1. Thanksgiving Luncheon Thank You Notes The last piece of the etiquette puzzle!

3. Thank you for such a great…
Part of appropriate etiquette is sending a thank you note to the host or other important contributors after an event.
Not only is it appropriate to offer your gratitude, but it keeps your name in front of a potential employer, admissions representative, peer, customer, etc.

4. Writing a Thank You Note
We had many parents and guardians volunteer at the Thanksgiving Luncheon, special guests who took the time to attend, and staff members who worked so hard to pull off a great event.
Each advisory will be given the names of individuals to formally thank. (Advisory teachers will receive note cards to use for your thank yous)
Choose someone with good handwriting to write the actual body of the note. Everyone should sign it, then!

5. Writing a Thank You Note
You should address the recipient of the letter the same way you would address them if you were having a conversation with them...for instance, if you call your teacher Mr. Jones – address him as such in the letter.
If you are unsure as to whether a female prefers Miss or Mrs., you can use Ms.

6. Writing a Thank You Note
You should include the exact reason you are thankful…
In our case, you would thank them for either:
Helping to prepare and serve the meal
Attending the special luncheon

7. Writing a Thank You Note
Elaborate to explain briefly why you are grateful. For example, “The meal was so nice because our Advisory got to sit together and just enjoy the time.”
It is nice to share specifics that help thank you letters not feel too generic!
Thank them again as you close the letter.

8. Things you SHOULD NOT include in your thank you letter:
Rather than starting your letter with something like, “Hi! How are you today?”, simply start by thanking the recipient of the note.
When writing a thank you letter, avoid using the opportunity to update the recipient on details of your life, job, etc. A thank you letter is just that – a chance to express gratitude.

9. Other tips for your thank you letter –
Keep your thank you letter concise and meaningful. A short letter that expresses your gratitude for the gift, interview, meal, etc. is perfect and will not bore the individual.
Get your letter out quickly. Two to three weeks is perfect, and eight weeks is the absolute latest you should be sending out thank you letters.

10. Other tips for your thank you letter
Avoid merely signing a generic ‘thank you’ card with only your signature inside. You actually do not even need to purchase an actual ‘thank you’ card. A blank or home-made card is perfectly acceptable.
When you send thank you notes, it allows individuals who have sent gifts or offered their services to know how much you appreciated them and how important it was to you.

11. Sample: Thank You Letter Format
December 2, 2015
Dear Mrs. Smith,
Thank you so much for volunteering at the Thanksgiving Luncheon. The cafeteria looked very festive and we enjoyed sitting down together for the meal. Our class loved the meal and thought it was so nice to have the time to have conversation without being rushed. We are grateful for the time you gave toward making it a special occasion for us.
Sincerely,
(sign all of your names neatly)

12. Time to write!
Brainstorm the contents of your letters on the board. Work together to make your thank you note appropriate and meaningful.
Have one student hand-write the Thank You notes to your assigned volunteer / guest / student / staff members. Everyone should sign at the end!
Everyone else: take this opportunity to write a thank you note to someone else in your life. It could be a teacher, friend, family member, etc. We encourage you to actually deliver your notes, as well!

13. Submission
Please submit the written notes to Ms. Blasingame’s mailbox/office by Monday, December 4th at 4:15 p.m.