The PTA and its Staff Appreciation Committee has been hard at work this school year, showing our gratitude to the amazing staff at Rock Creek Forest.
In August, we welcomed them back with colorful bookmarks and pens. In September, they received a thoughtful gift of tea and honey to enjoy. Last Friday, after many weeks of back-to-back in school events, we dropped off some bagels as pick-me-ups before Fall Festival.
Additionally, thanks to parent donations, our dedicated volunteers have been restocking the staff lounge with snacks and drinks to keep everyone refreshed throughout the day.
This year, we will continue to invest in initiatives that will directly benefit your child's educator. Here’s the plan:
Enhanced Teacher Appreciation:
We've increased our budget for teacher appreciation to $7,000! This means more frequent treats, thoughtful gifts, and opportunities to show our gratitude outside of the traditional Teacher Appreciation Week in May.
Pre-Service Week and Back-to-School Meals:
The Teacher Appreciation Committee provided three meals for our staff during the busy pre-service week. The committee also organized a meal & refreshments for our Back-to-School Night, ensuring our teachers were well-cared for during this important event.
Classroom Supply Boost:
Each classroom teacher and certain program leads will receive $150 to purchase essential supplies. This helps teachers create engaging learning environments and reduces out-of-pocket expenses. The total PTA investment is $7,000.
Innovation Grants:
We're continuing our Innovation Grant program, which provides funding for creative projects that enhance student learning outside of classroom supplies. It is available to all staff, not just classroom teachers and program leads. The total PTA investment is $2700.
Dedicated PTA Liaison:
Our new PTA/Staff Liaison is working directly with teachers to understand their needs and identify ways the PTA can provide support.
Mark Your Calendar: Monthly Teacher Appreciation
We've planned a variety of special events and treats to show our appreciation for our hardworking teachers:
- September: Tea and snacks
- October: Fresh fruit
- November: Hydration & Anti-cold/flu kits
- December: Cookie potluck
- January: Self-care items
- February: Heart-shaped cookie decorating
- March: Spring flower decorations for the lounge
- April: Earth Day-themed gifts
- May: Teacher Appreciation Week
How You Can Get Involved:
Your participation is essential to the success of these initiatives. Here are some ways you can contribute:
- Volunteer: Sign up to help with classroom parties, field trips, or other school events.
- Help us fulfill the staff lounge Amazon wish list
- Donate: Consider making a donation to the PTA to support our programs.
- Share Your Ideas: Let us know if you have any suggestions for teacher appreciation or other initiatives via email.
By working together, we can create a thriving school community where our teachers and staff feel valued and supported.
Let's make this school year the best one yet!
Special thanks to our Teacher Appreciation Committee and PTA Staff Liaison (Emily Strunk)
- Vanessa Burrows
- Courtney Connor
- Sarah Jacobs
- Kristi Martinsen
- Ellen McCarthy
- Janet Osherow
- Sunny Widmann
- Tricia Widgen Casella