This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Ready to “Run for the Roses” towards a Kentucky Themed Teacher Appreciation Week Plan that’s sure to wow your teachers and staff?
That’s exactly what’s on the docket today, friend.
This post not only covers the basics of planning a derby themed week of love and appreciation to celebrate your schools’ staff, administrators and teachers, but has all the fabulous decoration, gift, activities and food ideas too.
So let’s line up and get ready to get to it!
Decorating for the Derby Events
Setting the stage with fabulous decorations helps to bring your derby theme to life and makes for a more fun and well rounded out event.
Spruce up drab walls with some banners featuring jockeyed horses, roses, winner’s cups and horseshoes.
I do love a pretty banner. And for good reason too.
You see, the reason that any Staff Appreciation Week Theme post I write almost always includes banners or buntings is because they’re quick ways to splash them theme across the room and there’s zero creativity needed for thinking about how to use them. You literally just hang the suckers up and voila!
Plus, they’re usually pretty inexpensive.
And they’re lightweight decorations that go up quickly, for one last added bonus.
If your school’s custodians are concerned about potential wall damage from decorations, ease their worries by using these damage free wall hooks from 3M.
They have just enough grip to hold things up securely, but don’t take the paint off walls when removed. It’s a neat trick of the trade to keep everyone happy.
Wall banners are another quick and easy, zero creativity needed decoration idea that I also endorse.
These winning horse themed banners would look nice flanking each side of the Teacher’s Lounge entrance, or other space where you’ll host the majority of the week’s appreciation celebrations.
Once again, 3M to the rescue with damage-free poster hangers, great for using on any flat decoration.
If you have access, drip decorations down from the ceiling with some fun jockey hat and horseshoe swirly decor.
Consider adding a balloon arch or garland into your decoration plan for the week.
They’re pretty easy to make, honest! Check out my balloon arch making tips here.
If your week involved food (which I bet it totally will), cover tables in the room with disposable table cloths like this derby themed table covering.
They offer a 3 for 1 functional decoration punch that makes cleaning up at the end of the week and protecting the surface, while adding in a themed decorative accent a done deal.
Lay down a table runner in the middle of the table for an additional layer of decoration.
And then sprinkle a deathly dose of derby themed confetti across the surface of the table.
Use these cute boxes to create centerpieces, maybe even with roses.
Costco and Trader Joe’s both have really reasonably priced fresh floral arrangements.
Daily Derby Inspired Appreciation Activity Ideas
Here are five ideas for every day of the work week to help you pull off a fantastic Kentucky Derby inspired event!
Monday
Kick off the week and open the gates to another fabulous teacher appreciation week with a warm welcome and have the Teacher’s Lounge all decked out in its Derby themed finest.
Give each teacher and staff with a small welcome gift, such as setting the stage for the week’s festivities.
This Derby themed gift box from Big Dot of Happiness is super cute. I love the fresh color combination and pattern mixing too.
As to what to put in the gift box? You literally can never go wrong with chocolate and candy.
Derby-ize Hershey Kisses with decorative stickers that coordinate with the gift boxes for an extra lovely touch.
Don’t want to label the chocolates? Go for these rose wrapped Hershey Kisses instead.
Same with lip balm. Everyone can use it and a EOS lip balm tube will fit nicely in the gift box.
Tuesday
Host a Southern-style breakfast in the teacher’s lounge.
If your time and talent allows, offer a menu of biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, fruit salad, and, Mint (Julep) Tea.
Hot breakfast not in your wheelhouse? No worries. I’ve never attempted such a feat, so don’t think that you’ll be letting anyone down by opting for an alternative menu.
This post walks through the details of hosting a Staff Appreciation Breakfast that can be set up the night before and doesn’t involve management of any hot foods.
Wednesday
Organize a “mid-week sprint” lunch featuring mocktails and snacks in the Teacher’s Lounge.
Use a Cricut to customize the mint julep cups for an added surprise for the staff.
Offer up some Mint Julep mixers to lean into the theme.
And for staff and teachers who aren’t mint fans, have some other cocktail options available like this Margarita mixer from Jordan’s Skinny Mixes.
So yummy if you’ve never tried this line of mocktail mixers.
Just use La Croix or any other brand of sparkling water as a base.
For the margaritas, have some of these Kentucky Derby cups on hand for extra fun.
As for snacks, popcorn is never a bad way to go and you can serve it in these little derby snack boxes.
Thursday
Host a luncheon in honor of your staff.
Hire a caterer to provide a nice spread of sandwiches, dips and veggie trays or ask families to provide a different kind of salad.
Top off some of the foods with these fun Derby themed food picks.
Derby themed plates and paperware is a great idea to extend the theme to the meal, even if you’re not planning a menu that so closely adheres to a Derby luncheon.
How cute are these derby-eque napkins? Love the bottom half perspective.
Friday
Conclude the week on a high note by welcoming all into the winner’s circle by laying out a luscious dessert bar and giving everyone to be a winner!
Give every staff members, teacher and administrator a scratch off ticket for a raffle basket full of prizes.
Over to you
Putting together a Derby-themed Teacher Appreciation Week is all about mixing a little bit of fun with a whole lot of gratitude. It’s a chance to show teachers they’re our champions, in the such a unique.
From the starting gate on Monday to the finish line on Friday, each day is a new opportunity to say “thanks” with a creative twist.
Whether it’s through tasty treats, a delicious meal, or small gifts that bring a smile, this week is all about making our educators feel like they’ve won the Triple Crown.
So let’s get planning and turn Teacher Appreciation Week into a celebration that’s as heartfelt as it is festive!
I’m a participant in the Etsy and Amazon Services LLC Associates Programs, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com or Etsy.com. This means that when you click and make a purchase at a site via a link I have provided, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Regardless of whether or not I receive a commission, I only recommend products that I personally use or genuinely would buy and use.
