This year, after our opening keynote message to staff, we embedded a selfie-scavenger hunt, as there were several spaces that were renovated over the summer. Not only was this a great team-building/get to know you activity where staff worked in small groups with other members outside of their grade level team, but they explored parts of the building together & had fun taking selfies in these various locations! We asked staff to post a collage of all of the photos on Instagram, using our school hashtag and #selfiescavengerhunt.
Each staff member then received a ‘swag bag’ and a staff t-shirt for the year! What’s in the bag you ask?
(Each staff member also received a keychain from Target’s dollar spot with their name personalized on it, using a Cricut)
*A copy of Be the One for Kids by Ryan Sheehy and a decal sticker for their laptops/rooms. This book is such a quick read and really hits home the message of doing what’s best for kids. Making connections & ensuring all decisions come back to the question, “Is this good for kids?” makes this an easy pick for a staff PD book.
*A copy of Hacking Leadership by Joe Sanfelippo & Tony Sinanis (courtesy of our superintendent, Dr. B). Joe was our district’s opening keynote speaker this year & kicked off our school year with an inspiring message to connect and tell our school’s story! Joe left us wanting to do always do whatever it takes to create those moments of awe for our families and students.
*Vistaprint Positive Postcards — our school’s goal is “5 by Friday” ….that’s 5 positive connections by Friday….every week….all year…..all staff members participating! Those positive connections help strengthen relationships with our families and students!
*Lanyard (ordered from Namify), Planner (ordered from Amsterdam), Badge Reel (ordered from IDville) — all customized with our school logo!
*A plush “googley eye” dry erase board eraser, which they can also use to wipe down their device screens (iPads or laptop).
*Custom Popsockets
Finally, all staff received a t-shirt. We wear our school shirt on the 1st day of school, to easily signify which adults are staff members, available to help families and new students looking for direction on that first morning of school!
On the first day of school, we surprise the staff with an easel in the lounge!
Just like our students take photos of their first day of school, we set up a photo-op for our staff to capture their first day!
The fujifilm Instax cameras provide an instant “polaroid” photo keepsake!
How do you kick off the new school year?
Thanks for sharing your back to school ideas for your staff! I have a couple of questions, if you don’t mind answering.
1) Was your ‘swag’ bag stuff purchased with money from your school budget?
2) How was the buy in for the selfie activity? Were there teachers who weren’t really into it? How did you approach that?
Thanks again for sharing your activities. It seems like you really trying to engage your staff with things that are lighthearted.