Well, we have it for everyone. I looked it up once and it stated it was Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week. We include anyone who helps the elem students. Ours include aides, teachers, kitchen workers, maint. workers, bus drivers. Now, last year we gave away chairs and we had more then our elem staff workers coming in and getting them. Then we ran short. But, no one felt comfortable saying no you don't get one.
The bad thing is I ordered enough chairs for an officer gift but we ran short. So, I do understand some points.
Thanks to all who have responded. I truly appreciated your input. I encourage and welcome any additional thoughts and comments on my following opinion:
Teacher's Appreciation Day/Week was established by the National Education Association to honor the people who have a passion for and have committed to educating our children. This is THEIR week - including anyone else simply dilutes the significance of what this week represents. If you asked the teachers if they would mind if we included the other suuport staff, they would probably say "no, we don't mind." This response would simply be because of the giving, caring, compassionate, type people that they are (At least in my experience they are.) Therefore, as a PTO member I believe that this week should be dedicated to teachers only.
As for support staff - yes this creates more work on our/PTO part but - I think a separate day with light lunch/afternoon snacks (for those who work the later shift) with small gifts of appreciation should be designated. I agree that we/PTO can NOT keep up with every secretary's day, administrative day, custodial day etc. therefore, make it all support staff.
I respect and applaud the contribution that every member of the school makes as we have an outstanding school. I just strongly believe the TEACHERS should have their designated time to shine! (and not have to share with anyone else)
If you are going to do it, then do it right And once again, thank you!
We included everyone in our week. The administration does do something for secretaries day and they have a small luncheon on educational assistant day but as for custodial and caferteria I think I missed those days. With over 110 teachers and support staff we would spend most of our time keeping up with this instead of what we are really there for. This way no one feels left out ever by the parents as they all play an important role. (And we sure couldn't do our job so easily wthout those such as custodians and secretaries.
We honored our entire school staff, custodians ect. Our luncheon was for entire school staff. Those custodians that were working days were at the lunch but the night staff were not. So we baked them baskets full of goodies, gave them cards and decorated staff lunch room for them to see and enjoy when they came in that night. Both were a great success and all were happy to be acknowledged.
We have separate but equal events for all and they each receive a small token of thanks. The "events" for teacher appreciation are oriented on teachers treats on their breaks...like we have this year the melting pot coming in to do fondus, we've hired a masseuse to do mini massages during their lunch hours, and then we have a huge luncheon for folks one day. Those things are open to all who care to stop in. We have a small gift for the teachers this particular week but the others have received their special tokens during their weeks. I cannot imagine standing at the door of the luncheon and saying "your in, your out". If you have not recognized those other folks ahead of time, I'd definitely include them this year and then think about breaking them out in future years.
