[Darci]

HI!
Well, you have all saved me many times, so here I go again. Thanks ahead of time for your help!
I am in charge of finding ideas for NEXT WEEK'S National Education Week.
In the past I have done the "teachers pack" full of things like thumbtacks to keep things the way you want, erasers to help you forget your mistakes, etc.
I have also done the PayDay candybar for an "extra and well-deserved" extra payday as well as the "Smarties."
I have done the bottled water and the apple with a bag of microwave popcorn too.
HELP! I am out of ideas!
I did think that if I could find somethings that would go out all week, and were not too expensive, that I could have a winner for a cash prize each day or for the week, but I need some ideas.
If you have any......please let me know immediately!
Thanks,
Darci

[CageyBee]

The committee of our education association in charge of this usually does a great job. They've done some of the things you mentioned but also have done the following:
*Each morning students announce some kind of heartfelt thank you to all teachers and end the little minute start-of-the-day announcment with an educational/inspirational quote.
*We've gotten mini rolls of life savors with an appropriate printed slip about being the Life Savors for each other and our students.
*We received chocolate covered strawberries that said "Thanks Berry Much!"
*They bought $5 and $10 gift cards to Staples and/or local shops and had a daily drawing for each.
*They gave us Hershey Kisses and Hugs with an appropriate thank you using the names of the candy.
*They used other candy bars as well..."Take 5(great candy!) minutes for yourself and know we appreciate you!"
*They imprinted pens and pencils with thank you messages on them that said something like"I'll get right to the point...you're appreciated!".
*We had mini votive candles that said something like being the brightest and the best.
*We had ice cream passes one year to get something as cool as we were.
*We had spicey nuts with a note that had mention of the spice we add to the teaching staff.
I can't think of all the others but I'll repost if more ideas come to me.

[AmyH]

We had 15-minutes massages last year!! What a nice treat.

[Darci]

What I ended up doing was sending out inspirational sayings, poems, and pick-me-up to thank the teachers for all they do and to help them realize how important they are......daily! Each day, I included a coupon for a "cash prize" for each building, so we had three winners a day for a week. They seemed to really like the money.
I made notes of what the two of you suggested..........National Teacher Appreciation Week is in the spring and I will need ideas for that. Thanks so much!
Darci