A teacher walks into the room and notices a red gift basket waiting on her desk. After tearing open the cellophane, she finds a mug full of chocolate and stationary along with a special note of encouragement. This could only mean one thing, a PEST.

The Parents Supporting Staff and Teachers (PEST) is similar to the Parent Support Network (PSN) for teachers. PSN is designed to encourage student academic and spiritual excellence, while PEST was created to support and encourage the staff.

At the beginning of the year, teachers fill out a profile form for their PEST. The form includes questions such as their birthday, special prayer requests and their favorites.

?Parents and families become a PEST to show staff and teachers they are appreciated,? a PEST who wishes to remain anonymous said. ?Being a PEST in my family has helped our daughters to better understand and focus on staff, faculty and their family needs. We pray for our PEST often.?

The PEST aims to support in creative ways.

?I like the anonymity of being a PEST; it is fun and rewarding to be able to do something nice for someone you may not otherwise know well,” a PEST member said. ?It?s also a great opportunity to do something special for a person you care about.?

The program gives the teachers knowledge of spiritual support.

?I think the staff and teachers really benefit from the PEST program through the efforts of others to pray for and encourage them,? a PEST said.

Teachers seem to feel support from their PEST from the gifts and the encouragement of prayer they receive each month.

?I enjoy having a PEST because it encourages me to feel the support and to know that someone is praying for me,? Senora Foth, Spanish teacher, said. ?We get the gifts about once a month or whenever there?s a special holiday. Sometimes I get the gift on a really bad day and it really lifts me up.?

Students appear to realize the importance lifting teachers up through support and encouragement.

?I think it?s good that the teachers have PEST to support and encourage them,? Andrea Khouzam, ?08, said. ?The teachers work hard and they deserve something to show that they are loved and appreciated.?

For more information on the PEST program, call the high school office at 299-1695, ext. 5.