We include all the on-site staff, but not really bus drivers.
Our drivers are employed by a 3rd party transportation company. They run routes for all three levels of school and don't come inside the building. So they wouldn't be at the school to partiipate. I think there may be a bus drivers day and it's possible we've done a small token for that.
As far as on-site staff - it's like the others said: teachers, staff, custodians, kitchen workers - all adults who work on the campus. In years we were able to offer reimbursement for classroom supplies, those were teachers only. But for teacher and staff appreciation - it's everyone.
At our school, we are lucky enough to have a parent who owns a specialty coffee company. Each week he grinds a different variety (a week's supply) of coffee and donates it to the teachers and staff. PTO provides all the supplies - cups, stirrers, creamer, sweeteners, etc. We have a nice sign above the coffee area wishing everyone a good day, with a small acknowledgment for this wonderful parent.
Our lunchroom staff, custodians, bus drivers, office personal, principals and teachers all have a different week dedicated to honor them. We honor them each day of the week with a small gift of appreciation for all they do for our children. We may do flowers, candy dishes with candy, breakfast, shirts, notepads/ink pens, mugs, survival kits, ice cream parties, juice & danish, picture frames and on the last day of school the entire staff is invited to a luncheon in their honor off campus. We also try to give them small little "thank you's" during the year (maybe suckers, fruit, snack/drink). Each teacher is also reimbursed $100 during the year from expenses in the classrooms.
Great ideas on the candy-- love the tootsie roll one-- since you can buy these very inexpensive for the whole staff.--
I have also gotten some great ideas from so many---
And added to them-- thank you keep your ideas coming!!
The great thing is that whatever we decided to do for our school staff, they appreciate being remembered. We've given coffee cups w/ coffee cards to the local coffee drive-thru, to stress balls & "emergency kits" with Tylenol & Band-Aids, to lunch for all of them. A few years back we purchased a Cappuccino machine & 20 new coffee cups with all the fixings. We celebrate both Teachers & Classified together. This year we are redecorating their lunchroom. New table cloths, lots of napkins, paper plates & utensils. We're also filling up the refrigerator & freezer with snacks & easy lunch ideas w/ water & soda.
My daughters are personally giving gifts to each of their teachers. My 2nd grader will be giving her teacher a potted flower with a note saying "Thank you for helping Madison bloom this year". My 6th grader will give to all four of her male teachers: Milky Way - You are "out of this world", Kudos - "You deserve a "Pat" on the back, Mounds Bar - You deserve "Mounds" of appreciation, Peppermint Pattie - Thank you for your com"mint"ment, Tootsie Roll - Thank you for being a great "roll" model. I love this blog. I've learned so much!!!
For the luncheon we have lunch brought in for all teachers and staff.
We also do Target Gift cards and another small gift for just the teachers.
Last year they got a travel alarm clock. This year we took the candy poem that is posted here and purchased bulk candy and make each teacher, specials teacher and teachers aide a bag of candy with the poem attached. We have 70 of these positions, we really can't afford to do something major for everyone.
