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Hi all! I know that if I don't find ideas here then there are no ideas to be found! :lol:
The local elementary school PTA (where 1 of my children goes) has asked me to come up with some ideas for the Back to School Gift that the PTA puts in the teachers (and staffs) mailboxes on their 1st day back in August. There would be about 35-40 of these so the cost needs to reasonable. This could really be a foot in door for me ~ I did a presentation to the PTA for a fundraiser idea that I have and it's waiting for the vote in August ~ so I think the PTA is asking me to do this sort of as a test to see how well received the fundraiser idea will be. Any and all ideas are greatly appreciated!
since I am addicted to micro beads...maybe a beaded pen, with an apple...cost isn't bad seeing as you get so many pens out of one purchase...check out the beaded pens in the gallery...the new year round fun has an apple that would work great!
My PTA would do a little goody bag with things like post-its, candy (of course), an dthe coolest was the 1st year you worked at the school you got an SU stamp with your name. Obviously the PTA would have to put up some $$$ for this, but that was the most used stamp I own!
__________________ I want people to be afraid of how much they love me-M. Scott
Here are a few Teacher Survival Kits that can be modified and put in a cello bag-the tag could be handstamped with the list typed on a sheet of paper on the inside.
These items can be packaged in clear bag, a coffee mug, a pencil case, or a pretty jar that could stand on the teacher's desk.
Crayon - to color your day bright and cheerful
Candle - for when you are up late grading papers
Hugs and Kisses - for when you need a hug
Rubberband - to remind you to be flexible
Eraser - to remind you everyone makes mistakes and they can be erased.
Marbles - to replace the ones you've lost
Lifesaver candy - you are a lifesaver to many of your students
Jewel - because you are as valuable as a precious stone
Puzzle Piece - without you the class wouldn't be complete
Paperclip - to hold it all together
Mounds Bar - for the mounds of confidence you give your students
Shiny Penny - to remind you, each will shine in their own special way
Ear Plugs - when you just can't take anymore
Starburst - to give you a "burst" of energy when you need it
Mint - to remind you that you are worth a "mint" to your students
Tissues - to wipe away the tears...yours and theirs.
Gum - to help your class "stick" together
Bandaid - to help fix any hurt feelings
Teacher Survival Kit
unknown source - shared by Joy on the Survival Kits mailing list
Sugar Packet - to remind you how sweet you are
Marker Pen - to thank you for leaving a lasting impression
Playing Card - for the heartfelt way you "deal" with taskes each day
Starburst - to let you know that you are a shining star
Eraser - a reminder that a good education can never be erased
Mint - to thank you for your constant encourage"mint"
A Tea Bag - to remind you how tea-rrrific you are!
Sunkist Fruit Gem - because you are a true gem
Smarties - for helping make each student smarter
A TEACHER SURVIVAL KIT
by Pam
Pick the items that best fit your needs and give to a fellow teacher at the beginning of the year or as a pick me up
Pipe cleaner – to remember that flexibility is important to a successful school year
Wiggly eyes – to help keep an eye on your students to discover how best to help them or when you wish you had eyes at the back of your head
Battery – to help you keep going and going and going
Bath salts or bubble bath – to take you away to a quiet place that is well deserved
Animal crackers – eat these when you think your classroom is a zoo
Eraser – everyone makes mistakes and that is okay, learn by them
Jingle bell – ring this when you need a helping hand
Sticker – we are a team and we stick together
Present – remember that our students are a gift to us, treasure them
Candy Bar – use this whenever you need a sweet escape
Smiley sticker – try hard to wear a happy face
Life savers - for when you've had one of those days
Flowerpot or a pack of seeds – encourage your students and be patient, we are here to plant the seeds of knowledge
Clothespin – Hang in there!
Snowflake – When all else fails, Pray for a snow day
Orange – “Orange�? you glad you are part of the best school (name of school)
Band-Aid – to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else’s
Hugs and kisses – to remind you that everyone needs a hug or a compliment everyday
Playdoh - we all need some "play" time
A hat – to remind you that you are not only a Teacher, you wear many different hats
A tissue – to wipe your children’s tears away
A Shape - Thank you for helping to "shape" the future
Supply Teacher Survival Kit
unknown source - shared by a member on the Survival Kits mailing list
Glitter - to remind you of how the world looks through a child's eyes
Chapstick - to keep your lips moist after giving all those directions
Name tag - to introduce yourself to students and staff
Tylenol - for those trying students and situations
tea/spiced cider/hot chocolate - for a little pick me up
Packet of microwave popcorn - for break time
Bath salts - for your debriefing at the end of the day
Chalk - to "chalk" it up to a job well done
Lifesavers - for being a lifesaver for the teacher
Storybook - for a little quiet time with the kids
Whistle - to get attention quickly
__________________ I want people to be afraid of how much they love me-M. Scott
How about an arcylic picture frame post it note holder. I recently tried this and loved it (and so did others!). You buy a 4x6 acrylic photo frame. It can be landscape or portrait orientation. I got mine at Wal-mart for 96 cents each - a very reasonable price! Then you stamp a 4x6 "card". If landscape orientation, leave a spot at the left or right for the Post-it or portrait at the bottom. Position the frame kind of like a ramp. Slide your card in and stick the post-it on the acrylic. Finish off with tying some ribbon on the top and voila! You can also make a matching rsvp pen. I used paper, but I confess I just got my beads from Suzanne today! Yahoo! Can't wait!
Hope this is clear. I will try to post a picture of one, but I've never posted before so it may take awhile to figure it out!
For all of my teacher co-workers I am stamping the small square boxes with the OH So Sweet Set and placing a homemade chocolate (could be store bought ) inside and I am stamping post it note holders that match
The beaded pens and survival kits are a good idea BUT you have about 50% of your gift receivers who would either toss it or give it away. The men. I know from experience that unless it is food or something really useful they will just throw it away.
I think that if you are trying to show the PTA the benefits of your ideas and that they will appeal to a wide audience you have to be pretty careful to make sure that whatever you do is ambiguous enough to be used for a male or female teacher, and for some reason guys just don't appreciate a beautifully beaded pen! lol
Thank you for the survival kit lists!! I have been wanting to find one so I can make some kits for the first day of school for my classroom assistants. As I teacher, I never really did like the "apple stuff", but that is just me, some teachers do. I much rather have something that I can use every day or EAT!! We love chocolate on those stressful days!!
I'm a teacher and personally I love any type of office supplies. Post it notes are always good! I love Stampin Shelly's idea of the acrylic post it note "holder".
Even just a card to welcome them back would make them feel good.
I also agree with giving candy, but I always (well almost always) throw candy away because I am trying to avoid sugar. I am probably in the minority there...
It is very kind of your PTA to make the extra effort to welcome the teachers back. Everyone loves a pat on the back!
I have not had a teacher receive one of those RSVP pens without just loving it. You can personalize each one. Stamp them differently or put on the teacher's name/grade. Then the teacher always knows it is her pen! They are easy and relatively inexpensive if bought in bulk!
What about the spiral bound notebooks cut in half and decorated that Susan Gardner spoke about at convention. There are a couple on here if you search under notebook.
As a teacher, the jr. legal pads with the stamped covers are great. I know they have been such a hit with the teachers at my school who have gotten them. They are nice to take to meetings and are often admired by other teachers. The great things with these is you can make some that are more masculine looking that could appeal to the men teachers. I don't know if you could custom make any but it would be so fun to use some of the sports equipment ones for the PE teachers, music ones for the music teacher etc. Simple but very practical.
One fun gift I got from a mom last year was a tile (I'm guessing about 6in by 6in-it's stored at school now so I'm not sure!) that was stamped and colored in one corner. It had my name written across the top and then a special finish on it so I can use it as a mini dry erase board. Or maybe she sanded down the corner to stamp on it-not sure. She also got a standing plate holder that it fits on so I can set it on my desk. I know this would cost a little more but I had to mention it for people who are reading and interested in making fewer number of gifts. These were a hit!
Back to School Teacher Gifts
