34 JUNE 2024 By Tiffany Gonzalez Early May marked Teacher Appreciation Week, and Arcadia area schools showed their support with special activities to honor educators and their dedicated efforts in and out of the classroom. Take a look at what schools got up to for this year’s appreciation week.  Arcadia’s parent teacher organization partnered with alumni and Leo’s Ice Cream Truck to host the Teacher Olympics. Educators, admin, support staff and bus drivers indulged in five days of fun. Principal Danskey lit the Olympic torch in the front office to kick off the week. The festivities began with Bronze Medal Day, which featured energy bars and power beverages. Silver Medal Day featured a mobile coffee cart and Parisian-inspired pastries. All-Around Day included a popcorn bar and other treats. The week finished off strong with Gold Medal Day and treats from Leo’s Ice Cream Truck. “Our PTO did a phenomenal job recognizing and honoring our teachers and staff who work so tirelessly throughout the school year to support our students,” Assistant Principal Dr. Sara Johnson said. “I think our teachers felt like gold medalists all week, from the wonderful coffee and breakfast to the snacks and notes to the teachers.”  Biltmore Prep’s PTO was inspired to have some fun this week and show their appreciation with a board game theme. Sayings like “We would be in TROUBLE without you,” and “We love you to pieces” took over, with students joining the fun by bringing their teachers their favorite drinks and showering them with compliments, thank you notes and flowers. There was plenty of candy, coffee and sweets to go around. At the end of the week, teachers played Spin the Wheel to win gift cards.  This year, CLS took the sweet route with the theme “How Sweet It Is to Be Taught by You.” On Monday, teachers enjoyed sandwiches, wraps and salad. Tuesday was all about sweet treats, Wednesday was breakfast from Daily Dose, Thursday was a fiesta lunch and on Friday, teachers were treated to a happy hour with appetizers and AJ’s tea. Students or parents stopped by to write a note of appreciation to staff members. “On Friday, the students dressed like their favorite teacher, which is always a hit because normally they have to wear a uniform,” CLS staff member Kim Walton said. “We are spoiled. Families decorated doors, brought treats and coffee, sent notes, etc. It’s a lovely week for the entire staff, including the office and maintenance.”   The PTO at Echo Canyon made sure teachers knew they are “Shining Stars” with this year’s themed activities. On Monday, staff were treated to donuts and bagels from The Local Donut and Einstein Bros. On Tuesday, students dropped off hand-drawn notes with “moony thanks to you” as the theme. Wednesday saw “sun-sational subs” for lunch; Thursday boasted “solar system sweet treats,” and to cap off the week: a “When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie” pizza party! “The entire staff of Echo Canyon is so grateful of the efforts of our PTO, families and students to make us feel appreciated during Teacher Appreciation Week,” Principal Kat Hughes said. “We love the fact that they choose to recognize our entire staff because we all contribute to the success of the students.”  Educators at Hopi went around the world during appreciation week, thanks to this year’s theme: “We think the world of our Hopi staff.” On the itinerary were themed lunches from different countries. Monday was Door Day and a staff lunch provided by Mr. Moto pizza. Tuesday was gift day, with lunch from Tacos by Juan. On Wednesday, teachers received flowers and lunch from Jersey Mike’s. Thursday was handmade card day and lunch with Kim’s Chinese. On Friday, teachers and staff were treated to snacks and lunch from their favorite places. Throughout the week, there was also a daily raffle with prizes and gift cards up for grabs.  Ingleside’s student council, the PTO, and National Junior Honor Society took a page out of Taylor’s Swift’s book with the theme “In my Teacher Appreciation Era.” There were decorations, snacks (like donuts, cookies, soft pretzels and popcorn) and school-wide teacher appreciation notes. NJHS followed up with poems and artistic displays and the PTO provided lunch. Teachers also received gift cards and goodies to cap off the week – and there were daily raffle prize winners. “We are so lucky to be part of a community that gives throughout the year,” Principal Junior Michael said. “Our families show appreciation consistently, but a week like this makes us feel truly special. We are grateful.”   Staff Appreciation Coordinators Becky Johnson and Shelby Kaveniga began the week warming the hearts of educators with “We get emoji-onal when we think of how amazing you are!” “We have amazing teachers, and it’s important for parents to let them know how wonderful they are,” PTO Vice President Wendy Fischer said. “They work hard every day, and for us to plan just one week of the year dedicated to showing them appreciation is the least we can do.” “Teacher Appreciation Week is like five days of Christmas at Tavan,” second grade teacher Mr. Haas said. “The PTO works tirelessly with parents and students to spoil the staff and make us feel like movie stars.” Educators were surprised with notes, silly sunglasses, flowers, gifts, luncheons and treats. The PTO hosted a happy hour after school on Friday, and honored two educators who are retiring this year: Shelly Rose, a fifth grade teacher who taught for 21 years, and Marilyn Williams, a gifted specialist who taught for 40 years – 17 of those at Tavan.  The Veritas PSO took full advantage of the spring weather with a farmer’s market theme. On Monday, staff found a grab-and- go snack bar. Tuesday featured a build your own breakfast bar complete with waffles and accoutrements. Wednesday was all about meats and cheeses with the charcuterie board meeting. Thursday featured various teas and finger foods, and the final theme, featuring a DIY trail mix bar, was “Happy trails, it’s almost summer!” “Our school’s favorite part of this week is having a chance to say a collective thank you to our hard-working teachers,” PSO President Shauna Marvin said. “They do so much for our children, and we love seeing their excitement during Teacher Appreciation Week.” One week of love and appreciation for our area educators Echo Canyon’s “Shining Star” educators. Hopi Elementary’s door decor. Christ Lutheran School’s Candyland-themed treat day. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ECS, CLS AND HOPI ELEMENTARY