Last year, our PTA held a first day of school celebration. We offered continental breakfast for the parents. And had the principal, PTA president say a few words. It lasted about an hour and was well received. We are trying to do it again this year. Information can be found at firstdaycelebration.com
We actually do two events. During the first week of school, we do "Meet your PTA" where all board members are there to meet with staff and teachers. A light breakfast is provided during the first half of the morning, including beverages. (Donuts, muffins, etc Continental if you will) They're also provided with an optional survey for teachers regarding personal classroom needs and what they want or expect from the PTA. The second is a "Welcome Back Luncheon" on the last day of the first month (It's a year round school and the last day is a minimum day and they don't have to run back to class)
This last year, lunch consisted of Fried chicken purchased from Scolari's and parents provided salads, sides and desserts. Tea, Lemonade and Water for beverages.
Our PTA brought in a local motivational speaker, telling them about "being a Yoda" (Great leader and shaping minds) Very well recieved.
This last year it was also tied into the membership campaign in that any teachers signed up for membership by or at the luncheon, were also included in a raffle after the lunch and speaker. Don't think that was a problem since all the teachers get $10 per student for their classrooms from the PTA, but it was after all of the food and "entertainment" so that they could leave if they weren't interested. (100% staff membership this last year... They didn't mind and couldn't stop talking about how great the PTA was!)
Our teachers go back 3 days before school starts. We will have a Potluck Meet the Teachers/Welcome Back Lunch. (We are a 2nd year school that has added a handful of new teahers).
Teachers do not bring anything. The PTO supplies paper goods and drinks and the parents supply the food. To organize we'll divide needs by last name. A-I brings main dishes, J-Q brings side dishes, & R-Z brings desserts.
This will be our first time doing this, since we are just starting our second year. But others in our group have done this at their old schools & they said it was great!
We're a middle school with 75+ staff and we do a serve yourself breakfast 1 or 2 days before school starts (arranged with Principal). We provide everything by parent donations except we have the cafeteria provide us with a coffee cart that cost $30. We do yogarts, bagels, muffins, fruit, etc.
Thanks for the input....that sounds nice. Our teachers go back 2 days before school starts, so maybe it is better to do it then. Its something to think about!
We don't really do anything for the first day of school, but we do something for Teachers First Day Back, which is usually a few days before school starts.
Our group traditionally provides a 'serve yourself' luncheon. We buy several types of bread from the Hostess Bakery discount store and purchase luncheon meats from which ever grocery store has the best deal, and 'pretty it up' ourselves. We slice up tomatoes, onion, and lettuce. We also provide mayo, mustard, ketchup and an oil/vinegar dressing. This way, if you want a sandwich or dinner salad, we've got it covered. AOne of the casinos usually donates a sheet cake. We also make a few pitchers of iced tea and buy bottled water. Sodas are purchased from the local Walmart. We get the paper goods donated or use whatever was left over from last year. It ends up costing us about $100 for the entire staff (86 persons).
