Many students have started their school year of virtual learning, and we’re all prepared to support our teachers in any way we can. But did you know that 50% of education workers are not teachers, but support school staff? And they are working under the same immense COVID-related pressures as classroom teachers.
A lot has been written about how parents can help their teachers in this difficult year – but what about the administrators, office workers, and other support staff that make a school community work?
Even schools that have gone virtual require support staff
Five ways to show appreciation to school staff
Here are four other easy ways to say “thank you” to the school staff for helping your kids and your community:
1. Make as sign, send a note or a drawing from your kids.
Follow the lead of Carey above, and make some yard signs, chalk drawings or leave out personal letters to say “thank you.” Enlist your children to draw a picture or card to supplement your personal note of appreciation.
2. Send a gift.
“A Starbucks gift card is never a bad thing,” Jennifer said. Appreciative parents can also brighten up an office worker’s day by sending flowers, candy, or dropping by in the morning with donuts or bagels – or ordering a nice lunch to be delivered to the school for the staff.
3. Make your appreciation public.
Write a testimonial on a school rating site or give the person you want to thank a shout-out on social media
4. Give your school a donation honoring that worker.
It could be cash or something that benefits the school, like a book for the library. Either way, the entire school community benefits.
5. Above all, be kind and respectful.
Say “thank you.” Be patient. End with a kind word after you’ve asked for help. And be respectful and emphasize with how hard your school staff is working to make a safe learning environment for your child.
