Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week

Assign a different color to each day of Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week, and ask your employees to wear clothes that follow this color code. Daily, hold a prize drawing for the people who are dressed in the right color. Have the prizes match each day’s color. For example, choose red for Monday and give away “We Build The Future One Child At A Time” Red Multi Pocket Tote Bags. Pick blue for Tuesday and give away Stainless Steel Water Bottle With Carabiner.

Appreciation luncheon

Add elegance to your appreciation luncheon. Hire a professional pianist to play for the event. Put a “We Build The Future One Child At A Time” Flashlight, Key Ring & Pen Gift Set at each place setting. Set out a vase of roses from which everyone can choose a blossom. Then serve your teachers and staff sparkling cider and cheese as they mingle at the start of the luncheon.

Arrange a special outing for your teachers and staff. Plan it for either after school or in the evening. Consider taking them bowling or to a baseball game. Use a school bus to transport everyone so people can socialize on the way there. At the event, distribute We Build The Future One Child At A Time Cell Phone Pouch/Wallet as their gift.

Everyone is paying attention

Use a “What do you see?” contest to test how much everyone is paying attention to details.
Take close-up photos of various objects around your school and post them on a bulletin board.
Have your teachers and staff members write down what they think the objects are. Award “We Build The Future One Child At A Time” Desktop Caddy to the people with the most correct answers.

Teachers grow real bouquets

Create “hand bouquets” for your appreciation luncheon. Have students each trace one of their hands on construction paper and write their names on them. Cut out the hands and staple each one to a green pipe cleaner. Fill vases with them and use as centerpieces. Help your teachers grow real bouquets by presenting them with “Thanks For Planting The Seeds Of Knowledge” Plant-AShape Bookmarks.

Tasteful jokes and funny work-related stories

Begin each day of Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week with a little humor. Research teaching jokes on the Internet, and distribute one to your teachers every morning. Encourage them to share their own tasteful jokes and funny work-related stories. Offer a gift to those who do, such as a “Thanks For Helping Our School Gel” Pen.

Reward a teacher or staff member

Choose a character trait to focus on each day of Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week. For
example, on Monday seek out cheerfulness, on Tuesday be on the lookout for commitment to excellence, and so forth. Don’t announce what you’ve chosen ahead of time. Use the items from the Mailbox Gift-A-Day Pack to reward a teacher or staff member at the end of each day for showing the daily character trait.

Celebrate Children’s Book Week

Children's Book Week is the national celebration of books and reading for youth. Since 1919, Children's Book Week has been celebrated countrywide with author & illustrator appearances, parties, storytelling, and other book-related events in schools, libraries, bookstores, clubs -- anywhere where kids and books connect.
Here are 10 simple ways to help find books that children will want to read:

1. Involve your child/student in the process – ask about books they already like, then find similar ones.
2. Talk to other students/children/piers to see what books they enjoy. Also suggest your favorites from childhood
3. Research popular books for each child’s age group. Ask a librarian or teacher if you need assistance.
4. Help children find books related to their interests or hobbies.
5. Try books with silly titles or fun illustrations, especially for younger children, such as Captain Underpants or Where the Wild Things Are.
6. Recommend stories with fast-paced plots that keep children’s attention, such as mysteries and scary stories.
7. Look for books about famous people your children admire.
8. For a reluctant reader, choose books a level or two below the child’s grade to make reading easier.
9. Have your children read the book before or after watching its movie version.
10. Tie reading to fun family activities. For example, if you’re going to the zoo, suggest books about animals you might see.

Bike Safety Tips For Kids

Biking is a great activity for kids; which is both fun and healthy. Unfortunately biking can also be dangerous without proper training and gear. The Nemours Foundation states that about 300,000 kids end up in emergency rooms each year due to bike accidents and according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration more children ages 5 to 14 visit the emergency room for injuries due to bike riding than any other sport. To reduce these accidents it is important that you teach kids the importance of bicycle safety. Here is a list of some essential bike safety rules that you should discuss with children before they hop on their bike.

1. Always wear a helmet. The helmet is the most important piece of safety equipment for bike riders. Make sure the helmet fits properly; it should feel snugly on your head and rest securely on your forehead. The straps should always be fastened.

2. Check your bike before you ride. Make sure everything is working properly, check brakes, chains, tires, seat, ect.

3. Make sure the bike is the right size for you; if you don’t feel comfortable on the bike you shouldn’t be riding it.

4. Make Sure you wear the proper clothing, loose pants can get caught in the chain or wheel.

5. When riding in a group always ride single file especially on roads.

6. Always ride on the right side of the road whenever possible.

7. Always be alert to your surroundings watch for cars pulling out of alleys and driveways.

8. Use a basket to carry things, but make sure not to overload it

9. Don’t give rides to friends, especially on the handlebars.

10. Ride slowly through gravel and sand or even get off your bike and walk through hard to ride areas.

11. Don’t ride after dark.

12. Walk your bike in the crosswalk at busy intersections.

13. Know the proper signals for stopping and turning.

14. Follow all traffic signs. Bikes have to follow the same rules as cars.

Positive Promotions’ 2010 Teacher Of The Year Winners

East Region First Place Teacher and Staff Appreciation Contest

Leslie Roser at Flintstone Elementary in Flintstone, Maryland

Under the leadership of fourth-grade language arts and math teacher Leslie Roser, the school implemented four days of hands-on science activities. Leslie also serves as chair for the School Improvement Plan, holds group lunches with her students, uses her planning time to assist children, and shares knowledge with staff members. Principal Sharon Morgan, who nominated her, said, “All children in Leslie’s classroom know they have a teacher, counselor, confidante and friend for life.”

Midwest Region First Place Teacher and Staff Appreciation Contest

Kay Hall at Paintsville Junior/Senior High School in Paintsville, Kentucky

As a chorus teacher, Kay Hall enriches arts education. As a humanities and media teacher, Kay records all school events, and sent footage of a basketball game to a student’s father serving in Afghanistan. Her students have won media competition awards. As a senior class and student council sponsor, she organizes trips, assemblies and fundraisers. She mentors new teachers. “You call Kay if you need something,” said nominator Jami Ward, library media specialist. “No words describe what she means to this school.”

West Region First Place Teacher and Staff Appreciation Contest

Cecilia Zeidman at Playa Del Rey Elementary in Culver City, California

Third-grade teacher Cecilia Zeidman has taught at the elementary school for 25 years. She plans lessons with students’ abilities in mind and implemented a plan to accommodate a diabetic student. Cecilia updates her website weekly and mails a newsletter to parents and students. She organizes fundraisers, coordinates Playa del Rey’s Box Tops for Educational Projects and oversees performances and festivals. “Teachers and parents can count on Ms. Zeidman for assistance and support,” said her nominator, Mary Pierce, former principal at the school.

South Region First Place Teacher and Staff Appreciation Contest

Lindy Poling at Millbrook High School in Raleigh, North Carolina

Lindy Poling’s students rarely forget their social studies classes. In her Lessons Of Vietnam (LOV) class, Lindy helps them understand war, death, politics, patriotism and values and takes them to visit the Vietnam Wall in Washington. Lindy has authored books about the LOV program and received numerous awards. She is in charge of the Community In The Classroom speaker program, which brings individuals, including a Nazi prisoner and a State Department official, to talk about their experience of historical events. “Lindy’s passion for social studies, history and her students is clear,” said her nominator, Teresa Cronin.

East Region Second Place Teacher and Staff Appreciation Contest

William Gammetto at Charlton Elementary School in Charlton, Massachusetts

Seeing the need for education that encompassed the capabilities of autistic students, William Gammetto created an Applied Behavior Analysis Classroom for preschool through first-grade special education students. He designed programs, trained assistants and worked with staff to help students integrate. “Children make great strides,” said William’s nominator, Principal Lori Pacheco. “One student did a special routine at the school’s kindergarten show. The boy’s parents were so amazed that they were brought to tears,” Lori said.

Midwest Region Second Place Teacher and Staff Appreciation Contest

Bonnie Goldenberg at Kilmer Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois

For several years, Bonnie Goldenberg’s fourth-grade students have earned the highest scores on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test. Bonnie tutors students, communicates with parents, and applies for grants and purchases supplies with her funds. She also assists with the All School Talent Show and social events for teachers. “Ms. Goldenberg sets the bar,” said her nominator, Principal Miguel Trujillo. “(She) reaches out to establish a community of learners.”

West Region Second Place Teacher and Staff Appreciation Contest

Marla Utley at Capistrano Valley Christian Schools in San Juan Capistrano, California

Marla Utley teaches students that they can achieve anything if they’re willing to put forth the effort. This high school biology teacher has a gift for connecting with international students–about 25 percent of the school population. But all students at the school have benefited from Marla’s efforts. She worked to incorporate a technology plan that enhanced student learning and taught other teachers to implement it. “She is a true example of what a teacher should be,” said Principal Dr. Terry Gaunt, Marla’s nominator. National organizations have selected Marla to participate in workshops.

South Region Second Place Teacher & Staff Appreciation Contest

Deanna Dominguez at Edinburg High School in Edinburg, Texas

Volleyball coach and special education teacher Deanna Dominguez’s attention to detail improves students’ ability to retain information. She does homebound instruction, going to students’ homes if they have medical reasons that prevent them from attending school. As a coach, Deanna has her players participate in Adopt An Angel and the KIDS Learning Center Halloween Festival. She also fundraises for scholarships and created, with her volleyball team, a night to honor the teachers who inspired them. Her nominator, former Edinburg educational diagnostician Elizabeth Garza, said Deanna’s leadership causes others around her to work at a higher level.

Congratulations to all of our winners! To find out more about this contest or to nominate someone for the "2011 Teacher Of The Year" click here. Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week is just around the corner check out some great gift ideas at Positive Promotions!

Grand Prize 2010 Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week Contest Winner

Farley Elementary School in Huntsville, Alabama, told its teachers and staff, “You Make A World Of Difference.” The school used puppets representing children of various nationalities, international flags, and lapel pins from Positive Promotions to help represent the theme. Children and adults were encouraged to dress in regional costumes from different areas of the United States as well as from around the world on the Wednesday of Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week. Huntsville restaurants provided various ethnic dishes for an appreciation luncheon. The printed program for the luncheon resembled a passport. Each guest received a “boarding pass” to write his or her name on and enter a drawing for door prizes. The school also gave out more than $4,000 in gift certificates donated by local businesses. Each day of the week, students brought in gifts for their teachers: flowers on Monday, fruit on Tuesday, etc.

Second Prize 2010 Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week Contest Winners

In Boardman, Oregon, Riverside Junior/Senior High School told its classified staff “You’re A Treasure” with pirate- and island-themed activities. The school held two meals with specially named food; the invitations were printed on paper aged by dipping it in tea, then drying it, and rolled into scrolls. A team of teachers decorated the staff lounge with palm trees, tropical flowers, and images of lizards. Each staffer’s photo was placed on a paper cutout of a pirate and assigned a pirate name. Students wrote up notes of appreciation that were delivered in envelopes reading “Well, ‘isle’ be thankful you’re part of our staff!” The staff received chocolate coins, luau rubber ducks, palm tree trophies, leis, neon sunglasses and Positive Promotions starfish tumblers.

Third Prize 2010 Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week Contest Winner

The Jefferson Social Club hosted the festivities at Jefferson Elementary School in Gary, Indiana. To show that teachers and staff members are the apples of their eyes, a bulletin board displayed paper apples, each with someone’s name. Apple-themed items appeared throughout the week: apple fritters, apple lapel pins, apple picture frames, apple-scented hand soap and lotion, apple certificates, and apple-shaped jumbo paper clips. Teachers also received Positive Promotions academic monthly desk planners. Every day, a poem of appreciation was read by a student during morning announcements. The highlight of the week was a Jacademy Awards luncheon (a spoof of the Academy Awards). Honors went out in comical categories, such as Most Like Dr. Phil.

Honorable Mention

In Baltimore, Maryland, Perry Hall Elementary School went “cruisin’ towards summer.” Each day of the week was based on a different port of call and featured a corresponding basket of prizes. Staff members were eligible for the basket drawings by correctly answering a daily trivia question. Positive Promotions lunch bags, coin purses, spa kits, 3-section plates, and diffuser sets were spread throughout the baskets. Decorations, food, and gifts made faculty and staff feel like they had sailed to Alaska, the Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean.

Mystery Solved

Give the title “It’s No Mystery–Teachers Make A Difference” to your recognition week. Find out if your community has a mystery dinner theatre. If so, ask the actors to do a production at your school; if not, invite your area’s CSI team to do a presentation. In addition, recruit volunteers to visit dressed as detectives, such as Sherlock Holmes, Columbo and Kojak. Have them hand out a list of quiz questions about mystery and detective TV shows. Give a “One Person Can Make A Difference” Notecard & Pen Set to each person who participates. Award a “One Person Can Make A Difference” Insulated Cooler Bag to the highest scorer(s).

Tasty Selection

Arrange for personalized potatoes this Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week. Set up a baked potato bar in your cafeteria with a variety of toppings, such as low-fat sour cream and cheddar cheese, chives, broccoli, and chili. You might even try shredded BBQ chicken and beef. Give everyone “Exceptional Staff, Extraordinary School” 3-Section Plates to put the potatoes on. Serve drinks in Stainless Steel Message Water Bottles.

Surprise Seating

Spread your gift giving over several days. Well ahead of time, send out letters to area businesses, asking them to donate gift cards. The night before the Monday of Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week, tape gift cards to the undersides of some teachers’ chairs. Also send an email telling people to look under their seats every morning. Each night, attach cards to different chairs. Make sure that all of your teachers have received one by the end of the week. During lunchtime on Friday, place 2011-2012 Academic Monthly Desk Planners and “Working Together To Make A Difference” Desk Caddies on every desk.

Perfect Fit

Create a friendly atmosphere by sponsoring a team-building activity. Obtain a puzzle that has approximately as many pieces as you have teachers and staff members. Bring everyone together. Let each person pick a piece. Then ask them to walk around the room and find people who have pieces that attach to theirs. Encourage participants to learn new things about their co-workers by asking thoughtful questions. After the puzzle is assembled, reward everyone
with “You’re An Essential Part Of Our School” Silver Puzzle Key Tags and “You’re An Essential Part Of Our School” Sticky Pad Portfolios.

Photo Challenge

Here’s a Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week activity which encourages your teachers to interact with non-teaching staff. Start by taking individual digital pictures of non-teaching staff members, such as janitors and bus drivers. Print the pictures out on paper, then evenly distribute them among your teachers. Tell these ­“contestants” that to receive a prize, they must physically find the people pictured and get them to autograph their photos. Give “Exceptional Staff, Extraordinary School” Tri-Fold Frame Clocks & Caddies to the staff members who had been photographed.

Putting It In Writing

Enlist the help of student council members. Have them supervise a table at which students can stop to write appreciation notes for their teachers. Put the notes in a box, then use them in a drawing for gifts. The more notes someone has addressed to him or her...the more chances to win. Consider “100 Years From Now” Avalon Tote Bags and “100 Years From Now” Large Padfolios With Matching Pens as prizes. Later, let your teachers read the notes.