First Day Festivities

Make the first day of school extra special. Invite the mayor, the fire chief, and the police chief to be a part of an assembly. Request that they thank the teachers and staff. Also, ask that they motivate the students with inspirational speeches. Give all school employees, as well as your speakers, “Together We Create A Better Tomorrow” Lapel Pins. Pass out “Welcome Back: Believe, Achieve, Succeed” Stickers for all children to wear.

Knowing Them Better

Organize a game of People Bingo to get your teachers and staff reacquainted with each other. Ahead of time, have everyone fill out a questionnaire with questions like “What is your favorite movie?” Create bingo cards that have five rows of five squares each. Place a fact about someone, such as “I was born in Florida,” in each square, but don’t include any names. Distribute the cards; tell participants to walk around the room, interviewing others to try to obtain the correct person’s initials for each box. The object is to achieve “bingo” (five across, down or diagonally). Award a Welcome Back Gift Bag Of Appreciation to the first person with bingo, and Together We Shine Travel Mug Gift Sets to the second and third place winners.

Wholehearted Marching

Start the year off with an activity sure to receive attention: a parade. Have each class make a banner out of butcher paper. Tell the teachers to designate a few students to carry each banner. Provide the other students with helium-filled “Welcome Back: Believe, Achieve, Succeed” Balloons to tie on their wrists. Ask some staff members to carry Positive Promotions Banners, such as “Welcome To Our School Where Every Child Counts” and “Committed To Excellence-Dedicated To Education.” Lead everyone in the school on a procession through the streets…and don’t forget to wave!

School-Wide Mixer

Provide students and parents the opportunity to interact with your school’s teachers in a relaxed environment. On the day before classes begin, hold a casual party. Put the PTO/PTA in charge of bringing snacks. Let children and adults mingle a while, then offer them the chance to participate in silly activities. Play fun kids’ music. Keep things light by awarding your teachers a “Wild About Our School” Stationery Set. Give out Promotional Pencils, imprinted with your school’s name or message, to thank everyone else for attending.

Updated Appearances

It’s a new school year–help your teachers personally have a new look. Recruit hairdressers, makeup professionals and nail technicians willing to donate their skills. Bring in your teachers for mini makeovers. While haircuts and pedicures are taking place, hold drawings for gift cards from clothing stores (also donated). Hand everyone “You’re An Essential Part Of Our School” Manicure Kits. Express your gratitude to the makeover volunteers by giving them “Thanks A ‘Latte’ For All You Do!” Stress Relievers.

Group Getaway

Hold a surprise “field trip” during your back-to-school teacher work day. At lunch time, load your teachers and staff onto a school bus and take them to a nearby park. Bring lunches packed in “Kids Are My Business” Insulated Lunch Bags for everyone. Pack ice and cold beverages in several On-The-Go Coolers. Have each person write down his or her name on a slip of paper and put it into a hat. Later that day, raffle off the coolers and allow time to relax in the grass before going back to work.

Pizza, Pizza, Pizza

A pizza and root beer party is a fun way to ring in the new school year. Decorate your party place with the items in the Welcome Back Decoration Pack. Serve root beer in “100 Years From Now” Ceramic Mugs, which participants can take with them. Make sure to have a few lower-calorie, lower-fat pizza choices, such as veggie with thin crust, for the health-conscious members of your staff. While everyone eats, play festive music. Then give time for people to share “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” stories.