Gift for teacher on first day of school

Addicted2thenot

Is this commOn? Are you doing one and if so what are you getting/making?

shouldbworkin

I dont' think it's common.  Usually the biggest gift you can give the first day are some school supplies, extra snacks, wipes, etc.  That's how I like to get on their good side.  ;-)

DandelionMom

I've only done it when we've had that teacher before -- just something small like sticky notes with a theme I know they'll like. 

ridesbuttons

I've never heard of it and certainly will not consider it.

I truly think that gifts from students to teachers should not be permitted.

Addicted2thenot

I was not planning it but some of the FB pages I follow all posted ideas, and I started wondering if everyone gives gifts ... Guess not . Good.

susanmosley

I kind of think it is odd.

Actually, you can omit "kind of" 

JenninMA

No, and I'm going to lose it if this becomes a common practice and some mom starts organizing a back to school gift for the teacher every year.

AggieCouple

JenninMA:

No, and I'm going to lose it if this becomes a common practice and some mom starts organizing a back to school gift for the teacher every year.

No kidding.  Between Christmas, birthdays, Teacher Appreciation Week, last day of school, ballet/swim/piano instructors, I WILL lose it if there is another set of gifts.  I particularly hate that we feel pressured to do it even though we pay private school tuition and lesson fees.  In fact, I think there's more pressure to do so.  I wouldn't have much of a problem with it if it was public school. 

My sister does send a pack of of tissue boxes for the classroom, which I think is nice.

ashleyaugust7

AggieCouple:

JenninMA:

No, and I'm going to lose it if this becomes a common practice and some mom starts organizing a back to school gift for the teacher every year.

No kidding.  Between Christmas, birthdays, Teacher Appreciation Week, last day of school, ballet/swim/piano instructors, I WILL lose it if there is another set of gifts.  I particularly hate that we feel pressured to do it even though we pay private school tuition and lesson fees.  In fact, I think there's more pressure to do so.  I wouldn't have much of a problem with it if it was public school.

This, all of this. 

wildfloweragain

I send something small, like some hersheys kisses or handmade soap.  I'm a teacher and I know the first few days are the hardest.

ashleyaugust7

wildfloweragain:

I'm a teacher and I know the first few days are the hardest.

I really am not trying to be flameful but... that's why teachers get paid.  I have rough days at work but that's what I get paid to do.  I am all for gifts at certain times for teachers, but if I gave my DD's teachers a gift everytime they had a hard day I would be broke/gift giving a majority of the time.

kevschickee2

Halee got a supply list for school and attached to it was a wish list from the teacher so I am getting the wish list items together.  Thatwill be a gift to the classroom

katie277s

I've never heard of this.  I wasn't planning on buying anything for the first day of school.  

RCH151

A gift for the teacher seems like a bribe to me.  A gift for the classroom off the wishlist sounds much more appropriate.

stephsteph77

This isn't really a big gift idea or anything, but something I found nice.  I have had a parent from my PREVIOUS class stop by the morning of the first day of school and drop off a diet coke (diet coke is my version of coffee).  I really appreciated it!

The few times I've ever received a small gift on the first day of school it has come from certain cultures where it is traditional to give gifts to the teachers.  Other than that I don't think it's a common practice at all.

stephsteph77

ashleyaugust7:

wildfloweragain:

I'm a teacher and I know the first few days are the hardest.

I really am not trying to be flameful but... that's why teachers get paid.  I have rough days at work but that's what I get paid to do.  I am all for gifts at certain times for teachers, but if I gave my DD's teachers a gift everytime they had a hard day I would be broke/gift giving a majority of the time.

Not to be flameful either, but it's not about "why teachers get paid" IMO.  It's about offering a kindness.  I don't get paid to put together a gift for the kids, but I do.  Each student walks in to a treat baggie on their desk on the first day since I know the first day can be tough.  The bag has a Rice Krispie treat, a water bottle, a sharpened pencil, a bookmark, and some "Brown Bucks" (a money system in the classroom), and one or two other items.  The first day isn't just any day, it's a special day.  I'm not saying by any means a gift for the teacher should be expected, but it can be a nice gesture.

jlw2505

I ahve never heard of this and don't see the point.  I know at our elementary school at open house, they have a list of supplies the classroom could use (things like tissue and wipes and stuff like that) and people can buy stuff off that list and some of the classes actually assign stuff like that for the kids to bring in for the classroom but a gift - seems silly to me.

wildfloweragain

stephsteph77:

ashleyaugust7:

wildfloweragain:

I'm a teacher and I know the first few days are the hardest.

I really am not trying to be flameful but... that's why teachers get paid.  I have rough days at work but that's what I get paid to do.  I am all for gifts at certain times for teachers, but if I gave my DD's teachers a gift everytime they had a hard day I would be broke/gift giving a majority of the time.

Not to be flameful either, but it's not about "why teachers get paid" IMO.  It's about offering a kindness.  I don't get paid to put together a gift for the kids, but I do.  Each student walks in to a treat baggie on their desk on the first day since I know the first day can be tough.  The bag has a Rice Krispie treat, a water bottle, a sharpened pencil, a bookmark, and some "Brown Bucks" (a money system in the classroom), and one or two other items.  The first day isn't just any day, it's a special day.  I'm not saying by any means a gift for the teacher should be expected, but it can be a nice gesture.

 

Thanks.  I do a lot of things I don't get "paid" to do.  I do it to make someone's day better.  I don't expect a gift.  It is nice when one student brings in a bar of chocolate, the famous apple, or a "nice to meet you" card. I'm not thinking at all that it's a requirement when I give something to DD's teacher.  I think, "hey, this might make her day brighter," or "Wouldn't she love to sit down at the end of the day and have a bite of chocolate before diving into more piles of work."

 

For me the first 2 days are so hard and busy I can't see straight.  An act of kindness or appreciation is like a flower in the desert.

Addicted2thenot

Yeah I was not thinking anything big

Just an apple with a cute note or something  

chelle828

stephsteph77:

This isn't really a big gift idea or anything, but something I found nice.  I have had a parent from my PREVIOUS class stop by the morning of the first day of school and drop off a diet coke (diet coke is my version of coffee).  I really appreciated it!

 

I agree with the majority of the posters, but I think this was very darn cool.

Mrs.JDD

I'm a teacher, too, and while random acts of kindness are always appreciated, I would definitely look at a gift the first day as a bribe from the parent!