Appreciation Days

TODAY’S THE DAY…MAKE SOMEONE’S DAY…MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Every day, school employees make a difference in the lives of children. Everyone contributes: bus drivers, school resource officers, cafeteria workers, principals, custodians, teachers, school nurses and support staff. They provide encouragement, learning opportunities and other services to make children’s school experiences successful. They do it because they care.
We know you appreciate their contributions but that it takes extra work, thought and time to honor them. That is what the Utrust Employee Appreciation Program is all about. 
The Employee Appreciation Program provides the resources and ideas to help honor and recognize those deserving individuals that help make your school better each and every day. We provide you with suggestions, resolutions and sample letters to make it easy for you to offer words of encouragement, pat someone on the back and express appreciation – in a way that will change an ordinary day into an extraordinary one. Each day your school employees work hard and dedicate themselves to enhancing the learning environment of the school. The program helps to honor these individuals in a fun and exciting way. 
Who Can Make A Difference?
You can. We all can. As a school board member, school superintendent, or principal, you can encourage your staff, students, parents and community to take part. From issuing a resolution honoring each special group, to providing them a special meal, or performing a personalized cheer for them, you can join with your schools in shouting out a heartfelt “THANK YOU.”
This year, a unique component of the program has been introduced to help benefit students. The new student emphasis will help in developing student leadership while improving communication and team building skills. 
Using students to enhance the Employee Appreciation Program in your school will prove to be beneficial for everyone involved. There are many opportunities for students to assume leadership roles and improve skills that will serve them well in the future. Lastly, participation in this program gives your students a chance to learn about appreciation and the importance of expressing gratitude for those who enrich their lives. We promise an excellent and rewarding experience! 
HOW EASY CAN IT BE?
Really, really easy. Packets that take the “work out of” and put the “fun into” employee appreciation are available here on the Utrust web site for superintendents and principals to use. The suggestions we make will not cost your school anything to implement and there is no cost for the packets that we provide.
The packets offer simple “how tos” that suggest school-level and board-level activities, artwork, appreciation letters and much more. They can be used as they are, or you and the people in your schools can get creative and use them as a jumping-off-point for individualized activities.
Utrust adds the packets to its website about four weeks before each Appreciation Day that is focused on the upcoming group of honorees. With the packet’s guidelines in hand, you have time to make your special plans and customize our suggestions to suit your own special employees. Your school could even win prizes and awards up to $1000 from Utrust by following our suggested ideas. 
Who Gets Honored…And When?
The Employee Appreciation Program gives accolades to eight groups of employees:
► Bus Drivers...September 16
► Custodians…October 14
► Superintendents…November 18
► Food Service Personnel…January 13
► Principals & Assistant Principals…February 10
► Professional Services Providers…March 10
► Administrative & Instructional Support Staff…April 7
► Teachers…May 3
If you are interested in participating in this program, please click here.