I am a room mom for my son's third grade class.  His teacher is back to teaching after taking a few years off to have babies and get them into preschool. 

Her birthday is next week and I have decided to use some of  the class funds to get her a Visa gift card.  She can use it for classroom supplies or for something for herself.  In past years I know room moms have also had each student write a little blurb about why she is the best teacher in the world, etc...and then the room moms bind this into a book.  I suspect that, with moving classrooms yearly , these books eventually get tossed out by the teachers. 

Does anyone have an idea of something the kids can do for the teacher to show their appreciation for her on her birthday?  I know she'll love receiving the gift card, but it's really not a gift from the kids. I'd like to compliment the gift card with something a little more personal from her students.  PS-I'm not too crafty!!

Hi there. I hope everyone is back in the swing of things at school. I am sending this message in hopes that my suspicion is correct. I am not a teacher, just a frustrated parent. I am frustrated because I feel that homework cuts way too much into our family time with our children. We so desperately want it and kids so desperately need it. My suspicion is that surely you teachers must too feel frustrated being required to assign homework, which only causes extra work for you. You, like the students, have already put in a full day at the 'office' (school). Why then are you expected to work from home more? Please, if you agree that you would prefer no, or less homework, go to www.stophomework.com and join the discussions. Maybe together, we can go to our School Boards and let them know how we feel about homework. Let's get back the needed family time and proper sleep that our children need.