When your school has more than 100 staff members, the cost of any appreciation effort can add up quickly. Parents at Carmel Elementary in Woodstock, Ga., found a number of ways to keep costs down for its Hawaiian-theme Teacher Appreciation Week, including using inexpensive decorations, reusing materials, getting students involved, and asking local businesses to pitch in. But organizers spared no expense when it came to thoughtfulness, says former PTA president Gary Parkes: “It doesn’t take a lot to make teachers feel special. If you put in the effort and try to be creative and fun, teachers will notice and appreciate it.”
