Any ideas for HS graduates? I teach in a k-12 school which is a joy to watch my second graders turn into young adults. They're also now graduating HS and the announcements and parties are pouring into my mailbox. What is appropriate for gifts?
My first group of kindergarteners graduated from high school this year, so I had the same question as you. To those that I felt would not see it as a silly gift, I gave a copy of one of my favorite books "The Phantom Tollbooth". To others, I gave a nice picture frame (one of the nice wooden/metal frames with "friends" written all over it in different fonts) so that they could put a picture of themselves and their friends in it. I figure, you can never really go wrong with a picture frame! Another teacher told me that she gave graduates a check in the amount of their graduation year (i.e. this year's check was for $20.06). I couldn't do that for all of my former students, but it worked nicely for my 2 nephews who were graduating from hs/college.
Did you save anything from when you had them in class? For example each year I try to save one project, report or drawing from each student. I file them by the year of graduation and then when they invite me to graduation I have a gift already...I either frame it or put in in a scrap book with a note saying, Your education started long ago, it's inspiring to see you grow. Have faith in yourself and what you can do, I am so glad that I was your teacher and your friend too! It's seems like a good gift, it's usually met with a favorable response! Hope this helps.
I can think back to a few gifts that my former teachers gave me that were good ideas. laundry soap and basket phone card (but with cell phones now who needs them?) file box with folders college dictionary fan "Oh the Places You'll Go" "grown-up" college school supplies (flash drive, CDR's) Kinko's copy card I do like the idea of books that they like in the grade you taught them. They may not appreciate it at the time, but like myself, years later I loved it.
Noel, what a GREAT idea! Thanks for sharing... even if it doesn't help people coming up with gifts they need NOW, what a neat idea to hold on to and save!
One of my friends just had to get some for a graduation party. She got the kids (all of whom are going away to college): - a shoebox sized plastic box to act as a "medicine kit"-- filled with Tylenol, bandaids, cough syrup, etc -another to act as a "tool box"- screwdriver, hammer, etc. She said that her oldest daughter made instant friends once people realized she had it. Everytime someone bought something new for the dorm, which inevitably had to be put together, they came looking for Marianne!! I am DEFINITELY stealing these ideas next time I need something!!
My little sister just graduated from high school and is planning on attending college and by far one the best gifts she got from a former teacher was a card with a post card inside that was stamped and addressed to the teacher and on the other side was a note that said I am feeling a little homesick please send ___ Brownies ___ Chocolate Chip Cookies ___ Rice Krispy Treats Thanks A line for her name and a reminder to fill in her current address
