financial minority, but thankfully the focus on designer kiddie jeans and status backpacks seems to not yet be affecting the first grade.

While waiting for dismissal last week, I overheard 2 moms discussing teacher gifts.  I was taken by surprise when one stated that last year she gave her son's teacher a $25 Starbucks gift card and travel mug, $25 in movie tickets, AND a $25 gift card to her favorite restaurant.   $75 in gifts for a teacher???  I was planning on a homemade goodie basket, but now..... well, it's still gonna be a homemade goodie basket.  I don't mean to minimize the impact a great teacher has on a student, but my budget does not support $75 in "thanks".  Is that the expectation???

Do you get gifts for your kid's teachers?  Do you spend this much?  Am I a cheapskate?
(The last question is rhetorical.....)

2 comments:

Ben, Rebecca, Natali, Isaac, Spencer said...

As a previous teacher I can say that homemade "goodies" were by far my most common gift. I had a couple movie gift cards ($5-$10), and once I got a gift card to like Wal-Mart $25. It was AWESOME, but not the norm. Honestly, a simple heart felt card acknowledging the effort and countless extra hours put in, was VERY nice.

So bottom line, yes teacher gift. NO on the amount.

sarita said...

I completely agree with Becca. I would take a heart-felt card over anything. In fact, my students were so poor (vast majority second generation immigrants) that I don't think I ever received a Christmas gift, and that was just fine with me. I think a homemade goodie basket sounds delish, especially homemade by you!