Teacher Appreciation Week ~ It's like pulling teeth!

Teacher Appreciation week should be a big thing, yes? These people have our children longer than we do. They're helping them become the men and woman who will take over this county one day {lets pray they can do a better job} they are forced to deal with things from teeth falling out to teenage drama. In my opinion they do not get paid nearly enough to do it. So when the opportunity presents itself to say thank you I just cannot understand why or how some people don't take full advantage.

As Homeroom Mom in Peanuts class I sent out letters detailing what was going to be done each day this week and asked for donations from those parents that did not send in money the beginning of the year to cover her class gift Friday. Take a guess as to how much I collect after the first letter went home. If you guessed NOTHING than you would be correct! After the second reminder went home I received $10 from one family and after the third reminder I was still sitting with that same $10 check in my hand. All together I have collected $50, from 19 students, for her gift.

I also asked for something small to be sent in each day. Today was a snack or something sweet, Peanut and one other girl brought something in! Tuesday I asked for a $1 scratch-off lottery ticket {One child informed me that it was illegal for me to ask him to bring in a $1 scratch-off lottery ticket because he was under 18. Seriously! It's not like I'm asking him to bring in a 6-pack!} Wednesday I asked them to write her a note, I even supplied the paper. Thursday I have a cooler that says, "thanks for chillin' with us this year, it's been cool". Each kid was asked to bring in something to go in the cooler. I suggested a bottle of water, Crystal Light packets, a magazine or book, sunscreen {I'm thinking she's going home with a close to empty cooler}! Friday the kids are giving her her class gift, a pair of flip-flops and a gift certificate for a pedicure.

We are fortunate to live in a very nice area, our children attend one of the higher ranking schools in the district. Am I asking too much? I did my best to ask for things that were either under $5 or free trying to be considerate of those that may not have the extra money. I feel so bad for the teacher, I plan on writing her a letter telling her that she is an amazing teacher but just drew the short straw with parents this year!

We will continue as planned this week, with or without the rest of the class. This is how Peanut and I will be telling her teachers we care {Peanut has 3 teachers while the other kids have 2, they were only asked to do something for their homeroom teacher}.

Monday- Monster cookies, the tag this year says Thanks for a Monster of a year. {this is last years picture}.

Tuesday- $5 in scratch-off lottery tickets, the tag says "I hope you're as fortunate with the lottery tickets as I am with you!"

Wednesday- To go coffee cups filled with whole coffee beans and a $5 gift card to Starbucks, the tag say Thanks a Latte for all you do.

Thursday- Peanut will bring in a homemade lunch in a cute reusable bag {not done yet, no pictures}.

Friday- A bottle of wine, a Columbia Sangria mix, an orange and a lime. And for the Specials teachers {PE, art and Music} a bag of chips, 2 large boxes of candy and a gift card to Blockbuster.

Thursday after school {no school Friday} I went and decorated 2 of the 3 doors.

I took pictures of each kid making a funny face, hanging upside down from the monkey bars, doing a back bend etc. and then printed them with their names on the photo for this door.

Door #2

I dye cut 70 leaves, stuffed them in an envelope with a letter telling the kids what to do and delivered them to each student {this is her AGP teacher}. Today they were to come to class and hang their leaf on the tree.

I'm not sure what some of these parents are thinking. I did all the hard work for them, all they had to do was extend a little effort. It's just so frustrating! I guess I'll just never get some people.

Being Homeroom Mom for one or both of my girls over the last 12 years I've learned that there's three basic groups, the doers, the non existent and the complainers. As much as I'm complaining right now about the non existent I'm happy to be one of the doers!

Cost for the entire week {per teacher} to say "We appreciate you" about $32.

My daughters education and well being throughout the day- PRICELESS!