The First Day of School

I can’t believe that it is that time again!

My two boys begin school on August 22 (they attend a private school in St. Petersburg). I am taking them to Orlando for a long weekend for one of our last summer hurrahs. Our goal is to ride several rollercoasters and to enjoy the water slides and lazy river at Blizzard Beach (our favorite water park).

Where has this summer gone?

As you gear up for the start of school, it is important to think about the first day of school. You have an opportunity to create a very important first impression on the first day—the only first day back at school that you will get.

Therefore, it is important to make the most of it.

What will you do to make a great first impression? How can you market your school internally to your parents and students?

Here are some ideas:

  • Be seen and shake hands – One of the most important things to do on the first day of school is to be seen in the car line, in the hallway, and on campus and to shake a lot of hands of parents and students.
  • Provide food and drinks – Everyone likes food and drinks. One school last year passed out donuts, coffee and juice to parents. You could set up a welcome area for parents to mingle after they drop off their child. You might also want to do the same for students as a way to say welcome back to school.
  • Hang a banner and create visual appeal – Banners can provide a nice welcome back to school. You could highlight your school’s brand, tagline and theme for the school year to create some visual appeal.
  • Give something away – Everyone likes a gift. Think about what you could give your parents and students. For the parents, you could give them a coffee mug with an invitation to your “Coffee with the Head” events or a car magnet to promote your school. For the students, you might want to give them a special treat or a t-shirt.
  • Roll out the red carpet – Last year one school’s leadership team considered rolling out a red carpet for parents to walk on to bring their child into school on the first day.
  • Hold an event – The first week can be a great time to have a cookout lunch provided by the school’s leadership for the students.
  • Shoot some video – Capture the excitement of the first day of school on video to post on your website, Facebook and YouTube. You could ask students to tell you what they did over the summer and what they are looking forward to the most this year at school.
  • Ask for a story – Every student in every class could write or tell a story about what makes your school an exciting place to learn this year.

Remember, you only get one first day and first week back to school. Do something that is out of the box and makes a lasting impression.

What do you have planned for the first day of school?

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