Thank You Notes

When was the last time you sent someone a hand written thank you note?

Has social networking on Facebook, texting, instant messaging and email all but eradicated this act of sentimentality?

Sending hand written thank you notes was covered on my favourite TV show, CBS Sunday Morning.  They interviewed a man that wrote a book about the 365 thank you notes that he sent last year; called "365 Thank You Notes."  He cited that the hand written thank you notes literally made him feel better and brought better relationships into his life.

I think it still holds tremendous value in sending someone a personal hand written note acknowledging a good deed, a job well done, or a friendship for example.

Our staff sends out "Good News Postcards" to students.  This Postcard was the brain child of our wonderful Student Success Teacher, Mrs. Patterson.  These cards acknowledge any positive behaviour one could imagine. 

From my perspective, I have sent out notes to students for high achievement levels or for something as simple as achieving all of their credits in a school year or for just doing a good deed.  Each student has a different story which would dictate the message on the card.  I have received positive feedback from the students that received the cards and even more feedback from their parents.  Why? 

People still have a true appreciation for the time and effort that it takes to write a note to someone else.  This is why I have sent hand written notes to staff in the past.  As well, I hand sign report cards and often add notes on them......all 1600 or so in the first semester.

People like to feel and touch the hand written word and just get more sentiment out of this mode of communication than a Facebook message or a Tweet.  At least...this is my opinion.

Go ahead....send someone your best wishes.....you will both benefit.

Thanks for reading.  Looking forward to you thoughts and comments.  As an aside, Semester I Report Cards will be distributed to students on the 4th of February.