Even though the “official” observance of Teacher Appreciation Week has passed, there never is a wrong time to say “thank you” to educators.

Rachel McNally, Teacher Appreciation Week coordinator at Garden City Elementary School, said the school’s celebration of the week was delayed due to PARCC testing and Reading Week. Now, the Garden City Family Engagement Network (FEN) under McNally’s organization has planned a week of true appreciation.

“Every teacher is getting a classroom gift. We have something happening each day for TAW,” she said.

On Sunday, May 15, McNally arranged for a special gift to be delivered to all the teachers at the school.

They had set up a bring-your-own-chalk event. FEN invited families to come by and leave a message or drawing in chalk for the teachers, who would be greeted with the surprise upon their arrival Monday.

Each teacher’s name was written on the sidewalk, and several families who worked hard in the wind and cold drew pictures such as smiley faces, rainbows, and stars.

First-grade teacher Stephanie DiChiro was treated to a special weeding of the garden outside her classroom, and Pia Riccitelli, a third-grade teacher, was gifted with handmade painted tiles.