Every school year is full — for students and for the teachers who invest daily in our children. Teacher support doesn’t have to be complex or time-intensive to be impactful. Through simple, consistent acts of appreciation and partnership, Adopt-A-School Community Advocate Partners (CAPs) and PTAs can strengthen relationships with teachers, boost morale, and foster a culture of care. The ideas below are simply that – IDEAS – not requirements. CUSF is here to support our CAPs and PTAs as they support our teachers and schools – so reach out and let us help you to help them! 

Here’s a snapshot of easy, high-impact efforts that can happen throughout the school year:

📬 Heartfelt, Monthly Thoughtful Touches

  • Teacher Appreciation Notes & Treats: Small handwritten notes or fun treats once a month go a long way in reminding teachers they’re valued – get together with a group of friends and some notecards once a month to write these – it will be good for your relationships and the school community! 

  • Bus Driver & Staff Snacks: Teachers aren’t the only staff who give, if you can include bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and other team members with monthly snacks or notes if you can! 

☕ Consistently Caring with Food

  • Teacher’s Lounge Snacks & Coffee Supplies: Weekly snacks or coffee pod drops keep break rooms stocked and spirits lifted – it only takes 38 families (or 38 pairs of families working together) volunteering ONCE each school year to ensure that there are fresh treats each Monday as everyone returns to school. 

  • Counselor Office Snacks: Monthly contributions here support staff who care for students’ emotional health – and are often sharing their snacks, and purchasing out-of-pocket to provide for kids who are hungry and tired. 

🤝 Invest in Meaningful Engagement by Choice

  • Special Event Volunteers: CAPs can help at special events like book fairs, end of year celebrations, and walk-a-thons – the more adults keeping an eye out on these days with lots going on, the better. Additionally these are usually scheduled far in advance so no last-minute scramble for volunteers. 

  • Consistent Volunteers or CU 1:1 Mentors: Committing to regular volunteer roles within the school community can strengthen morale for everyone and help CAPs truly get to know the school community. 

🎉 Boost School Culture & Connection

  • Seasonal Lounge Decor: Do you love to decorate? Brighten teacher spaces with monthly seasonal touches for a festive refresh keeping the school year feeling new with each passing month.

  • Star Appreciation Boards: Helping students craft notes for teachers that are displayed throughout the year in the school is a fun way to involve the kids in appreciating and encouraging the teachers in an ongoing fashion! 

🎁 Additional Ways to Elevate & Encourage Educators

  • Teacher Conference Meals: These are a LIFE SAVER and not all PTAs have the means to do them without more community help. Quarterly or seasonal meals during conference nights help fuel busy evenings and are often a highlight of the P/T conference week for teachers and staff. 

  • Raffle Prizes: Who doesn’t love a raffle? Getting donated gift cards to raffle off is a fun way to bring levity and excitement to perhaps what might be less exciting times of year… (like Feb/March?).

The beauty of these efforts is that they’re doable — many require just a few hands or a little planning — yet the impact on teacher well-being and school culture is profound. Whether it’s a thoughtful note, a stocked snack cart, or a consistent volunteer presence, every act communicates gratitude and partnership. Together, CAPs and PTAs can make support for teachers easy, regular, and deeply meaningful. Investing in our school communities is always going to translate into higher teacher morale, better student outcomes, and long-term growth and success of our entire community. 

If your group, family, or organization wants to get involved with Adopt-A-School – reach out to info@cuschoolsfoundation.org today for more information!