WWYD? Teacher and grad parties

[nsl]

My district actively discourages stuff like this, so I never attend grad parties. Send cards, no gifts needed.

[cahabalily]

My senior math teacher gave a hand full of us graduation gifts. She called us to her room during break and gave them to us. No one ever said anything and it wasn't a big deal that we got gifts and others didn't. It would be weird if she had gone to a party though....not sure why though

[steph96]

I think that as a teacher, you shouldn't go to their parties or give them gifts. Send them all the same generic cards and bring cupcakes to class for EVERYONE to celebrate.

[murdock]

As a fellow teacher of seniors my school actively discourages this as well. At that age, one never knows what may go on these parties. You never know, some parents are less 'old-fashioned'.

Take it as a huge compliment that they invited you!

[tardyfortheparty]

May 18, 2012 22:05:11 GMT -5 steph96 said:

I think that as a teacher, you shouldn't go to their parties or give them gifts. Send them all the same generic cards and bring cupcakes to class for EVERYONE to celebrate.

I agree. I am a teacher of seniors and I don't go to grad parties even with direct invitations. Regarding gifts, I do a nice breakfast (bagels, fruit salad, etc) during the last few days of class and write them each a nice card.

[315bride]

I would also discourage going to the parties even if your district doesn't already have a policy about this. I think a congrats in class and fun closing activity is a great way to celebrate.

[Deleted]

This is a tough one. The easy answer is just to not go to any of them. However, I do think if you are particularly close to the three you mention, it is ok to do something. I bet the other 22 students know you are close to those 3 and won't think much of it.

I was very close to the drama teacher at my high school, and she was close to a few of us but very popular among students in general. I don't recall her being at any grad parties, but I do know she gave a few of us small gifts for graduation. I still have the gift she gave me. I don't think that any of the other students would have been particularly surprised that she picked the people she picked to get gifts. We weren't "teachers pet" but we were students who went out of our way to help her out with after school stuff, talked to her about our lives outside of school, and had a deeper relationship with her.

[Deleted]

Huh. When I was in high school, there were a handful of teachers at almost every graduation party I attended. I wouldn't think that attending parties would be a problem, but obviously follow the guidelines of your district.

[SpicedApplePie]

One of my senior teachers said for whatever parties she was invited to, she would try to show up, but would for sure send a card with a "coupon" or two redeemable for a care package (She had choices of candy, snacks, ect) on the thing and you could pick 5 or so items and "cash it in" by mailing it to her when you were at college. I believe she came to my grad party and gave me my coupons, but I never mailed them back to her. I thought this was sweet of her though.

[Doggy Mommy]

I'd RSVP no and just do something in class like cupcakes or something like that. You could do a pancake breakfast where you bring in a portable griddle and make pancakes (we've done this at my school). I would maybe send cards but I would not send a gift.

[Bumblebee]

It probably is safer to not go to any grad parties. But it's really too bad because my high school math teacher came to my grad party and it meant a lot to me that he came.