This year at Christmas, I got quite a few gifts from students. This is the norm. I got everything from movie gift cards to homemade mini cheesecakes (nom!). One student gave me a $25 sbux gift card. I wrote thank-yous to everyone that gave me a gift. I've been doing this for years, as I think it's really nice that some parents take time to share holiday cheer with educators. The cards go something like:
Dear StudentName and Family,
Thank you so much for the SpecificGift. Specific statement about gift. I hope you have a great holiday break. See you in the new year!
Sincerely,
Mrs Teacher
As most of these gifts are given on the day prior to break, I write the notes and mail them home over break. I use the school's address as a return. There was a year I sent notes he with students, but a few didn't reach their destination.
This last week, my admin let me know that a parent complained that I should not be sending personal mail home to a student's house. My admin disagrees and I'm not in any trouble. The fact that the mom waited two months and threw this in with a litany of other complaints against the school doesn't give it a ton of credibility (for example, she is also upset that her child was not placed in accelerated classes next year). But it's been bugging me all week, so I thought I'd get some objective feedback. Would this bug any of you?