Well-our intent was to recognize those kids that come to school every day with a terrific attitude, a desire to learn and a great amount of school spirit. The teachers actually picked them and that was basically the criteria. I'll post the citation but we issued a certificate that was done nicely on parchment paper (more for the parents) done on a home computer, and then we gave the children shoe tags that get strung on their sneakers and say "Bobcat Spirit". Boy were they a hit. Let me see if I can get the thing to copy on this so you can get an idea...
The Margaret Brent PTO Spirit Award
is presented to:
insert name...
for continuously displaying the qualities of spirit and community that make our school special. Your selection for this award shows that you are willing to give your best effort every day. Your excellent attitude makes you stand out as someone we want to recognize and congratulate. You are model MBES students!!!
“Way to Go Bobcats!â€
The certificate was a lot nicer and will be posted in our next newsletter at brentpto.com.
One of the added benefits is that parents get to see the PTO out front recognizing their children and may be more apt to join/contribute etc.
I spent from 5:30 to 6:45 on Thanksgiving morning writing our Christmas Poem for the newsletter....AHHHHHHH...but we started a PTO Spirit Award this past award ceremony, and I have to tell you, those little ones, that might not ever have a chance at an academic award, were flying onto that stage. I've gotten 2 emails from folks thanking us for coming up with it and the vision of some of our special needs children be pushed and carried to the steps, with mom's/dad's that had never been notified before that their children were receiving an award...well, that's what the fix is for a PTO-HOLIC.
Bertha- I think my hubby would like to meet with hubby to plan an intervention.
One year my husband got me a file cabinet for Christmas because he was tired of all the PTO stuff being strown all over the living room! I've tried to stop cold turkey. I ended up here more than ever. LOL! I am not as gung ho as I used to be and though I complain alot and swear "Never again." I too have been thinking about next year. One year I logged in 70 volunteer hours in October, the same month we have fall break. I have decided it is not in the best interest of my family or my sanity to do that again. Right now I am working on newsletters, calendar, and bulletin board. I have to work Monday and I am wishing I could in today and fix the bulletin board. But alas, I will just have to go in after work Monday and finish it. Oh yeah, not turning work down was a condition for me taking the PTO again.
I know what you mean... last year, I was like "No, this is going to be my last year on the board... someone else will need to step up." But, now, I find myself making plans for next year already... I stashed away clearance items for the Fall Festival and have already started daydreaming about doing a science night! Help!!
Kelley
Madison PTO
Mount Vernon, WA
ok, sign me up too. I promised my husband not another basket(for a tricky tray) in the house for at least two years. Well, today I had to hear about my so called promise. This morning he went into the garage and saw "my stash". I had to explain I'm not breaking the promise because it's in the garage and not in the house. I think he's taking it better once he found out that it's only going to be 100 baskets not 300 this year.
He thinks when my term is up that I'm going to stop cold turkey. How can you do that? It's like any other addiction, once you start it's so hard to stop!I've been doing this now for 11 years and I've still got 10 more years to go.....
