Teacher Appreciation & Pi Day

staff appreciation luncheon

Happy Pi Day!

If you are a math nerd (like me), this is a fun day!

People young and old, all around the world, challenge themselves to memorize ∏ on this day
March 14 or 3.14

3.141592653589793238462643383279502884…

Pi, the ratio of the circle’s circumference to its diameter, is an irrational number which never repeats,
so memorizing pi can be a lifelong adventure!

For this Pi Day, we are not baking an apple pie, nor a pizza pie, nor egg pie or quiche!

To celebrate Pi Day 2011 we are going to appreciate our math teachers, or better yet, all our teachers!

You Have A Big Heart

fortune cookie contest

If you could write a fortune, place it in a fortune cookie and give it to your teacher,
coach, or staff member, what would it say?

you will get a great class next year

You will get a great class next year.
from Jack

fortune cookie contest

Good fortune abounds.

all your children will listen to you

All your children will listen to you.
from Gregory

centerpiece

Beautiful table centerpieces with mini flowing fountain.

some day in the future you will find a nice sweater

Someday in the future you will find a nice sweater.
from Andrew

everybody will love you

Everybody will love you.
from Sophia

Tea, and fortune cookie, and crane.

My fortune was:

You’ll have a vacation to Hawaii, Pittsburgh, and Dallas.
from Austin

there will be peace in the world for you

There will be peace in the world for you.
from Ethan

You will hit the jackpot in luck tomorrow.
Your lucky numbers are 9, 11,17, 19, 20, 21, and 101.
from Yuki

teacher appreciation luncheon, rolling hills country day school

This year for Teacher & Staff Appreciation Day, our wonderful parents chose a delightful Asian theme, transforming the auditorium into a magical colorful space. On this day the parents go all-out to express their gratitude for the faculty and staff at our school. While some parents graciously wait on the teachers at the luncheon, other parents are in the classrooms so teachers may have an extended lunch period to relax and enjoy the fabulous meal.

teacher appreciation luncheon

The appetizer buffet included eggrolls and sushi rolls.

Hot Chinese Buffet

teacher appreciation luncheon, rolling hills country day school

Shrimp, chicken, and tofu stir-fries.

teacher appreciation luncheon, rolling hills country day school

Faculty and staff received invitations to the luncheon two weeks prior to the event, which included a set of chopsticks – so we knew the theme was to be Asian, but no one sees the room until they arrive for lunch. Imagine our delight as we walk into the transformed auditorium! We are fortunate  indeed – to work at an outstanding school with such a dedicated parent population.

teacher appreciation luncheon, rolling hills country day school

Cherry blossoms – an omen of good fortune and an emblem of love and affection.
Koi – a very powerful symbol of good luck, abundance and prosperity.

teacher appreciation luncheon, rolling hills country day school

The hot buffet was a bit hit!

teacher appreciation luncheon, rolling hills country day school

Desserts included a cookie buffet and homemade red velvet cupcakes.

Love Notes

teacher appreciation luncheon, rolling hills country day school

From the children…

teacher appreciation luncheon, rolling hills country day school

Dear Coach Grant,
You are AWESOME!!
From, Mateo-Luis

teacher appreciation luncheon, rolling hills country day school

Dear Mr. Kane,
I had a lot of fun in your class and I hope I can do more fun projects again.

teacher appreciation luncheon, rolling hills country day school

Take-out containers filled with goodies and homemade cake pops.

Paper cranes and fortune cookies.

teacher appreciation luncheon
Thank You Parents & Happy Pi Day Teacher!

UPDATE: Going way beyond creative, over the years the parents have turned an ordinary auditorium into:

Mysterious Colorful Morocco

Charming Farmers Market

Amazing All-Star Ballpark

Clever Eco-Friendly Environment

National Park with Campfire Lunch in the “Woods”

To those who plan Teacher Appreciation Luncheons, click on each link for fabulous inspiration!

20 thoughts on “Teacher Appreciation & Pi Day”

  1. The above teacher appreciation lunch is wonderful and such a great idea. As the president of the PTO and Chairwomen of Staff appreciation (we have it for everyone that works at the school). I sat and looked at all the photos for half an hour to see if I could use any of the ideas. But, I have to ask how much did the lunch cost, only to know if I could do a lunch like this in the future? I have done ours at our school for the last 5 years and have a budget of $1,00o which includeds a a small gift, no more then $5, for the staff (100 staff members). I always have a theme (beach, picnic, garden, etc.) and always dream of having a lunch as pretty as yours but have to cut down on decorations to provide the main course, tablewear, etc. I was wondering if you have any helpful suggestions for this frustrated PTO mom.

    – Parent volunteers provide the side dishes, dessert, drinks, and help during the day.

      1. I have the same questions Meghan B. had. Unfortunately, I have an even SMALLER budget of $500.00
        I do Teacher Appreciation every year and love doing it! I usually end up spending at least $300.00 myself. I try my best to get any type of donations from local restaurants of food or products, but usually I buy alot of it myself. $500 is not much for a whole week of TA activities, gifts, and a nice luncheon at the end of the week. I would love more details on what your did and costs for your event. Thank you for your time! 🙂

        1. HI Elizabeth – How nice of you to donate your time, energy, and money for Teacher Appreciation. I am sorry that I cannot help you with the cost of the events, as I am not personally involved in that. The creative, clever, crafty, generous parents donate their time and money to put on our luncheons – and it is a pretty big production. I hope you click on all the updated links at the bottom of the post to get inspiration. Good luck.
          LL

        2. Hi again Elizabeth – I was able to get some ideas for you regarding financing the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon:
          Send a letter home in the students’ backpack with a blank envelope and a letter asking for donations from parents to go towards the luncheon “showing the amazing individuals who instruct, guide, and nurture our children how much we appreciate them.” This is completely voluntary. You might also create a buzz about how awesome this year’s luncheon will be, perhaps share the theme.
          Donations can be placed in a sealed envelope, so amounts and donors are anonymous. Donation envelopes can be given to the teacher or dropped off at the front office. The front office then collects all the envelopes and gives them to the luncheon chairperson.
          Also suggested – if you want to make one spectacular luncheon, consider having the entire budget go towards that day…on the other days, do things that have no cost, such as, send emails or little personal notes to teachers about how much you appreciate them.
          Our theme this year will be Hawaiian – showing aloha (love) and mahalo (thanks).
          Good luck.
          LL

  2. In light of recent events, the Asian theme was especially poignant – when I looked at the cranes. This is a celebration that is sure to have impacted young lives. I especially was touched by the fortunes.

  3. My favorite high school teacher and I still keep in touch. As it happens we both moved from the west coast where I attended school and she taught, and now live in Manhattan. If I could enclose a note in a fortune cookie I would say, “You’ve made a big difference in so many people’s lives.” But I’ll save it to tell her the next time we meet for brunch.

    I love all of the festive detail at this teacher’s lunch, especially the paper cranes and fortune cookies.

  4. I am the PTO President at our school and would LOVE to do this for our teachers can you send me more info on where you got decorations etc.
    Thanks!

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