August 2010
Looking Forward to Monday Morning
The start of the school year varies by states and districts from early August to after Labor Day. Here are some before school starts activities that you might want to implement with colleagues. Plan a staff trip before staff members and students return from summer break. Some districts have this trip on a regular contracted day, but many have it before the staff's contracted period. Everyone is welcome; participation is voluntary. Let staff members know where they are to meet, the start time, and approximate end time. Provide suggestions on what to wear.  Examples of trips include taking the staff members to a movie, historical tour, fruit or berry picking, a shell hunt followed by a seafood meal, etc.
One school made arrangements with a family-owned restaurant to have the school's staff members work in the restaurant for the day. Some people cooked while others waited and bussed tables. The participants got to eat their culinary creations. They had fun and learned new skills, too. Another school planned an overnight camping trip. Staff members were informed of what to wear and bring, and that the activity would involve an overnight. The group cooked on a campfire, sang, and toasted marshmallows. Divide the staff into groups of four or five members so they can ride together in a car. Make a list of people they need to find and have their picture taken with. Set a limit of a certain amount of time. Assign points for each picture, for example: ·Picture with the mayor = 25 points ·Picture with a former principal = 30 points ·Picture with a security guard = 20 points Have teams make a video of their meetings and bring it back to the school. The videos could be shown, judged, and prizes awarded for the most points, most creative, etc. Or you could save the videos and show them on the last staff day of the school year. Many staff members return to school before their contracted start date to set up their rooms and get everything ready for the students' arrival. Send an e-mail to the staff announcing a voluntary Back to School Day. Let them know that if they want to work in their room/offices, food and drinks will be available throughout the day. Arrange to have some high school students and community volunteers available to assist them that day.
Give each staff member who participates in the day a coupon for a "Welcome Back Bag." Staff members may then bring the coupon to the office, catch up on the summer's activities, and receive a bag of goodies. The bag of goodies could be snack foods, school supplies, a CD of music to work to, coupons to restaurants, early release pass to use during the year, a casual dress certificate for a day of their choice, etc.—a little reward for the unpaid time they are giving for students.  Changing for Good $33.95 now $27.16Changing for Good offers a detailed examination of current schoolwide reform efforts and identifies strategies for introducing, managing, and sustaining successful school renewal programs. Based on a four-year study of 74 schools, the book provides a model for generating the necessary district support, schoolwide leadership, teacher commitment, and performance outcomes to cultivate improvement that lasts.
 The custodians often are unsung heroes. They work all summer toward getting the schools ready for the start of the school year. They are at work when few people are around and often don't receive the accolades they deserve. Hang a banner at the entrance of the school that remains on display throughout the year. Have the following printed on the banner: Our school is beautifully maintained by—and list the names of the custodial staff members.
 If you haven't already purchased your copy of Season It With Fun! now is the time. It gives ideas for the start of the school year, fall, winter, spring, and the end of the school year. It tells how to make a positive school climate full of recognition, appreciation, and fun—on a low budget. Order it on my web page at www.dianehodges.com.Drive your colleagues HAPPY and enjoy the rest of the summer! Diane Hodges
Threshold Group
email:
diane@dianehodges.com
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