As the bleachers buzz with excitement and anticipation for the game at hand, a distinct energy fills the air. Enthusiastic teachers and staff members add extra excitement to the air as they smile while wearing purple shirts among the sea of students and parents who usually pack the stands. It is Staff Appreciation night, and students are showing their appreciation by inviting a teacher or staff member who has impacted their journey through Piedmont schools.
“This is a new idea we are implementing this year,” said Athletic Director Tyler Small. “We want to provide student athletes the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the hard work and dedication of district staff, who have made a lasting impact on their lives. Each varsity athlete selects a staff member from PUSD and invites them to the athlete’s Staff Appreciation Night game.”
Before the game begins, a special ceremony is held to honor these staff members, giving them well-deserved recognition.
“It’s a way for the students to give their teachers a spotlight in front of their fans. It’s a small token of appreciation,” said Small.
Teacher and girls flag football coach Haylee Adams said her team’s Staff Appreciation Night, on Sept. 26, was a success.
“Most of the coaches aren’t staff, so it’s a good way to bring staff to games they wouldn’t usually attend,”Adams said.
Additio
nally, Adams said the event isn’t limited to just PHS staff, as anyone from PUSD can be nominated and appreciated.
“Even an elementary teacher came to our staff appreciation night. It was great to see that kind of community support,” Adams said.
The ceremony included handing out candies and taking photos of the athletes with their nominated staff members before the game began.
The second S
taff Appreciation Night was held on Oct.15 for the Girls Volleyball team. PMS vice principal Jamie Van Kleeck was nominated by a volleyball player.
“First, you get an email invitation, and you don’t know who the student is that has nominated you. Then they call out the student name and the
teacher or staff member,” Van Kleeck said.
Van Kleeck said that she was called to the court to take a picture with the student that nominated her. Later, she was sent a picture of the whole team and was given a bag of candy.
“I think it’s a really nice addition to the sports program,” said Van Kleeck. “I liked that there were teachers from elementary school through highschool so I think it was a really good exampleof how students really mature and grow through their educational process.” She added.
While the initiative is catching on across multiple sports, not all teams have had the chance to participate yet. Boys water polo coach John Savage said his team won’t be able to hold a Staff Appreciation Night because the team doesn’t have a pool or any home games, but he said he likes the idea for the future.
“While nothing else is officially planned yet, I’m confident that both boys and girls basketball teams will want to participate during their seasons. My hope is that every team embraces this tradition,” said Small.
