Actually, the principal called me because 2 parents from 2 other classes asked for permission from him to do the same kind of collection! I also know of another parent that did not ask the principal's permission, but asked me if they could copy my letter (I was flattered). I think I started a trend, a nice one at that.
Chances are, a parent called the principal to complain and that's why the principal contacted you. All it takes is one person to make a commotion and everything is changed. I don't know what you can do about it if the principal forbids it.
Most children at our schools do give the teachers a gift. At times, we've done whole class gifts if the room parent feels like organizing it. I'm not aware of any policy prohibiting this. I've seen enough, however, to know that if one or two parents complained about the gift giving, the principals probably would stop the practice.
This isn't necessarily "PTO related", although I am a board member. I'm also one of two homeroom mom's in my 4th graders class. I (with the other homeroom mom's okay) sent home a letter to all the classmates requesting $10 from each. Then I would take what's collected and buy the teacher a mall gift certificate. The letter clearly stated that NO ONE had to participate if they didn't want to AND EACH CHILD would sign the card whether they participated or not. Well, to my surprise the principal calls me at home and says the school handbook states that no gifts shall be given from students to teachers OR from students to other students (pollyannas). I've never heard of such a thing! Talk about ba-humbug! Anyway, I told the primcipal this: 1.nearly everyone buys teacher gifts and he admitted the rule isn't "really" enforced (I saw a teacher leaving last year for the break dragging a trash bag full of teacher gifts!) 2.Everyone will sign the card, so how will she know who contributed what? 3.Isn't it nicer for a teacher to get one "big" item rather than 25 candles, mugs, etc.?(times that by 20 years of teaching) and 4.This is one of those rare times that a parent can say "thank you" for taking care of their child nearly 1,100 hours this school year. Okay, so now my question...does anyone elses school have such a crazy policy? If so, have you tried to change it and how? Do other classes try to do "collection gifts"? Just trying to do something nice for a wonderful teacher.
