KINDERHOOK — Ichabod Crane Central School District received large thank-you banners from an anonymous donor to all the people who helped the community get through the COVID-19 crisis.
The school district announced Monday they received four large banners thanking teachers, students, bus drivers, administration faculty and all school staff.
“While the signs speak for themselves, the district would like to say it is SO thankful for all its teachers and the work they have done this year, as well as every single other staff member who has made this unprecedented year possible,” according to the district’s website.
District Superintendent Suzanne Guntlow said the anonymous donor may be a parent who wanted to thank the school’s staff members for all they have done during this difficult school year. The donor reached out to the assistant superintendent about the donation, and the district maintenance department set up the signs over the this past weekend, Guntlow said.
“This is very much appreciated,” Guntlow said. “I think especially it’s been a challenging year for everyone and I think it even more so this year means a lot to the staff.”
When teachers and staff arrived at school Monday morning they were greeted by a wonderful surprise, Guntlow said.
The superintendent visited two of the district’s schools Monday and is going to stop at the primary school on Tuesday to thank teachers and staff.
“The banners were very, very well-received,” Guntlow said. “Our staff was surprised this morning when they got to school and there are a lot of smiling faces.”
Nationally, the first week of May is known as Teacher Appreciation Week. Guntlow said this was a great way for the staff to start the week. She said they usually like to refer to it as “staff appreciation week.”
“We like to call it staff appreciation,” Guntlow said. Whether it’s the teachers in the classroom, the bus driver who picks students up from school, the nurse who tends to a scraped knee, our facilities department keeps everything clean. We want to thank all of out staff for all they do.”
Typically, the Parent-Teachers Association marks the week by holding a luncheon for the staff, but this year due to COVID they cannot, Guntlow said. She said this year the PTA is providing individually wrapped items for the staff and during the last week of school they are going to serve a grab-and-go lunch as a thank you for all they did in a challenging year. Guntlow said it would be something along the lines of a barbecue lunch.
Guntlow said she does not know of any other instances of large banners or signs being donated to the district anonymously.
“Sometimes we might use a bus to put out a message,” Guntlow said. “Like we do for the vote, but this is the first time we’ve had someone, you know, make a gesture to this extent to say thank you to the district.”
Guntlow said the district is grateful for the relationship it has with the community.
“We’re very, very grateful for the partnership that we have, and what supportive parents we have,” Guntlow said. “And it’s just very much appreciated. It’s a team effort, and we’re happy to be partners with the families and the community.”
The National PTA has recognized one week in May as a special time to honor the people who help in educating children since 1984.