An apple for the teacher.

Oh...Supermarket ad! Please forgive the spelling errors but it became a race to beat the advert.

As I say I currently work in education so often receive them, I am perfectly capable of still understanding the fundamental problems with this custom and the little faces of children thing wouldnt impact my decision on safeguarding, understanding of the pressures on families, etc.

As the OP can I just point out that I did not start this thread with any other intention than to ask if present giving had got out of hand as the email I pointed out suggested.
I never intended to say presents should be banned.
Just wanted opinions as to being over the top in value.
I am sure letters, small gifts home made or not are really welcome from the teachers.

As an ex teacher i always felt sorry for the child who wistfully said ‘ I’ll bring you one tomorrow Miss ‘ I taught in a very poor school in a dock area and was embarrassed to receive a gift which I knew they couldn’t afford and didn’t encourage it .

I had two memorable gifts as a teacher. One was an elegant silver plated double photo frame, still in use after 20 years. The other was a rose bush. It was such a lovely one that I brought it with us when we moved and it now flourishes in our new garden. (BTW any plants you want to take from a garden should be potted before the house goes up for sale as, unless specified, you are not allowed to remove them).

This creeping development saddens me for many of the reasons given on here.
We’ve always made a modest donation to the school on behalf of the particular teachers.

My daughter is a primary school teacher - she NEVER expects gifts, but she had had many ranging from lovely homemade gifts to parents clubbing together and getting her vouchers, she still lives at home and we often smile at some of her gifts x the handwritten cards from her pupils are her favourites

My children and grandchildren always were happy to make cards/presents for their teachers but the year 4 teacher one of them has had this year will be lucky to get an apple core.

I can honestly say I never bought or had any friends who bought gifts for teachers. It just wasn’t done during my school years approx 1958-1972.

I do remember some staff retiring from my Grammar School after maybe 30 years+ and a letter would go home asking parents if they would care to donate towards a gift.

I volunteered in a charity shop for many years and the absolute junk that teachers received from kids and parents and then donated to us because they didn’t want it was embarrassing. “Best Teacher” mugs, pens, mouse mats, certificates, notebooks, etc. we got it every year at end of term and just boxed it all up when it didn’t sell ready for the next year. Total waste of money.

As a retired teacher - I would say a small gift is much appreciated, eg a potted plant, some chocs., something home made and thoughtful - definitely no more than £5. Parents clubbing together for a very expensive gift is a definite NO from me.

Primary school children- I send a card from the child and I, plus donate to the class whip round or send a bottle of something like bucks fizz. As its my eldests last year we are making paper flowers and making a paper bouquet to keep for each teacher shes had since she started there. Ive made quite a few lilies and roses so far, with my daughters help of course. I thought it would be cheery in the classroom, or at home should the teacher prefer.

Class rep role was done away with at our school, as there was literally nothing for them to do once the school system was fully automated and there was a parent whats app group for each class year.

We are asked to make a donation to the class charity by the school and not get the teachers gifts. So, usually we give half to the class charity and half in vouchers to the teacher. I think a suggested donation was of £5, or whatever you could afford/ felt comfortable with if you wanted to opt in.

Merryweather

Primary school children- I send a card from the child and I, plus donate to the class whip round or send a bottle of something like bucks fizz. As its my eldests last year we are making paper flowers and making a paper bouquet to keep for each teacher shes had since she started there. Ive made quite a few lilies and roses so far, with my daughters help of course. I thought it would be cheery in the classroom, or at home should the teacher prefer.

Class rep role was done away with at our school, as there was literally nothing for them to do once the school system was fully automated and there was a parent whats app group for each class year.

We are asked to make a donation to the class charity by the school and not get the teachers gifts. So, usually we give half to the class charity and half in vouchers to the teacher. I think a suggested donation was of £5, or whatever you could afford/ felt comfortable with if you wanted to opt in.

If you have been asked not to give gifts to teachers why do you still give a voucher?

I think a teacher would prefer paper flowers made by the child.

Over the years I've had some lovely cards with heartfelt messages and occasionally received an email of thanks.
If I'm teaching your child again next year, it'd be great to have you support the school's homework & behaviour policies.

Aren’t salaries enough any more ?

Saggi

Aren’t salaries enough any more ?

Is that how you assess whether to give gifts to friends and family? Just wondering.

Youngest son and I baked cupcakes for teacher. Eldest son said: ‘I wouldn’t eat something a 7-year-old made’. He made a good point. They probably went straight into bin 😳

This has turned into a fairly nasty thread. How many of you are teachers or parents with children in school? DD1 is a teacher P1 and P2 (5 and 6 year olds). She has had gifts ranging from vouchers from a group of parents if a couple of parents arrange it - not every year - to chocolates, candles, mugs, things made by children and appreciates anything especially things made by the children. The home made cards are very special to her and she can relate to her experience with each child (some are very funny). She doesn't expect it and not all give a gift. As a teacher herself, she helps organise a gift for her own children's teachers. This year I have been handed handprints for her to make something by parents I don't know while waiting for DGC to come out. She is in school from 7.30am to 5pm teaching and preparing for the next day and goes in during holidays to set the classroom up and prepare and spends at least an hour each night doing work. Job doesn't end when the children leave.
As to gifts in NHS - yes they are allowed but nurses normally receive chocolates, biscuits, tea, coffee all much appreciated. Doctors are given wine, fancy whisky - things like that as well as chocs. In case anyone doubts this - yes I have received nurse's gifts and yes I have been handed bottles to pass on to GPs and hospital doctors.

As I said I currently work in schools, but previously worked in social care management where under no circumstances this would have been allowed. I dont think it is nasty to ask questions or express concerns about this. Lots of people work long hours, I dont that has any impact on whether we should ignore the issues that this situation brings

I received many little gifts of thanks when I was teaching and I appreciated them all. However two gifts particularly moved me. One was from a little girl who I taught when she was five, who when she was about twelve or thirteen, brought me a gift from Mecca when she went on pilgrimage there with her family. I taught her two younger brothers too, but it was the sister who brought me the gift. I was quite overcome by that lovely thought. The other was a parent of twins who I taught in both Nursery class and Reception class (I moved year groups the year they went up, so I went up with them) and when they left the school at the end of Year 2 their mother brought me a teddy saying Best Teacher because she said I was the best teacher they had in the school. They are lovely memories of lovely families, and this was in a very challenging area.

My kids and GC all made cakes as gifts they made them and iced them themselves .Cost very little but time and always appreciated in the staffroom we were told

ElaineI
This has turned into a fairly nasty thread. It’s difficult.
I have and do still accept gifts from children, cakes, flowers, chocolates etc. My DH also (as a grandparent ) provided gifts for staff in my DGC class. Our choice.
But the OP was making a point about how ridiculous the cost mentioned in her inbox was. I agree, but then I don’t live in a world where people have the odd £50 or £200 to spare.
Points on here about cost of gifts if you have more than one child, or other classroom staff are well made.
Points about some children feeling left out if their parents can’t afford, or choose not to give gifts are valid.
Points about parents feeling obliged to give gifts may well be true. I didn’t feel obliged when my children were in primary. It was something I enjoyed doing, but that’s not to say others don’t feel obliged.
Setting a school policy of no gifts and sharing that with parents -OK , but that’s making a decision for all parents and some object to being told what to do, in the same way that we all sometimes do and find ways to get round it.
Do teachers deserve gifts? What does that mean?
Does anyone only give gifts on a basis of deserving?

ElaineI

This has turned into a fairly nasty thread. How many of you are teachers or parents with children in school? DD1 is a teacher P1 and P2 (5 and 6 year olds). She has had gifts ranging from vouchers from a group of parents if a couple of parents arrange it - not every year - to chocolates, candles, mugs, things made by children and appreciates anything especially things made by the children. The home made cards are very special to her and she can relate to her experience with each child (some are very funny). She doesn't expect it and not all give a gift. As a teacher herself, she helps organise a gift for her own children's teachers. This year I have been handed handprints for her to make something by parents I don't know while waiting for DGC to come out. She is in school from 7.30am to 5pm teaching and preparing for the next day and goes in during holidays to set the classroom up and prepare and spends at least an hour each night doing work. Job doesn't end when the children leave.
As to gifts in NHS - yes they are allowed but nurses normally receive chocolates, biscuits, tea, coffee all much appreciated. Doctors are given wine, fancy whisky - things like that as well as chocs. In case anyone doubts this - yes I have received nurse's gifts and yes I have been handed bottles to pass on to GPs and hospital doctors.

Ain’t that the truth! Always a few saddoes around, unfortunately. Sometimes you feel like giving up .

How lovely to be called nasty and saddoes for having a different opinion.

No-one is disputing that most teachers work hard Elaine as do so many other workers. A small token of appreciation is one thing but some of the excesses mentioned here smack of bribery or one upmanship.

What is wrong with a thank you card written by the child? With the cost of living rising, I imagine a lot of families will be struggling to pay bills and don't need extra unnecessary costs.