Displaying affirming messages

Set a positive tone by displaying affirming messages for everyone to see. Hang Welcome Back Banners in key areas, such as hallways and the cafeteria. Also hang one in your staff lounge if space allows. Further decorate your school with “The Future Begins Here” Pennants.

Welcome back luncheon

Add elegance to your welcome back luncheon. Hire a professional pianist to play for the event. Put a “We Build The Future One Child At A Time” Flashlight, Key Ring & Pen Gift Set at each place setting. Set out a vase of roses from which everyone can choose a blossom. Then serve your teachers and staff sparkling cider and cheese as they mingle at the start of the luncheon.

Culture of respect

Begin creating a culture of respect at the start of the school year. Put up the Bullying Prevention Deluxe Laminated Poster Set in classrooms and around your school. Ask teachers to call students’ attention to the posters. Make quizzes based on the information from them. Distribute the quizzes to your teachers for them to administer in the classrooms.

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.