Fun Thingsto do with and for your staff

Travel!go to camps, J-Day, National Conventions

Minute to Win ItFun relay style games give students a chance to break away from the mold of everyday school and get to know one another better.

Studies show that companies that have programs like this have more success and better business.

Oreo game

Cup stacking

M&Ms and straws

Gloves and Hershey Kisses

Ding Dong tower

Cereal box puzzles

Paper Plate

AwardsEnd of the Year

Personality-based Recognition

Specialized

UnveilingStaffs should be the first to see their products...make

the first one special

Awards and Contests

Submit student work to CHSPA, JEA, NSPA, and CSPA Other contests appear throughout the year:

Capitol Hill, Museum of Nature and Science, DAM, Photography

Ask the school if you can recognize the top journalism student of the year at the end of year celebrationStaffer of the MonthPublication Best ofs...

Incorporate Staff Bonding into Learning

Attend the first football game together to talk photography, story ideas, interviewing (of course, have someone actually doing this, too)

Go to other school events together and then write reviews and practice coaching

Have coffee conferences with editors

Staff Work Nights

Sometimes class time isn’t enoughHave set dates and times where students have to come inHave students and parents sign up to bring dinner/snacks for the group

Get ActiveGo outside and play some games

Play elbow tag

Complete the human knot challenge (blindfold a kid or two to make it harder)

Do a blindfolded rope square challenge

Create a staff Olympics (you could even compete against another school)

Easy ThingsTake five minutes at the beginning of class to have students write a note to 1 - 2 other people recognizing them for something

Secret Santa

Birthday recognition

Quick celebration of good work

Farewell Gifts

Recognize seniors by giving them a small token to remember the staff by.

You can put this together with the underclassmen.

Other things I’ve done/heard

Publication wedding

Font fashion show

Staff lock-ins or retreats

Camp

Saturday hikes

Editor Unveilings

End of Year Staff Awards Banquet

Invite admin and family

Induction Ceremony

Bottom Line

The kids work hard and rarely get recognition

They need to know that they are appreciated and that their efforts are noticed

Food always makes life easier