TEACHER FIESTA LUNCHEON 2009

This is an event I started last year, to honor our awesome teachers at Lakewood.  Last year was a Luau themed lunch, but this year it was a Fiesta!  All the great moms of Lakewood brought cool salads, hot dishes, and lovely desserts for the teachers, then we treated them to a wonderful luncheon right after school.

The teachers really enjoy just relaxing and visiting with one another.
 

LOVE NOTES! 

At the end of the luncheon this year, we gave each teacher a Box of  "Love Notes!"   I encouraged all students to write thank-you notes and love notes to each of their teachers, coaches, principal etc., then I collected them after school for about a week before the teacher luncheon.  I bought 20 little boxes from Container store, then punched a slot in the top of each one so the students could drop their notes (and money) inside.  It was a great outpouring of love, and the teachers were so touched to know they are LOVED by the kids and parents of our school! 

My girls.

I really love these ladies -- Jenn, Marilu and Marti.  Jenn was an amazing help to me for this event, she jumped right in and helped organize all the food-- she is a Caterer so she knew just what to do!!   Marti was a great help too, she has a servant's heart and stayed until the very last dish was washed. 

But I couldn't have done ANY of these Helping Hands events this year without my dear friend Marilu Dillahunty, the darling lady on the right.  She is an awesome friend and we work so well together.  We had a busy and fun year doing various LPS events.  Together we ran the "Lakewood Bistro" snack bar at the basketball games, organized the Sports Banquet, and poured lots of prayer into many parts of Lakewood.  Also we made food every Thursday (and sometimes Friday!) for the kids at our "Sack Lunch" table after school --- this was how we raised funds for the Teacher Luncheon event, and really ALL of our other Helping Hands events.  The Sack Lunches put some money into our petty cash box and became our very lean operating budget.  Marilu was right there at my side through each and every event this year.  I love her and treasure her friendship so much --- I am going to miss her like crazy when we leave this school.