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Looking for a fun theme to use for a school staff appreciation event?
A cheerleader theme is a great one to use since the teachers and staff operate like a team and can always use an infusion of team spirit to uplift moods and enjoy your tokens of appreciation!
This theme is also versatile because you can use school spirit wear and existing school swag to supplement decorations and easily personalize everything to your school community.
Let’s dive into some fantastic ideas for taking the cheerleader theme and running away with it for an entire week of appreciation events!
Decorations
Decorating for appreciation events is a fun and relatively easy way to make the event even more fun.
Because who doesn’t like a change of scenery?
Party decorations are inexpensive and can add a lot to the vibe of the event and tweak the atmosphere
Wall
Putting up decorations along the walls in the Teacher’s Lounge is a great way to make a space feel different and special to signal to the staff that you have some treats in store for them.
Banners like this We’ve Got Spirit banner take up a quite a bit of wall space but also aren’t too large for a single volunteer to handle.
Pennant banners are also easy to combine with other decorations for a fun layered look.
Varying the size and shape of the banners adds yet another layer that is so visually appealing!
This blue dot garland is a good way to bring another color into the mix that’ll coordinate nicely with some other decorative elements I’ll share in a bit.
Layering on some silhouette cheerleader shapes is a good way to extend the theme.
Ceiling
If you can reach the ceiling in the event space, don’t hesitate to add some decorations to add another layer of whimsical fun.
Cheer swirl decorations are a great way to add visual interest and make the room feel larger by drawing eyes all the way up!
Paper lanterns and tissue paper puffs add instant pops of color to any space and can usually be folded down for easy storage for reuse at a future PTO event.
Mixing shapes and patterns is another good way to add visual interest and keep things from looking to flat.
This set of paper fans is a really nice combination that pairs well with the other decorations shared in this post.
The great thing about paper fans is that they come in a nice variety of colors, so you can mix and match to your heart’s content!
This mix of blue and purple paper fans is really fun.
Balloons
Balloons are a staple party decoration for a reason!
They are pretty inexpensive and literally add a pop of color that anyone can do.
This mix of cheerleader print balloons is a nice set to use on their own, or incorporate into a balloon arch.
Balloon arches are not as hard to put together as you might think!
Having a mix of different sized balloons in a mix of colors helps to make the arch pop!
Having a collapsible balloon arch frame will help you build the arch quickly since it’s a stable foundation to build on.
Having a balloon inflater really makes the balloon arch creation process so much easier.
The balloon pumps are inexpensive and easy to get the hang of using very quickly.
Table
Now let’s move on to decorating the table spaces in the event room.
Tablecloths serve both a decorative and functional purpose too.
After the event, clear off anything that can be reused and fold the cover in on itself to trap all the trash inside for easy disposal.
This pink, blue and black cheer themed tablecloth is just perfect for a cheer celebration.
With the table protected and covered, add some visual interest with 3D elements that also add big pops of color, like these cheer themed table decorations.
Pair these cheer themed signs with a few balloons for table centerpieces, or hang them on the walls.
You can also get fresh greens and add this set of cheer cutouts for vibrant table centerpieces.
Daily Ideas for an Entire Teacher Appreciation Week
With the decorations taken care of, let’s move on to an entire week of staff appreciation events to really show your school’s teachers and staff how much you and your PTO appreciation all they do!
Monday
Start the week off with messages of love!
Chalk the sidewalks from the staff parking lot to the school entrance doors with messages from parents and students.
Kids of all ages will enjoy leaving notes of love along the way for their favorite teachers to see when they arrive for school the next day!
Continue the messages of love and appreciation by writing a personalized note for each staff member and teacher.
These teal notecards coordinate with the week’s cool scheme perfectly.
Tuesday
Tuesday is a great day to host a luncheon in honor of the teachers and staff.
Here are some themed menu options for a cheerleader luncheon:
“Victory Veggie Tray”: A colorful assortment of fresh veggies with dips.
“Touchdown Tacos”: A build-your-own taco bar with all the fixings.
“Spirit Salad”: A vibrant mixed green salad with grilled chicken or chickpeas.
“Pep Rally Pasta”: Penne pasta salad with pesto, sundried tomatoes, and mozzarella.
“Half-Time Hydration”: Infused water with lemon, cucumber, or berries.
“Sweet Success Sundae Bar”: An ice cream sundae bar with various toppings and sauces.
“Champion Cookies”: Decorated sugar cookies with cheerleader motifs.
Coordinating the plates and flatware with the week’s color scheme is a fun way to carry the theme throughout.
This mix of blue, punk and purple plates, napkins and flatware coordinates nicely with there other cheer themed decorations.
Label all foods, especially those with common allergens so everyone will feel comfortable partaking in the lunch.
Wednesday
Give each teacher and staff member a goodie bag filled with small tokens of appreciation mid week.
Gift bags with motivational sayings fit the cheerleader theme, without it feeling like their kids party trinket bags.
Toss a cheerleader icon pen into each bag.
Motivational saying pens is another grown up option that stay on theme without feeling childish.
Paper clips are a fun and functional addition to the gift bag.
Bookmarks, especially this set with encouraging and motivational sayings, is an addition they’ll get a lot of use out of.
Sticking with the cheerleading and motivational theme, how about these positive saying keychains?
This set of wrist loop keychains has a nice mix of colors and motivational sayings fit for your entire teacher and staff team.
A fresh notebook is another functional and thoughtful gift bag addition.
Same with these colorful sticky notepads!
Planner page markers will help keep everyone on track.
Thursday
Treat the staff to a coffee bar at the tail end of the week.
Continue to carry the color scheme through to this day too with a set of purple coffee cups.
Have some fresh coffee on hand. This Happy coffee blend has notes of coca, making it a delicious option.
Elevate the treat level of the day by offering a set of sweet coffee syrups for guests to enjoy.
Supplement the coffee with some bagels or donuts.
Use this acrylic stand set to showcase the treats for a unique and space saying display.
Friday
End the week on a sweet note with a luscious dessert bar.
Cupcakes are a super economical way to provide desserts for the entire crew.
Tie them into the theme with glittery cheerleader themed cupcake toppers.
This bright mix of sprinkles is so fun and matches the other decoration colors perfectly.
Using the same cupcake liners, like these metallic blue liners, is another way to unify cupcakes baked by different volunteers.
Chocolate candy is a no-brainer addition to any dessert bar.
Wrap mini bars of chocolate with a cheerleader themed labels to extend the theme and add a cohesive look.
Hershey Kisses are available in bulk and make for a great grab and go dessert bar addition.
Adorn the chocolate kisses with circle labels for a fun decorative addition.
Over to you
Teachers and staff are the MVPs of schools!
They deserve a standing ovation, a roaring crowd, and maybe even a few pom-poms waved in their honor.
Adopting a cheerleader theme for the week allows you to ditch the typical and pump up the spirit.
I hope these ideas have given you a ton of inspiration to put on a cheerleader themed celebration they’ll love!
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