Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week - April 18-22

April 8 - Decorate Teacher and staff doors after school
April 22 - Snails and Tails Assembly
Volunteers are needed to take the class to the assembly, sit with classes during an assembly and take them back to their room on Friday

Lower Grades ----  K-3 Volunteers needed between 1:00-2:00

Upper Grades ---- 4-6 Volunteers needed between 1:45-3:00

An exception would be the morning Kindergarten classes who still need to give Mrs. Muir and Mrs. Champion and hour break in the morning.  Keep it simple.  You may even use this time to have the students create something in appreciation for their teacher.

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Classroom Parties

What does a classroom party involve?

• Classroom parties take place during the school day.  They are usually one hour in length, and involve games, crafts, snacks and favors.  
• Each class has its own party and all the activities should be age appropriate.  
• The room parents are the “hosts” of the party, although the teacher will always attend the party.
• The holiday parties at Valley View Elementary are:
• Halloween 
• Christmas
• Valentine’s Day
• Spring Party

Room Party Basics

• Fill out a Room Party Checklist for each party.  You’ll feel more organized and the party will be much more successful.
• If you are the “Lead Party Parent”, plan to arrive fifteen minutes early to unload, set up and be ready for the party to begin.  Make arrangements with the teacher to have the classroom available for set-up before the party starts.
• Ask all party volunteers to arrive 15 minutes early to help setup and finalize plans.
• Start and end the party on time.
• Don’t assume that pre-school siblings are welcome.  Check with the teacher first.
• Bring everything you will need for each game or craft.  Don’t assume the teacher will have masking tape or a glue gun if you need those items.
• Bring along a large plastic trash bag and some paper towels.  The teacher will appreciate not having an overflowing trashcan and the school custodian will adore you!

Here are some suggestions for holiday parties:

When planning parties for younger children (under 10), or if you are working with a limited amount of time, divide your activities into "stations". Recruit enough volunteers to work at each station, and divide the children into small groups—four to five in each group works best. Have the party guests spend no more than 10-15 minutes at a station, then blow a whistle, or ring a bell and have everyone rotate.

Select a couple of games, a craft, and then read an age appropriate book to the group while the snack is being prepared and served. Always plan two or three extra games or an extra craft just in case you finish faster than anticipated.

When awarding favors and prizes, make sure that the party ends with identical treasures in everyone's hands!

Always plan to have extra snacks available so that the teacher, school principal, and parent helpers can enjoy them also.

Always add a few decorations. Simple table decorations can make all the difference in the world in the fun quotient! Balloons, streamers, curling ribbon, and plastic tablecloths are inexpensive, but go a long way in making a room look festive.

Don't forget the camera and film or video camera.

Above all else, be flexible, and have fun! 
These ideas came from FamilyFun.com

ABC’s for Room Parents

What is a Room Parent?

A room parent is someone who volunteers to assist the teacher.  The extent of parental involvement varies from teacher to teacher, so one year you may be very involved, and the next you may find yourself with very little work to do.

What is the “Head” Room Parent?

• The head room parent works directly with the teacher to organize parent volunteers and relay information to the other volunteers.
• The head room parent will coordinate the holiday parties, asking one parent to be the “Lead Party Parent” for each party.  Ask a different parent to be the “Lead Party Parent” for each party.  That gives others the chance to be involved, and doesn’t put undue burden (financial or time) on one individual. 
• For each party, have the Lead Party Parent fill out a “Room Party Checklist” and send a copy to each of the volunteers on the list two weeks prior to the party. 
• The head room parent recruits volunteers for specific events and assigns commitments for the coming school year. 

• Room parents and volunteers are in charge of their class’s game and food booth for the fall carnival.  The room parents and volunteers set up, run the game during the carnival and put it away. 
• The head room parent is responsible for decorating the teacher’s door for Teacher Appreciation Week.  You can delegate this to someone else – just make sure your teacher is celebrated!
• The head room parent will coordinate with the teacher during Teacher Appreciation week to take the classroom for one hour.  This will allow teacher some time to accomplish necessary tasks outside the classroom.  It will also provide the room parent time to create something for the teacher with the class.