Now and then, everyone deserves a gesture of praise. Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week gave credit where credit was due at Madison Elementary School.

Traditionally, school staffs are recognized nationwide during the first week in May. “Madison elementary always chooses not only to honor our teachers but all staff members … office clerks, secretaries, school nurse, cafeteria workers, teacher aides and custodial staff,” PTA president Melanie Davis said.

As PTA president, Davis spends many hours at school. “I see our wonderful teachers at work almost daily,” she said. “Their main focus is teaching, but they also truly care for these kids. We have an amazing administrator, Dr. Tim Scott, and our staff/teachers do a fantastic job.”

On May 7, the PTA treated employees to LawLers Barbecue. The next day, kindergarten classes served Mexican treats like chips and salsa, cheese dip, enchiladas and burritos. “It was an amazing Mexican feast,” Davis said. “Mexican Day is usually one of the staff favorites.”

Second- and fifth-graders served breakfast, including donuts, bagels, casseroles, biscuits and fruit. Grades 1 and 6 made everyone happy with Chocolate Day. Students brought “anything and everything to dip in our chocolate fountain — pretzels, marshmallows, graham crackers and fruit,” she said.

Madison elementary students brought a daily ‘gift’ to teachers, such as ‘their best manners,’ flowers, thank-you notes and a gift starting with the teacher’s initial.

Kindergarten teacher Nikki Griffin received a quilt of fabric squares that students had illustrated. Parent Laurie Hansen stitched the squares into a quilt.

Wrapping up the week was Picnic Day, sponsored by grades 3-4, with picnic lunches of sandwiches, chips, veggies, fruits and cookies.

“Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week wouldn’t have been possible without help of many parent volunteers,” Davis said. “They provided more than enough food every day. Some parents volunteered their time to serve lunch to teachers.”