2020 Archival Resources
Senior Activities and Graduation Ideas Collection:
We are working to collect ideas from across the nation of what schools/districts are considering/planning to celebrate our seniors
Check out the NAWD Zoom Meeting - April 28th: Senior Activities & Student Council Elections
Other ideas:
Recognizing student involvement in activities, arts, academics and athletics via social media and yard signs
Many communities have found a way for local sing makers to make signs of encouragement and congratulations to put in their yards. There are many folks in neighborhoods that are putting these up, even without a senior in the house.
Have students submit their “Senior Stories” and thank yous to the school
Buffalo State College (SUNY) is working on social media projects called “Senior stories” where students can send in a 30 second to 1-minute video of themselves reflecting on their time on campus or thanking individuals who helped them on their journey to graduation. The plan is that the icommunications and marketing team will put the clips together in an end of the year video to send to the whole class.
Using snail mail to send handwritten notes from staff to seniors (or all students).
Sometimes the power of a handwritten note is amazing. Schools have been doing this as part of the graduation event but why not write/mail these notes to their students. Create an online list of graduates, have staff select a number of students (if the entire staff participates, this is usually 5-8 cards per staff member), develop (use) a school postcard, have staff write personal notes to their selected students, mail home (either by staff or bring back to school for addressing/mailing).
Gown up and Drop In!
Have students wear graduation regalia and join a virtual meeting (Google Meet, Zoom) where they can be recognized by school leaders and have their graduation conferred virtually.
Enlist student leaders to help with getting the word out to help make sure every senior and family is included in the celebration and has access to a video or computer to participate.
Drive-Through Graduation/Parade
Have each graduate and their family participate in a graduation caravan from their home neighborhood to the school and back. Graduates can pick up their diploma and be greeted by school leaders at the school’s campus before returning home. Provide guidance for signs and decorations that can be used to celebrate the class of 2020. Work with activity advisers and student leaders—particularly underclassmen who want to celebrate their class of 2020 peers—to help plan for solutions to make the day go seamlessly.
Virtual Prom Live
Students are invited to participate in Virtual Prom Live—a series of nationwide virtual proms based on time zones. Students can dress up and listen to top regional Display the best school-appropriate music. Encourage your students to register today. You can also coordinate with your school or district to create your own virtual prom event.
Signing Day Celebrations
While this was originally designated for college signing, help celebrate the class of 2020 by creating a virtual signing day for post high school plans. Celebrate their next step of military, career, college or wherever their next steps in life. Really it doesn’t matter what school, pathway, job, or major students will choose. Signing Day is about the commitment to ongoing education and success!
Of course you can also join schools across the country on June 1 with a virtual College Signing Day party! Check out the College Signing Day toolkit for more information about the celebration and ideas on how you can participate.
Ideas for staff appreciation:
Staff Appreciation Week is this week! And while it is always important to recognize how much staff matter, this year is especially significant. Many staff have worked around the clock to move online and to support their students while schools are closed.
Social distancing can make it tough to show staff how much you care, but there are still plenty of options. From e-cards or thank-you videos to classroom goodies or decorations, we’ve compiled a list of many ways you can celebrate Staff Appreciation Week at a distance, plus some other links to help in the process.
Writing notes and snail mail to the staff
Mailing thank you cards
Students send in pictures, poems, and decorations to create yard signs for staff
Porch deliveries
Notes for teachers (virtual postcards)
Flowers/Plants
Support the HS FFA/Horticulture Program if they holding a plant sale. Purchase a flat or two and drop off to staff members
E cards with gift card
Virtual gift cards
Shout outs in the Weekly Bulletin to families
Virtual 1:1 check in meetings
Online meets with staff and students
You’ve Been Mugged with the coffee cups
Each morning sending a staff greeting, no weekly email
Virtual spirit weeks
Videos of staff
Virtual lunches and breakfast for Staff Appreciation Week (invite them to share a meal)
Miss you pictures
Having students send in pictures showing signs to staff showing appreciation
Virtual awards
Videos of signs holding up pictures
Flipgrid for messages and shout outs
Parents to send in emails or letters to staff
Text your team uplifting messages
Collages
Video and Picture
Prizes and challenges
Calling staff to check on them o 2-3 phone calls a day to staff for shout out
Check in buddies for all staff
Self care bingo
Staff happy hour (virtual)
Drop photos into online photo service with a nice thank you
Be sure to remember all those staff members who are working behind the scenes too:
Custodians
Maintenance
Kitchen
Office
Classroom support/Para-Educators
Library staff
District mail delivery person
Bus drivers
Playground supervisors
After school program staff
Coaches
Counselor(s)
Links to other sites with ideas
NAWD Zoom Conferences!
The National Association of Student Activity Advisers has held zoom conferences connecting advisers from all over the country. Here are the notes, videos, links from those meetings.
NAWD Zoom Meeting - May 5th: Planning for Next Year
NAWD Zoom Meeting - April 28th: Celebrating Seniors