New Haven Independent

Teacher Gifts Don’t Bust Budget

by Melissa Bailey | May 19, 2008 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Opening their annual teacher appreciation gift this year, New Haven teachers found a thriftier gift than usual — a coupon for a free doughnut and a cup of joe.

To honor the teachers in the New Haven Public School system for teacher appreciation week, Superintendent Reginald Mayo sends out a letter every year, complete with a token of thanks.

Teachers opened their letters last week to find a coupon for a free doughnut and coffee, as well as a punch card offering a deal — buy six coffees, get one free.

“Teachers love Dunkin’ Donuts,” explained the school system’s Patti Avallone, who arranged the gifts this year. She said 80 to 85 percent of teachers walk into school with a Dunkin’ Donuts cup each school day.

Cicarella, the teacher union president, opened his last week. The letter included a note from Mayo and Mayor John DeStefano, thanking teachers for their hard work.

“They usually send some type of small gift for teacher appreciation,” Cicarella said. In years past, the city has sent along gifts like a mouse pad, a water bottle or an insulated lunch box, with “Kids First” written on it.

“My guess is, probably with the way things were, they probably tightened their belt,” reckoned Cicarella. He accepted the token of thanks. “It was probably no money. They wanted to make sure they at least acknowledged us,” he said.

Avallone declined to disclose how much was spent when the city sent out the gifts to the roughly 1,750 teachers a couple weeks ago. The cost is still under negotiation with Dunkin’ Donuts, she said.

“This didn’t come anywhere out of the budget,” Avallone emphasized. All gifts are covered by donations. This year’s donors were Scungilli International, Berchem, Moses & Devlin, the Gilbane Corporation, and Dunkin’ Donuts.

“The real gift,” Avallone said, “was the message from the mayor and the superintendent.”

Mayo’s message is as reads below:

“As the nation celebrates its teachers this week, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for the dedication and commitment you give to the New Haven Public Schools, its students and families.

“As a teacher myself, I know the many challenges that face you day after day, to keep our young people motivated and engaged with high expectations for all. The demands of the teaching profession seems to increase each year, yet you come to work every day and do what you know is right for kids.

“I want you to know that your efforts do not go unnoticed. I truly appreciate all that you do, individually and collectively, to make this world a better place for our children.”

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Comments

Posted by: Hartford Johnson | May 19, 2008 12:58 PM

Caption should be:

School Board Fattens Future Sacrificial Lambs With Present Sweet Benefits

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | May 19, 2008 1:34 PM

Mayo and Destefano send around a little note every year. Fine. Is this topic really worthy of the reporter's time?

How about this community start to focus on the big stuff? Are we getting the best we can from the teachers in New Haven? Are we getting the best candidates? Are we retaining the best, or are they leaving in droves? Who are these teachers? In what towns do they live? Where do their children attend school, in failing schools like in New Haven? Are they negotiating against the best interests of the kids of New Haven? What does the current labor agreement look like? How does it compare to other teacher labor agreements in terms of compensation, hours in the classroom, standards of accountability etc?

Clearly this Board of Education is not up for doing any comprehensive analysis in this regard. Perhaps NHCAN can fill the void as it relates to fiscal and performance oversight, and start to prepare for a REAL budget and performance analysis in preparation for the next contract negotiations.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | May 19, 2008 2:47 PM

Fix the schools Some one need to go after the general fund part of the BOE's budget....tax payer wasted dollars.

Hartford to funny.

Melissa that picture is making me want a doughnut!

Posted by: MaggieB. | May 19, 2008 7:20 PM

I TEACH IN A NEIGHBORING TOWN AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A GIFT FROM MY SUPERINTENDENT. I WOULD HAVE BEEN THRILLED WITH THIS...IT SHOWED GREAT THOUGHT TO GIVE THE STAFF WHAT THEY USE MOST OFTEN.

Posted by: Homer S. | May 19, 2008 9:46 PM

Mmmmmm...sprinkles.....

Posted by: bugupit | May 20, 2008 7:18 AM

Avallone: How much did it cost for the outside consultant to study NHPS teachers and determine the 85% coffee-carrying behavior? Hey, how about a coffee pot for every school --- did you consider that?

Nice gesture and nice to stick withi it in hard times for the District. But seriously, FOUR donor corporations and all they come up with is 100 gallons of coffee and 150 dozen donuts?

Posted by: leslier | May 20, 2008 7:43 AM

A smart idea...different and I liked it.

Posted by: DowntownNewHaven | May 20, 2008 12:56 PM

I'm headed out for a doughnut after seeing this photo.

Posted by: In The Hood | May 20, 2008 5:57 PM

Dunkin Donuts should pay NHI for this advertisement. I went out and got a #3 after seeing these pictures.

Posted by: robbiesmom | May 21, 2008 6:51 AM

I don't get the article. Why are we concerned about costs, estimated costs, proposed costs, etc? Don't we teach our children to appreciate the gift and the thought behind it rather than how much it costs? I work in an office and I stop at DD every day, so do the majority of my coworkers. I don't get what your article is all about.

Teacher Gifts Don’t Bust Budget

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