NATCHEZ -— Ever since 1984, the National Parent Teacher Association has dedicated a single week in May as a week to appreciate and thank teachers for all that they do for the children they teach.

This year it is being recognized this week through Friday and schools in the Miss-Lou have been celebrating in several ways.

Natchez High School gave teachers gifts to display appreciation for their work and dedication.

On Monday, the school gave each teacher packages known as “Happies,” which are small bags filled with pens, pencils, notepads and other supplies teachers can make great use of, said Nikki Marshall secretary at Natchez High School.

The next day, Natchez High surprised teachers by serving them donuts and juice for lunch, as well as more “Happies.”

On Wednesday, Natchez High teachers received free pizzas from Johnny’s Pizza in Natchez as well as a cake.

Natchez plans to continue the appreciation by giving them even more food for the following two days, Marshall said.

Vidalia High School also showed appreciation for teachers with food and other gifts, along with many clubs in the school as well as organizations in the Town of Vidalia, said Bernie Cooley, principal of Vidalia High School. On Monday, a cake was delivered to Vidalia High School along with one to every school in Concordia Parish. The cakes were gifts from the Concordia Parish School Board.

On Tuesday, Vidalia High’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Club cooked for the teachers and the Concordia Federation of Teachers gave each teacher a gift bag on the same day, Cooley said.

On Wednesday, Vidalia High’s Key Club and DECA Club combined their efforts to bring the teachers food from Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. On Thursday, plans included not only Delta Bank buying the teaching staff lunch but also Vidalia’s BETA and Future Business Leaders of America clubs bringing them sandwich trays. Finally, on Friday, Vidalia’s administrative staff plans to give every teacher breakfast.

In addition to those many gifts, Cooley also organized a school-wide drawing among teachers from Monday through Friday, the winner of which would win various door prizes.

“Teachers are at the forefront of our educational system,” Cooley said. “They spend quality time every day with our students. We have great teachers at VHS who truly care about our students and our school. They are the backbone of our education system and have earned the appreciation.”

Concordia Parish schools superintendent Whest Shirley said their schools also had programs to recognize teachers throughout the week. “The teacher in any system is where the rubber meets the road,” Shirley said. “They are at ground zero and are constantly supporting our students and making sure that they are able to learn how to become working citizens in the future.

“As superintendent, I think that my job is to support the principals, who in turn support the teachers, and make sure that they know that they are appreciated.”

Other schools in the Miss-Lou also had programs to recognize teachers this week, including Adams County Christian School, which fed teachers lunch and breakfast this week, said Mallory Giannaris, school receptionist.

Trinity Episcopal Day School assigned different events throughout the week to acknowledge teachers, said Marissa Knight, elementary school secretary.

Cathedral School has events throughout the year, including a special teachers lunch day with parents in January.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The reporter, Samuel Cooley, is the son of Vidalia High School Principal Bernie Cooley, whom he quoted in this story. Cooley worked Wednesday at The Democrat to learn about how newspapers operate.