Last week before winter break we covered the teacher's lunch a recess duty we had to do it over two or three days just to make sure all teachers received it. It's free and easy...hardest part is getting volunteers. Our teachers loved it some much we are doing it for Teacher Appreciation Week.
We had a special hat day. For $1.00 the kids could wear hats and it was noted in the letter that went home that money raised from this day would be used for teacher appreciation gifts.
We do a themed lunch on every Friday during the month of Teacher appreciation. We used to do it every day during one week but it got to be too much. Anyway, we have different themes every lunch, i.e., mexican day, italian day (the teachers fav), soup and sandwich day, salad day, etc. On every luncheon day, we decorate the teacher's lounge with theme related decorations. For example, on Italian day we put up lots of ivy wrapped with little white lights and light candles, turn off the lights and the teachers eat a candlelight dinner. Every grade is responsible for bringing homemade foods for a certain day. We also have 2 or 3 door prizes a day. Door prizes are generally gift certificates to local restaurants.
Last year we also had insulated mugs personalized with our school mascot and name for every teacher. One of our mothers also made little note cards and with a note that read "You are a treasure" and attached a Nestle' treasures candy on each.
One last thing, we also had a parent who works at the local spa, who offered short massages. They loved this.
Someone just sent me a neat idea. It was a white picture frame with a small 4x6 or 5x7 (black & white) class picture in the center with a large white matting around it. All the class children signed the matting. I thought this would be a cute, inexpensive idea to give to each teacher.
try to do a search here, i know that there have been many ideas expressed about teacher and staff appreciation.
We do a car wash, and a luncheon, and have the students participate by bringing different themes things to the teachers and staff on each day. Flowers, chocolate, classroom supply, home made card, that kind of thing.
