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Special School-Wide Events


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Special school-wide events that get parents and the community involved are tremendous opportunities to shed light on the great work your students and teachers do every day. Those events are excellent PR opportunities too. The articles below from Education World's archive will help you plan and get the most out of special school-wide events.

Student Showcase Highlights Science and More
When one principal suggested a spring open house to complement one held in the fall, it was decided to combine the event with an already scheduled science fair to create one huge "showcase" of student work. The event has become a mainstay at the school.


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Find more articles of interest in the following Education World resources:

A Year of Exceptional Events

Back to School

Fund Raising

Traditions

See our complete archive of Focus On articles. More than three dozen hot topics of interest to principals.

Ten Ideas for a Successful Take Your Family to School Week
PTA Take Your Family to School Week is just one of the PTA programs revitalizing parent involvement in education. This special week in February is easy to implement too, with these ten ideas and the PTA's online guide and poster.

"Souper Bowl" Connects Kids to Their Communities
Don't miss this opportunity for your school to connect with the community during Super Bowl week. Each year, the Souper Bowl of Caring involves students as they collect millions of pounds of food to benefit local organizations. Participation tips included.

Community Scavenger Hunt Teaches Research Skills, Much More
When armies of students descend on local libraries, it has to be time for the State of Jefferson Scavenger Hunt. The three-day event challenges kids to track down answers to a series of questions. The results include improved research skills, priceless memories.

One Book, One School, One Community: A Singular Reading Experience
Driven by the desire to enhance literacy skills and bring together generations, these three schools organized "One Book" community reading activities. Is this something your school might do? Included: Tips for choosing the right literary selection for a community to read.

Twenty-Five Ideas for Celebrating American Education Week
American Education Week was first celebrated in 1921 as a way to help raise America's literacy rate. Today, AEW offers a special opportunity for educators to shine a light on the great things they do. Included: Twenty-five ideas for celebrating AEW in your school.

Social Studies Fairs Inspire Young Historians
Picture a room filled with colorful project displays and students who look like they just stepped out of the pages of a history book -- and you are imagining the view teachers, parents, and students alike enjoy during a social studies fair. Tips included.

Showing Appreciation on "Secretaries Day"
Administrative Professionals Week (formerly called National Secretaries Week) is celebrated each April. What are you doing to recognize the folks in the front office who keep things on an even keel in your school? Here are some practical ideas

Even Little Makeovers Make a Big Difference
Many schools would benefit from an "extreme makeover" but can't afford one, let alone a coat of paint. Some community volunteers are taking on the job of making over rooms and teacher lounges, surprising and delighting school staff.

Teachers Receive Due Praise at Graduation
There is no time like the present to begin planning your school's best commencement ever. This year, take a page from the book of higher learning and recognize not just the graduates but the elementary and middle school educators who helped get them there.

America's Battle of the Books: Dueling Readers Spar About Literature
Students choosing to read meaningful literature and avid readers from different schools working together as teams: does it sound too good to be true? America's "Battle of the Books" combines literature and friendly competition. Start a "battle" at your school.

Scrabble Clubs Spell Learning, Fun
Many schools are luring students away from TV and video games with the chance to out-spell classmates in after-school Scrabble club competitions. Educators say playing Scrabble improves language and social skills. Included: Scrabble as a teaching tool.

Math Night by the Numbers
Is it time for a "Math Night" at your school? Math Nights get students excited about math, familiarize parents with the math curriculum, and encourage families to continue the fun of math at home. Included: Advice from organizers of Math Nights.

Family Reading Nights Create Avid Readers
For administrators looking to increase student reading at school and at home and improve parent involvement, family reading nights have proven successful for many schools. Included: Practical suggestions for initiating a family reading night program.

Make Graduation Day a Special Day Across the Grades
Whether you call it Graduation Day, Move-Up or Step-Up Day, or Recognition or Promotion Day, the day you set aside to honor your school's "senior" class can be a special one with these ideas from Education World's "Principal Files" team.

Sixty-Five Ways to Recognize Teachers During Teacher Appreciation Week -- and All Year Long
Have you special plans for Teacher Appreciation Week? Are you searching for new ways to show your teachers how much you appreciate their efforts? Education World's "Principal Files" principals share 65 ways to show your appreciation.

Ways to Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week
An apple for the teacher? Banners in the sky? How will you celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week? Learn about the gestures that touch educators' hearts. Included: Activities for administrators, parents, and students to show teachers how much they mean.

Celebrate American Education Week by Building a Village
Each November, America's schools celebrate American Education Week. Celebrate the event and strengthen the bonds between your school and your community with activities suggested by the National Education Association. Tips included.

Copyright 2008 Education World

Last updated 06/26/2008

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