Sunday, April 29, 2012

I planned a Staff Appreciation Week...and survived!!!

Remember a few weeks ago, when I asked for input on my ideas for Staff Appreciation Week at my youngest daughter's elementary school?

(Thank you to the two of you who responded!!)

Well... I DID IT!  And I didn't end up in jail for manslaughter, public drunkeness, or lewd behavior!  (tee hee hee)

The week went off with minimal issues.  Really, only one or two things went wrong.  And thank God for my wonderful friend, Laura, who rushed to the grocery store at 6:45 AM to pick up pastries and fruit for the staff.  (FYI -- when people volunteer to bring food for an event, I recommend following up any emails sent with a phone call - daily - to ensure they actually show up).

Keep in mind - the week before SAW, I spent a few days in the hospital with my hsuband and kid...so I was cramming days of work into a weekend.

Here was the event schedule for the week:

MONDAY - coffee and pastries/fruit before school for staff
TUESDAY - Custom printed M&M's with donated travel mugs or water bottles
WEDNESDAY - Ice Cream Social
THURSDAY - Donated $5 gift certificates to the local Frozen Yogurt place
FRIDAY - catered staff luncheon

My budget for the week was $1500, but due to some really generous parents and the local business, Cherry de Pon, I was able to come in under budget.

Some photos from the event:


































I found this fantastic digital designer to create the custom water bottle labels, food labels, and a sign (when you wait until the last minute to print, things can go wrong, so no "ice cream" sign.)  Check her out:  Katiedidesigns  

I also found another digital designer named Yulia, who worked with me over a weekend, from another county, to create water bottle labels...  Sadly, I don't have a picture of those, but trust me.  They were awesome.  Here is a link to her site:  Sarah Hope Designs

It was a long week, lots of stress for me, but it was tons of fun to be a part of the madness. I just saw the sweetest email from one of the teachers, and it definitely makes it all worth it.

I am not sure who to send this to, so if I could trouble you to get it into
the proper hands:



To All who contributed to Staff Appreciation Week,



I do not think I have ever experienced a more wonderful Appreciation Week!!
This has been a difficult year and in spite of that, PTSA has continued to
honor every traditional event and pull it off flawlessly.  This week you all
went above and beyond that and the happiness and love that we felt this week
simply transformed the staff.  We felt pampered, cared for, celebrated and
honored each and every day.  Whenever I ran into one of you and thanked you,
you seemed to be as delighted to be giving as I was to be receiving!



I continue to be stunningly proud to be working for this community and
cannot imagine working for a finer group of parents.



Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Judy Higgins

6th Grade teacher

Sometimes, a little madness is worth bringing light into the lives of complete strangers.

Have a great week!!

EDITED:  I just found the picture of the water labels from Yulia...Aren't these fantastic??


4 comments:

Whispering Thoughts said...

You sure had great time. I will check out the links you shared for the other blogs too.

Whispering Thoughts said...

I have announced a Liebster blog award for you. Check the link :

http://fuchsiavision.blogspot.in/2012/04/blogs-that-get-liebster.html

Tereza {Drastic Plastic} said...

Thank you so much for your sweet and kind words for my B-day, it meant so much to me :)!

8 said...

Great job Heidi!!!