Fun Things to do with and for your staff

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

Minute to Win It Fun 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 Awards End of the Year Personality-based Recognition

Specialized Unveiling Staffs 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 celebration Staffer of the Month Publication 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 enough Have set dates and times where students have to come in Have students and parents sign up to bring dinner/snacks for the group

Get Active Go 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 Things Take five minutes at the beginning of class to have students write a note to 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