Surviving a layoff 5, how to boost morale without administration's help.

A teacher in the school braved the lion's den and suggested the jeans and positive notes. The jeans met with no. The positive notes, well, it was suggested that the brave one write the notes.

Then the brave one suggested that the administration party with the peons when there are baby showers or such at school.

“Not my thing.”

(Ms. Chili, you really can't make this stuff up.)

Ok, so no joy from above.

I have kids who will not come to class but expect to pass.

Sigh.

I did think of something I can do that costs no money (well, very little), will have an impact, and doesn't put me out.

There are dead times in my class. I confess, I do not teach bell to bell. (Shoot me.) I am going to challenge my students to write a nice to note to some teacher who has done something nice for them. Or a counselor, a janitor, the lunch lady, the nurse, a secretary, even the administration.

We should be able to do a round of this at least once a month.

Then, stick them in mailboxes.

Some kids won't do this. It's sad when kids are gratitude-bereft, but it happens.