When I was room parent for K, 1st, 2nd, I would send out an end of the year email requesting a "donation". I did not set a $$ amount and just worked with what I had received to purchase a gift and a gift card, with any remaining $$ after the gift. If I got $20 from one person, I would have been ecstatic. LOL I think I would maybe have 12 participants out of a class of 22, which I considered pretty good. I would include ALL the students names on the card though, even those who did not contribute because I certainly am not the type of person to exclude anyone based on income or ability to contribute.
I was always able to purchase a nice sentimental gift plus usually a $100 gift card.
To me, that is a small token to let these hard working teachers know that they are appreciated.
This year, I am not a room parent, I can't stand our room parents and won't contribute, but I will definitely buy my DD teacher a very nice gift as well as have DD make her a thank you card because this teacher has been great to Emily (if a little frustrating to me) and that is what is important to me at the end of my day.
