We're bursting with appreciation
For the time you spent with us
From the minute we came through the door
Until the time we got onto the bus.
You planted a kernel of knowledge this year
That in our hearts will keep on popping
We'll try hard to share it with others
So it can grow without ever stopping.
We're not trying to "butter you up"
But to us, you're the "salt of the earth".
You need to know how you helped us grow
And just how much that's worth!
Print the above poem on some labels, then stick to a pack of popcorn. All teachers love popcorn. The poem is set up from students, it could easily be changed to be from your group. We use Positive Promotions to purchase gifts, they have a teacher section, with reason priced items. We've purchased tote bags, lunch bags, picture frame/pencil caddy, all kinds of neat items.
In May 2007, we had a luau luncheon for our teachers and staff. I looked up everyone's names in Hawaiian and wrote out name tags.
I had fresh flowers delivered to the school and I put them in vases in the teacher and staff lounge. We hung pictures and plaques in the ladies bathroom and hung a swag over the mirror.
In December 2007, we are having their luncheon catered. This is the first time we've ever used catering, but with only 3 moms that help out, it's just too much for us. It will be more expensive, but we think our teachers and staff are worth it.
Do you do a book fair? Give each teacher a gift certificate to the fair so they can add a book to their classroom library. Each spring we allot each of our teachers a dollar amount to spend at our book fair and they LOVE it!
When my son was in kindergarten another mom and I coordinated making a handprint sweatshirt for the teacher as a Christmas gift. She really loved it and wore it frequently. I'm trying to remember the exact wording, but we used fabric paint and put on the front "Every teacher deserves a pat on the back!" Then we had each of the kids put a handprint of the back of the shirt. Some were even on the back of the sleeves.
We hold a teacher appreciation week. With each grade level sponsoring a different event at lunch for the teacher's each day. As the teacher's drop their classes off to eat lunch, we set up an area for a special treat for the teachers and staff. Some ideas we have used in the past are:
Nacho bar, smoothie bar, chocolate fountain, pie day, massages, quick makeovers from a local department store, chocolate desserts, fruit bar,
A week before the event we send a letter home telling the parents what day their a responsible for. Example: Monday- 1st grade parents send in fruit for the smoothies. Then we have parent volunteers that man the station and help serve the teachers.
We try to keep each day a surprise. The staff gets so excited to see what is waiting for them each day.
Pres Teri, We've done basically the same in the past as your group. We made hot fudge cake one day. The teacher's seemed to enjoy that. This year we are trying to come up with ideas that will involve the students. One we are thinking about is make "cards" out of poster boards and letting each child from the class write or draw on it.
