hi,
our school goes all out, every day for that week we plan an special event and encourage all room parents to do even more.
day 1-deliver starbucks to each teacher-we send out a form to ask what they'd like and have parents pick up in the AM and deliver
day 2-lunch hosted by our teacher appreciaton comm.
day 3-car wash-teachers/staff hand over keys and we wash the cars
day 4-small gift's are left in each mailbox
day 5-we've done, ice cream sundaes, crepes w/ fresh fruit, hand massage, etc.
i have to say our teachers are among the best, and they look forward to this week.
Something we have done in the past is to use the 5 senses for students to bring gifts to the teachers. (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) Each day of the week is related to a different sense. Ex: Monday is "touch". Student will bring something for their teacher related to that "sense". It could be something as simple as a pencil. Tuesday is "taste". The student could bring in their teachers favorite soda or candy bar. The goal is not to spend lots of money, but to be creative. As a PTO we also follow the "senses" to provide something for the staff. Ex: "taste" day would be lunch or breakfast.
The hollywood theme is great. We are fortunate that our principal pays half of our luncheon costs (however, she gets to help pick the place that caters). The aides decorate the library and it is a combo teacher/volunteer appreciation day. Volunteers like room mothers, etc., are invited also. We usually have drawings for beautiful floral hanging baskets and have some inexpensive gifts on a table for everyone. I'm going to share your ideas with our PTO and see if we can come up with some new ideas.
We are having our Home Economics/Life Skills teacher help out with the planning. She wants to incorporate it into a lesson for the kids. They will make a small lunch and do the decorating. At the middle school level it is nice to have the kids involved.
Last year we had "Kudos to you" day and each staff member received a Kudos bar. We did a cookout and had 3 dads cook hamburgers and hot dogs. We had chips, drinks and cookies for dessert. I fixed a little party treat bag with mini candy bars and chocolates and put one in each staff members mail box. For the last day, I fixed a basket for the teachers lounge with muffins, granola bars, drink packets for their water bottles and of course, more chocolate. I think they liked the last one the best.
We too call it Faculty Appreciation week. Each day we have done a different theme day. One that they lved was "It's not Wednesday , it's Sundae", a make your own sundae dessert bar. We have also had a day we said for them to come to the teacher's room for a "dip" A chocolate fountain wass set up with all the dipping needs (pondcake, srawberries, marshmallows ect. ) This year we are adding a day for a "Mocktail Hour". Virin frozen drinks/sparkiling cider. Then chhese/crackers chip and dip.All of the faculty get time to come down because we have an hour of parent coverage for classrooms.
No we aren't a big school only 250 students K-3. Just very lucky to have parents who will give.
We usually only spend about 200 dollars for the week and that includes prizes for them.
Good Luck !
