My first thought was If they are already upset with your group I wouldn't give them anything. It is suppose to be about the thought not the gift. For the record we do a huge staff appreciation week in may and some little things during the year but nothing for Christmas. It is suppose to be about the thought...I wouldnt change it..alot there are times that support staff gives more than teaching staff... think about it is it really that $50.00 or $25.00 that truly tell how you feel about them?
I'm in a bit of a bind and need some quick advice. In years past, our Home and School Association has given all of the teachers $50 at christmas, sometimes cash, sometimes gift certificates. Support staff received $25 each. Last year, with fundraising down, I suggested we give everyone $25. Big Mistake. Apparently the teachers were quite offended, even though we didn't hear about this until well into Spring, after they stopped participating in our "post school" events. I've heard a variety of reasons for the response... they felt under-appreciated, they spend "thousands of dollars" in their classrooms and they considered the christmas gift a kind of reimbursement, they didn't feel they should be getting the same amount as the aides, etc... In my opinion, this had always been given as a gift and should not be expected or demanded. I don't know what to do this year! I don't want to alienate the teachers, but our budget won't allow for us to return to the previous $50. If we give the teachers more money, we'll need to reduce the gift for the support staff. HELP!
