Taking several cues from the TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the Midway Elementary PTO in Lexington, N.C., rounded up volunteers to help teachers set up their classrooms at back-to-school time. More than 20 parents and several children made a grand entrance, arriving on a school bus with a banner reading “Midway Kidstruction Bus.” The first person off the bus took a bullhorn and announced they were there for “Extreme Makeover: Classroom Edition.”

“There’s a lot involved with getting the classroom ready,” PTO president Clay Mize told the Dispatch newspaper. “They need to know they’ve got some help.”

Some other ways to thank teachers before Teacher Appreciation Week: Give them cards on their birthdays, and invite students to write notes, too. Add special touches to the faculty restrooms, like hand soap, lotion, and soft toilet paper. Create a classroom supplies wish list and ask parents to purchase items on the list.

Want more ideas? Check out the Teacher Appreciation topic page on ptotoday.com.