Teacher Appreciation - "Thanks for helping us grow"

"It is not what is poured into a student that counts but what is planted."
 (a fitting quote for this)


As room parent for both Orientaion (Gavin's class) and 1st grade (Lexi's class), I had to come up with a larger classroom gift to be presented to the teachers after their big Tropicana themed breakfast.

This is what I came up with: "Thanks for helping us grow"

As room parents we are NOT allowed to ask parents for money for a larger gift, we can only ask for donations of small simpler items to help make a nicer basket or gift.  $5 from each child in the class is allotted from tuition payment toward teacher appreciation (this typically amounts to about $50 per teacher).  From that money I purchased a gift card.  For the other items, I sent out an email with a list of garden/treat type items and parents responded as to what they would donate.

To add a personalized touch ... I put the child's thumbprints on an apron with fabric paint.  The thumbprints were turned into little bugs.  These came out absolutely adorable and was very simple.  When doing this, keep in mind drying time.  Once the thumbprints are on the apron, they need to lay flat to dry (about 24 hours) and then the bug details are added.  I used a black sharpie to add the bug details.  Fabric paint for the children to paint the thumbprints on.

In the end, I had this beautiful gift basket to present to the teachers from the class.  The teachers absolutely loved them!