Messages thanking school staff for their support during the pandemic are set to be displayed on a billboard on Kirkstall Road.
People across Leeds are being asked to send in messages to raise awareness of everything educators have done to help others. The messages will then be placed on billboards across the city.
Through repeated lockdowns and with remote teaching and social distancing, the teaching community of Leeds have gone the extra mile to support their pupils. Whether it’s a teacher who helped a pupil struggling at home, a lunchtime supervisor who kept everyone safe at meal times or a teaching assistant that is an unsung hero – it is hoped the messages will highlight individuals and schools that have made a difference.
People are invited to send in their messages in any format to show their appreciation, be this a drawing, written message, poem or video. They can be submitted to appear on the billboards using this nomination form before 6 June, by sending to waveofthanks@twinkl.co.uk or by simply posting on social media using the hashtag #WaveOfThanksLeeds by Wednesday 23 June.
The digital billboards will be live from Thursday 10th to Thursday 24th June, located at Kirkstall Road, Victoria Road and local supermarkets.
Any schools nominated using the form before 6th June will also be in with the chance of receiving one of 500 wellbeing bundles. These will be packed full of goodies including tea and biscuits (staples of staff rooms around the world), thank you postcards and notepads and pens.
The billboard messages are part of a campaign organised by the educational resource publisher Twinkl, with the charity Mind and school supplier YPO, after they recognised the huge lengths educators have gone to for others throughout the past year.
As part of this, the public sector buying organisation YPO, which supplies materials and contract support to schools across the UK, is sending 100 surprise ‘Thank you’ gifts to teachers and school staff. They will also be running a competition to give communities a chance to name 40 new delivery fleet vehicles after inspirational teachers.
Leon Smith, Chief Customer Officer at Twinkl, said:
“The wellbeing bundles and billboards are a way of showing school staff how valued and appreciated they are. We’d love them to see a heartfelt message of thanks on a billboard on their way to work, giving them a boost after such a challenging year.
“Despite the difficulties they have faced, educators have gone above and beyond to offer the very best teaching, care and support during the pandemic. It’s so important to show them how thankful people are for their ongoing support and commitment to their pupils.”
More details are available here.