We didn't do a week long thing, but what we did do was rather cool...
Two years ago when our principal retired, the PTO and the school staff joined forces with the student body. Our retiring principal collected 'Bees' and loved to garden. Each classroom was given a big poster sized Bee cut-out and it was theirs to decorate as they wanted. Each child signed the back of the bee, along with their teacher, therefore creating a bee-utiful card. Each department also did a bee-utiful card. Everyone in the school was given a few weeks notice to find a yellow shirt. How we kept the principal in the dark is still a mystery. Classes made bee headdresses to wear with their yellow shirts. They also made something to go into the 'wheelbarrel'. PTO purchased a great big wheelbarrel and began filling it with everything 'garden'. From clay pots to zinnia seeds, we put it in there. There was potting soil, gardening tools, planter stakes, you name it it was in there! We added to that a couple pieces of bee-utiful jewelry pieces and the stuff the kids had made and it was really something. I personally made a fancy photo album (you know, with all the lace and stuffing and stuff) for her to put all the photos we would be taking.
We sprung it on her at the final Awards Assembly. She couldn't figure out why everyone was wearing yellow (the nurse told her it was National Yellow Day...lol... and for a while she believed it!). When she stepped up to the microphone and said 'Good Morning Manzanita Dragons', everyone started making a 'buzzing' sound, put on their headdresses and stuff. We wheeled the wheelbarrel out onto the stage. I had written a speech that moved most to tears. I have to stop now because I am getting misty just remembering how wonderful a send off it was...
Our principal of 13 years (since the school opened) has just announced his retirement at the end of this school year. We are rallying the troops, setting up committees, and deciding on a budget for a celebration. Anyone out there with some clever, sure-fire, thoughtful ideas for a week's worth of in-school activities with the students and then a single evening celebration with the community?
Help......
