It is true, that most parent-teacher organizations do alot for the teachers year-round. The teachers, however do so much for our kids. I think we all like to hear just a simple "thankyou" once in a while, or a small gesture of appreciation. Our PTA put appreciations poems w/ candy attached in their mailboxes ea. morning. It didn't cost much, and we got so many thank you notes back. The teachers used that opportunity to express their appreciation for all we do for them.
Most of the things mentioned above are actually for the kids, not the teachers. Field trips, pizza parties, etc., aren't really a gift to a teacher. They benefit the classroom as a whole, but they're not specifically for the teachers. And the parent groups don't actually pay salaries (although our taxes do, I suppose).
To be honest, we don't do anything during teacher appreciation week, though I'm going to bring it up at next year's first meeting to see if we can't plan something nice and simple. We do organize dinners for the staff twice a year during conferences. The food is all donated by parents and the cost is very minimal. We offer $50 reimbursement checks for items purchased out of pocket to enhance their classrooms, and we let each teacher spend $100 at the bookfair.
The staff throws a Volunteer Appreciation Tea every year for all the volunteers. The teachers bake for us, and everyone is given a small token of appreciation. It's always very nice- a nice time to talk with the teachers and other volunteers in a social setting as opposed to a classroom setting. It's a shame more schools don't do this- we all need to be thanked once in a while.
Just a question about Teacher Appreciation. We pay their salary, we give them money for field trips, raise donations for food for special snacks, buy celebration cakes for DARE and sixth grade graduation, give them each a $25 shopping spree at the bookfair, pizza parties, ice cream celebrations and the principal says we should give them appreciation gifts too. Is it really necessary that the PTO provide them with appreciation gifts? We spent $625 in gift certificates for 25 teachers and $262 for 35 people to have an appreciation luncheon. That same week was volunteer appreciation week and the volunteers received nothing. I believe now that the teachers received enough from the PTO and maybe they should be appreciative of what they get during the whole year and not just during teacher appreciation week.
Just a question about Teacher Appreciation. We pay their salary, we give them money for field trips, raise donations for food for special snacks, buy celebration cakes for DARE and sixth grade graduation, give them each a $25 shopping spree at the bookfair, pizza parties, ice cream celebrations and the principal says we should give them appreciation gifts too. Is it really necessary that the PTO provide them with
I've heard of the parents actually adding new items to the teacher lounge where they eat every day.
Putting new placemats or table cloths on the tables. Adding bud vases to the tables and putting silk flowers in them. Putting new salt and shakers on the tables as well.
The teachers love it when they have a pleasant area to eat and know that the area was spiffed up by the parents who care enought to impove the eating environment.
Oh, and maybe hang a sign on the door as they enter and title the poster:
"While You Out!" and sign it with the names of those members of the PTA/PTO who joined in on the room improvement.
