For our room parents, here is a template for a nice way to ask for parent contributions to a class gift for the teacher. Many room parents collect money for gift cards at the holidays and again at the end of the year. If there is an aide in the class, you might include them in gifts as well. Instead of collecting actual envelopes with cash, you might also consider collecting via PayPal!
Hi everyone,With the holidays just around the corner, I would like to get <TEACHER> a group gift from the class and will be taking up a collection if you are interested in participating. In the past, parents have generally contributed $10. However, please give whatever amount you feel comfortable with if you choose to go in on the gift. (It will most likely be a gift card plus a little something). Contributions can be sent to school in a sealed envelope addressed to <YOUR CHILD’S NAME> and she will bring it home to me. (If you include your name & email address, I will send you an email to confirm receipt of the contribution.)I would like to purchase the gift in the next week and present it to <TEACHER> on <DATE>. To that end, I would appreciate it if I could get the contributions by (for example) Friday, December 9th.Please let me know if you have any questions.Best,YOUR NAME