MMSD Today asked our schools' parent groups what they did for teachers and staff during Teacher Appreciation Week May 7-11. Not surprisingly, lots of nice things were done to show what a great job our teachers and other school staff do. Here's a sampling from those who replied. We know that lots of great things were done by parent groups that did not reply here.

Chavez
This year the Chavez PTO decided to take a different route and show our teachers and staff that we appreciate them all year long.

• We held a Back to School Breakfast for the staff at their in-service meeting,
• we had coffee and desserts available on Parent-Teacher Conferences day,
• we gave the teaching staff gift certificates to use at an educational resources store for the holidays.
• We recognized our staff with homemade goodies and coffee on National Teachers Day and we encouraged Chavez families to have their children write or draw something special for their teacher sometime during the week to show their appreciation.

"Spreading the wealth" has been a good experience for us and helps remind us to think more often of all the work that goes into being a great teacher.

Gompers
We provided snacks along with decorations in the staff lounge and also wrote individual notes to each MMSD employee thanking them for their commitment to the students and all that they do, and left these notes in their mail boxes.

Leopold
For starters, our theme this year was a LUAU. All the staff (around 114) received hand made invitations to lunch Tuesday in the library. The teachers lounge was colorfully decorated to match the theme. On Monday, all staff received leis in their mailbox. They were instructed to wear them at the luncheon.

The PFO had a great spread for all to enjoy. Many families donated food, time, and money to support the event. The library looked great!

On Wednesday, the staff received a book mark with humorous sayings. On Thursday, they received a little package with a chocolate inside. The teachers lounge had fruit, vegetable and other munchies. On Friday, coffee was donated by Caribou.

As you can see, it was a busy week at Leopold.

Schenk
Schenk Elementary PTA had a treat at the staff meeting and gave them a box of candy with a poem wrapped around it. We also sent a flyer home with kids in backpack mail suggesting that each day they do something special for their teacher. Monday was a piece of fruit, Tuesday was a flower, Wednesday was a piece of candy, Thursday was a card or poem and Friday was an act of kindness for them or one of the other students.

Shorewood Hills — Staff Appreciation Week events
Monday, May 7th - Flower Day: Children brought flowers from home for their teacher/s.
Tuesday, May 8th — Staff Appreciation Breakfast: Our staff was treated to a delicious breakfast on Tuesday morning.
Thursday, May 10th - Note to the Teacher Day: Children wrote thank you notes and made cards for their teachers or other staff members.
Friday, May 11th — Staff Appreciation Lunch: Lunch was set-up in the teachers lounge for our staff members to come and eat during their respective lunch hour. All food items were prepared by parents.

Spring Harbor
Spring Harbor celebrated teachers by bringing in lunch for everyone on Friday, and by organizing parent volunteers to drop off different treats each day: fruit/cheese/crackers on Monday; cookies/bars on Tuesday; bagels on Wednesday; coffee and breakfast breads on Thursday; chocolate items on Friday. The PTSO also gives each teacher a small cash gift with a thank you note.

Thoreau
On Staff Appreciation Day, May 11th, the Thoreau parents treated the school's staff with a delicious lunch buffet. A mountain of food included: pulled pork tenderloin, spanakopita, pasta salad as well as delicious desserts.

Each staff member received a hand-stamped gift, and ALL 70 staff members were given a one month membership to Harbor Athletic Club. The Thoreau PTO is advocating for good health, and they thank all the gourmets that helped to make a memorable May 11th.

Van Hise
The Van Hise PTO hosted a Teacher/Staff Appreciation Tea following dismissal on Monday afternoon. Tea, coffee and non-alcoholic champagne was served along with sweet and savory dishes prepared by parents. Parents and the PTO donated door prizes ranging from coffee mugs with a healthy supply of coffee beans, to various treatments for sore feet, to gift certificates for local businesses. It was a great party.

West
The West PTSO celebrated Teachers Appreciation Week a little early this year by hosting a lunch May 3rd at the school. Many parents assisted with the lunch and\or brought baked treats & flowers. The lunch was organized by Dale Kaufman and coffee was donated by the Froth House.

Van Hise 4th grade teacher Becky Brown receives flowers from her students during Teacher Appreciation Week.

The luau at Leopold Elementary