Teacher Appreciation Week {2012}

We just finished Teacher Appreciation Week at Hudson's Mother's Day Out. We had a wonderful Chair this year - Laurie - who went above and beyond to make it a special week for our teachers. One of the other moms and I helped co-chair. This was my 4th year helping (2 yrs. chairing and 2 yrs. co-chairing) and I still get excited about the whole week! I don't think you can ever do too much to show appreciation to good teachers who help mold little ones day in and day out.

A lot of you have emailed me asking how we make the week work, who pays for what, etc. so here's the nitty gritty...Hudson goes to a small MDO program at our Catholic church. We have a total of 27 families in the program (one class of 1 year olds and two classes of 2 year olds). To make it work this year, we asked each family to contribute $20 if they were able to do so and from that amount we provided lunch every day Monday - Thursday, the banner, all the paper goods, and the daily gifts for five (4 teachers + 1 director). Breakfast each day was donated by one of the moms.

Monday: Spring on Your Door Day
I volunteered to bring breakfast and decided to go with a super simple Rise & Shine breakfast to go.

The mini buckets were filled with a banana, a yogurt, and a homemade banana nut muffin. The teachers loved them!

We gave them Spring door wreaths with this cute tag {Martha Stewart at Michaels}...

Lunch was catered from a local deli.

Tuesday: Red Carpet Day
HA! Our own cost-effective interpretation of course!  We put together this fun basket of snacks, popcorn, soda, orange pellegrino, and of course, a movie gift card!

Breakfast included their favorite Starbucks beverage and these yummy treats...donuts and kolaches.

Lunch was catered from a local Chinese restaurant.

Wednesday: Pamper Yourself Day
They each received these super fun baskets which included a bottle of wine, bubble bath, bath salts, a loofah, and some other goodies. {speech bubble tags:  Creativity Prompt; idea for saying:  Sugardoodle}

I had to leave before breakfast got there so I didn't get a picture but it was yummy fruit skewers and Krispy Kreme donuts {like last year}. Lunch was catered from a local Mexican restaurant.

Thursday: Spring into Summer Day
Our MDO is closed on Fridays so Thursday was our last day. Thursday was all about Rest and Relaxation. They each received a beach bucket filled with a beach towel, sunscreen, some other goodies, and our big gift...a Spa gift certificate for a mani, pedi, facial or service of their choice. {girl in a swimsuit tags:  Free Pretty Things for You}

Another day without a breakfast pic - boo! {this was our school admission decision day so I think my mind was elsewhere!} but breakfast consisted of assorted pastries and fresh fruit. Lunch was by one of our favorite local restaurants that has a deliciously eclectic cuisine.

 I think the teachers really enjoyed the week and most importantly felt appreciated for what they do. We coordinated to have parent volunteers stay in each classroom for 30 minutes in the morning each day so that the teachers could come out to the main room to receive their gifts and enjoy breakfast. We were able to visit with them and chat and it was just a really nice time.

 No matter what you do - big or small - the most important thing is for it to be heartfelt and sincere. A hand-written note of appreciation goes a long way.
 
THANK YOU Mrs. Cheryl, Mrs. Brooke, Mrs. Rebekah, Mrs. Maria and Mrs. Patti! I can't think of a nicer and more caring group of ladies to take care of our wee ones. The Christian atmosphere you provide, your love and patience...it just means the world to us parents.  We love you!  Thank you!