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College Signing Celebrations Resource Guide and Toolkit
CONTENTS: History and Goals for College Signing Day and Celebrations Welcome Message from the Washington College Access Network Tools for Planning and Participating in Washington’s College Signing
Celebrationso Social Media Talking Points……………………………………………pg.7o Event Prep-Checklist……………………………………………………pg.11o Engagement and Planning Ideas………………………………………pg.12o College Signing Day Examples………………………………………...pg.14o Volunteer or Donation Request Letter Template……………………..pg. 15o Student and Parent Letter Template…………………………………...pg. 16o Email and Phone Template……………………………………………..pg. 17o Press Release Template………………………………………………...pg. 18
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NATIONAL SIGNING DAY:National Signing Day is celebrated as the first day a high school senior would sign a letter of intent to play collegiate sports for a specific college or university and officially join the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
COLLEGE SIGNING DAY:College Signing Day was created as a part of the Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher initiative. It provides a way to celebrate ALL students making the commitment to pursue postsecondary options. Local signing celebrations across the nation have become a positive reason to rally around students and show support for their post-high school plans. This is also a unique way for communities and organizations to actively engage with schools and their graduating seniors.
COLLEGE SIGNING CELEBRATION GOALS: Celebrate ALL students and their commitment to complete their education beyond
high school Show community support for low-income students achieving this milestone
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A MESSAGE FROM THE WASHINGTON COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORKWe are thrilled that you have decided to participate in Washington’s College Signing Celebrations! Last year we had over 129 events happen across the state – and we are eager to grow that number this year. These events offer an opportunity to highlight graduating seniors and inspire other young people to commit to making postsecondary plans. Our goal is to promote excitement and awareness around the importance of making plans beyond high school, whether a student is enrolling in a 2 or 4-year public/private college or university, enlisting in the armed forces, or registering for a certification or trade program.
By participating, you will be helping to expand opportunities for young people in your community by exposing students to career and college possibilities. We want you to feel supported and excited to participate in this initiative. This toolkit will provide you with examples and a range of resources and ideas to make your celebration a success! For any questions regarding the information included in this document, please email [email protected] or contact a regional officer.
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COLLEGE SIGNING DAYSnapshots from a sampling of College Signing Celebrations in Washington.
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HOW TO GET INVOLVEDIt’s time to celebrate! We invite you to participate in Washington’s College Signing Celebrations which will take place around the state during the month of May. There are many different opportunities for everyone to participate in College Signing Celebrations in your community:
Host a school or district-wide College Signing Celebration Encourage faculty and staff in high schools to wear collegiate gear from their alma
maters Create a college spirit day or week where students wear t-shirts from and make
paper pennants for the college they plan to attend Partner with local businesses to display College Signing Celebration posters to
advertise your school’s event Share your photos with the media and on various social networks with #CSC19
#BetterMakeRoomo Tag @W_CAN (twitter), @_wcan_ (Instagram), @WACollegeAccessNetwork
(facebook)
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SOCIAL MEDIA TALKING POINTSTwitter
Celebrating all seniors committing to postsecondary plans #CSC19 @W_CAN Congrats seniors! Awesome work and excited for your next chapter #CSC19 @W_CAN Glad to support College Signing Celebrations in Washington #CSC19 @W_CAN We got your back as you start the next chapter of your life #graduation #CSC19 @W_CAN #BetterMakeRoom for these fab #college students #CSC19
Facebook We are at [insert school name]’s College Signing Celebration to support student plans for higher
education #CSC19 #BetterMakeRoom @WACollegeAccessNetwork Congratulations class of 2017! Excited to see what you do next #CSC19 @WACollegeAccessNetwork [insert school name] supports our students’ plans to go to college #CSC19 @WACollegeAccessNetwork Let’s celebrate the hard work of #highschool students across Washington state as they commit to their
postsecondary dreams! #CSC19 @WACollegeAccessNetwork
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Instagram [Photo of event] Celebrating students reaching their college dreams! #CSC19 @_wcan_ #college
#collegesigning #graduation [Photo of event] Congratulations class of 2019! Can’t wait to see what you will do next! #CSC19
@_wcan_ [Photo of event] Nothing should stop you from achieving your dreams! Now go out and conquer the
world! #CSC19 @_wcan_ [Photo of event] It’s College Signing Day today at [insert school name]! Check us out! #CSC19 @_wcan_ [Photo of event] Education is the key to success! The class of 2019 ROCKS! #CSC19 @_wcan_ [Photo of event] Today, we want to celebrate these students’ hard work at [insert school name]’s College
Signing Celebration #CSC19 @_wcan_
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COLLEGE SIGNING CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHT REELClick photo to watch a video Promotional video to see impact of Signing Day
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COLLEGE SIGNING CELEBRATION HOSTING STEPS1. Let us know you are planning on hosting a signing celebration by completing the
form at https://www.wcan.org/reach-higher/college-signing-celebrations2. Use the tools to help plan your College Signing Celebration3. Post event day pictures to social media using the hashtag #CSC19 and tagging
WCAN in your posts. We will make sure to share them.
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SAMPLE COORDINATOR EVENT PREP CHECKLISTComplete? Tasks
Identify and reserve site for College Signing Celebration Identify a school or district implementation team to build support and assist with tasks; possible roles include a School Activities Coordinator, Communication Coordinator, Student Readiness CoordinatorIdentify and implement frequent event promotion – before and after event.EXAMPLES
Posters and Banners Press Releases Public Service Announcements School Newsletters Postings on School Website, Electronic Boards, Outdoor Signs
Prepare students for the event.EXAMPLES
Ask students to make posters representing postsecondary plans (e.g. Army, Welding, Clark College, University of Washington) Encourage students to wear clothing that represents colleges, universities, technical schools, or the military Coordinate with seniors on how they will be recognized
Recruit and train volunteers to assist with the event.EXAMPLES
Teachers and administrators, school board members, retired educators. Local college and university administrators, college access personnel (GEAR UP, TRIO, etc.), admissions representatives, financial aid
representatives, and students. Local business leaders. Local political representatives. Local Chamber of Commerce. Faith-based and community organizations. Previous high school graduates who attended college. Parents and guardians.
HOST COLLEGE SIGNING CELEBRATION! Have students take a group picture at the end of the event. Send thank you notes.
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IN-SCHOOL STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND PROMOTION IDEASDo-It-Yourself DecoratingHave students participate by creating postsecondary plan banners or signs and have groups compete and participate in a door decorating contest where staff can then vote on which door wins.
Dress to ImpressDuring the week of College Signing Celebrations, encourage students, teachers, and staff to wear a t-shirt, sweatshirt, or hat from the college they attended, or have them bring in their college pennants or other items and decorate classrooms or work spaces.
Get the Word OutUse daily PA announcements or slides on TVs to generate awareness of the College Signing Celebration at your school. If your school has a morning news program, coordinate with the producers to feature a countdown or a fun fact each morning leading up to the event.
Publicize Students’ PlansInterview seniors about their postsecondary plans and publish them in the local high school paper or publish a list of names of seniors and their prospective postsecondary plans.
Gear GiveawayAsk colleges and universities to donate promotional items (banners, hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.) to use as giveaways during your event. Have admission representatives attend and present gifts to future students.
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School SignageUse your school’s marquee to inform and remind students, families, staff, and the community about your upcoming College Signing Celebration. Post this information about two weeks prior to your celebration date.
Postsecondary Signature College PrintCreate a “Signing Wall” poster with butcher or poster paper where seniors physically sign their names after or during the signing celebration to build a “college-going culture” in your school. This poster can be hung in a main hallway throughout the rest of the school year to remind younger students of the commitment.
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COLLEGE SIGNING CELEBRATION EXAMPLESCollege Parade (implemented by Highline High School)Host an all school assembly and highlight students by having them walk out in college groups (all students attending a particular school walk out together) like a parade in front of the school and cheer.
Path after Graduation (implemented by Yelm High School)Hang a poster with logos of colleges and names of alumni that have attended and continue to add names of seniors as they confirm their college choice.
College Mascot Photo Booth (implemented by Hoquiam High School)Invite mascots from local colleges to your event and have them pose with students in a photo booth. Print pictures for students and post and tag students via social media.
Pop for a Plan (implemented at Lakeside High School)Offer an incentive (pop, candy, etc.) for students to pick up after they discuss postsecondary plans with a counselor.
Map it Out (implemented by Mount Vernon High School)Print out a large map of the region, country, or world and have participating students place push pins labeled with the logo or mascot of the college where they will be attending college.
Special Effects to College (implemented by Tenino High School)Work with students in A/V clubs or classes that can take photos and superimpose seniors in front of their college or college logo and play the slideshow during the celebration.
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SAMPLE VOLUNTEER OR DONATION REQUEST LETTERSchool Logo and School Address
Date
Dear Name of Organization,
Name of Your High School is pleased to announce its participation in Washington’s College Signing Celebrations. Celebrations will celebrate the post-graduation plans of our seniors throughout the month of May as part of a statewide effort organized by the Washington College Access Network. The goal of College Signing Celebrations is to highlight all students and their commitment to complete their education beyond high school.
We will be hosting a College Signing Celebration on Date and would welcome insert request (assistance, donations, etc.). With your help, students will have the opportunity to proudly represent their postsecondary plans to all students at Name of Your High School and will further promote the idea to their peers that high school graduation is not an end, but merely the beginning. Our students would appreciate and benefit from your help and support as they take a big step toward going to college, enrolling in a technical or certification program or enlisting in the military.
If you are able to assist us in making our College Signing Celebration a success, please contact Name, Contact Info at Name of Your High School.
Thank you!
Your Name Your Title
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SAMPLE INFORMATION LETTERSchool Logo
School Address
Date
Dear Students and Families,Washington state’s College Signing Celebrations will be taking place throughout the month of May. High schools across the state will host College Signing events to celebrate graduating seniors’ postsecondary plans. (Insert School Name) is participating with the goal of ensuring that all seniors are celebrated for making post-high school plans.
The goal of College Signing Celebrations is to show community support for and celebrate all students and their commitment to enlist or obtain a postsecondary degree or certification. To us, college means making any plans beyond high school which includes enlisting in the military, enrolling in certificate, technical, two-year and four-year degree programs.
We are encouraging all students to participate in the College Signing Celebration at Name of School. We also invite families to this event as we believe that you are an integral part of your student’s success beyond high school.
If you are interested in volunteering during the event, please let me know. Volunteers can greet, sign up students, and assist in the execution of the event.
If you have any questions please call Name, Title, at (000) 000-0000. Thank you in advance for your support of this exciting initiative to encourage Washington’s students to make college a part of their future.
Sincerely,
School Counselor/Principal/Site Coordinator
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SAMPLE EMAIL AND PHONE SCRIPT
Dear Students and Families,
Our school will be hosting a College Signing Celebration on date, time, and location. Throughout the month of May, high schools across the state will host College Signing events to celebrate graduating seniors’ postsecondary plans. We encourage all graduating seniors to attend the College Signing Celebration event even if you are undecided about your post-high school plans. If you have any questions please call Name, Title, at (000) 000-0000. Thank you in advance for your support of this exciting initiative to encourage Washington’s students to make college a part of their future.
Sincerely,School Counselor/Principal/Site Coordinator
PHONE CALL SCRIPTHello, this is School Counselor/Principal/Site Coordinator calling to invite you and your senior to our College Signing Celebration event at date, time, location. College Signing Celebrations aim to celebrate graduating seniors’ postsecondary plans. If you have any questions please call Name, Title, at (000) 000-0000.
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SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE(School Logo or Letterhead)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: (Name of site coordinator)(Position title and/or college access program affiliation of site coordinator)(School name)(School address)(Phone number)(Email of contact person)(High school website)
College Signing Day to be held (Dates) at (Name of High School).
(Name of Your High School) will be hosting a College Signing Celebration event. As part of Washington’s college access initiative, and as an extension of the 12th Year Campaign administered through the Washington Student Achievement Council, (Name of Your High School) will be recognizing seniors on (Your School’s Event Dates) for their accomplishment of making postsecondary plans.
The goal of this program is to highlight all students who commit to making plans after high school. During this event, students will be recognized for choosing to enroll in community colleges, technical programs, private colleges, public universities and enlisting in the military.
(Name of Site Coordinator), Site Coordinator for (Name of Your High School), expects more than (Insert Number) seniors to participate with the help of (Insert Number) volunteers from (Insert school staff, administration, college and community resources, and others who are assisting).
For more information: (Insert website link or an email address) orContact: (Name of Site Coordinator)Phone: (Site Coordinator’s phone number)# # # # #
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FOR UPDATES AND MORE INFORMATION:
wcan.org/college-signing
WACollegeAccessNetwork
@W_CAN
@_wcan_
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