Op-Ed: Chanukah Gelt, One Way of Appreciating
From the Inbox: This morning I came to my desk to find an envelope under my keyboard with my name on it. I opened it up to find $50 with a note that read, “Happy Chanukah,” signed by “A Parent.”
What touched me is that I am not a hard-working teacher, principal, or secretary. I am a hard-working fundraiser for one of the local schools here in Crown Heights. The gesture prompted me to write this letter. Although I do not know who gave me this gift, it struck me as really sweet and thoughtful. Someone thought of and remembered me, even though I do not have any personal connection with the students for whom I work to raise funds.
I’d like to thank this anonymous parent for thinking beyond the teacher and secretary. I also encourage ALL parents to do the same, not just for me and others in administrative positions, but more importantly, for your child’s teacher and secretary. They work hard for your child day in and day out, giving him or her a Torah education. Consider showing them your gratitude this Chanukah with a letter, box of chocolates or even some Chanukah gelt. It will go a long way.
Perhaps even a compliment below…
Happy Chanukah!
parent with a few children in school
as a parent i must admit this chanukah gifts for teachers, busdrivers, etc…is really difficult and out of hand. if you have just a few kids in school and each has a couple of teachers you end up having about 10 teachers to give gifts to and then if you are really nice you give other people…i agree that gift giving is nice and to show appreciation to the people that take care of your kids all year is really important and top priority but 50 dollars a person is really really expensive and we are unable to do so. is a smaller amount or just a thank you card, or small gift enough? it feels that this has become not the norm and only 50 dollars and up is acceptable. we can’t do that..does our children miss out on attention for the rest of year?? this is disturbing that a nice idea can cause such stress….anyone else feel the same??
Gelt
In a perfect world I would love to do it. But between all my children’s teachers; there are about 50 people including principals etc and I already am paying over 50 grand in tuition. Where’s my Chanukah Gelt?
Single mom of 4
I’m a single parent, yet still found a way to show appreciation to all teachers and bus drivers!!
I really feel its important to show appreciation – if not mostly to educate our kids how to ‘give back’.
Wishing all a very Happy Chanukah,
mother
Chanukah gelt or a small gift is nice to give to all teachers, office staff, kitchen staff and bus drivers, its the thought that counts not the amount just to show appreciation and to say thank you
words that come from the heart
I was a teacher once, and the money in tips and thank yous was appreciated but has long been forgotten- the cards that came with it, though, have been saved and are extremely meaningful!
WRITE TEACHERS A CARD! write thank you and tell them what your child and/or you appreciate about them!
shteis
if you can’t don’t. but if you can and do, DON’T sign your name. of course no one would listen to this advice, but i find it a subtle way to buy a teacher’s favor and positive attention by parents paying off the teachers like this.
oh, i know teachers are underpaid, but slipping them a tip is bad practice. shochad ye-aver and a teacher should be like a judge, because that’s part of their job.
by the way – i think teachers should be the highest paid employee of society, the fact that they are not does not justify parents sliding them extra money – . only f you can get the extra money to the teahcer without the teahcer knpowing it was you – that would be good.
so, i think the best way to do this is that all parents get together and gather money, whoever has more should give more, those with less give less – even a dollar, but all should contribute to a pool, and that total amount should be given to the teacher by “the parent”.
Get your priorities right
B“H
This debate comes up every Chanukah.
IMHO, those that think their child will not get proper attention without giving gelt, are not only mistaken, but they are insulting the teachers.
I don’t think there’s a morah or rebbie in Crown Heights who ”plays by that (supposed) rule”!
The giving of Chanukah gelt to morahs and rebbies is about showing appreciation and acknowledgment, not a bribe!
I am not a teacher, but I am married to one. My spouse has the attitude of honestly expecting nothing from any family of the students. But when something is given, it is sorely appreciated; money is the always-appropriate choice, but even just a words-from-the-heart note of appreciation is certainly not a waste of a parent’s time!
If giving money as a token of appreciation, the amount is up to one’s budget and/or conscience. Most morahs and rebbies know their students well enough to know the size and basic financial status of each of their students’ families, so please never think that a small gift is an insult, if you honestly cannot afford to give a more substantial one.
But, again, such a gesture should come from the heart; it is hurtful to imply that a teacher’s attention to your child depends upon it.
teacher
i have to second the opinion about the card. a custom-written, meaningful card that shows how you appreciate the teacher is the best present around. I keep my cards, and they remind me why i am a teacher – on the days that I’m feeling low.
a teacher
I just want to let all the parents know, when you just say thank you, or write it in a note, is makes my day, and is better then any gift!
The Author
Note: I said “Consider showing them your gratitude this Chanukah with a letter, box of chocolates or even some Chanukah gelt”
Also note: I put them in priority order, leaving the money last as if you can not afford its understood and fine. A Thank you letter is always appreciated.
Yes, Parents getting together and pooling a few bucks each will be very nice too.
Keep up the compliments please.