Gifts were a big hit!! We had 7 families donate to the AR program (about $150)which is pretty good as each family has two children in K-5, so at least each grade was covered. The PTO also donated to each teacher as their gift. We printed up some beautiful gift cards and attached an ornament to each card. Our Teacher's Aides and in-house staff loved the soup jars. For our traveling staff we purchased these adorable stocking ornaments that we filled with candy (from OTC). All in all it was great fun doing all of this for our school staff and they seem to really appreciate being thought of.
Thanks for the suggestions, really appreciate them. We have finally come to a decision for christmas gifts. First I did a breakdown list of in-house staff and traveling staff. We decided to do something a little different this year, instead of the gift certificates. Actually this suggestion came from one of the teacher's. We implemented an accelerated reading program last year and the kids are really in to it this year but the problem is we don't have enough books or test kits. So the PTO wrote a brief script in the newsletter the we had a great gift giving idea if their kids were looking for a gift to give. It is set up so that a family can purchase a book, test or both in the child's name for their teacher. Also the PTO will purchase a certain # of books and test for each teacher as their gift from us. The teacher's have expressed that they would really like to receive something that they can use in their classrooms.
For our Teacher's Aide we will be making soup in jar gifts. Our traveling staff are those who are only in the building once or twice a week, will receive a snowman candycane holder ornament.
Last year we did a baked good exchange for Teacher's Appreciation week and they all loved it, so we would not want to break something they are looking forward to. Will let you all know how well everything is received.
Have you all ever done a sleeve of gourmet popcorn (red and green for Christmas)and a coupon for a movie rental attached? That is what we are considering this year at our school. Historically, we have not given a Christmas gift from the PTO. However, we did budget for a small gift this year and will save the big stuff for Teacher Appreciation Week.
Last year for TAW, we arranged to have 5 minute massages for all of our teachers and gave them a gift bag from Bath & Body Works with a bar of soap, lotion and shower gel. The teachers could sign up for the massage during their conference or lunch period and received the gift on the way out. We also had a different parent (one for each day) sign up to send a token gift for the teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week. This part was not received so well because it was just two weeks before school let out and then they were faced with buying an end of the year gift as well. It also caused confusion with the parents that did sign up because it was not made clear if they should sign just their name to the card or include the whole class. We are considering just having the kids write notes of appreciation and thanks and do away with the daily gifts. The massages and B&B gifts were a huge hit with the teachers!
What we are doing this year is relatively inexpensive...I went to Big Lots and purchased a few cases of Mason jars and we are layering all the ingrediants for cookies in them. You decorate the top with small squares of Christmas type fabric and can print labels. We typically never do big x-mas things we usually wait for teacher appreciation week and recognize all of our support staff them too.
