Teacher Appreciation Week!

Two weeks ago was Teacher Appreciation Week at Cameron's school. The PTA was responsible for planning and implementing the event and, since I signed up for the PTA to get involved and meet people, I volunteered to organize the events. I was nervous because at the start of planning I really didn't know any of the parents, but I decided that this would be a great way to force me to meet people. I think the week went well and I got to know many of the parents much better! Here are some pictures and stories from the week.

We started out the week by decorating the school. 

 

We also asked all the children to bring in a flower for their teachers. We ended up having a bunch of flowers, so we were able to make really nice bouquets for everyone. Once we collected all the flowers, we made bouquets and handed them out to the teachers, volunteers, and staff. 

Making bouquets 

Ready to hand them out

Giving Miss Sonja, the headmaster, her flowers

Tuesday, we prepared breakfast for everyone to enjoy.

Wednesday, we asked each child to make a card to bring to the teachers by tracing their hands and decorating them.

Thursday, we gave the teachers and staff pictures of the classes that we had taken earlier in the week. It was much more difficult than I expected to get a picture of Cameron's class. I guess I should have anticipated that we would have trouble getting 15 three to six year olds to be still, look at the camera, and smile at the same time! In the end, the picture to the right is the best one we could get. Cameron did not want to take a picture! 

Friday was, by far, the most interesting day of the week. Not because of what we had planned, but because of an unexpected injury in Cameron's class. We planned a lunch for the teachers and staff and had many parents volunteer to prepare delicious food!

All set up!

Before lunch even began, we were informed that one of the students in Cameron's class had fallen and that Miss Corine (teacher) felt the boy needed to go to the hospital. Since his mother speaks mostly Spanish and a little English, Miss Corine decided to go along (she speaks fluent English, Spanish and Dutch). We were bummed she couldn't be at the lunch, but we had parents to cover her class during the lunch hour so she could go to the hospital. Unfortunately, Miss Corine was not back from the hospital by the time lunch was over, so several parents, myself included, along with a staff member at the school took the kids for the afternoon. Let me just say that watching the kids for a few hours was a great way to cap off the week and help us REALLY appreciate the teachers who are with our kids every day! 

Because it was a nice day, we decided to take them to a park across the street from the school. 

(10 minute walk)

 I was a nervous mess because we had to walk the kids across a busy street and it was really hard to keep all of them together...there were times they were just running a muck and went off course!

Trying to get back on track

Off course...once one child ran, all the others followed!

Once we arrived at the park, the kids had a great time until it started to rain...we made a mad dash back to the school!

It stopped raining once we were back at the school, so we let the kids continue to play outside. Even though it was a little chaotic, we returned to the school with all the kids in one piece!

Buddies!

Needless to say, we were all exhausted by the time Miss Corine was able to come back and take over.

After watching the kids, I can honestly say that all the teachers are saints! Miss Corine is so good with the kids and they love her too. I am very thankful for such a great teacher for Cameron. I'm also thankful that I was able to meet and connect with so many parents during the week. I am looking forward to getting to know these ladies better as the year goes on!