Show of appreciation for all teachers in school

We were originally thinking about bringing in donuts for our student’s high school teachers and staff but realized that donuts have a pretty short shelf life before they get stale and go to waste. I count about 100 teachers and with staff, makes it roughly 150 people. Any ideas that won’t break our budget too badly but shows appreciation?

We’d like to stay around or below $100-$125. The best idea we came up with so far are some nice chocolates. Also since I’m not used to doing this type of thing, is it ok that we don’t bring in quite enough for everyone or is that lame?

There are always a few parents who send in goodies during the week of exams, while we’re proctoring and grading. And they’re greatly appreciated. During those days, everyone is in and out of the faculty room during the short breaks we get in proctoring.

We get big platters of cookies-- those stretch fairly well-- or fruit/veggies and dip.

It will be OK if there is not quite enough for everyone. There will be teachers on diets, or who have dietary restriction of one sort or another. It’s cliché to say that it’s the thought that counts, but honestly, it’s the thought that counts.

I told my kid to give $20 Starbucks or Amazon gift card to all teachers and counselors, even to those teachers our kid or I myself was not crazy about. I know their job is not easy.

If you’re talking about a group thing rather than individual gifts, I’d do a variety. You can have some grapes or similar hand eaten fruits, donuts, bagels (often popular), small muffins, and a bowl of personal wrapped chocolates - Lindt truffles, Dove dark, or Andees mints or similar seem popular around here.

I have no idea how far that goes within your budget, but it would provide a variety that would appeal to almost anyone where I work. The key seems to be to appeal to those who are more traditional (donuts) and those who opt for healthier (fruit). Then chocolate seems to pass the bar for most. (Therefore, if you stick with just one type of item, a variety of chocolates would probably win.)

Thank you! Great ideas and insight, all.

Make a donation to your school library, or some other worthy group on your school. We made a donation to the general scholarship fund in honor of the teachers. We also did one to the Music Parents Association. These groups will appreciate and use the money well.

Check your district policy on gifts. In our district, a gift over a certain amount needs to be approved by the BOE. It wasn’t a problem. We wrote a very nice letter which was read at a BOE meeting…and was easily approved…with a nice thank you.

All the teachers in the school got a note about our donation via email.

I’m a former public school educator, and we really appreciated donations to help our school. Believe me…schools have PLENTY of food. It’s a very nice thought you have…but I’d suggest something other than anything edible.

My school had parents bring in meals during exam and conference weeks. There was an online signup, with families signing up to bring a pot of soup or stew that served 8-10 people each. The faculty and staff really appreciated this when they had to stay late to grade or to hold conferences.