So we have 2 teachers in my department that are retiring and somehow I got stuck planning it! Is it a lot of work? Any success stories / advice? Not sure if I should invite just teachers or administration, too?
We usually send out an all-building email inviting everyone. Someone collects money for food and a gift. Everyone is also asked to bring something to eat. We just had one party at a bar/bowling alley. There is another planned for next week at a local bar/restaurant.
We recently had one for one of our teachers at a fancy restaurant. Each teacher had to pay $60 to cover the cost of the meal and gift so it did get pretty pricey...... They got him a $500 gift card to Lowe's as he's a big gardener, and a basket of fruits/chocolates/other goodies for him and his wife.
We don't do retirement parties at my current school. We just have an end-of-year happy hour to say goodbye to anyone who is leaving the school for any reason. No one is asked to contribute any money to that. In addition, on our last day of school, we have an all-school assembly where all teachers leaving are invited up on stage to receive a gift and be honored for their time at our school. Retirement gifts are nicer and a bit more "special" than gifts for teachers/staff who are leaving for other reasons. This year, everyone was asked to contribute $10 towards the gift. It's voluntary though. Some contribute nothing, and some contribute more than the $10.
We have an all-district assembly on the last day that honors all retirees. Then, within our own building, we have a luncheon that day that the social committee puts together; it is usually potluck style. Our building's retirees are honored with a gift. The gifts are paid for by social committee funds--we are all asked to contribute $25 each year to put in this fund, and this is one of the things they are used for. I honestly don't know what the gifts are; they typically aren't opened in front of everyone, and I'm guessing they are some sort of gift card.
Keep it simple. Teacher NY is correct---find out what has been done in the past and stick close to that. Lots of schools have different traditions as evidenced here and you don't want to omit something meaningful or do something way over the top financially that precludes everyone being able to do it.
