05/08/2026
Unless you spend time inside the walls of a school, you may not fully realize how much the people inside them give of themselves every single day.
Schools are so much more than lesson plans, grades, and schedules. They are places where children are loved, encouraged, redirected, comforted, celebrated, protected, challenged, and believed in. The people working inside those walls wear a hundred different hats before lunchtimeโand somehow still find the energy to smile, show patience, and keep showing up for kids day after day.
No matter the titleโteacher, paraprofessional, custodian, secretary, food service, administration, nurse, specialist, support staff, substitute, volunteer, or bus driverโit takes an entire team pouring their hearts into children to create a school where students feel safe, seen, and valued.
And while there are absolutely joyful moments, there are also hard moments. Exhausting moments. Heartbreaking moments. Moments where educators and staff carry worries home long after the final bell rings. The work is emotional because the people doing it care deeply.
This week, the Holdingford Elementary PTA had the privilege of celebrating our incredible staff during Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week. While donuts, coffee, hot dogs, snacks, and treats are fun, the real goal was simple: to make sure the people caring for our children know that THEY are cared for too.
Because showing appreciation is important.
Feeling acknowledged feels good.
And being reminded that the work you do adds value to the lives of children and families is something people deserve to hear more often.
To every single person inside the walls of our school: thank you for the marks you leave on our childrenโs hearts and lives. The days may feel long sometimes, but the impact you make lasts far beyond a school year.
We are endlessly grateful for you. ๐
And because even the best teams need strong fans in the stands, we also want to thank those who helped us celebrate our All-Stars this week through their generous support and contributions:
๐ญ Rudolphโs Redneck Roost
๐ Walmart Little Falls
๐ง Mexican Village
๐ช Chick-fil-A St. Cloud
๐ฅค Bernickโs
๐ Magnifi Financial
A very special thank you as well to our incredible PTA Vice President, Renee Rudolph, and her entire family for the countless behind-the-scenes hours spent preparing food, hauling equipment, setting up, delivering, organizing, and making this special week happen.
And finally, thank YOU to everyone who continues to support the Holdingford Elementary PTA. Your support allows us to provide education-enhancing opportunities for our students while also creating meaningful ways to recognize the amazing team of All-Stars caring for our kids each and every day. โพ๐
