Reading through here I am amazed at how much money has been spent by my3strongtikes group. My kids attend a smaller school (the only one in our District that is one section) and although our account has more that is about our budget for the year! I would like to share an idea that we had and did that was more appreciated by the staff than any gift or food item they have received yet. We had a "Rawhide Walk of Fame" Rawhide is our school's name! We borrowed the red carpet from the High School prom committee and we made stars out of card stock for each staff member. We crafted these stars with the school logo on them and the staff members name is glitter. Then we laminated each star and cut it out. We got to the school after the secretary got there and before any other staff members and ran the carpet from the main entrance to the front desk. We had intended for the Walk of Fame to be there for the day, but we were asked by the Principal to leave it for the week. Now, a few years after doing this, the stars are still hanging in the rooms or on the doors of our school! It was inexpensive and well worth the time!
We budget $750 for Staff Appreciation Week. Last year people donated gift baskets that we raffled off. We recieved enough (100), that each staff member got one. This year we are doing resturant gift certificates ($15.00),again we will ask for donations. We also have a luncheon mid week which is provided entirely by parent volunteers. People always seem willing to send something in. We also put together a small candy bag with a poem or witty remark attached to a school cup. During the rest of the year, teachers recieve an allocation ($75.00 if PTO member/$50.00 non member)to use at their discretion. we did give them candy bars at x-mas time, which were free from our fall fundraiser.
This year we are having custom made lapel pins for all school district employees. We have 99 people employed at our district which is Pre-K-12. We are also going to give them to our dedicated volunteers. We purchased 200 for about $350.00
We do a simple lunch for the staff during the week before school starts. (Sandwiches, chips and the board brings salads) That way they can grab lunch and get back to work. Each teacher also receives a stipend at the beginning of the year to use in her class. The stipends can be gift cards purchased thru Scrip so you get some money back. In November we do a "Souper" Teacher Luncheon. 8 parents were asked to bring in a different soup. We bought some bread and drinks. Each month the staff also gets a little thing (pack of popcorn saying "we're bursting with appreciation for all you do", mini pack of gummy bears saying - "You're a beary good teacher", a notepad made from old flyers saying "thanks for making a notable difference in our child'd life" and this month a small heart box of chocolates saying "thanks for all your heart work") My husband just shakes his head everytime I tell him the new month's appreciation thing. [img]smile.gif[/img] Then we do the normal Teacher Appreciation Week. We also have an approx. $80,000 budget (we have to pay for our computer, music, and pe teachers and art program to name just a few)
Our budget for staff appreciation is $250 for a budget that hovers at about $7000. We do a luncheon at both of our schools but food is brought in by parents. We spend about $50 on beverages, tableware, etc. Last year, we gave them each an academic year calendar, cost of $2and some change each. This year, we are talking about redecorating the staff lounges.
I agree with ademom74, I would have a hard time going with 25% of the budget going to teachers, unless the vouchers are for classroom supplies. In that case, $800 from a $20,000+ budget is pretty reasonable.
