Teacher Gift for 1St Day -- Kind Gesture or Sycophantic??

oh HELL no… Seriously?? Isn't it enough to do teacher appreciation week, teacher's birthday, Christmas, and end of year? Criminy!

As a teacher, I've never gotten a first day gift. As a parent, I've never given a first day present. As a teacher, I have appreciated when a parent asks on the first day if there is anything I need for the classroom. It has only happened once or twice though.

My Mom taught 6th grade for 30 years.
She had enough going on during the first day (first week really) of school that she didn't want more things to keep track of.
Start up is one of THE busiest times of the year.
Pinterest has lot's of great ideas but this one just isn't.

LOL I love Pinterest too but some of this stuff is crazy. Like people photographing every day of their pregnancy, or hosting elaborate "gender reveal" parties. I think there are some very bored mommy/housewives out there looking for something to do and/or lots of attention ;-)
There is, of course, the old tradition of bringing the teacher an apple on the first day of school (probably started when fresh fruit was rare and hard to come by, and therefore a real treat.)

The only first day of school thing I ever took to a teacher, was a box of band Aides.

It was the first day of kindergarten.
I explained "we are a clumsy bunch", so I "did not want her deplete her stash, and to feel free to share them with the class and please let me know when she needed more "

This teacher is still a very dear friend and still keeps up with our daughter. She introduces me by telling this story.

There will be plenty of times to give gifts to teachers. Just remember they do not need or want anymore "stuff".

The best gifts for them are supplies, gift cards, or cards made by your child or written with a note from you.

If you know for sure they enjoy homemade meals, foods etc. then you can offer this during busy times of the year. Many teacher have family and by the time they get home, they are exhausted so a lasagna, casserole, etc.. can be a wonderful treat for them.

I learned this as a PTA President, when I organized a giant garage sale to benefit the on campus teacher "Day Care".

Mugs, soaps, bath products, perfumes, frames, scrap books, Apple stuff, School themed things. Cheap jewelry, scarves, decorated tshirts, decorated sweat shirts. .. so much stuff! They had NEVER been used.

We made a lot of money and we all learned a good lesson.

That's just ridiculous. You don't even know the person yet. Although, depending on your sense of humor, a stress ball and a box of asprin might be a good gift... ;)

"Someone's trying to schmooze up to the teacher. Great, looks like I'll have a fun year with this parent!"

I think that really would be first thought. I'd feel bad about it and try to quickly put that thought out of my head, but I'd think it initially.

I think you should just stick with, "Good morning. It's so nice to meet you."

If your school is like mine, you will have holidays, teachers' birthdays, and teacher appreciation week to give gifts. PLEASE don't add another thing I have to remember on the first day of school!!!
I do like the stress ball idea, though :) Or maybe one of those tiny bottles of booze...lol...(just joking!!!! Don't tell the principal on me!!!)

IMO, a gift for the teacher on the first day is ridiculous!

I teach college (like high school, it's not a position that gets gifts), but I think the first week being kind of crazy is universal. It might seem like a nice gesture, but I think it would just be one more thing to worry about (one more "Thank You" note to write). I'd be afraid I'd forget who gave it to me or forget to write the note. It just seems like added stress.

Only if you count a roll of paper towels and hand sanitizer in a Target bag as a gift.

YIkes, no! All a teacher wants is a child who knows her own name, can sit in a circle and follow directions - if you have one of those, just send it in. You don't have to wrap it, although if it has matching shoes, that's helpful!

Teachers appreciate the thought, but so far your child has nothing to appreciate, other than the fact that the teacher saw the class list and knows which problem kids have made it onto her roster! Meantime, she doesn't need to be writing thank you notes for gifts. She's too busy writing emails to helicopter parents who want a report on whether Susie ate her snack or Jimmy is on track for Harvard!

In general, the happiest teachers are those with a good room parent who coordinates gift-giving at the end of the year so that every parent has a chance to give a small donation (according to economic situation and number of kids in the school system) into a "pool" which the parent group then uses to buy one coordinated gift. A teacher does not need 22 knickknacks to display on a crowded desk! So if you really want to show your appreciation, start organizing a room parent notification tree with all the parent info for the class and then help notify parents of what the teacher really needs! That would be the greatest gift of all!

I never bought a gift for the teacher but I have sent in extra supplies (tissues, hand sanitizer, glue sticks, markers etc) knowing the teacher may get stuck buying them with her own money.

I say no! Save it up for Christmas.

It's too co-dependent .... don't do it..

I'm giggling at the posts! Even though this wasn't the first day of school, this reminds me of The Christmas Story and little Ralphie bringing a HUGE basket of fruit to his teacher - her eyes bugged out - but he STILL got a bad grade on his "What I Want for Christmas" theme!!!

schmooze for sure!
:) khairete
S.

My daughter drew her teacher a picture. It was as much for her as it was for the teacher.

But then...

I gave the teacher three separate $25 gift cards left over from end-of-year gift giving at my daughter's preschool ($75 total). I had bought them to thank the office staff but the room moms choose a different 'group' gift and we all contributed instead. The gift cards were for a local teacher supply store.

I included a note telling her they were leftover from last year's preschool gifts and I hoped she could put them to use this year.

I actually went back and forth on whether or not I should give the cards to her, because I was afraid it would look like I was schmoozing her. But it's a new school (just opened) and a new teacher and I figured she could think what she wanted but at least the classroom would be a little better funded. :|

We sent a bouquet of sunflowers from the farmer's market. Smiles from the parents and the teacher, so I am told (I teach myself, so my hubby had to tell me).

This particular K teacher had already interviewed every single student for her classroom the week before school started to see reading level and checked out for reading disabilities and other items. She had already earned some flowers as far as I was concerned.

I sent it more from one teacher to another teacher rather from the student. I appreciate her because I know what she is doing for my child in a personal way.