September 2010
Looking Forward to Monday Morning
The school year has officially started...here are some activities that you may want to incorporate into your school to keep spirits high. A Sporting Recognition Implement this recognition activity throughout the year  when there are home sporting events. Have sports teams select a school employee to be recognized as Staff Member of the Week. The person who is the recipient receives free admission to the event, a concession stand gift certificate, is recognized by the sports announcer, and is applauded by the crowd. Bringing the staff member onto the field/court/track to receive recognition is even more meaningful. Contributed by: Tom Sharp, Oglethorpe County High School, Lexington, GA.
Sweet Rewards
You can get more ideas on the 72 Rewarding Motivational Sayings CD. It is a CD of artwork to accompany food, candy, and other motivators to give to staff. Print these out and add them to treats. It is a HUGE time saver for busy schedules!
G.O.O.S. E. Award G.O.O.S. E. stands for Get Out of School Early. These early release awards are given to staff members so that they can leave ahead of schedule. An administrator covers the classroom for 15 minutes before dismissal so that the award winner can depart early. Contributed by: Karen Doyle, Congetta Trippe Janet Elementary School, Marrero, LA
Stand in Their Shoes
 Thought Pads make wonderful Thank You gifts for achievements or for staff member motivation. I have 80 of the Thought Pads for Educators, Vol. 2 remaining. They are being offered at a 40% discount--$2.40 or the first 8 orders that are received of $50 or more of any product will be shipped 10 complimentary Thought Pads (a $40 value).
Stock up today and use them throughout the year.
 Survival Skills for the Principalship: A Treasure Chest of Time-Savers, Short-Cuts, and Strategies to Help You Keep a Balance in Your Life. $40.00 now $32.00This compilation of resources offers practical, ready-to-use solutions to the issues and dilemmas principals face every day.
Often people ask, "How can we fund the recognition activities?" Many valued recognition activities such as giving personal words of praise and writing thank you notes don't cost anything, but others do. I am a firm believer that it should not cost workers money to do their jobs. I am always amazed at how much of their own money educators spend on school-related activities. In the next few issues I will give you some suggestions of how to raise the money you need to incorporate fun and rewarding activities in your school.
Dress Down Days
Dessert Taste Off
 The start of the school year is a time for staff members to catch up on the events that transpired over the summer. I still talk with my former colleagues and find out the latest events. This year I heard that four of them have cancer. You may be experiencing the same in your district. If so, give the people who will be spending hours receiving treatment something to smile with. I always send a copy of Laugh Lines to try to lift their spirits. I am going to make 50 copies available at a 40% discount ($13.80) so that you can share them with your colleagues. Order them on my webpage at www.dianehodges.com.
If you are attending the National Career Pathways Network Conference in Dallas—stop by! I will be presenting a session titled A Resume Alone Won't Get Students the Jobs They Want on Saturday, October 23.
Drive your colleagues HAPPY and have a Sensational September! Diane Hodges
Threshold Group
email:
diane@dianehodges.com
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Champions Billboard 
Give the staff members a coupon for the principal to teach in each teacher's classroom for a half-day each year. The teachers may remain on campus to do school related work or they may use it as personal time off-campus. This allows the staff members to have some discretionary time as well as the principal to hone his or her teaching skills and be a "teaching principal." Contributed by: Tami Shelley, Trinity Presbyterian School, Montgomery, AL 
Designate Dress Down Days in which staff members may wear jeans and casual dress rather than their professional attire. Staff members donate $3 (or other designated amount) for a button or ribbon to wear explaining why they're dressed differently that day.