Now that school is back in session, your kids might spend more time in the classroom than with you. That means the adults they interact with at school play a huge role in their lives. The principal is a key part of their experiences. These educational professionals keep everything running smoothly, from day-to-day happenings to fun events to major initiatives. Show your kids’ principals you appreciate them with these thank-you ideas:

A letter to the editor

Does your school have a newspaper that goes out to all of the parents and community members? Consider writing a letter to the editor in honor of the principal. Mention what he or she does specifically that is important to your kids, like helping organize charity drives or working to keep specific subjects funded. You could also do the same thing in your town newspaper or in an online neighborhood website. Placing your praise in a platform where other parents and locals will read it is key.

A thank-you card

Not everyone wants his or her praises showered upon him or her in a public forum. Thank you cards are the perfect way to share your appreciation without all the hubbub of grander gestures. Write a heartfelt message sharing what the principal does that matters to your kids. Maybe he or she volunteered to be in the dunk tank to celebrate the end of the semester. Your kids probably loved tossing baseballs as hard as possible in the hopes of seeing him or her land in the cold water! Or perhaps he or she advocated for more field trips to get students involved in the community. Note these particular assets in your thank-you so the principal knows what really matters.

An appreciative gift

If you feel like a card is not the key to saying thanks, try a card and a gift. If you know much about the principal, you should have an idea already in your head. Something personal, like tickets to a game for a sports team he or she loves, can be really special. Or, consider some more generic gifts if you’re unsure what the principal likes. Chocolate, fruit bouquets or even some fancy coffee will do the trick. You may also go education-related with a fun mug, nice pen or high-quality notepad.

Your assistance

Principals can’t make change without the help of parents. Many school leaders would love to have more volunteers to assist in school-related matters. From chaperoning away football games to leading committees and fundraisers for school events, there are many ways you can get involved and show your thanks by supporting your kids’ principals. You may also use special skills that you have to help out around the school. If you’re a journalist, for example, offer up your copywriting abilities to guide the student-run newspaper. Excellent gardeners may be of use when the biology class goes digging for worms and categorizing flora and fauna. Arrange a short meeting with your kids’ principal where you can share how grateful you are for all of his or her work. Then, mention that you’d like to volunteer and get his or her opinion on where your help is needed the most.