Gifts for Montessori School?

Question

Hi, My 4 year old is going to a montessori school. He just started recently and I am not familiar with the concepts in US. During valentines day and thankskgiving etc, he used to get small gifts or cards from other kids but I never sent any since I didnt know I had to send it with him. Plus montessory school itself is so expensive that I didnt feel the need to do something extra. This christmas I am thinking of sending something for his classmates and teacher, so that my son doesnt feel left out or his teachers dont think that he never gets anything. I need to know certain things:

1) Is it necessary to send gifts for classmates/teacher during ocassions like valentines day, halloween, thanskgiving, christmas, etc.

2) If yes, what type of gifts do I send and what price range?

3) Is it necessary to gift teachers too during these occasions?

4) Do we need to send gift for teachers on last day of school?

5) My sons class has 3 teachers, do I need to send gifts for all 3 of them?

Thx.

Answer 1

I think one of the best ideas a school had, and you can see how well it would work with your school, is the parents started a tradition years ago to pitch in a relatively small amount of money.  There were 3 of us working at the school and about 50 children.  $8 * 50 children = $400.   That $400 was used to buy 3 really nice gifts.  We'd also get a few others that gave smaller gifts one top of it.  Few stand out other than the fact that I enjoyed receiving them and opening them.  

My favorite gifts, like what was mentioned above, have been ones that reminded me of the students themselves.  Ones I can still look at today and think about them.  That usually involved some sort of project they did.  THOSE are the ones that stand out.

As far as your child bringing gifts to others, ask your teacher first.  Every school is different.  Snacks might be welcome, but consider that if everyone brings snacks, you're going to have a LOT of snacks around.  Also, many schools might have rules about the kind of snacks they allow.  

Matt

Answer 2

If the school is having a celebration you should talk to the teachers and see what is appropriate for your son to bring in, usually something like healthy snacks or cards are what they ask parents to send with the kids for their classmates. Suckers, candy canes, fruit snacks, muffins, etc are usually ok  for school snacks, the school probably has a policy on what can be sent from home, but they might relax it a little for a party day and let the kids bring cookies or small goodie bags to share with their class.  

Usually students get their teachers something small (around 5 - 10 dollars) for Christmas but since I'm not familiar with the school I don't know their policy on gift giving.  Ask around to the parents who have been there longer (maybe ones that also have older kids in the school) what parents and their kids normally do for the teachers.  At some schools everyone is on their own and at others one room parent will collect money from all the kids to get the teachers something bigger.  

I would say that since the class has 3 teachers you would need to do something for each of them.  If their is a lead or head teacher you might want to do something extra for her than you would for the assistant teachers, but if they all share the same responsibilities get them something like a gift basket with lotions and soaps or have your son help you make an ornament or other craft to give them.  

For the last day of school check with other parents to get an idea of what they are doing, sometimes a card with a gift card just to say thanks is enough and sometimes more of a real gift is appropriate.

Answer 3

I think all the other answers are right on target.  I don't need to repeat what everyone else has said so well, but  

I would like to add  a couple thoughts:

Gifts for holidays like Valentines Day really aren't necessary or expected.  A card always brightens up a teacher's day, however.  You can always contribute to a celebration by volunteering to help out on party days, sending in a holiday book of your child's (just for the class to read and then return), or send a couple packages of pretty napkins for the big day.

For Winter Holidays:

The best received gifts I have ever given were donations in the names of my children's teachers and my co-workers.  A national or local charitable organization would be great, or donate to the school's Montessori Organization (AMS or AMI, probably).  Or you could "Adopt" or sponsor an animal from the local zoo in the name of the class or school.

A Holiday gift for the classroom or school is a great idea.  It could be as inexpensive as a new set of markers, bubbles, a children's book, a CD, or a houseplant, or could be a larger item like a wood puzzle, some rhythm instruments or a framed art print.  If you ask what the teachers want or need it may surprise you - they might want a gallon of house paint, a set of Legos, or some new pillows for the reading corner.

If you feel like you want to get something small for the individual teachers and assistants: thank you notes or stationary, hand lotion, a picture frame with a photo of them and your child, etc.

For my childrens' teachers I generally get something like stationary or diary-type notebooks.  I might give their lead teachers or the people with them the most a slightly "better" version but wouldn't spend more then 5 or so dollars a person as I have about a dozen teachers and assistants to give gifts to.  I usually bring cookies or candy for the "office" staff.

Honestly, I like getting candy and food but I'd be better off without it!

Finally, yes Montessori schools are expensive, but don't think that that reflects on the teachers' salaries!  : )

Answer 4

I had been a teacher for over 20 years. My most precious gifts are those that the children made such as child painted ceramic/plaster ornaments. I honestly can't think of an item given to me that stands out that wasn't hand made/decorated/baked. Teachers often get so many gifts that it gets out-of-hand, and they toss them aside or give them away. Keep in mind that one can only use so many apple or "Teacher" items. Not to sound ungrateful, I was very grateful for the thought. I appreciated a gift certificate for a loaf of bread from Panera, or a homemade card more than the fancy and too expensive (or too cheap) teacher ornaments.

Do not spend a lot of money...you must consider your budget. A teacher would not want your family to go without something, just to buy her a gift. Gifts are not usually expected for the other children, although I worked at some schools where the children had a gift exchange. If that is the case the school would notify you. Usually treats are accepted for a classroom party in lieu of gifts.

If one of the teachers is your child's primary teacher a gift for that one only is suitable. If not, skip the gifts or gift a small token homemade gift for each.  A small gift can of nuts for each would be fine, rather than to leave someone out, if they are all equally your child's teachers. Chances are your child is assigned to one of them specifically.

Please email me if you have further questions. The ones you asked were very considerate and thoughful.

Happy Holidays

Another option would be to offer to buy a gift for the classroom, such as a new book or puzzle.

Answer 5

I think it's nice to give a little something to all the teachers.  What I would do for the classmates is maybe make a batch of cookies or some treat that you make or you can make little goody bags filled with candy or whatever.  For the teachers, maybe if it's Christmas, a nice ornament; sometimes just a gift certificate is nice in that way they can go out and buy whatever they want.  I don't know how much you are willing to spend, but these are some of the things that I would do.  

I guess it's not a requirement that you have to give everyone something, but it's kind of nice because you are showing that you appreciate their work.