Coming up with just the right gift for teachers at the end of the school year is difficult even when your child is seeing his or her teacher every day. With school ending without goodbye hugs, graduations or year-end parties, it’s hard to know exactly what says “thank you.”
We asked local principals for their input for ideas of what would be best for teachers this year.
Gift cards
A gift card is always welcome, especially at a time that a gift card could help a small business. As some teachers sent home classroom supplies to help students transition to virtual learning, a gift card to a teacher’s store would help replenish libraries and materials.
Shop local
Help local businesses while remembering teachers with gift cards to restaurants or stores in your community. Remember that teachers are also under quarantine stress, so your child can help them practice self care when businesses reopen with certificates to local hair salons and spas. Dr. Michael Allen, principal at Oakton Elementary School in Evanston, says that he’s reminding his staff to take care of themselves during quarantine as well as their students.
Donation
Consider a donation to a local charity for COVID relief in your teacher’s name. Food pantries, restaurant relief or a donation to a cause close to your child’s teacher’s heart (artist relief if her favorite teacher is the art teacher, for instance) will leave a lasting impression.
Handwritten notes and cards
Don’t underestimate the impact of handwritten notes and kid-styled art. Students that are old enough to write their own notes should be encouraged to thank their teachers and cards can be sent to the school. Preschoolers who are still learning their letters can dictate a note to their parents (if you write exactly what your child says, their teachers will love that their student’s voice in a parent’s handwriting) and add their own flair with hand-drawn art or a colored picture.
Video surprises
Let your child thank his or her teacher with a song, poem or even recitation of thanks on video. Plan and practice in advance, then send the thanks in an email. Or, your child can help the class compile a video of thank you messages to post on YouTube.
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