Hi All-
We do monthly teacher appreciation- as well as big things like luncheons etc.
We do get thank you notes (but not from everybody). I love it when they send one- and I post them on our PTA Bulletin Board. I think it is more important for our board to know the teachers appreciate them. Most teachers verbally say "thank you" at a function.
Unfortunately few of the faculty members participate in after school or evening PTA events (only the ones with kids at the school. The exceptions are when we ask each class to participate in something (like our festival). If their Room parent does not take over the responsibility -the teacher is expected to do it. We make it very clear that everything we do is for them (either directly or indirectly) and we appreciate their support of our events.
We also have our Principal on our side.
We have had 100% Faculty membership for 5 years- we ask tem to join at the teacher "welcome" luncheon during pre-planning- we have membership forms, pens and our membership chair on hand to take their money. We make it clear that we have had 100% membership "for years" and need to carry on the tradition. if anybody does not join then- we make sure to go to them PERSONALLY and say- "we know it is just an oversight but- you have not joined yet- you are one of the only ones keeping us from our goal" it always works.

I think "thank you " notes are important on OUR side, too. I make sure to write a thank you note to all of my volunteers (that help on a project). If it is large one- I write the thank you note to the person in charge. I also write 'thank yous" to the faculty for supporting our events.
I feel it not aonly lets the people know you appreciate them- but fosters good will for te future. (and sets a good example for others!).
A little thank you goes a long way......

This might not be a very popular response, but I recently read a quote that said something to the effect that "if you do something and are expecting a thank you, then you aren't really doing something from the heart".

Of course it's nice to hear appreciation for the hard work and dedication you put into an event or project, but isn't your own personal satisfaction of a job well done enough?

I hope you don't stop doing things because you feel you aren't appreciated enough. That would be the easy way out.

I do wish you luck in the future!
Tracy

Nope, no matter how I look at this, the teachers are definitely in the wrong. They should have enough manners to write a short thank you. Even if it's via e-mail, as long as the intent is there.
I am in charge of membership at our school and I made some very subtle-not so subtle digs at the teachers during a meeting regarding their lack of support. I know our president took some heat form my sounding off. She is a good friend and didn't hold it against me.
My whole tack is that if parents/teachers don't appreciate what I do, I just stop doing it.
Spend you time and energy on a different PTO activity and blow it off.

We get Thank you Notes for the different things we provide the staff. Last year after Staff Appreciation Week, we had breakfast for 4 mornings and a luncheon on Friday, we received a big "Thank You" card signed by every staff member. So someone must be in charge of that. When we purchase individual items for the teachers, I would say 8 out of 10 write a personal thank you. Also in the schools monthly newsletter that every family receives we are usually thanked a few times a year for what we purchased.

At our PTO meetings, where the teacher reps are present I pass around any thank you notes we have received since the last meeting.

Does the teachers room have a bulletin board, since the school does not. Post the "thank-you's there?

As for thank-you's unfortunately ours is now a society that many lack just plain good manners or the decency to remember.

As an active member of our schools PTA and one of the few Dads to have the time (I run my own business)

Thank-you. for all you do

tj--Welcome to the boards!

I hear ya! Though my group isn't technically a PTO (we have a PTA already in place), I put it that we're an "alternative option." Out of some 50 employees at our school--we had two teachers sign up, ONE who not only comes to our meetings, but has also helped at almost every fundraiser.The other is a member in listing only. Out of the fifty employees, I think maybe 30 joined the PTA, none actively praticiapte or come to functions except for the book fair so they can put in their wish lists. I brought this up to the principal last week when the issue of lack of support and school spirit came up, and she was genuinely SHOCKED that we would hope the teachers and administration would actively support the things parent groups do at the school. We are, after all, not really a part of the school, but rather an offshoot, and nothing we're doing really benefits the teachers (we're currently fundraising for a handicapped accessible playground). When I brought up that this has been an ongoing issue WAY before my group came onto the scene, she explained to me that every school has a different culture, so it's really not fair to compare one to the other. So in other words, she's OK with the fact that our "culture" is one of self-serving attitude and non support?. :confused: Oh-but BTW, we shouldn't think the teachers aren't appreciative of all the things the PTA and other parent groups do--they understand that without us they wouldn't have as much as they do.

I really felt uncomfortable approaching her with this, and to be quite honest I was tempted to say nothing. But because I'm so scary smart [img]tongue.gif[/img] and insist on having my voice heard--which really sucks by the way; popularity isn't exactly my strong point--I felt compelled to relieve my burden before I suffered from an stroke from harboring all this resentment. I couched it in terms of the teachers and in my ever-so-diplomatic-way said, "let's be honest--we're all adults here and to not understand why people are resentful that the teachers don't actively support things THAT COST THEM NO MONEY (i.e. working events like Pizza with Santa, that sort of thing) is like sending your kid to a birthday party with no present. They should know better."

As far as addressing it at a meeting--I'd tread carefully here, as it's a public forum, and even if the person sees your point they will be embarrassed (and yes, I feel they should be)and likely to be defensive. Maybe calling a meeting with the teacher rep and principal would be a better way to handle it. As far as a script--I had the benefit of giving a report on a large event we held, and it was noticed by a good many people that no staff/administration was at this event, nor had they donated anything. I put it in terms of having "wanting to let [you] know, that people noticed...." and that while we weren't angry, we thought she'd might like to know that this is the sort of thing that's fodder for the rumour mill, not just in the school, but with other schools in the district, etcetera." Without something like that, I guess the only thing you could do is just be honest--and say that you feel badly, but there's an issue you feel obligated to let them know about, then let them know that there's a growing amount of resentment and disappointment that the teachers don't actively support the group, nor do they show their appreciation openly. Just explain that someting as simple as a thank you note goes a long way in making people feel acknowleged rather than taken for granted. I know there are a lot of people who disagree with my feeling something should be said because it's just as rude to point out someone is being rude, or because it's like demanding to be thanked, but I feel it's necessary if you want to communicate. Though I think it's shameful that an adult can be as thoughtless as a child, sometimes you have to spell it out.

On the point of thank you notes--I'm a firm believer in sending them--even if they're late. I don't agree with being too busy or forgetful as an excuse. If someone was thoughtful enough to remember to do something nice for you it shouldn't kill you to take maybe five minutes to say thank you in a writing. It shows you took the time to bother. Would you not send a thank you letter to a donor for an event? My mother always told me to never do something expecting a thank you, because then what you did really didn't come from the heart. Insincerity is such a bummer. However she also taught me thank yous are important, because not recognizing someone's consideration and thoughtfulness is selfish, and reduces your chance of being appreciated in the future.