Just think of Principal Ideas as a virtual show-and-tell for principals. Each week in the coming school year we'll present five new principal-tested ideas. Send in your idea today! See the sidebar to learn how to be part of Principal Ideas.
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Celebrity Shoe Auction
When some students' need for shoes was discussed at a meeting of the student support committee, I knew immediately what might make a wonderful fundraiser. I have collected autographs for the past 15 years, so I suggested the idea of having a Celebrity Autograph and Shoe Auction, in which celebrities would autograph their shoes and donate them. Then we could auction off the shoes. The money raised would go to a 'shoe fund' to help those kids who needed shoes or other items their families couldn't afford.
Source: Marty Kelsey, A "Signature Event": The Autograph Auction as a School Fundraiser
Scavenger Hunt for New Students
At a day-before-school-opens hot dog roast, sponsored by the PTO, a scavenger hunt is used to introduce new students to the school. Each new child gets a sheet with questions on it. They are teamed with veteran students, who assist them in finding things or locations around the school. At each destination, the new student gets a signature from the staff person in charge of the area. The scavenger hunt is a fun way for new students to tour the school and for staff to meet new students and make them feel comfortable. The student also receives a little prize -- such as a ruler, a sticker, or a pencil -- at each stop.
Source: Marcia Wright, Schools Find Many Ways to Say "Welcome Back"
HOSTS (Helping One Student to Succeed) Volunteer Program
We use parents as one-on-one tutors in our HOSTS (Helping One Student to Succeed) reading program. Parents volunteer at least 30 minutes a week to help the 45 children in the program improve their reading skills.
Source: Bonita Henderson, "Principals Share Parent Involvement ideas " (EducationWorld.com -- February 28, 2000)
Best-Selling Video
Make arrangements to record a video version of a PowerPoint presentation that includes pictures of the students throughout their lives. Sell the video at the graduation ceremony. The proceeds might be used to purchase a class gift for the school or to donate to the graduating class's local charity of choice.
Source: "Make Graduation Day a Special Day Across the Grades" (EducationWorld.com -- May 13, 2003)
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Education World® Editor-in-Chief
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