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A Teeny Tiny Teacher

P.I.N. Treat Bags

I am still going through my beginning of the year files and I tackled my P.I.N. project today. In my district, Parent Information Night is the same as Back to School Night in other districts (or at least I think so). We have two sessions so that parents with more than one child can attend both. And I have to present two times. This doesn’t work for our families that have three or more children but generally the parents split up. None of that matters to me. What matters to me is that I am ON. The parents aren’t coming to look at their child’s work (that’s what we call Open House, which I LOVE, by the way). The parents are coming to find out about their child’s TEACHER and what my policies are and blah blah blah. I have to do all of the talking. Normally, I’m fine with that, but there is just something about the parents sitting in the little first grade desks with all of their eyes on ME. It’s STILL stressful and I’m about to do it for the 15th time! I tend to use humor to lighten the mood and I talk so much that there is very little time for questions. Ha! I also use treat bags to make a good impression!

I used to give out apples with a little tag that said “Parents are teachers too”. Then I upgraded the cutesy factor by making treat bags with Hershey’s Treasures candy and Extra gum. The treat bags were clear and the tag said something like “I will TREASURE your child and make this year EXTRA special”. Well, I have to say that the parents ate it up! LITERALLY! (which also makes it difficult for them to ask questions because their mouths are full) But last year when my class size went up to 31 first graders (yep, still harping on that), I couldn’t afford all of those treats! The treasures candy is really hard to find and it’s expensive. Grrr. But feel free to steal any of the above ideas. Or . . . here’s what I do now.

So last year, my team and I put our heads together and we came up with a semi-cost effective treat bag. I got the littlest clear treat bags that Michael’s makes. I don’t know how much I paid because I got them last summer but you get 100 so I didn’t have to buy those again. I also got ribbon from their sales section and it was only 50 cents a roll!!!! I still have left over ribbon, too! I went to Walmart today and got Hugs candy for $2 and I got 3 bags (I also hit up Target but their Hugs were $3.49). I made tags that say “I look forward to a rewarding year with your child. HUGS, Mrs. Oldham”. I would LOVE to share these with you at Google Docs but we have still not made up from our earlier fight. Seriously, can someone explain to me why I am having such a hard time with it????

So this is all you need:

And here’s a small sample of what I put on top of the packets that I put out at P.I.N.

If you want the Hugs tag, click {HERE}.  The Treasures and Extra Gum tag is {HERE}.  Both versions are non-PDF so that you can add your own name.  I no longer have the apple tag because that was before I even knew what a computer was and my teaching partner made everything for me.

I’m happy I get to cross this off my list! 🙂 Do you give out treats at P.I.N. or Back to School Night? Please share your ideas – I’m always looking for something new!

The Bachelorette is back on tonight! I am not a fan of Ashley’s but the drama is fantastic! She is always crying!

Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    I think these are great ideas. I think that the parents would like to leave with something special other than a packet of info they don't really want to read. I like PIN idea because we have a back to school night.

    stephanietowe@gmail.com

  2. Marisol Perez says

    I do something a little bit different for my parents and as soon as I find it i will post it. (I am not the most organized person in the world)

  3. Amanda Lynn says

    I am a new follower and this year will be my first year teaching 1st grade! I love your treat bag idea, I would love a copy of the tags if you don't mind: AmandaLynn85@gmail.com

  4. tmarie says

    Love your idea and I would love a copy of the tags. I too have been having problems. Google docs will not let me upload half my stuff or download a lot of other people's stuff. I'm not sure what is going on!
    Tessa
    tschep@live.com'
    Spotlight on Kindergarten

  5. Rachelle says

    How cute!!!! We're doing back to school night for the first time this year! I'm totally doing this!

    About googledocs: What web browser are you using! That makes all of the difference! Firefox does not work really well with google docs. Download Google Chrome for free! 🙂

    -Rachelle
    whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com

  7. Jodi says

    Very cute idea! Last year I gave out a bag of microwave popcorn and put a tag that said, "Thanks for 'popping' in!"

    About Google Docs, what exactly is it doing? I'll try to help out if I can. You can email me at Jodimastics@hotmail.com

    ❀Jodi
    Fun In First

  12. Brooke says

    Such a cute idea! And what a great way to keep them occupied instead of asking a bazillion questions!!
    I would love to have a copy:)
    brookewoods@sbcglobal.net

    Thanks,
    Brooke

  14. Kim says

    This is so cute!! My mom uses sandwich bags for see through treat bags. She just cuts up the sides of the folded over part so both sides of the bag are now the same length. Then she ties with ribbon and trims the top amount to where she wants. It looks pretty much the same as these bags and might be more cost effective? Thanks for sharing, can't wait to try it! 🙂

  15. Buzzin' on Cupcakes in 1st Grade! says

    Very cute idea! I think i am going to "borrow" an idea I saw awhile ago on someone's blog, of course I can't remember whose! It had Sweedish Fish candy with a cute little sign that said, "you are o-FISH-ally a 1st grader!" I don't know why I love it, but I do! I'm going to do that unless I think of something cuter with our bee theme!

    P.S. LOVE the Bachelorette also. And not a huge fan of Ashley, but I love watching her cry all the time too! Isn't that terrible!!!

    P.P.S. Thanks for following me! I love your cute tiny blog and can't wait to share ideas! [=

    Marcy @ http://busybeesandcupcakes.blogspot.com/

  16. Chrissy says

    You made me laugh–fighting with GoogleDocs! I use a Mac and have found that Scribd works better for me.

    Thank you for sharing your awesome Open House ideas! "Hugs" candy can be hard to find; I must add that to my to-do list 🙂

    ReadWriteSing

  20. Shannon says

    Hi Kristin!! I have done several different ideas but I found one on a Blog somewhere????? It was sooo cute!! You put 2 Graham crackers, 1 marshmallow and a mini Hershey bar in a treat bag!! The label reads Our School Needs "S'MORE" Parents Like You!! I will be using that at Parent Orientation this year!! Adorable, right!!! Sorry, I don't know where I found it??

  23. Kaitlin says

    Great idea! I do a power point on our Parent Night so that eyes are on the screen, not on me :o) Why do parents make me so nervous but a classroom of kiddos are no problem! That way I can also use pictures from the classroom using their kids. Our night is a few weeks after school starts.
    I also saw an idea it looks like someone posted above, but you use goldfish instead of swedish fish and it says "O"fish"ally a first grader. I would love your tag template. Thank you for sharing! kaitlinchristensen@comcast.net

  25. Chrissy says

    Great idea!! I have my parent night in October so this will give me time to prepare. Please email me your tag template.

    Thanks for sharing,
    Chrissy

  26. diedra says

    My name is diedra. I would love to use the tags with my parents this week.Thanks so much for sharing. diedra

  27. Jenn says

    We are having a meet and greet for the first time at our school. I would love a copy of your tags… so cute! Thank you for the great idea!
    jennberry11@yahoo.com

  28. Tonya says

    Hey you…was discovering blogs this weekend..and was blown away that I found you!! I couldn't find the treasures candy so I made do with buying MOUNDS & extra gum and made a tag saying "Here's to an EXTRA special year with MOUNDS of fun!"

  29. lorie says

    Super cute! You have inspired me to make these.

  30. Malena says

    I would love to have a copy of your tags. So cute! I have never given a treat for the parents, although I used to have a die cut apple with "Welcome" on it and then their child's first day picture was in the middle. Please email me at mmurray@conejo.k12.ca.us
    Thanks so much!
    Malena

  32. Mrs.LaSota's Blog says

    I made these this year and they were such a hit! I scoured the internet for ideas and your ideas stood far above the rest! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

  36. Teri Salyer says

    We usually pass something out to the parents at our parent meetings or open house. Last year we did apples with a cute poem, but this will be MUCH cheaper for 4 classrooms. Can you please email me the tag? Thanks in advance!!

    teri_salyer@hotmail.com

  37. Stephanie says

    Using this for the second year! I love it! I actually used the Avery Bags and Labels for it this year. A little pricey, but worth the simplicity for just putting the top on and no ribbon. Thanks again for sharing!

  38. Barb Taylor says

    Hi Kristen,
    I just came across your site. I LOVE the idea with the kisses. I have done apples the past few years but our apple crop was hit hard this Spring with a frost. I would really appreciate a copy of your tags. Thank you for sharing.

    Here's my email: barbara.taylor@kentcityschools.org

  39. laurensmommy says

    Hi there!
    I just found your blog and have been dying laughing at the things you write! You're hilarious!

    I don't know if it's too late; but I would love a copy of these "hugs" tags if you have time to email them. ColburnsLoveBama@yahoo.com

    Thanks!

  42. Lesli says

    Another school year is upon us, and I still love this idea. The Treasures are pretty much impossible to find now, so I made up this little rhyme and used Hershey's Bliss chocolates and Doublemint gum.
    "Let's work together to make this year BLISS,
    A DOUBLE fun year your child won't want to miss!"

    Thanks for sharing this idea!

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