Chaperone Thank You Notes

Over Labor Day weekend, a group of 110 Sycamore Middle School Students went to Washington DC with 8 chaperones.  I have been working on thank you notes and stalking parent Facebook pages for photos and updates all day.  How can I thank the chaperones enough for all of these things:

• Making sure our children get where they need to: on the plane, the bus, in his/her room, back on the bus in the morning and for all the stops they make on the trip, back on the plane, the bus and back to the school parking lot.  For finding them bathrooms, drinking fountains and more while there.  
• Making sure he or she eats and sleeps.  Well the sleeping is unconfirmed, but they make sure they are in their rooms for lights out.
• Taking them on a trip their parents may be unable to or unwilling to make.
• The life lessons about service to others!  The students see the chaperones giving up their holiday weekend, getting up at 2:30 in the morning to make the buses and who knows what giving acts they see on the trip for themselves and other students:  a shared snack or meal, a jacket, holding an item, or taking a photo. The service to others they see when they visit the historic sites of our past presidents, soldiers, representatives and leaders.  
• The costs of war.  Our students visited the tomb of the unknown soldier at a time in history when many fear another war may be coming.  Hopefully, they are reminded of those who have served, are serving and may serve.  And I hope that they work to prevent war in their own lives.
• A sense of patriotism.  I remember watching the John Adams mini series and being amazed at the our founding Father's dedication to our country.  With all the division in our political system, it is a wonderful thing for these students to see Washington DC and all the sites, memorials and our country's seat of government.
• A hunger to visit again.  This is such a brief visit that the students may wish to return and see things in more detail or that they missed.
• For stretching them.  My son was a bit nervous about the plane or getting separated from his group.  I love that he is learning to do things he wants to that may be a bit of a stretch for his comfort level.  He is facing his fears!
• A chance to bond with friends and make new ones.  
• For saving me from hearing Mom 900 times this weekend.  Did you know your child will ask you an average of 300 questions every day?  Well I  know they are asking their chaperones many of my questions.  

Thanks you Sycamore Middle School, Washington DC chaperones for all that you have done for my son and all the students who attended the trip!  #WayToSpartan!

So, I went ahead and made them all a thank you note that will be from both me and my son.  I used my Cricut Explore Air to print and cut the flags, the thanks for everything banner and the Grateful for You sign.  I love being able to make multiple cards for just this kind of project with my Cricut!  I am entering this in The Rubber Buggy Challenge Blog #1.    I am always on the hunt for a great challenge blog and I love that they have page and card sketches.  Thanks for the inspiration!  Paper is DCWV.