August is back-to-school season, and we're here to help you launch the new school year in style! From cookouts to teacher appreciation, heading back to school is a perfect excuse to celebrate a fresh start for families and educators in your community. Grab a freshly sharpened pencil, and get ready to take some notes!
Back-to-School Bash
You can't go wrong with a good ol' fashioned cookout or pizza party. Create a fun ambiance with themed decor, plenty of food, and a few nostalgic schoolyard games like four-square, hopscotch, or jump rope. Or, put your neighbors to the test with trivia based on common elementary school subjects and reward winners with a prize. To top it all off, make sure to create a photo booth for the young scholars in your community to show off their new school clothes and document the start of a new year!
School Supply Giveaway
Surprise and delight the students in your community (and their parents!) by giving away some of the most commonly needed school supplies. Head to your local Target or Walmart and stock up on a variety of pens, pencils, markers, notebooks, construction paper, rulers, glue, and anything else the students in your community may need. You can even provide backpacks if your budget allows, or invite students to bring their own backpacks and fill them up.
Just for fun, throw in some popular school snacks. Gushers, anyone? Any supplies that are left over after the event can be donated to a local school or charity so that nothing goes to waste.
Teacher Appreciation
Let's not forget about our beloved teachers! A new school year is a great time to show educators in your community a little extra love and appreciation for all they do. Partner with your office staff to identify any teachers in your community and provide a personal door drop-off with a Starbucks gift card, flowers, or another fun treat. Or, set up breakfast on the go for the first day of school and have an extra gift ready to go for teachers heading off to the classroom. Something as simple as a small succulent (you can find these at Trader Joe's) with a thoughtful note can encourage teachers and remind them of their "why" as they kick off a new year. Include other school staff who live in your community as well –from principals to maintenance staff – keeping our schools running and helping our students learn is a true team effort.
Which back-to-school idea are you going to run with? Drop a comment below and tell us how you plan to celebrate students, families, and educators this August!
