<p>S1 is graduating next month, and there are several people (teachers, coaches, GC) who have really meant a lot to him. We knew he would write a card or letter to each, but he said some of the kids also plan to give small ‘goodbye’ gifts, and was wondering if he should too. Any thoughts or ideas on this? Honestly, I have no idea what would be appropriate.</p>
<p>D and I found it difficult to brainstorm appropriate gifts for the couple of teachers (those who wrote recommendations) and guidance staff (her counselor and others that helped a lot along the way). We wound up with gift cards for places near school–Starbucks, for those who love it, and Panera Bread for those we weren’t sure of. For the teacher who wrote recommendations, taught two of her classes, and was her homeroom teacher all four years, she also bought a journal with an appropriate cover, and for her GC, a small box made in Poland (we’re Polish-American, he isn’t…). Now that APs are over she may even find time to write all the notes!</p>
<p>Thank you for this idea. I am <em>such</em> a guy… and WashDadJr is worse.</p>
<p>Eventually, for son’s drama director, I think I’ll make a scrapbook with photos of the 6 plays he’s done with her. We have really good local chocolates so that’s usually a nice option.</p>
<p>We gave fancy chocolates to the letter writers.</p>
<p>I really, really want to get something special for a couple of Ds teachers. First the teacher who began as her piano teacher when she was 7, ended up her music teacher for grades 4-6, is assistant band director for the high school and with whom she sings on Sundays at church. He has been an important part of her life, and a caring friend and mentor. Secondly, her band director has been a part of her life since 5th grade and truly goes above and beyond in all aspects, from playing his trumpet when she recorded her first CD to recommending her for a “gig” in a community band each summer for which she was well paid.</p>
<p>I am probably going to have a more difficult time saying good-bye to these men than she is, since she has yet to realize what an influence they have had on her life…but I know…she would certainly not be the person she is had it not been for these 2 in particular, and there are more, but these two truly deserve a very special something. They are very special individuals. Just not sure how to convey my thanks and gratitude besides the words, which they have heard and will hear again.</p>
<p>My mom baked cookies for most of my teachers when I graduated. My Latin class and I gave our teacher a very nice linear translation of Catullus poems which is what we read senior year. She had volunteered her time to teach us our fourth year of Latin and we all really appreciated what she had done for us in teaching us as well as writing letters of recommendation and just being a good friend. She had taught us for four years and gave us a true appreciation of the language and the understanding that went beyond most of the subjects we studied in high school. Each of us from the class have seen how different learning a language is without her.</p>
<p>Thanks, all-
I will be forever grateful to these people, but-- I know little about their personal likes and dislikes. Sounds like food in some form or other might be a safe bet…</p>
<p>We gave Barnes and Noble gift cards, along with, of course, letters from kid and parent.</p>