Advice from PTO Today

Rose H writes:
Hi stournillon,
Often, simple and personal gifts (which also happen to be inexpensive) are the best. Creating a scrap book or photo album would be great, as would having the kids write thank you notes or poems. A few years back, a group of parents put together fantastic video (still shots, video, comments from students and parents) which they then presented at a school assembly for the outgoing principal. Time permitting, you could do a "This is You Life'' event with different people --teachers, students, staff, parents-- could get up and say a little something about the principal at and end-of-the-year event.

That said, we've also heard of groups taking up a collection to buy a group gift, like a set of golf clubs. At my last PTO, we purchased a large suitcase and carry-on bag for the retiring principal because she planned to do a lot of traveling when she was done.

Good luck!

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Community Advice

mum24kids writes:
Here are a few things that I have seen/done.
1) For a principal who started out as a librarian, they named the library at her last school after her.
2) Held a used book drive and donated the books to a local charity in her name.
3) For someone who liked to hike/walk, we had a personalized walking stick made (from mssticks.com) with the school mascot, other school related stuff put on it

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