Can anyone tell me when you appreciate the lunch room staff and the custodians? Is there a set date? Word of mouth has it the week after Teacher Appreciation week. We're trying to get organized for this and would really appreciate any input.
We spent about $500 last year and $1,500 this year - but this year we gave the teachers gift certificates for the book fair - so the school library benefited (we are a new school) and the teachers got something for the class. We also will do a breakfast, decorate, (for teachers and staff) etc. We really wanted to do the appreciation without burning out the same few parents who have done everything this year, so decided to spend more.
One of the best ideas we've had is to allow the older students, with supervision, to wash the teachers' cars. Then they tied a special ballon to the antennae. The kids' and the teachers loved it. Our teachers get very little personal time with each other. Parent volunteers sit with the classes while the teachers all get lunch together, which the parents provide, in a picnic setting instead of in the school cafeteria. Another idea, All the families were contacted by phone. One morning, each student brought to school a fresh flower to be placed in the PTO provided vase on the teachers' desk.
I think it depends on how big your budget and your school are. Our net (what we keep after expenses) is between $20,000 and $30,000 per year. We have about 600 students and probably 50 teacher and staff. We budget $1000-$1200 per year for teacher appreciation. We hold some sort of teacher appreciation event each month. That chairperson basically has $2 a person per month to work with. Not much! She has spent some on decorations for the teacher's lounge. Otherwise, she alternates activities. Sometimes we have a catered lunch, which is going to run $5-$6 a person. Other times we have a dessert day or other food type celebration where parents donate all the items. We don't feel it's too much when you consider it's spread out over a whole year.
I'm not clear if the posting above meant the $1500 was spent at ONE event or at events throughout the year. If it were spent all at one time, I think our membership would feel that was too lavish. But again, it depends on a lot of things.
Ultimately, you need to decide what your membership feels comfortable with. But if you reduce the amount, I'd try to be discreet about it. You wouldn't want it snowball into the perception you thought the money was 'wasted on them' or they 'weren't worth it. Budgets and programs change every year. It should just be part of that routine. You might just shift to more donated, volunteered items and less purchased ones.
[This message has been edited by JHB (edited 02-02-2001).]
$1500 for Teacher Appreciation Day? I think that's way too much. If I were a parent in your school I'd be having a fit. We're not raising money to buy teachers lunch and gifts. (To be fair to our teachers, I suspect they would not want us to spend that money on them. If we did, I think they'd want it spent on classroom supplies or something to benefit the students.)
