Daily Le Courrier (Dallas I.S.- PTO Blog)

1.         A well-supported faculty at any type of school:

·        experiences less turnover, which saves the school money in recruitment costs

·        is able to recruit high-quality teachers

·        creates a more consistent learning environment for the children

·        provides stability for the school, which promotes growth

·        creates an atmosphere of joy and open communication (parent-to-teacher, administration-to-teacher, teacher-to-teacher, teacher-to-child)

·        adds motivation for teachers to “go the extra mile” for DIS.

2.         Funds for many of the budgeted items below have:

·        been acquired by the school in the past via allocation request (e.g. Holiday Dinner). 

·        or been allocated by vote of the PTO Board (e.g. Orientation Luncheon)

Establishing a committee for Teacher Care would eliminate the need for itemized allocation requests and would lighten the workload of the administration in planning and executing such events.

Possible Responsibilities of a Teacher Care Committee:  The first year of this committee would be somewhat experimental in nature.  Items from the list below might be tried and then abandoned in future school years, if deemed unsuccessful.  Other items on the list might not be put into action at all.  The following list is only a list of possibilities.  A specific action plan for 2007-2008 would be created by July 2007.
·        Teacher Orientation Luncheon (August)

·        Recognition of Years-of-Service to DIS (5, 10, 15, etc.) (timing/format set by the school administration)

·        Provide meals for Teacher Meetings as follows:

o       Maternelle/Primary—10 evening meetings per school year, approx. 36 people @ $6.60 per person

o       Secondary—10 lunch meetings per school year, approx. 15 people @ $6.60 per person

·        Holiday Dinner (December)

·        National Teacher Appreciation Week (or day) in May

·        Create a teacher support/appreciation article in Le Courrier each time it is published  (could be brief such as quotes from students about their teachers)

·        Help the Le Courrier editor with gathering info for the “Have You Met…?” article highlighting a faculty/staff member in each issue of Le Courrier.

·        Provide support in times of grief or stress such as illness or prolonged disability (e.g. Get parents to provide some meals for the teacher and his/her family.)

·        Create/Provide welcome baskets for new teachers (August), pending approval of Veronique Fally.

·        Support Veronique Fally (at her request) if she needs assistance with new teachers’ assimilation into DIS/Dallas life.

·        Recognize teachers and staff on their birthdays in some small way, such as with a greeting card and a $10 SCRIP card given “from the PTO.”

·        Create/Maintain a “Helping Hands” program in which parents create classroom materials for teachers (cutting, assembling, copying, making playdough) either monthly or weekly.

·        Help (somehow!) to relieve the awkward situation that comes up each year re: teacher tickets to the Gala

·        Solicit donated gifts and/or gift certificates from DIS parents who own small businesses to be used perhaps during Teacher Appreciation Week in May.

·        Support the schedule of and funding of periodic teacher social functions (off-campus, outside of school hours)