Back To School Pencil Cookies

Beginning the school year is difficult for everyone. The financial and emotional burden for parents for school supplies, clothing and getting kids ready to start school on the right foot is daunting. Kids have their own set of getting ready. And, then? There’s the teachers. Unpaid hours, time, and supplies in getting a classroom ready is not taken lightly by those teachers. Teachers may get a gift at Christmas or Teacher’s Appreciation donuts in the lounge…but at the beginning of the year? I’ve got a sweet back to school pencil cookie idea for teachers.

Why back to school pencil cookies for teachers?

Well, anxiety is at an all time high for teachers, too. You see, we, (meaning during my teacher days) don’t sleep well the night before school starts…well, actually…maybe weeks before the beginning of a school year. Heck…there’s lots of sleepless nights about planning…but, mostly kids with needs.

Those months off during the summer?

That’s a misconception, too. You see…taking that room apart and stored in order for custodial staff to paint, spruce up floors and get the room refreshed requires hours to pack and store…and more to unpack and restore.

Everything on those walls is taken down…and put back up…and much not surviving the process. The reworking of shelves, bookcases, and closets is a bit overwhelming. Much like moving out of your home and back each and every year. Let that one sink in.

Some things are damaged, chairs misplaced, tables and podiums stuck in the wrong rooms or simply disappear. Each. And. Every. Year. And I had the most amazing of maintenance crew.

Then there’s the weeks of summer camps for organizations, teachers’ conferences, learning workshops, local professional development and state and national conferences that leave those teachers overwhelmed and exhausted.

The list of everything to accomplish at home, family vacations, and personal care is added on top.

So, a back to school celebration for teachers?

Yep, needed for all of them. You see, the teaching doesn’t stop during the summer months. Teachers contemplate the latest and greatest theory for room arrangement, behavior management and guidance, and lesson planning that will both engage and wow the next generation who walk through their doors.

So…with all of that in mind…out came just a little happy to deliver for the first day of school or open houses for my great nieces to remind those teachers that there are others out here who see…who care…who have been or are still in the trenches.

So with a few wafer cookies, some chocolate chips, and candy melts? You, too, can welcome those teachers back to school.

They will be the ones with smiling faces, probably a new haircut, outfit and shoes.

With their room back together and new bulletin boards, organization systems and themes throughout? They will be the ones that will welcome a sweet treat.

Because you see? With a high amount of energy expended? and exhaustion ahead immediately following the first day?

This tiny treat will be embraced, enjoyed and appreciated.

What supplies are needed to make these pencil cookies?

Just wafer cookies, almond bark in white and pink, and chocolate chips. A few small bags and tags make them individualized.

I found the pink candy wafers at Hobby Lobby if you need to locate them. You can find the sugar wafers at the Dollar Store or most groceries.

Here you go for the recipe:

Labeling Ingredients—

So many suffer food allergies so I have always found it helpful to include a list of ingredients on the gift tag. It just helps prevent any potential issues.

A QR code is created that links to the recipe which is always helpful if you have a place online to place the recipe…if not, just add lists or photos like I have below.

Chocolate Chips:

Sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, nonfat milk, milkfat, soy lecithin, natural flavor.

White Almond Bark:

Sugar, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, nonfat dry milk, soy lecithin (an emulsifier), and natural flavor.

Sugar Wafers:

Pink Candy for Erasers:

Starting the year with a sharp start! Pencil cookies that will brighten anyone’s day.

A new pencil always does the trick…right?

Hope you’ll consider those who need a little welcome back along with those kids in front of them.

A fun and easy way to say, “we see you and appreciate you.”

And if you have littles that want to help create them…even better.

Here are a few more back to school ideas:

• Celebrate Teachers Wreath
• 5 Tips for Back to School Organization

Here’s to a great start to the new school year! For those teachers and the bigs and littles that will provide stories, humor, and exhaustion for the next nine months…sort of like a pregnancy…except multiply the number of new babies!

For some teachers it’s up to 30 in one classroom…for me? It could be up to 150 or more high schoolers a day to greet, plan for, interact with, and then grade all of their work…

Let that one sink in.

Hope it’s the best one yet for everyone.