By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY—From planning fun lessons to brightening morning carpool, teachers and staff members do a lot at Inverness Elementary School. From Feb. 8-12, the IES community did a little for them with a special Teacher Appreciation Week.

“Throughout the year we try and celebrate the teachers, but this week is set aside just for them,” IES Assistant Principal Jeff Norris said.

Throughout the week, teachers were surprised with snacks, student-made cards and even notes on their doors from colleagues. On Feb. 11, the IES PTO treated teachers, staff and bus drivers to a catered lunch. Food was provided by Taziki’s, and Newk’s donated desserts and drinks.

Each teacher, staff member and bus driver also received a special Doo-Dads and Designs monogrammed gift made by North Shelby resident Kelley Romanowski.

“(It) shows our teachers how much we love them and appreciate them,” PTO President Amy Tubre said of the IES tradition. “It’s just something fun.”

While teachers enjoyed their lunch, students were hard at work in their classrooms creating a surprise gift for their teachers. Parent volunteers supervised students as they created books listing why they appreciate their teachers.

The lunch and Teacher Appreciation Week are just a small thanks for everything teachers and staff do at IES, PTO members Lucy Edwards and Katie Kerr said. Both noted the cheerful and positive environment teachers and staff foster in the school.

“(They’re) very friendly. Your kids feel very safe and comfortable when they get to Inverness,” Edwards said. “To me it’s a very friendly place.”