Teacher Appreciation Week made simple

Teacher appreciation week is upon us once again! It's time to show our teachers how much we love and appreciate all the work that goes into teaching our children.  If you're asked to chair this week, it can seem quite daunting and overwhelming.  Here are some important things to consider when planning your week:

 

1.   Delegate!

2.  Will you do one large event or something little every day?

3.   How large is your child's class, grade and school?  What are the cultures and demographics of your school? What is reasonable to complete?

4.  What are your teacher's favorite things?  What would mean the most to him or her?

5.  Change is good.

6.  A proper tool box makes all the difference!

Delegation is key.  I'm not saying this to be lazy, it really does make for a special week.  If the entire class is involved, the end result will mean more to your teacher.  Not only that, parents are more likely to take on small tasks rather than being the chairperson.  Combining ideas results in a more creative and diverse experience.  Here are some ways to delegate the week:

Have a different theme every day of the week.  Have children bring in a special item relating to the theme each day.  Here are some ideas: 

• Flower Day (one flower from each child makes a nice bouquet)
• Fruit Basket (combine to make a nice fruit bowl or basket)
• Something sweet 
•  Feed the teachers/ BBQ (have a sign up sheet for each item needed)
• Raffle
• Take the day off or have a quiet lunch to yourself: parents volunteer to supervise during the teacher's time away.
• Small gifts or combined class gift
• Class craft for the teacher: quilts, painted chairs, ceramics painted by the student, gardening stones, apron, flower pot filled with colorful flowers or plants (also good for flower day), cook book filled with family favorites and accompanying photos of the kiddos, photographs, picture frames, mural, tiled tables or trivets, posters, scrapbook, stationary.
• Themed baskets
• Books (for the teacher or the classroom).  Have your child sign the book.
• School supply restocking
• Handmade card or craft
• Recipes
• Interviews: Ask each child questions about their teacher and record them.  Their answers can be quite funny depending on their age.

Plan several events and have different parents help with each one.

Have each parent contribute money towards the event if you will be doing it by yourself.  Be sensitive to financial hardships.

Preparing food?  Consider hiring a caterer that will cut you a deal.  Go through the PTA to give a tax deduction to those businesses wishing to donate food, services or other products.  Most businesses ask for a formal request written on letterhead.  Be sure to include the 501 C 3 tax ID number.

Ask your school for help with advertising.  Try to keep it a surprise if possible.  Use their paper (if allowed), email resources, etc.

Don't take on too much.  Really... your teacher will be happier if you don't spread yourself too thin.  Doing too much one year might discourage parents from chairing or contributing in following years because the task will seem too difficult.  Keeping things simple will be easier and most appreciated.  It's also important to consider what your students are able and willing to contribute.

If your child attends a public school, consider financial hardships!  Our local public school has a large percentage of free and reduced lunch families.  Many aren't able to donate money or special items.  I couldn't figure out why I was getting tons of Papa Murphy's gift cards donated for teacher appreciation week.  There were so many of them!  A few weeks later, I drove by the pizza chain and saw a sign that said "Now taking food stamps."  Duh... I was humbled by the number of families that gave even though they didn't have much. Be sensitive to financial hardships!  If your school has their fair share of poverty, base your themes around class crafts, handmade items, food, etc.  Make sure you allow families to donate items and not just cash.  I learned that lesson the hard way.

A great way to make the week special and personal is to create a staff questionnaire.  Find out what your teachers' favorites are:  hobbies, stores, restaurants, foods (breakfast and lunch), fruit, flower, color, scent, book, candy, Starbuck's order, game, movie, way to relax, symbol of significance (cross, rainbow, butterfly), season, etc.  Don't forget to ask about allergies, dietary restrictions and foods the staff doesn't care for.  Consider the surprises you have in store for the week when making your questionnaire.  It's best to do this a few weeks ahead to allow for proper planning and consideration.

Change is good!  I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "It has to be that way because it's always been that way."  I love tradition... I really do.  However, if the way it was done in the past is too big, too old or doesn't really fit your staff anymore, consider something new.  A lack of volunteers, or lack of volunteers that aren't burned out, might indicate a need for change.  Don't compare what you're doing to what others have done in the past.  Change can be scary but things can get pretty boring if they're ALWAYS the same.  Thanks to Pintrest, change is easy!

Over the years, I have found that a collection of tools makes chairing Teacher Appreciation week so much easier.  Here are some lifesavers in my toolbox:

• Publisher/ excel/ word
• Catering/ chaffing dishes with sterno
• Cooler
• Bulk envelopes
• 2 reams of computer paper hidden in my underwear drawer where my kids can't find them
• At least 1 extra ink cartridge (black and colored)
• Brightly colored copy paper and cardstock for fliers and signs
• Cheap vases
• Baskets (thrift stores are great for this)
• Disposable table cloths
• Napkins, disposable plates and utensils
• Digital camera
• Thank you notes.  Always thank your volunteers no matter how small the job.
• Class lists with email, phone and addresses
• Individual photos of each child in the class.  Digital format.
• Donor lists (Create a master spreadsheet of local businesses that might donate goods and services).
• Learn mail merge!  Great for asking for donations for food, raffles, gifts, etc.
• Pintrest... who didn't know that?
• Your sense of humor!!!

Have fun!  This week doesn't have to be stressful if delegated and planned properly.  Your children spend a significant amount of time at school.  A good teacher can feel like part of the family. Show them how much you care!