This year I was asked to plan the Teacher Appreciation week for my son's school. I have been so grateful for all his teachers and those who work at the school so I jumped at the chance! I knew exactly the theme I wanted to go with and how I wanted it presented.... I decided on the theme "You're A Star" with a Hollywood feel to it. About 2 weeks before the event I put up flyers around the school to get the students and teachers excited. At our school we usually have daily themes/activities that kids can participate in to show their gratitude. Here they were...
Then the week before we passed out flyers to all the teachers of the daily events we had planned for them...
We also sent home reminders sheets to all the students of the daily activities so they could come prepared that Monday...
(for the teacher information sheet we gave the teachers a quiestionairre to fill out of some of their favorite things like restauraunts, treats, drinks, hobbies, flowers, family friendly moives, etc. Then we typed the information all up on a spread sheet and sent home with the reminder sheets.)
One of the most popular things that the teachers look forward to during this week are the door decorations! About 2 months before the event I set up signups for people to decorate all the doors (teachers, office workers, librarian, custodians, aids, school nurse, etc... even one for the bus drivers), with a total of 62 doors it wasn't an easy task! Then the Friday before teacher appreciation week all the volunteers came in after school and decorated the teachers door so they could see it on Monday morning. They all looked so great! Here is the door that I did...
I wanted to keep with the theme for my door, but was totally blown away at the creativity and details of all the other ones people made. You can see them on our school PTA blog here.
Now for the part that I was REALLY excited for... decorating the school! Normally the doors are the only things that get done up for teacher appreciation week but I just couldn't help myself...
I really couldn't!
The Saturday before we got keys from one of the teacher and snuck in to decorate so it would be a big surprise to everyone on Monday morning! We hung a large marquee banner I made in the library so everyone would be reminded as they came to school or drove past.
Our schools name is Hidden Hollow, so I made large HOLLOWOOD letters to look like the Hollywood sign to set the mood as they entered the school, I know kinda cheesy but I loved it anyway!
We created a large 'Walk of Fame' when you came through the doors.
We had a total of 92 teachers and staff (including all the aids, lunchroom workers, custodians, office, specialty teachers, etc.) because we didn't want to leave anyone out, they all are an important part of our school! So we had to have some of the stars go around the staircase and down hallways.
We printed off the stars on regular paper and then used clear contact paper to stick them to the ground. I was worries about them lasting the whole week, but they all held up really well with no problems!
The teachers and kids absolutely LOVED this! The kids would search the whole school looking for their teachers and hop from square to square while they went down the halls.
To make the personalized Walk of Fame stars I purchased these large Walk of Fame star from Windy City Novelties. Then I scanned one of them into my computer using a printer/scanner. I was able to edit, personalize, and print them as needed (which is a good thing when you realize you spelled a couple of the names wrong!) Then we covered them with clear contact paper to adhere to the ground and protect them throughout the week, they held up wonderfully and peeled off super easy when it was time to clean up!
We also decorated the faculty lounge.
The teachers got to walk to red carpet as they entered the lounge with stars and hollywood lights hanging down.
Complete with red ropes and paparrazzi!
We also covered all the tables with black table clothes and added some red tinsel and gold stars to dress them up a bit.
Each day we treated the teachers and staff with food or refreshments in the lounge to enjoy.
MONDAY - VIP Breakfast
Parfait bar breakfast
We wanted to serve something that was not too heavy but also healthy enough that the teachers could customize to their diet.
Fresh fruits and yogurts to choose from...
Delicious waffle bowls so they could eat this breakfast on the go because we know how busy teachers are!
TUESDAY - Walk the Red Carpet
Refreshments served in the lounge all day
The centerpiece for this dessert bar were these AMAZING cookies my neighbor made!
Licorice movie reels
Star shaped brownies with covered with edible gold sparkle dust
Movie reel, megaphone, camera, and clapperboard table decorations...
Tuxedo Chocolate Trifles - complete with little bow-ties!
Red velvet whoopie pies with cream cheese filling
WEDNESDAY - Swag Day
We passed out gifts to all the teachers and staff.
Also there was fresh veggie bowls on all the tables for the teachers to snack on in the lounge.
We put together 'Swag Bags' for all the teachers and staff and hand delivered them all to the classes and workrooms. The bags had the school logo on them and inside was a movie night!
Each bag had a movie theater candy box,
an adorable thank you poem,
a bag of microwave popcorn,
a 16oz drink,
and a Redbox code for a free rental.
Wednesday was also the day the students brought gifts to their teachers, here is my little man and his fabulous teacher! She has really worked hard and we are so grateful for her!
THURSDAY - Star Treatment
A local chiropractor came and did FREE massages in the lounge for the teachers during lunch, which was SO AWESOME! Another mom made lots of different yummy flavors of popcorn and we set up a popcorn bar for them to snack on while they relaxed!
FRIDAY - The Star You Are
We served a taco salad bar for lunch in the lounge
Students were able to dress up as characters from their teacher's favorite family movie... it was so cute to see classrooms full of little minions, princesses, pirates, and dalmatian puppies! Teachers also channeled their inner movie star and dressed up for some prizes donated from local stores. Here are some of them...
We had gift cards donated from Olive Garden, Applebees, a local cafe, but our grand prize was a movie package donated form Megaplex Theaters with 2 movie tickets, 2 mugs with refills, and a large popcorn coupon!
And the grand prize winner was....
Call me bias but I sure do love Frozen and we thought it was creative!
Also each morning we had the principal play a little Oscar music and announce a few awards over the speakers for teachers. It was a great way to spotlight everyone. Here were some of my favorites...
These teacher awards were so cute and funny! There was one to fit each teacher perfectly!
Students were able to dress up as characters from their teacher's favorite family movie... it was so cute to see classrooms full of little minions, princesses, pirates, and dalmatian puppies! Teachers also channeled their inner movie star and dressed up for some prizes donated from local stores. Here are some of them...
We had gift cards donated from Olive Garden, Applebees, a local cafe, but our grand prize was a movie package donated form Megaplex Theaters with 2 movie tickets, 2 mugs with refills, and a large popcorn coupon!
And the grand prize winner was....
Call me bias but I sure do love Frozen and we thought it was creative!
Also each morning we had the principal play a little Oscar music and announce a few awards over the speakers for teachers. It was a great way to spotlight everyone. Here were some of my favorites...
These teacher awards were so cute and funny! There was one to fit each teacher perfectly!
We went around to all the classrooms and delivered the certificates along with a little star trophy. The kids all clapped and cheered for their teachers, so adorable!
Well that pretty much wraps up our Teacher Appreciation week! I hope you know how grateful we all are! Each parent is so lucky to have such great teachers and staff at every school, you all are truly STARS! Thank you for the hours of hoard work, dedication, and everything you do for the children to help them learn and grow!
Vendors:
Photographs, event styling: Sweeten Your Day
Ticket tags, Personalized marque banner: AndersRuff
Funny Teacher Awards: Larry Weaver Entertainment
Red curtain backdrop, red carpet runner, red tissue rope, star trophies: Oriental Trading
Paparazzi: Windy City Novelties
Swag bag treat tags: the Pretty Paperie
Dessert table labels - free download: Printabelle
