tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904215618492516102024-03-05T07:18:38.694-06:00Sunshine 4 TeachersTeacher Appreciation gifts and ideas for parents, PTAs and principals.Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-4835547783634399782010-12-14T22:47:00.000-06:002010-12-14T22:47:17.944-06:00What's on my child's teacher's wish list?More about Christmas gift ideas today...<br />
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A great bet is to ask their fellow teachers what their personal favorite store is and get them a gift card for there.<br />
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My children's Scholastic book orders have a gift certificate option on the order form. We'll be giving each of their teachers a small certificate, so they can buy a couple of books for the classroom's bookshelf. This is a no-fail gift idea.<br />
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Another no-fail gift idea is to buy a gift card from your local bookstore. These stores have such a variety of choices from books to music to a sweet treat that was not made with one-half sprinkles and one-half spit from your children's fingers. :)<br />
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What will you be giving your child's teacher this year? Share your best ideas that any teacher would be happy receiving. And to give your child's teacher a more personal gift, don't forget our trusty get-to-know-the-teacher form from this post about <a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/2009/04/teacher-gifts-and-chocolate-covered.html">Chocolate Spaghetti</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Jen" border="0" src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-43618938054066451412010-12-02T12:08:00.005-06:002010-12-14T22:41:35.489-06:00Teacher Christmas Card from Em<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="height: 494px; width: 425px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="background-image: url("http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif"); height: 6px;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="background-image: url("http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif"); background-repeat: repeat-y; height: 482px; padding: 0pt 6px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="height: 34px; padding: 14px 0pt 0pt 14px; width: 105px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" /></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height: 350px; padding: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AaNnDNq4bs2Kg/0AaNnDNq4bs2KuLA/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1291313187000/0/" /></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="background-color: #f4f4e9; height: 55px; line-height: 19px; padding: 15px 0pt; text-align: center;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,sans-seris; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">Oh What Fun Christmas Card</div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">Shop Shutterfly.com for elegant <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards" style="color: #6666cc;">Christmas photo cards</a>.</div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</div><img border="0" height="1" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" width="1" /></div></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="height: 494px; width: 425px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="background-image: url("http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif"); height: 6px;">What will your child give their teacher for Christmas this year? Remember the best way to show appreciation for your teachers is to give them what they want and will use versus what <i>you</i> want to give them.<br />
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A homemade ornament? The get 10 each year x 10 years of teaching...no tree is that big. Save the love for a homemade card that can be saved easily by the teacher with a personal note from you and your child--depending on age, they can at least write their name or how they write their name right now at this age. That may be an A for Alex or whatever mark they're able to make on the card.<br />
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It's all about telling the teacher you wish them a wonderful Christmas. Save the cookie mixes (unless you know what their favorite cookie is and know they'll use it. Same with soup mixes, hot chocolate in a mug (your mug will be the 20th one they've received this year.)<br />
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What are some good ideas if you don't really know your child's teacher but you want to buy them something special? Watch for tomorrow's post for ideas. What are your ideas?</div></div>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-64103822887856568702009-09-01T10:34:00.003-05:002009-09-01T11:27:48.956-05:00Welcome Back to School!<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It's time again to start coming up with fun ideas to appreciate our teachers. Here's a free one. Pass this on to your school's teachers and parents for some great discounts at places we already shop.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Borders. </span>The bookstore is now offering educators 25 percent off the list price of books, music, CDs, toys and games for classroom use (up from the previous 20 percent off offer). During Educator Appreciation Week (Sept. 29 - Oct. 7) the discount increases to 30 percent. </span><!-- CLOSE: #story_body_top --> <!-- CLOSE: #story_assets --> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Students and parents can get an additional discount on items at Target, Dell, J.C. Penney and other stores by shopping through the Borders Perks portal.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/5n101ft1zt0GKKPQQIMGIHMOIJMN?cm_mmc=CJ-_-2646476-_-3389915-_-Borders.com%20new%20banner%20125x125" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.borders.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><img src="http://www.tqlkg.com/22111bosgmk599EFF7B576BD78BC" alt="Borders.com" border="0" /></a><br /></p><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" id="story_text_remaining"><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Boston Market.</span> From now until the end of September, all teachers and school staff can receive 20 percent off of their restaurant or catering purchase. The discount is valid Monday through Friday.</p><p>On the weekends, teachers and staff will receive a free individual meal with the purchase of an equal-value meal.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Office Depot.</span> The Star Teacher program allows educators to receive discounts on supplies all year.</p><p>For more information on teacher discounts (most teachers can get a percentage taken off of their monthly Verizon phone bill, for example), visit the Web site <a style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);" href="http://www.myeducationdiscount.com/">www.myeducationdiscount.com </a></p> </div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >Source: SunHerald </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://www.sunherald.com/outdoors/story/1571584.html">http://www.sunherald.com/outdoors/story/1571584.html</a></span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-88309756717030072222009-05-03T10:45:00.006-05:002009-05-03T11:40:17.941-05:00Teacher Appreciation Week DecoratingEmail me your pictures next week if you're decorating your school's staff lounge, <a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/2009/04/decorate-your-teachers-door.html">teachers' doors</a>, entryway, and more. I'll post them here to share with everyone for great ideas for them to use later in the week, at the end of the school year or next year.<br /><br />Below are some of the signs that are going up in our staff lounge. I'm matting them on construction paper and hanging each from a wooden clothespin along a piece of twine on their large, empty wall. I'm going with a <a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/2009/04/and-our-theme-this-year-is.html">beach theme</a> focused on this quote. Out in the main entrance of the hallway will be a sign that says, "Forget about Hollywood, the reals stars work here at Our School!" Then each staff member has their name on a pictures of a starfish.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6i9-CLmBdKH6sT-Lyi0W-dBETQIH1tSMS0oZ-aQg8mxe6pKyb8aaGLt_D0Boi8XoqX0zegJGtb7aPjv_7fZYKcO6cexvBWTgRVL8M1kNuMnFp6fjkNY6qZ2CBC0LIZ3rTEU4KDGmcqTwE/s1600-h/Staff+Lounge+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6i9-CLmBdKH6sT-Lyi0W-dBETQIH1tSMS0oZ-aQg8mxe6pKyb8aaGLt_D0Boi8XoqX0zegJGtb7aPjv_7fZYKcO6cexvBWTgRVL8M1kNuMnFp6fjkNY6qZ2CBC0LIZ3rTEU4KDGmcqTwE/s400/Staff+Lounge+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331632336083557906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vQCn42PMZPr2CAv4pzEDU7BEwEL9SL4XduBIa6tY_wppXEaF8ZYECgUnlisIu5n8E1xLmz6BtTt8xr3-XVF5OaaiYncIy9GTjcqNbCQtZ8NDfkv0t7mCSb8fBtkoFUlVYGOH0a0DfFO2/s1600-h/Staff+Lounge+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vQCn42PMZPr2CAv4pzEDU7BEwEL9SL4XduBIa6tY_wppXEaF8ZYECgUnlisIu5n8E1xLmz6BtTt8xr3-XVF5OaaiYncIy9GTjcqNbCQtZ8NDfkv0t7mCSb8fBtkoFUlVYGOH0a0DfFO2/s400/Staff+Lounge+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331632339018915714" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jG4YDNwU6sP7Qff-pBXUwPI9Y57s8fjLyjq3_EEJ02xlDKPnrINtsUxtDwZwYogRAFnQV0FFOs4h9Sm7FRmJol2ZeJ1GLnW22tglMAInYxaGXe0OtAbosmR_pPPVSZYlDVKxretboTnl/s1600-h/Staff+Lounge+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jG4YDNwU6sP7Qff-pBXUwPI9Y57s8fjLyjq3_EEJ02xlDKPnrINtsUxtDwZwYogRAFnQV0FFOs4h9Sm7FRmJol2ZeJ1GLnW22tglMAInYxaGXe0OtAbosmR_pPPVSZYlDVKxretboTnl/s400/Staff+Lounge+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331632337898313458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmqJbqkvXggRk7DsR2o2I9KQnainK-osCe95JtlJSb_xB8iCcTMl4UDSihVPlOUmmY3tsy-gYQHH2_thLp4DZVTxCLsOaLUz7y5bkpvOgr47-gu76PRCwH_LbmgnuBapETl261FynPh65/s1600-h/Staff+Lounge+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmqJbqkvXggRk7DsR2o2I9KQnainK-osCe95JtlJSb_xB8iCcTMl4UDSihVPlOUmmY3tsy-gYQHH2_thLp4DZVTxCLsOaLUz7y5bkpvOgr47-gu76PRCwH_LbmgnuBapETl261FynPh65/s400/Staff+Lounge+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331632333634142754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVn03Azt4iN0HmHla3bUnT4IixCTglO9JPicNqKd1vXBKZrBu0w0pBEuDLwxB_o-oioOG4F0Aoz-PF9mDVvp-q-r_ZIuuBlW1qgZGDJBsnE_8rGroFM9Am2KZrxby1X2_kuVnkiLJAEFg-/s1600-h/Staff+Lounge+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVn03Azt4iN0HmHla3bUnT4IixCTglO9JPicNqKd1vXBKZrBu0w0pBEuDLwxB_o-oioOG4F0Aoz-PF9mDVvp-q-r_ZIuuBlW1qgZGDJBsnE_8rGroFM9Am2KZrxby1X2_kuVnkiLJAEFg-/s400/Staff+Lounge+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331632330503228386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'll be putting shells around the lounge, some netting, a bright striped table cloth. Our napkins even have shells on them! I might even go wild and break few fire codes and light some tea lights in some sand and mini starfish.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 204, 204); font-weight: bold;">Show me some of your decorations this week!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-79362406633781978412009-05-02T18:14:00.003-05:002009-05-02T18:18:53.782-05:00I'm looking for a cute phrase or quote to put on our substitute teachers' gift buckets. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZW2V3ZNCY_GXkeevCEPgAWZM4ISTkd0AWEOQ7FicB9_Dj5pRoOPSQ2FxRQcn5YAUVujBusbnzAzP5ZY8hZjeOnQmk-i7mJx4LkHfvvJWoCm7huw0Y2phAEvJtiVpHpRXj2CXBT7l25Kkp/s1600-h/Subsitute+for.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZW2V3ZNCY_GXkeevCEPgAWZM4ISTkd0AWEOQ7FicB9_Dj5pRoOPSQ2FxRQcn5YAUVujBusbnzAzP5ZY8hZjeOnQmk-i7mJx4LkHfvvJWoCm7huw0Y2phAEvJtiVpHpRXj2CXBT7l25Kkp/s400/Subsitute+for.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331369870722142770" /></a><br /><br />Any creative ideas out there? We have five substitute teachers that are usually at our school at least once a week, so I'm leaving them a little gift bucket in the staff lounge for them to pick up one day this week. I have lots of pictures to post tomorrow of all of the preparations that are almost done!<br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Jen"></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-33010137377695641222009-05-02T12:57:00.004-05:002009-05-02T19:03:12.783-05:00Chocolate-Lovin' TeachersIf you have a chocolate loving teacher on your shopping list, here are some great ideas that can be shipped fast in time for next week, Teacher Appreciation Week.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3389915-10471024?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcj.shop.com%2FMrs%2BBeasleys%2BPearl%2BBasket-68549427-84818010-p%2B.xhtml%3Fsourceid%3D23&cjsku=84818010" target="_top"><img src="http://edge.shop.com/ccimg.shop.com/220000/229900/229998/Products/68549427.jpg" alt="" beasley="" s="" pearl="" 6="" servings="" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/image-3389915-10471024" width="1" border="0" height="1" />Mrs. Beasley's Pearl Basket, Filled with cookies with Ghiradelli chocolate, brownies and truffles.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-3389915-10654383?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.overstock.com%2FGifts-Flowers%2FChocolate-Lovers-Gift-Basket%2F2684706%2Fproduct.html&cjsku=3208438" target="_top"><img src="http://cdn.overstock.com/images/products/P10877744.jpg" alt="Chocolate Lovers Gift Basket" border="0" /></a><br />Chocolate Lover's Gift Basket, Filled with chocolate chip cookies, chocolate espresso beans, chocolate-covered sandwich cookies, a chocolate-covered graham dunk, English toffee, Ghirardelli cocoa and an assortment of Ghirardelli chocolates.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-3389915-10471023?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcj.shop.com%2FDouble%2BChocolate%2BLayered%2BTowel%2BCake-71924439-88985187-p%2B.xhtml%3Fsourceid%3D23&cjsku=88985187" target="_top"><img src="http://edge.shop.com/ccimg.shop.com/230000/231700/231794/Products/71924439.jpg" border="0" alt="Double Chocolate Layered Towel Cake"/></a><br /><img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/image-3389915-10471023" width="1" height="1" border="0"/><br />Double Chocolate Layered Towel Cake, Relax and eat chocolate...does it get better?<br /><br /><br />Give Chocolate and Make a Difference!<br /><a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/9i98ft1zt0GKKPQQIMGIHNMLKPK?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.overstock.com%2FWorldstock%2FWomens-Bean-Project-Chocolate-Lovers-Basket-USA%2F2269110%2Fproduct.html&cjsku=2671055" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.overstock.com/';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><img src="http://cdn.overstock.com/images/products/P10522812.jpg" border="0" alt="Women's Bean Project Chocolate Lover's Basket (USA)"/></a><br /><img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/fh77qmqeki377CDD59354A987C7" width="1" height="1" border="0"/><br />Set Includes:*Women's Bean Project's assorted Jelly Beans *Dark chocolate covered espresso beans *Cindy's Sinfully Chocolate Brownies.<br />The Story Behind the Art: Women's Bean Project is a Worldstock partner and a nonprofit organization that teaches job readiness and life skills for entry-level jobs through employment in our gourmet food production business.<br /><br /><br />Quick and easy? King Size Hershey's Bar with a handwritten appreciation note. Cost, priceless.<br /><br />What not to buy? I Love Chocolate t-shirt, Make Mine Hot Cocoa mug, etc. Go with the real thing and a note. There's nothing more fun than receiving a delivery at work. Stop by the local flower shop and order a bouquet to be sent to the school and give them the teacher's favorite candy bar to stick inside the bouquet.<br /><br />All right, all of you chocolate lovers...what would you like if you were the recipient?<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-5382202015860311922009-04-29T17:30:00.005-05:002009-04-29T17:41:45.951-05:00Free GiftJust in case your family isn't able to do anything more than a thank you, you can see below...or should I say <span style="font-style: italic;">feel<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span><span>below that this these are the things that really let a teacher know they are appreciated.<br /><br />This is a sampling of the notes I have collected this week from families in our school (excuse the quality, please). I put a lot of work into planning to make next week-Teacher Appreciation Week-special at our school, just reading these notes and hearing the difference our teacher make makes it all worth while. <br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Each note starts with I, (mom, dad, student) appreciate Mrs. Smith because:</span></span></span></span><a style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJV4LU8eVVHzwCDjzcR4S4ODfOv5sZnG7pg-OalXdneNxlcxGY32mF2vWxKau56-6QpaAHffViHdHoSnRvwMr5VJ01_OHK_i4ej9VzIAkjhoiZVWHrjtdpWbVKVWzRRiZjDTXaKsWPq0T/s1600-h/taw+notes+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJV4LU8eVVHzwCDjzcR4S4ODfOv5sZnG7pg-OalXdneNxlcxGY32mF2vWxKau56-6QpaAHffViHdHoSnRvwMr5VJ01_OHK_i4ej9VzIAkjhoiZVWHrjtdpWbVKVWzRRiZjDTXaKsWPq0T/s400/taw+notes+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330245565299907410" border="0" /></a>This one is from a mom with two boys with special needs and she addressed it to all of the teachers and aides individually.<br /></div><span><span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpaVuEMxA1u4Pg72kPygZkWdY9h_1P-LUYW__vvdXY5b3__NzF7yu039Tr6y5Cc4PveSo6i0XFs4rQN5MuV9uc59-TR_Gt3igOlGtRd_hSGvLyTnEN1xDRr7r8uuQIP2ZOuFZGmaj37Nq/s1600-h/taw+notes+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpaVuEMxA1u4Pg72kPygZkWdY9h_1P-LUYW__vvdXY5b3__NzF7yu039Tr6y5Cc4PveSo6i0XFs4rQN5MuV9uc59-TR_Gt3igOlGtRd_hSGvLyTnEN1xDRr7r8uuQIP2ZOuFZGmaj37Nq/s400/taw+notes+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330246040519529730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMmQK8SWtgXdF-QHqKnlGoFLiXHOLfejEz-8PegvWlM-gJ-dUUVlJvBRtLLEoExJTWQQT0vJijRvuU9qjEkOC1CDBwtwoXOYTH2k_BHj5QsE0-fWuCdMtWAJPZB4xTIF54yq_pLPJQoaB/s1600-h/taw+notes+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMmQK8SWtgXdF-QHqKnlGoFLiXHOLfejEz-8PegvWlM-gJ-dUUVlJvBRtLLEoExJTWQQT0vJijRvuU9qjEkOC1CDBwtwoXOYTH2k_BHj5QsE0-fWuCdMtWAJPZB4xTIF54yq_pLPJQoaB/s400/taw+notes+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330246038802292226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnMq-AcAOcvr-M9Q2K8Sf58v_KKk-BDRo1OldsRmf7Y8hT-5PX3wMuTiXeB_ydKQ8MP1h91AcAdKdWsLRtUIw1in0_E-zzGBQW5H48qV51nKBGbIRdsThornzntBiLV9U-LB-5Ua7sgcH/s1600-h/taw+notes5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnMq-AcAOcvr-M9Q2K8Sf58v_KKk-BDRo1OldsRmf7Y8hT-5PX3wMuTiXeB_ydKQ8MP1h91AcAdKdWsLRtUIw1in0_E-zzGBQW5H48qV51nKBGbIRdsThornzntBiLV9U-LB-5Ua7sgcH/s400/taw+notes5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330246036452591170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDllmms0C8RZYfnNOFD7-fP9MAdc8sLsCDrvpgBxfeG1rSWCuvLou8SrGMjGusLN0skJnWGLu2hW-hQudZi-Vb1UMqolbKNfOsRVD6e829Q_8fCvZNoJfBFJGzWvqH4WzrJIVhF_4lo0r/s1600-h/taw+notes+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDllmms0C8RZYfnNOFD7-fP9MAdc8sLsCDrvpgBxfeG1rSWCuvLou8SrGMjGusLN0skJnWGLu2hW-hQudZi-Vb1UMqolbKNfOsRVD6e829Q_8fCvZNoJfBFJGzWvqH4WzrJIVhF_4lo0r/s400/taw+notes+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330246032276776274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfOaE8XYu8X-wLwXl-sgQPzJ38aU8StXiJL39F8Vtxein8orY2GJB2MhesI8uxGJuFOEajNkVe4JyYBfN-bxdHfCwEuqWf6T39fVKqGLavZoXur9FdCYxXyftqkKx84BHvxURqSWMxjKB/s1600-h/taw+notes+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfOaE8XYu8X-wLwXl-sgQPzJ38aU8StXiJL39F8Vtxein8orY2GJB2MhesI8uxGJuFOEajNkVe4JyYBfN-bxdHfCwEuqWf6T39fVKqGLavZoXur9FdCYxXyftqkKx84BHvxURqSWMxjKB/s400/taw+notes+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330246033287461986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZX0xdXZwqo0xAALYr96dxCAoYfZR9PGGuTP-WHjK7QJPOmK-WC7zLdqTI7hqPCcb4TBgqmxASRdtNGZz18g9DyiSUig-IJTts_39VslqZKibtSVyQSuA19ULkcXrhJ-tCA-pdgcYdzQSy/s1600-h/taw+notes+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZX0xdXZwqo0xAALYr96dxCAoYfZR9PGGuTP-WHjK7QJPOmK-WC7zLdqTI7hqPCcb4TBgqmxASRdtNGZz18g9DyiSUig-IJTts_39VslqZKibtSVyQSuA19ULkcXrhJ-tCA-pdgcYdzQSy/s400/taw+notes+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330245669331596434" border="0" /></a><br /></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-82499882369016982962009-04-28T09:39:00.014-05:002009-04-28T14:33:13.311-05:00Gift-Basket Ideas That Won't Break the Bank!Here are just a few ideas to add to a nice teacher gift bag or basket. Remember we want to put things in here that are consumable--the teacher will USE them versus dusting them or regifting them. What other ideas do you have?<br /><br />#1 Thank you note: Handwritten by child, parent or both.<br />This note can be a plain piece of paper that your child folds in half and draws a picture on the front of. It can also be a homemade card you made or something from the local card store. Which one is cheapest? The plain piece of paper folded in half. Which one does the teacher want? The plain piece of paper folded in half with a drawing by your child and an appreciative note from you. Practically free!<br /><br />#2 Teacher's favorite candy or lotion.<br />Notice, I did not say your favorite candy or the newest scented lotion you love to give out on this special occasion. It is so wonderful that you'd like to do that for the teacher, but instead take one extra minute and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrYtmJFvaSWMfJiR8jz2amIJqun3xwTphjI3uSCoKsdNXNNuiiwYq8FULvPrse-ts3R9ddJi8jlzzx0qDfhFMN8zxGkcd0EXMhs_jRS_S3OfboQdMailRzrF3sdO8PEHP8sgEdzIAvHTT/s1600-h/Sunshine4Teacher+teacher+information+form.jpg">print this out</a>. Hand it to your child's teacher or send it in their folder/backpack (whatever your communication system is with school) with a note that says, "Please fill this out and return it back to me. I'd love to know more about you!" Or "I'm working on a little surprise for you. Please return.) You'll enjoy knowing you spent your hard-earned money on what they like and they will too.<br /><br />I say this with love, because I personally know people that are allergic to nuts, chocolate, milk and whatever they use to make card candies that are sugar-free. If I smell any type of lotion or hand soap that is scented with anything remotely floral, I will be sneezing nonstop for the rest of the day and will probably get a headache. I know you would feel awful if that happened.<br /><br />#4 Hand sanitizer<br />There is never enough of this to go around...and look at this cute guy! The kids can't help but see this cute little guy sitting next to the tissue box!<br /><a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3389915-10662952?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.restockit.com%2FPURELL-Pal%208oz-%28GOJ9600PL1%29&cjsku=GOJ9600PL1" target="_blank">PURELL® 960</a><a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3389915-10662952?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.restockit.com%2FPURELL-Pal%208oz-%28GOJ9600PL1%29&cjsku=GOJ9600PL1" target="_blank">0-PL1 Pal </a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pd7mwgY6jm1AUyGjXUgPr0Tf0odS7OJWpIHHd3WVvmzB3aCj8EQkZ_fvVIpjTr9Vrdpl0NrehA6-C6OnMzoyD7sUP6TZNemLn_tcfs_dAUt-440UolftB5DTTpnHigfK42nV0iWfxnhp/s1600-h/Purell+Pal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pd7mwgY6jm1AUyGjXUgPr0Tf0odS7OJWpIHHd3WVvmzB3aCj8EQkZ_fvVIpjTr9Vrdpl0NrehA6-C6OnMzoyD7sUP6TZNemLn_tcfs_dAUt-440UolftB5DTTpnHigfK42nV0iWfxnhp/s400/Purell+Pal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329787990750420754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />#5 A very small or very large gift card. If you are buying a gift card just from your family, do what you can afford. No teacher wants a family to spend outside of their limits. Now if you're pulling up to school every morning in your fully-paid-for Escalade, by all means spend what you'd like. Another great option is to get together with a few other parents in the classroom and each put a few dollars together to get a nice gift card.<br /><br />I was at OfficeMax this weekend buying some extra <a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/2009/04/personalized-pensthe-homemade-way.html">Pentel pens</a> and there was a rack near the checkout filled with every gift card you could possibly want. The Visa gift card I turned over--thinking that would be nice and versatile--said "$3.95 fee will be added at the checkout." Crazy!<br /><br />All of these gift cards below have free shipping, no fee and no expiration date. I don't have to drive anywhere to get it and no ridiculous fee. Saved gas money + saved time= Happy parent and happy teacher! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/n1104ft1zt0GKKPQQIMGIHLOLHMH?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Folspage.jsp%3FskuId%3D7945361%26type%3Dproduct%26id%3D1152228986158%26ci_src%3D11138%26ci_sku%3D7945361&cjsku=7945361" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.bestbuy.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;">Best Buy GC $5 Gift Card</a><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3389915-10492043?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.borders.com%2Fonline%2Fstore%2FTitleDetail%3Fsku%3D0681988886&cm_mmc=CJ-_-2646476-_-3389915-_-Product%20Catalog&cjsku=0681988886" target="_top"><br />Borders Gift Card $25</a><img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/o0104kpthnl6AAFGG8C687BEB7C7" width="1" border="0" height="1" /><a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/at122ft1zt0GKKPQQIMGIHJOLIJP?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kitchencollection.com%2FAffiliate%2FCJ%2Findex.cfm%3FSKU%3D00000992&cjsku=00000992" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.kitchencollection.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><br />Kitchen Collection and Gadgets and More Gift Card</a><br /><img src="http://www.tqlkg.com/29102o26v0zKOOTUUMQKMLNSPMNT" width="1" border="0" height="1" /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/n1104ft1zt0GKKPQQIMGIHLOLHMH?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Folspage.jsp%3FskuId%3D7945361%26type%3Dproduct%26id%3D1152228986158%26ci_src%3D11138%26ci_sku%3D7945361&cjsku=7945361"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 79px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-6_Fs4ow9LQ46YbGbIBePzohC7t6ZdF3-d4u84oeon9Ai2Ofbc3QJn3ODkUORgHhnIyYihbnlfr9afTrf4XGVVH0ynTaX-Rh_b5lSegTKvUWuKIrWd1vJGjU8KBDw_Wi0VAlmkVResKd/s400/best+buy+%245+gift+card.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329798805895394498" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/at122ft1zt0GKKPQQIMGIHJOLIJP?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kitchencollection.com%2FAffiliate%2FCJ%2Findex.cfm%3FSKU%3D00000992&cjsku=00000992"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuwPtgLYM0MYnyN7ByoCIyoIf_no5ZFgG2wxdoFUdDUiFtijGvPMDAYapbxRzHgMepZCMOrK8O_WkvGml0OMPj6BM_OwdvrDyXhSWX2ei1SvsqPkGEUDLX3xUEqzfy9r1lNV1oiO3hVqA/s400/kitchen+collection+gift+card.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329819850512538258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3389915-10492043?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.borders.com%2Fonline%2Fstore%2FTitleDetail%3Fsku%3D0681988886&cm_mmc=CJ-_-2646476-_-3389915-_-Product%20Catalog&cjsku=0681988886"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5PMe7rTIR9hx7dw0OLmWvuo__kisE6qdWSXzNMXFpxxdTjKmG1ZZy9bnKIAeIoE-EhhgOsv0zoIhAHeW9todYpgapntYg0VRUr6-AWA8Pqafox1uo8pswDcfv52tcXO_Qwr5RAgU-FQD/s400/borders+gift+card.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329823362330033138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-62086179318739544472009-04-25T16:42:00.005-05:002009-04-28T12:06:11.793-05:00Sweet IronyHave I mentioned that the runner up in my long list of blog names was "Not One More Apple"? But I have a special love for a nice, crisp Granny Smith, so I went with my sunshiney name that I loved!<br /><br />Living in a smaller community (population of 3,500 population), it's normal to run into people you know. However, today I was running errands with my two daughters 45 minutes away at the closest WalMart so I was expecting to see a lot less familiar faces. It was a fun surprise to run into my eldest daughter's teacher right as we were finishing up in the produce section. I was letting the girls choose a few of the varieties of apples they wanted to sample and her wonderful teacher leaned over to get her own...juicy red apple. She said they're her favorite snack!<br /><br />I guess it was just a little reminder to me that it really <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> all about finding out what it is your <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrYtmJFvaSWMfJiR8jz2amIJqun3xwTphjI3uSCoKsdNXNNuiiwYq8FULvPrse-ts3R9ddJi8jlzzx0qDfhFMN8zxGkcd0EXMhs_jRS_S3OfboQdMailRzrF3sdO8PEHP8sgEdzIAvHTT/s1600-h/Sunshine4Teacher+teacher+information+form.jpg">own child's teacher likes</a> and not what<span style="font-style: italic;"> you</span> think they would like. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuxEyqc1afz2skTxSj8_j05R7XmEvmTcF_ZL5kFO9uSJwJgWEF6I28fmLIBx0BfDep3gwnfD5EmjZGEInLo_9DCe5UK4U0iVfGuJfrDcKn41U7Bxh9S9j1LSZ3nRQSgrIpgUUfVxreRCQ/s1600-h/Apple+Dew.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 97px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuxEyqc1afz2skTxSj8_j05R7XmEvmTcF_ZL5kFO9uSJwJgWEF6I28fmLIBx0BfDep3gwnfD5EmjZGEInLo_9DCe5UK4U0iVfGuJfrDcKn41U7Bxh9S9j1LSZ3nRQSgrIpgUUfVxreRCQ/s400/Apple+Dew.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328749973141133922" border="0" /></a>Because if you bet $1 million that this mom was definitely not going to get her child's teacher an apple for a treat, you'd be one happy person this afternoon.<br /><br />Mental note, it was a Braeburn that she said was her favorite. Okay, who am I kidding, there's not such thing as a mental note after two children...I'm off to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrYtmJFvaSWMfJiR8jz2amIJqun3xwTphjI3uSCoKsdNXNNuiiwYq8FULvPrse-ts3R9ddJi8jlzzx0qDfhFMN8zxGkcd0EXMhs_jRS_S3OfboQdMailRzrF3sdO8PEHP8sgEdzIAvHTT/s1600-h/Sunshine4Teacher+teacher+information+form.jpg">find a pen</a>. Then I need to get some pictures taken of my finds and progress of my gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week. Twenty-five cents and thirty-seven cents, which was the price for the pack of gum I got each teacher and which was the price of the adorable, little blue metal buckets that hold two cups of goodies???<br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-55564163186587591622009-04-21T20:14:00.005-05:002009-04-21T21:08:03.134-05:00Group Gifts for Classroom TeachersI'm turning on the broken record for one quick moment and then we'll be back to our regularly scheduled program...one of the most appreciated things you can do for your teachers is a heartfelt, specific thank you note. That being said, here are a few group gift ideas for the special teacher in your life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljm-rOF1F7iBzYVq_O3KdBdc_T-35uFt_HlVq-UT9-9AWnv1YZJxtwW_-Cm0YOOpH9sGd3imWhf-tv2zJ1E6MoftoFVkG1nnPGu1z1wd-hpeNp0eXGHIlgxtgfMTvj4Nd3tKsiV2Qm47M/s1600-h/Kristin+at+Everything+Pink+Beautiful+Group+Teacher+Gift+Idea.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljm-rOF1F7iBzYVq_O3KdBdc_T-35uFt_HlVq-UT9-9AWnv1YZJxtwW_-Cm0YOOpH9sGd3imWhf-tv2zJ1E6MoftoFVkG1nnPGu1z1wd-hpeNp0eXGHIlgxtgfMTvj4Nd3tKsiV2Qm47M/s400/Kristin+at+Everything+Pink+Beautiful+Group+Teacher+Gift+Idea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327320186128469138" border="0" /></a>A book with a special surprise inside...Kristin at <a href="http://everythingispink.blogspot.com/2007/06/teacher-gift.html">Everything Pink</a> does this wonderful classroom gift for her children's teacher each year. She sends home a note to the families in her child's class and collects quotes about their teacher and a small cash donation. What do a few quotes and a few small donations equal? A gift to bring a teacher to tears, that's for sure! You have to visit her site to see just how easy this is. She has a step-by step tutorial, plus a great <a href="http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/1491583/1/71438183#71438183_kfdkr">gallery of photos</a> showing each step.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMUlGj9zunsXd8U31k6CErwKVDZeGWyOki9fIzNbs5JmdzX43N16clAAHhWZdqBLJj1eju03MeQVbGbvbV2WPPx4NnV1EY7PRWDYAsH_Q83aBEbTfpTZJ68_1s91cYP19U7wyuj9OIkha/s1600-h/Gift+Card+Holder+from+DawnsStampingThoughts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMUlGj9zunsXd8U31k6CErwKVDZeGWyOki9fIzNbs5JmdzX43N16clAAHhWZdqBLJj1eju03MeQVbGbvbV2WPPx4NnV1EY7PRWDYAsH_Q83aBEbTfpTZJ68_1s91cYP19U7wyuj9OIkha/s400/Gift+Card+Holder+from+DawnsStampingThoughts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327323087715164114" border="0" /></a>Are you thinking about collecting a small donation from families to buy your teacher a gift card? Dawn at Dawn's Stamping Thoughts has a great <a href="http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/dawns_stamping_thoughts/2008/02/stamping-with-d.html">homemade gift card holder</a>. She takes you through each step with her very own <a href="http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/dawns_stamping_thoughts/2008/02/stamping-with-d.html">YouTube video</a>, making this a fast and easy way to make a gift card a little more special. Your note of appreciation inside the card will be icing on the cake!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUvOTdPeeT7IDYdCZMNrRgDfOo4JHms04HEd2hQ46-JOBWHN7IXD9fyuWl7x_NpxGTwWynuXcxiWVsbH1weFqq8j5ITdPF4KNs3IUQ5horWefYZLudETPJYSmVtk7NooyWurHytL3Qb4w/s1600-h/dinner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUvOTdPeeT7IDYdCZMNrRgDfOo4JHms04HEd2hQ46-JOBWHN7IXD9fyuWl7x_NpxGTwWynuXcxiWVsbH1weFqq8j5ITdPF4KNs3IUQ5horWefYZLudETPJYSmVtk7NooyWurHytL3Qb4w/s400/dinner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327330803646111090" border="0" /></a><br />A homemade meal for the teacher at the end of a long day teaching, grading, counseling, etc is a wonderful idea for all of the classes families to participate in. Some parents can make the main dish, a few some side dishes, a few some bread, and a few could make some baked goods for desert. Some parents won't have the time, but might be able to donate a couple of dollars towards purchasing the food. What are some of your families favorite dishes? Make enough for leftovers and make your teacher happy for two nights!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">What group ideas have you given your teachers in the past? What do you plan to do this year with a group to appreciate a teacher?</span></span><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-8009976919530611132009-04-21T09:56:00.006-05:002009-04-21T14:38:38.182-05:00Teacher Appreciation Week Starts on Monday, May4thTeacher Appreciation Week, May 4th to 8th, is quickly approaching. The parent group at my school is getting things rockin' and rollin' this week, so we're all set for a great week for these awesome people!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Here's how my to-do list is shaping up if you've been following our parent group's </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/2009/03/parties-parties-parties.html">plans</a></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Today the families at our school are all receiving a note requesting they contribute a food donation towards the teacher's luncheon taking place on May 5th. The note contains suggested foods and parents are to choose their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice of what they'd like to donate. The are also asked to circle a time period they can volunteer to cover the teacher's duties on that day.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">I'll be calling and emailing them next week to confirm what I need them to bring and the time and class I'll need them to volunteer with. We have some parents that volunteer each year to cover lunch and/or recess duties for their child's teacher and we get lots of new faces in each year also. This time they give ends up giving their teacher much needed relaxation time and their child is always so, so, so proud to have their parent in their class (It's a short-lived sense of pride before we become an embarrassment to them withe every move we make :) so help out today while you can!)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">I'm driving around collecting some wonderful donations of a coupon for each staff member for a free cup of coffee and more small but kind gestures from local businesses</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">I have received some astronomical quotes for short chair massages, so today I'm calling two smaller reflexologists to see if they might donate their time in exchange for some free publicity.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">I have purchased the pens to </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/2009/04/personalized-pensthe-homemade-way.html">personalize</a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> and printed out decorative paper with the staff person's name with a quote below it: Hope your day is as wonderful as you are!<br /><a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/9b108biroiq599EFF7B576AB8BA8?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenerds.net%2FPENTEL.Pentel_RSVP_Stick_Pen.BK90A.html&cjsku=42858" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.thenerds.net';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><img src="http://images0.thenerds.net/8782/BK9/8782-BK90A.jpeg" alt="Pentel RSVP Stick Pen" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/2j102bosgmk599EFF7B576AB8BA8" width="1" border="0" height="1" /><a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/7081shqnhp488DEE6A465A56BA9?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcj.shop.com%2FPentel%2BOf%2BAmerica%2BR%2BS%2BV%2BP%2Breg%2BBallpoint%2BPen%2BMedium%2BPoint%2BRed%2BInk-34311830-44833319-p%2B.xhtml%3Fsourceid%3D23&cjsku=44833319" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://cj.shop.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><img src="http://edge.shop.com/ccimg.shop.com/230000/230200/230272/Products/34311830.jpg" alt="Pentel R.S.V.P.® Ballpoint Pen, Medium Point, Red Ink" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/ek104ax0pvtEIINOOGKEGFKFGLKJ" width="1" border="0" height="1" /><br />I went with black Pentel RSVP pens (super easy to open and slide the paper in and also refillable!) and a fun decorative paper inside with their name--none of the fancy-dancy spray painting suggested in the tutorial--to keep things simple. My kids are helping roll these up and put them inside the pens. The love helping out</span><br /><br /><a href="http://coffee-girl-crafts-classroom.blogspot.com/2008/06/bubble-word-magnets.html"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvYBqWBO-IN9I2JVCrC4BYJvkK8HffBO7_TzNzqXZ80P7pdOQq3luZb4vv42Sqyv3mvQiTBZOJPJN_2pNMU9a1SCkPwMSujNYW74yG9-npf-m_2nHcHwxVKfkdwlxOkxmx1w22_5Pwkse/s1600-h/the+cafe+blog+-+mini+magnets+tutorial.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvYBqWBO-IN9I2JVCrC4BYJvkK8HffBO7_TzNzqXZ80P7pdOQq3luZb4vv42Sqyv3mvQiTBZOJPJN_2pNMU9a1SCkPwMSujNYW74yG9-npf-m_2nHcHwxVKfkdwlxOkxmx1w22_5Pwkse/s400/the+cafe+blog+-+mini+magnets+tutorial.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327174895705038290" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I'm making some mini-personalized magnets also, see The Cafe's</span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://coffee-girl-crafts-classroom.blogspot.com/2008/06/bubble-word-magnets.html"> <span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">great tutorial</span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> on these. So fast, easy and inexpensive...even for 60 staff they're costing me $13.50 total!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Have you thought about how you'd like to appreciate the staff in your school?</span><br /><br />Have you decided to go with something generic or are do you have time to do a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrYtmJFvaSWMfJiR8jz2amIJqun3xwTphjI3uSCoKsdNXNNuiiwYq8FULvPrse-ts3R9ddJi8jlzzx0qDfhFMN8zxGkcd0EXMhs_jRS_S3OfboQdMailRzrF3sdO8PEHP8sgEdzIAvHTT/s400/Sunshine4Teacher+teacher+information+form.jpg">little detective work</a> to find out the teacher's interests?<br /><br />Are you going to write a <a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/2009/04/teacher-gifts-and-chocolate-covered.html">thank you note</a> to the teacher or is your child? If your child is over the age of 8, here are some great <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Thank-You-Note-to-a-Teacher">guidelines</a> for them on writing a nice thank you.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204); font-style: italic;">Now is the time to jot some notes on the following:</span></span><br /><br />How you'd like to show your appreciation, what you'd like to spend, who are the important people involved in your child's education, and is there a group effort that you can donate some time to?<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Are you a room parent who is going to coordinate a group gift from the classroom? Group gift ideas for your child's teacher are coming up later today.</span></span><br /><br />If you have some ideas, some discounts to share for teachers or teacher gifts, free things you'd like to donate to my wonderful teachers at my school, questions, or anything else, post a comment or email me at <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">sunshine4teachers@gmail.com</span>.<br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-41881459634334932362009-04-20T18:02:00.000-05:002009-04-20T21:28:51.972-05:00Gardening Teacher Gift IdeasYou've done your homework and you know your child's got a real green thumb of a teacher--or at least a definite green thumb wannabe. :) Here are some good no-clutter gardener gifts:<br /><a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-3389915-10273638?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gifttree.com%2Fp3%2F6085%2FBurt%27s_Bees_Gardener%27s_Kit-1.html&cjsku=6085" target="_top"><br />Burt's Bees Gardener's Kit</a><br /><img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/image-3389915-10273638" width="1" border="0" height="1" /> <a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-3389915-10273638?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gifttree.com%2Fp3%2F6085%2FBurt%27s_Bees_Gardener%27s_Kit-1.html&cjsku=6085" target="_top"><img src="http://www.gifttree.com/images/large/6085h_Burts-Bees-Gardeners-Kit.jpg" alt="Burt's Bees Gardener's Kit" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="http://www.awltovhc.com/image-3389915-10273638" width="1" border="0" height="1" /><br /><a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/9m70y1A719PTTYZZRVPRQSXTWTY?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gifttree.com%2Fp3%2F5577%2FDish_Garden-1.html&cjsku=5577" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.gifttree.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><br />Dish Garden</a><br /><img src="http://www.awltovhc.com/ai66r6Az42OSSXYYQUOQPRWSVSX" width="1" border="0" height="1" /> <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/2666cy63y5LPPUVVNRLNMOTPSPU?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gifttree.com%2Fp3%2F5577%2FDish_Garden-1.html&cjsku=5577" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.gifttree.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><img src="http://www.gifttree.com/images/large/5577a.jpg" alt="Dish Garden" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/ol97h48x20MQQVWWOSMONPUQTQV" width="1" border="0" height="1" /><br /><a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/1o117cy63y5LPPUVVNRLNMOTPSPU?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gifttree.com%2Fp3%2F5579%2FDish_Garden_with_Pinks-1.html&cjsku=5579" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.gifttree.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><br />Dish Garden with Pinks</a><br /><img src="http://www.tqlkg.com/s9118xjnbhf0449AA26021384749" width="1" border="0" height="1" /> <a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/qa115shqnhp488DEE6A4657C8B8D?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gifttree.com%2Fp3%2F5579%2FDish_Garden_with_Pinks-1.html&cjsku=5579" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.gifttree.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><img src="http://www.gifttree.com/images/large/5579b_Dish-Garden-with-Pinks.jpg" alt="Dish Garden with Pinks" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/df66c37w1-LPPUVVNRLNMOTPSPU" width="1" border="0" height="1" /><br /><a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/th75zw41w3JNNSTTLPJLKMRNQNS?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gifttree.com%2Fp3%2F6324%2FEuropean_Dish_Garden-1.html&cjsku=6324" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.gifttree.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><br />European Dish Garden</a><br /><img src="http://www.awltovhc.com/np82m-3sywHLLQRRJNHJIKPLOLQ" width="1" border="0" height="1" /> <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/el117zw41w3JNNSTTLPJLKMRNQNS?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gifttree.com%2Fp3%2F6324%2FEuropean_Dish_Garden-1.html&cjsku=6324" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.gifttree.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><img src="http://www.gifttree.com/images/large/6324a.jpg" alt="European Dish Garden" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/kk65p59y31NRRWXXPTNPOQVRURW" width="1" border="0" height="1" /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-3389915-10492043?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.borders.com%2Fonline%2Fstore%2FTitleDetail%3Fsku%3D0681988886&cm_mmc=CJ-_-2646476-_-3389915-_-Product%20Catalog&cjsku=0681988886" target="_top"><img src="http://www.borders.com/ProductImages/products/00/50/88/a/50884972_a.jpg" border="0" alt="Borders Gift Card $25"/></a><br /><img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/image-3389915-10492043" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>A Borders Gift Certificate for them to buy one of their gardening books on their wishlist.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/92102gv30v2IMMRSSKOIKJMQRJSS?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.yardiac.com%2Flong.asp%3Fitem_id%3D4153&cjsku=GIFT25" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.yardiac.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><img src="http://www2.yardiac.com/images.asp?id=3613" alt="$25.00 Yardiac.com Gift Certificate" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/i1103uuymsqBFFKLLDHBDCFJKCLL" width="1" border="0" height="1" />A Yardiac Gift Certificate for them to pick out some fun new gardening toys from one of my personal favorite gardening catalogs. I love them because they will price match anyone. They have everything starting with organic fertilizers all the way up to decorative trellises.<br /><br />Don't forget--A gift certificate right there in your neighborhood for your local green house or nursery.<br /><br />What ideas do you have for the gardening teacher? Are you the gardening teacher? What would you like?<br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-45454673218384457822009-04-20T15:09:00.005-05:002009-04-20T15:43:30.843-05:00Fun Way to Make a Thank You Note for the Teacher<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGo6OiT-yuQAhyGU9LBfnKJBbYSPgUUJ9lErre_6dB6nX9qpuN4ghnbDGgZxAa7Q9yuLNxMCONvKQsxMHoquG5tOzygmD_DxWPhuagfQE_oMhdOzSO-PJPnTS_iqaGPNLhQkll1UDgblJa/s1600-h/wordle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGo6OiT-yuQAhyGU9LBfnKJBbYSPgUUJ9lErre_6dB6nX9qpuN4ghnbDGgZxAa7Q9yuLNxMCONvKQsxMHoquG5tOzygmD_DxWPhuagfQE_oMhdOzSO-PJPnTS_iqaGPNLhQkll1UDgblJa/s400/wordle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326875516458315282" border="0" /></a><br />Do you know what a Wordle is? Neither did I before today!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Wordle= A toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. </span><br /><br />Visit this great tutorial on <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Teacher-Appreciation-Gift-Sure-to-Please/">how to create a Wordle</a> for the front of a thank you note for a teacher.<br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-20257964574484698792009-04-17T11:44:00.006-05:002009-04-17T12:02:00.387-05:00Decorate Your Teacher's DoorAren't these just the neatest idea ever? <br /><br /><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/04/13/teacher-appreciation-door-decorations/"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iHKa7TC9g_qEhqABcfz2KqzzvM49gDnVZe0bamQELjX-GxkdAyrrUwDqtzsnvA5yZ6EBqsHwnPQqI0wHtnbt1AZerUb3dnfbdjFSZ6E9cABrWRp9exEThqGE89mzZamCvLVLT9uMAwji/s1600-h/Skip+to+my+Lou+Door+Decorations.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iHKa7TC9g_qEhqABcfz2KqzzvM49gDnVZe0bamQELjX-GxkdAyrrUwDqtzsnvA5yZ6EBqsHwnPQqI0wHtnbt1AZerUb3dnfbdjFSZ6E9cABrWRp9exEThqGE89mzZamCvLVLT9uMAwji/s400/Skip+to+my+Lou+Door+Decorations.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325703279051156498" /></a><br /></a> <br />Cindy, from <a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/04/13/teacher-appreciation-door-decorations/">Skip to my Lou</a>, has a tradition at her school where they decorate the teacher's classroom door. What a great surprise to come into work and see? My favorites are the "Recipe for Success" and "Give Mrs. Moody a hand." What is your favorite? Does your parent group do this at your school? <br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-32615852695355099442009-04-13T15:56:00.012-05:002009-04-28T12:09:27.968-05:00Teacher Gifts and Chocolate Covered SpaghettiI had to share some research with you that I was doing earlier today. The chocolate covered spaghetti was just a "control" in my test...okay, it's the day after Easter so cut me some slack. :)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Google Results:</span><br />"chocolate-covered spaghetti"=513<br />"gifts teachers really want"=11<br />"gifts teachers want"=<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmKsnsckgr7414QiIlp_Jk2dd5-C5VofMpxTV1c2Xocr4VfqGTnScS6wo8EmM7pCrQEsj2dj5PlmbZ83qzed_FXisW6GabJrNC0m-sFKc76HdedBIrFn5VNjyiRbhUIWV7_oY4zPUwfmI/s1600-h/three+fingers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmKsnsckgr7414QiIlp_Jk2dd5-C5VofMpxTV1c2Xocr4VfqGTnScS6wo8EmM7pCrQEsj2dj5PlmbZ83qzed_FXisW6GabJrNC0m-sFKc76HdedBIrFn5VNjyiRbhUIWV7_oY4zPUwfmI/s200/three+fingers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324286519719626306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />That number was 3. T-h-r-e-e, three, 3. Seriously? Do we put so little thought into the people who are influencing our children for seven hours a day?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />You could always google "gifts for teachers" and then you could get a wonderful list of items you could personalize with the teacher's name like a mini-chalkboard, a coffee mug or a silver apple (add dripping sarcasm). Let me tell you what google won't...that will be the fifth mug they've received this year. However heartfelt and well-thought-out that gift may seem, it is what you want to get them and <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> what they want.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:130%;" >What does research say teachers really want?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1) A thank you note.</span><br />I have been out of the teaching profession for over 8 years now and I still have a box that we called our Happy Boxes at my school. It has notes in it from the parents of children that were a joy to teach and children that were a daily challenge to teach. The ones that touched me most were the ones from the parents thanking me for my patiences and love for the children that challenged me. I hear story after story from teachers who have a box, a bag or a Rubbermaid container filled with these notes. They are notes they read over and over again. That is not to say that we don't treasure wonderful handmade items, it's just that over the years things break and your "Happy Box" starts to turn into a "Happy Storage Rental Container" and you have to pick and choose what is most meaningful. I've only been able to save two small ones: From Mitchell M in 1996, an angel sun catcher and from Katie L in 1997, a red bird mini-statue. Trust me that the most meaningful thing to your child's teacher will be your words.<br /><br />So write a note and make it specific. Ask your child some questions to get you writing:<br />-What do you like most about Mrs. Smith?<br />-What was something that was tricky for you to learn that Mrs. Smith helped you with?<br />-What was the best thing Mrs. Smith taught you this year?<br />-What will you miss most about Mrs. Smith next year?<br /><br />As a parent jot some notes:<br />-Was there anything Mrs. Smith did for your child that really touched you?<br />-Did she help your child in a subject that was really frustrating for them?<br />-Did she see a strength or weakness in your child that you had not seen at home?<br />-Did she support their giftedness in an area by giving them more challenging work?<br />-Did she help your child's confidence in a certain area?<br /><br />Your child's teacher will appreciate it, not just this year, but for many years to come.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2) A gift card for classroom supplies.</span><br />Where do teachers buy their supplies? Two of the most popular educational stores because of quality and cost:<br /><a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/nj121qgpmgo377CDD59354A9C9C5" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.discountschoolsupply.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><img src="http://www.tqlkg.com/ml105nswkqo9DDIJJBF9BAGFIFIB" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 58px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24QhAZsJxhPsq3xjlM5xK9f36rR4Ra3H1KXzo7P7QUgYMC0e1Maivqehgb8l_ouNwX-7JKxDom0I8U_loN3igZ8EGtnyNggGMmJCk2408kMYMeuh1IdpM7Axl53GbbKZUmAFnGDfA0urc/s200/Lakeshore+Logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324295046451708994" border="0" /></a>I'll have some coupon codes for both coming up next week, but a gift certificate is really your best choice unless you know something your child has mentioned they need or the teacher has told you something they've been wanting. The teacher in the classroom right next door to them might have some good ideas too!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3) Ask me!</span><br />Hand <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrYtmJFvaSWMfJiR8jz2amIJqun3xwTphjI3uSCoKsdNXNNuiiwYq8FULvPrse-ts3R9ddJi8jlzzx0qDfhFMN8zxGkcd0EXMhs_jRS_S3OfboQdMailRzrF3sdO8PEHP8sgEdzIAvHTT/s1600-h/Sunshine4Teacher+teacher+information+form.jpg">this form</a> out to your child's teacher and tell her you'd like to find out a little bit more about her for a surprise.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrYtmJFvaSWMfJiR8jz2amIJqun3xwTphjI3uSCoKsdNXNNuiiwYq8FULvPrse-ts3R9ddJi8jlzzx0qDfhFMN8zxGkcd0EXMhs_jRS_S3OfboQdMailRzrF3sdO8PEHP8sgEdzIAvHTT/s1600-h/Sunshine4Teacher+teacher+information+form.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrYtmJFvaSWMfJiR8jz2amIJqun3xwTphjI3uSCoKsdNXNNuiiwYq8FULvPrse-ts3R9ddJi8jlzzx0qDfhFMN8zxGkcd0EXMhs_jRS_S3OfboQdMailRzrF3sdO8PEHP8sgEdzIAvHTT/s400/Sunshine4Teacher+teacher+information+form.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324300167751798498" border="0" /></a><br />If they've always wanted to go to new fancy restaurant in town, but cannot afford it, a simple chipping in of five or ten dollars by you and few other parents can make that happen.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">And if you're the teacher, what do you wish we knew about what you REALLY want? If you're the parent, what do you give for a gift that you know your child's teacher REALLY wants? I love your comments! Keep on sharing :)</span></span><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-84880308281834293852009-04-09T17:50:00.003-05:002009-04-09T18:21:30.386-05:00And Our Theme This Year Is...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZm_0weoKL1ywKPZR-ZjcsLq_m8NAafSw_Hbh8gLXshuT_rzqvpP9K-tV41U3G2stgkKAY6yceNFjnSzMnPxMhbYpqTwk_njmn-zbhNaI90lT1sylz6vV5ZTvZT0D2K1tViMyl0ygPdtn/s1600-h/starfish2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 105px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZm_0weoKL1ywKPZR-ZjcsLq_m8NAafSw_Hbh8gLXshuT_rzqvpP9K-tV41U3G2stgkKAY6yceNFjnSzMnPxMhbYpqTwk_njmn-zbhNaI90lT1sylz6vV5ZTvZT0D2K1tViMyl0ygPdtn/s200/starfish2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322829867018008178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"You Make a Difference!"</span> from The Star Thrower Story, written by <a href="http://www.starthrower.com/star_thrower_story_script.htm">Joel Barker</a> who was inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley.<br /><br />I'll decorate the staff lounge with shells and candles to set the mood for relaxation. I will also do a display in the main hallway with each teacher's name on a star with a display title of <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:100%;" >"Forget Hollywood...The Real Stars Work Right Here at Our School!"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></span><br /><br />Throughout the year I've used this theme for one of my favorite thrifty teacher appreciation gifts, Wilton Lollipop Molds! You can use them again and again and all you have to buy are new lollipop sticks and new chocolate. I've even done butterscotch chips and peanut butter chocolate chips. I use the Sea Creatures molds for some starfish and other fishy lollipops, but I also the Smiley Faces. Because who can resist a smiling chocolate lollipop??? Certainly, not I. I like to tie on a small bag of almonds to for a few of our teachers who are on restricted diets. You can't please everyone all of the time, but I sure do try!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204); font-style: italic;">What theme is your school using this year for Teacher Appreciation Week? What themes have you used in the past?</span><br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-23036511218618324012009-04-08T20:31:00.004-05:002009-04-08T20:39:18.443-05:00Personalized Pens...the homemade way!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsOuXQDUhG8ZRHZ4Z6_WlqW8zK6-idL-SQ5QpSscNalfgsZ0z5S8J8pt14kqE6jmyA4MQBaWsFc5LRMGMkz2S7g24izeyvnHPBahaJycYQ_sdVls_BDikJbrAA2PhGbWv2DHSQNgem9XM/s1600-h/star+fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsOuXQDUhG8ZRHZ4Z6_WlqW8zK6-idL-SQ5QpSscNalfgsZ0z5S8J8pt14kqE6jmyA4MQBaWsFc5LRMGMkz2S7g24izeyvnHPBahaJycYQ_sdVls_BDikJbrAA2PhGbWv2DHSQNgem9XM/s200/star+fish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322499550090535074" border="0" /></a><br />I've been on the hunt looking for something cheap and non-cluttery (yes, I just made that a word--see the link in the left column to find out more about these types of gifts) to give out with the teachers' sweets. I came across this great tutorial on making very economical personalized pens for the teachers and staff. I just happen to have some cute scrapbook paper leftover from our Christmas notes to the teachers. I think it will work out great and I'm off to shop for some of these pens tomorrow. <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/personalizedpens.mspx">Personalized Pens</a><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-70689850739381064172009-04-05T13:29:00.002-05:002009-04-08T20:40:27.563-05:0029 Days Left Until Lots of Smiling TeachersI'm making my list and checking it twice--Okay, I check it about five times a day...but who's counting? Here is my progress on last week's to-do's. What are you working on right now to prepare for your Teacher Appreciation Week?<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1) Decide where you'll keep all your notes for Teacher Appreciation Week planning. </span><br />I made a spreadsheet this year to keep everything nice and organized. It has all of my categories, plus a mini-four week calendar so I can jot my "to do's" and "to call's" right onto the day things need to be completed by.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5P8ltzbs8rky440caPE7PXYGk3qVC_2F6lhPBIRSLhJ2K8GB47ZY6JIgubRTatzBNYPzlKjfCW66PZrGlGhGlh4Byat_RV1y6IdCJZsVNXVJu0O4KOeL6-oemtJnriC9Hh1RQpDvkV79M/s1600-h/TAW+To+Do.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5P8ltzbs8rky440caPE7PXYGk3qVC_2F6lhPBIRSLhJ2K8GB47ZY6JIgubRTatzBNYPzlKjfCW66PZrGlGhGlh4Byat_RV1y6IdCJZsVNXVJu0O4KOeL6-oemtJnriC9Hh1RQpDvkV79M/s200/TAW+To+Do.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322495943537143666" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">2) Call department stores and ask makeup counters for donations of samples and/or gift bags.</span><br />I have some bags set aside for me at our local department store for after their promotion is done this next weekend.<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><br />3) Contact three stores or restaurants per day to ask each for 5 small gift cards to donate to the teachers and staff.</span><br />I have half of my gift cards reserved and need to do some pick-ups and more calls early next week.<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Now we're finishing up our main to-do list for Teacher Appreciation Week activities and gifts. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">4) Asking for help from parents in your school.</span><br />I am saving most of my asking for help with our big luncheon for Tuesday of Teacher Appreciation week. Today I typed the form reminding parents that Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up. On it, I asking for food donations and help covering the teacher's duties for that day so they can relax. Before I could type up the form, I had to get the school schedule with recess duties and lunchroom duties on it. I try to break up the volunteer times into 30 minutes or less so even those parents with the busiest of work schedules might be able to help. They can always volunteer for more than one time. I also list the grade next to the time so parents can sign up for their child's grade.<br /><br />At the bottom of this form, I ask them to do a "thank you" note on the back. (See Friday in the post <a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/2009/03/parties-parties-parties.html">Parties! Parties! Parties!</a>)<br /><br />Now that my note is ready, I'll send it off to our other parent group members and have them proofread it and make any suggestions. Then I'll send it home next Wednesday and have it due to be turned in on the next Thursday--that means even us forgetful parents should have it filled out in a week and turned in by that Friday. Then I can work on scheduling volunteers and determine if we have enough food donations over the weekend. I will usually have some gaps here and there in the schedule and will fill those with any parent calls or emails I get for anyone that didn't turn in their form.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">5) Order supplies.</span><br />Make your list of everything you need to order ahead of time and keep a pen close by to that list. A lot of things can be ordered even the week before, but I like to save on last-minute shipping charges whenever I can.<br /><br />Tomorrow I'll be ordering our personalized M&Ms in our school colors. They have some cute teacher message ideas on their website that I need to decide on. I'll be ordering the three-7 ounce bags because they're buy 3 and get 1 free right now. <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/c4106shqnhp488DEE6A465BB7875" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.mymms.com/';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;">MY M&M'S® Candies Offer</a> Because we have such a large staff, I'll be mixing treat bags with a scoop of regular M&Ms and a scoop of personalized ones. These will be their goody bags for Monday.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">6) Tie it all together with a theme!</span><br />Our theme this year is... more on that tomorrow!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204); font-style: italic;">I love to read your comments! What are you working on for Teacher Appreciation Week? Do you have a theme? Do you have suggestions for or questions about my plans? </span><br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-87228362944520902602009-04-01T19:54:00.002-05:002009-04-26T20:10:47.352-05:00Favicon Holder<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-aZPEetbINCD88wT99vmx0CJa75CbOBq0YyJ6WXOolF4Y9cTb2Dssi55gLG2xVd4LBl6KzXmDdRpBrSWg1R0jIMj5StycqRc7BygRJ2IYxKeC2BfruZoSZu5-GHFidvf5PT6NQd19m4U/s1600-h/favicon.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 16px; height: 16px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-aZPEetbINCD88wT99vmx0CJa75CbOBq0YyJ6WXOolF4Y9cTb2Dssi55gLG2xVd4LBl6KzXmDdRpBrSWg1R0jIMj5StycqRc7BygRJ2IYxKeC2BfruZoSZu5-GHFidvf5PT6NQd19m4U/s400/favicon.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329172376340604994" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-4749513512714796302009-03-20T13:48:00.007-05:002009-03-27T19:58:48.111-05:00Parties, Parties, Parties!!!Today starts the biggest blog party on the net and soon the biggest party I throw for our teachers each year will be here.<br /><br />Welcome to all my new readers stopping over from the Ultimate Blog Party ~ 2009! Click on the link below to find other great blogs throwing a party and visit the main party page to see the live shows today!<br /> <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/5808/ultimate-blog-party-2009/"><img src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k210/5m4m/buttons/events/ubg1.gif" title="Ultimate Blog Party 2009" alt="Ultimate Blog Party 2009" /></a><br /><br />Every year <a href="http://www.pta.org/teacher_appreciation.asp">Teacher Appreciation Week</a> takes place the first full week in May and I look forward to planning it every year! It comes at just the right time when the teachers are trying to fit in all of the important lessons they want to teach before year's end...and also that not-so-fun time of year when the children in their classes have Spring Fever and are starting to bounce off the walls a bit.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_17AnZXh8fy5yKAr6yq3TaZ51rtFWdhk9zrAjcPz76xNe8goHldf2OUe1aTWs3qW03hNtKew0-2V1tWkM_OgDM87KHvq7YJUo9XIjdGN75_ztze5bYIEKrbsEOCmH2ELD6I93VzOJoAl/s1600-h/PTA+Teacher+Appreciation+Logo+-+TAW_Logo.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_17AnZXh8fy5yKAr6yq3TaZ51rtFWdhk9zrAjcPz76xNe8goHldf2OUe1aTWs3qW03hNtKew0-2V1tWkM_OgDM87KHvq7YJUo9XIjdGN75_ztze5bYIEKrbsEOCmH2ELD6I93VzOJoAl/s320/PTA+Teacher+Appreciation+Logo+-+TAW_Logo.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315353024515639938" border="0" /></a><br />We do a big luncheon or breakfast for the teachers on Tuesday of that week, the "official" Teacher Appreciation Day, which falls on May 5th this year. I'll be sharing more over the next week about the details that go into each step, but today I'll share what my goals are for that week with some notes for you to start thinking about what you'd like to do to make that week special at your child's school.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Monday: A special note in each teacher's mailbox along with something sweet to start of the week.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Don't forget custodians, cooks and other important staff. </span> I'm lucky at our school that everyone has a mailbox regardless of their position in the school. <span style="font-style: italic;">What staff are there besides your teaching staff that you want to include during teacher appreciation week?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Tuesday: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Luncheon.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Do you want to do a big lunch or a breakfast? How will staff that are not scheduled for a break or unable to leave their classrooms be able to get their meal? Can you get parent volunteers to fill in for a teacher to give them extra time to relax and enjoy their meal? Is it easier to do a breakfast so staff can eat before their day begins?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Wednesday: Send out school-wide email with link to YouTube videos </span>with our school's students telling why they appreciate their teachers and staff. <span style="font-style: italic;">What are some fun non-clutter gifts you can give the staff during the week?</span> I am all about non-clutter gifts...if it's going to collect dust, don't give it. Give them something they can use. See this great link to FlyLady talking about <a href="http://www.flylady.net/pages/clutterfreegiftso.asp">clutter-free teacher gifts</a>.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Thursday:</span> I'm still debating between 10-minute massages for everyone, corsages, or another great idea shared by YOU. If I choose your idea, <span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">your blog will be our sponsor of the week</span> for the week of May 3 to May 9, 2009 and will be featured throughout the week as well.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Friday: Awards Day.</span> Each staff person will receive a certificate of appreciation from our parent group and a little mini-book of thank you notes to them from the families and/or children in the classes. To get these notes, at the bottom of the sign-up sheet for volunteers for Tuesday's luncheon, there is a section telling them to turn over the paper and fill out : I, (parent or child's name) blank, appreciate (teacher or staff name) because.... In the explanation, I encourage them to remember to fill out an additional one for secretaries, music and art teachers, librarians...and anyone else special in the school. More about this later, but let me know if you'd like me to send you any of my Word files for you to edit and use yourself.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">What does your parent group do to make this week special at your school?</span><br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">There are so many cool prizes to be won at this year’s Ultimate Blog Party, but my top picks would be:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">* USC 10- Mabel's Labels, The Big Combo Pack </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">* USC 26- Hatley $50 gift certificate</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">* 50- Paperlicious $50 gift certificate</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">* 89- $100 gift card to HomeGoods</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">* 8- Stuck on You personalized name dots</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">* 58- Kitchen Aid Mixer</span>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-431581474406046602009-03-20T05:33:00.000-05:002009-03-20T15:59:18.045-05:00Why Waste My Time???Helping a teacher or helping a parent group takes time away from our already busy schedules, but my reason for doing it is a pretty big one...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1Zg2AQkNFkzvxmTv4UchpDc_WKOVvsKIaIfgn2sACAiy9K0uB1BHwJyW0k9icNLd-1ofPHKwjMylow4adsTS8wZ0dlAzRfAT_dl_nTbz4fLLS9QG7HKZv3w7Z60-7cbjtiR48nm25n4F/s1600-h/ChasingSistersAtIrvinePark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1Zg2AQkNFkzvxmTv4UchpDc_WKOVvsKIaIfgn2sACAiy9K0uB1BHwJyW0k9icNLd-1ofPHKwjMylow4adsTS8wZ0dlAzRfAT_dl_nTbz4fLLS9QG7HKZv3w7Z60-7cbjtiR48nm25n4F/s320/ChasingSistersAtIrvinePark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315371876899365858" border="0" /></a>For over 35 hours a week, the men and women that work at my children's school are all part of what brings these cute smiles running to me at the end of the day saying, "Mom! Guess what we did at school today?"<br /><br />Whether it's a story about the 2nd grade teacher that suddenly became a rock-star to them by <span style="font-style: italic;">him</span> wearing a blonde, braided wig during last week's assembly...or the cook that let them have an extra juicy apple at lunchtime...or the 4th grade teacher that complemented them on their polite walking down the hall while his class took a test...<span style="font-style: italic;">everyone there is doing a small part in bringing smiles to these giggly and proud faces. Faces that are growing up way too fast, but growing up better because their lives were touched by amazing people who are devoted to their education and them.<br /><br />I, for one, can find an hour or two of my time to give back to them. Sometimes it's making copies for an hour so they can spend extra time on math today, and sometimes I take on planning something more elaborate.<br /><br />I know they appreciate it and I love it when I can bring a smile to their faces...in return for all of the smiles they've sent my children running to me with.<br /></span><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy-1.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-82020039783500941552009-03-17T07:00:00.003-05:002009-03-18T18:41:28.868-05:00Lakeshore Learning Coupon for Sunshine Readers OnlyLakeshore Learning has generously given my readers of Sunshine4Teachers a discount during our kick-off month. This store has the BEST learning games for your own children or for a classroom gift for their teacher. Just looking through a few pages, I can't decide what I want to get first!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Use coupon code: 1540 at </span><a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/">Lakeshore Learning</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The code will give you $5 off any $25 purchase or $10 off any purchase of $50. This offer will remain valid until March 31, 2009.</span><br /><br />I cannot recommend this store highly enough. Click on the second tab at the top of their homepage on age-specific or grade-specific recommendations and you'll have a great list of products for your own home or your child's classroom.<br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-54081197098850603812009-03-09T16:51:00.013-05:002009-03-18T14:33:05.862-05:00Gifts for the ClassroomDid you know that the average teacher spends over $500 of their own money each school year for classroom supplies? Sometimes the best gift you can give a teacher is an educational toy or game they need for a teaching tool. This adorable monkey below would be great for a preschool classroom along with a note about how much you appreciate the teacher teaching and caring for your son or daughter.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3389915-10421877?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.backtobasicstoys.com%2FShowItem.aspx%3FproductID%3D7712&cjsku=7712" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.backtobasicstoys.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><img src="http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/images/7712.jpg" alt="Learn To Dress Monkey" border="0" /></a><br />The Light 'N Stike math game would be a great active math game for a first grade classroom.<br /><a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-3389915-10421877?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.backtobasicstoys.com%2FShowItem.aspx%3FproductID%3D7506&cjsku=7506" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.backtobasicstoys.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><img src="http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/images/7506.jpg" alt="Light 'N Strike Math" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Want to donate something to a 2nd or 3rd grade classroom that the teacher will love? The Great States game is a fun learning game that the children be asking to play again and again.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3389915-10421877?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.backtobasicstoys.com%2FShowItem.aspx%3FproductID%3D4261&cjsku=4261" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.backtobasicstoys.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><img src="http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/images/4261.jpg" alt="Great States Game" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What's the best way to find out what your child's teacher needs or wants for the classroom? Just ask! Or ask a colleague in the classroom next door if there's something special they've been wanting for the classroom, if you'd like it to be a surprise.<br /><br />At the beginning the school year, as PTA chair of our school's <layer id="google-toolbar-hilite-5" style="background-color: Cyan; color: black;">Teacher</layer> Appreciation Committee, I have each staff member fill <layer id="google-toolbar-hilite-8" style="background-color: Fuchsia; color: black;">out</layer> a sheet telling me a little about themselves, their likes or dislikes and any special things they'd like for their classroom. Sometimes the requests are as simple as new colorful dry erase markers (what a FUN thing for your child to pick <layer id="google-toolbar-hilite-9" style="background-color: Fuchsia; color: black;">out</layer> at the store) all the way to new indoor recess games that are age appropriate.<br /><br />This catalog has great educational toy ideas <a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-3389915-10421877?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.backtobasicstoys.com%2FShowItem.aspx%3FproductID%3DCATALOG&cjsku=CATALOG" target="_top">CATALOG</a> and you can always get your child's <layer id="google-toolbar-hilite-6" style="background-color: Cyan; color: black;">teacher</layer> a gift certificate to choose their own gift too.<br /><a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-3389915-10421877?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.backtobasicstoys.com%2FShowItem.aspx%3FproductID%3DGIFTCERT&cjsku=GIFTCERT" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.backtobasicstoys.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><img style="width: 99px; height: 76px;" src="http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/images/GIFTCERT.jpg" alt="GIFT CERTIFICATE" border="0" /></a><br />Need more suggestions for your child's age group? I'll be happy to help suggest something. Just post a comment below. Would you like a copy of the form I have the staff fill out at the beginning of the school year? Post a comment and I can email it to you.<br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy.jpg" border="0" alt="Jen" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-5726884159923657212009-03-07T10:23:00.009-06:002009-03-18T17:28:42.612-05:00St. Patrick's Day Appreciation IdeasLast year for St Patrick's Day, our staff received a note with a $1 gift certificate attached to the back that said the following:<p><!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> 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style="margin: 0in 6.3pt 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-style: italic;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj5NZ-7FHYUl0Nekd2XLCjnrGaDWuBh8sBVOlVrdeRfW4le9xZE10RtydgnIMZuxrE73YfbsLd7GpwVt2VKZBlZ9kCGldwJ5A2R_vS4dHMFu13shu0wsrQvs4ubwqvfdQY-JD990LPSWz/s1600-h/Rainbow+with+Shamrock+and+Pot+of+Gold.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj5NZ-7FHYUl0Nekd2XLCjnrGaDWuBh8sBVOlVrdeRfW4le9xZE10RtydgnIMZuxrE73YfbsLd7GpwVt2VKZBlZ9kCGldwJ5A2R_vS4dHMFu13shu0wsrQvs4ubwqvfdQY-JD990LPSWz/s320/Rainbow+with+Shamrock+and+Pot+of+Gold.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310485392644611362" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 6.3pt 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >W</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >e are lucky t</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >o have you helping our children learn and grow each day! All of the hard work and love you put into you</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >r </span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >w</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >ork is <u style="">very </u>appreciated.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 6.3pt 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">Lucky to be partners</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">in education with you,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 6.3pt 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >(Signed your group or committee's name)</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:85%;" ><span style=""> <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I used the rainbow graphic to the left on the front of the note and stapled the small gift certificate to the back.</span></span><br /></span></span><br />Our gift certificate was for the local bakery and $1 was just right because we have a staff of 69. That includes teachers, teacher aides, support staff (secretaries), physical education teacher, art teacher, school psychologist, crossing guards, etc. That means with paper to print the notes on and the gift certificates, I stayed right under my budget of $75.<p>Sometimes the monthly or bi-monthly surprise is as simple as a note with a piece of candy and others it's a $3 gift certificate when I've pinched pennies (even more than I already do!) the previous month.</p><p>What ideas do you have for St Patrick's Day? Or March? Or even creeping into Spring?<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></p><p></p><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy.jpg" alt="Jen" border="0" /></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790421561849251610.post-52774628250476902442009-03-05T21:13:00.002-06:002009-03-18T14:33:58.876-05:00Please Lord, not another Barbie or Matchbox!!!Several of you have asked for some good educational toys to add to your own toy shelves at home. Here are just a few of the best stores to find toys to teach your children while they play. I'll do another post next week breaking down by ages the best education toys for you to encourage your child's learning with you at home. Happy Shopping!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/1766zw41w3JNNSTTLPJLKPMPQSN" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://shop.scholastic.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/ff108ax0pvtEIINOOGKEGFKHKLNI" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/d566ar-xrzEIINOOGKEGFIMJKKL" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.discoverystore.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><br /><img src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/db111snrflj488DEE6A4658C9AAB" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/1h66tenkem155ABB37132644858" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.backtobasicstoys.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><br /><img src="http://www.tqlkg.com/8477m-3sywHLLQRRJNHJIMKKOLO" alt="BTBTlogo_120x90" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://sunshine4teachers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/carriesue425/sunshinesignaturecopy.jpg" border="0" alt="Jen"></a>Jen @ Sunshine4Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221246092258902655noreply@blogger.com0