I find it so kind and generous when parents want to buy you tokens of appreciation during the holidays. I really do appreciatte all of the gifts I recieve every year. But this year I was thinking of something new. The students are really in need of extra classroom supplies, and I would like things like hanging file folders, highlighters, color ink cartridges to help us out in the classroom. So I was thinking of doing a classroom wish list with a holiday theme. My hope, is that parents, get things off the list instead of buying little trinkets and such for me. Do you think this is a rude for parents? Please let me know. I don't really know what they might think....
My friend send out a really nice note before the kids leave on Thanksgiving break. It says something to the effect that even though she really appreciates all the gifts she gets she would rather have something for the kids and the classroom. It is worded so nicely! She gets a great response each year! If you want I can see if I can get a copy of the letter. PM me and let me know.
This is part of a letter I kinda cut and paste from someone...author unknown--but thanks! I thikn the letter is nice. But i want to make sure its not rude or anything, to suggest things for giving
Oh! Sorry I forgot to post the letter. Here it is "Each year as the Christmas holidays approach, students inquire as to some of my favorite things to collect in anticipation of purchasing a teacher gift. Several students have already made this inquiry recently. I’d like to thank them for their giving spirit as well as you, the parent’s, for your thoughtfulness and support! J Though I am always touched by the small gifts of the heart, it seems that the students are more in need of some classroom items than I am of personal items. For those who would like to make classroom donations, I have included a wish list at the bottom of this letter. Items on this list is not meant to be considered gifts for the teacher. They are meant to be gifts for all of the children in the classroom. I would like my entire class to be enriched by your act of kindness! Please do not feel obligated in any way to purchase these items. It's simply a classroom wish list. These items would greatly benefit the students in the subject areas of reading and writing. My hopes are to make the classroom library more inviting and comfortable for the students, as well as offer a vast variety of writing materials for the students to choose from while they learn that writing doesn’t have to be taxing, it can be enjoyable!"
At my school, the secretary had each teacher put together a wish list of supplies and she put it all together and sent it home in the Wednesday folders. I guess they've been doing this for quite a few years. I love the idea (as a first year teacher, I've spent a lot of my own money already this year).
Our whole second grade sends out a list of supplies that are needed and we just explain that while it's nice to receive gifts for ourselves, we would like to receive gifts that benefit the whole class. That way if they were planning on giving a gift, they can choose one that we need. It works much better than a gift exchange because it's okay if not everyone brings a gift.
that is a good idea. as a parent, I know that my daughters really like shopping for something special for their teachers though. As a teacher, though, i do like the idea!
Thanks guys. We recieved items at the beginning of the year, but for some reason, these things have quickly run out. I just wanted to make sure that it didn't come off as a rude suggestion. Thnks again for your input.
