Welcome to 2023. I Am So Glad to See You!
This past year is one that provided me with a variety of opportunities to learn, grow and become a better person and principal. As we turn the page on 2022, I want to encourage you to reflect on the positive memories of the year. It is important to honor your incredible work to support your staff, students, and families you serve through this school year. Even when exhausted, you continue to inspire and motivate your staff. If no one has told you lately, I want you to know you are doing a phenomenal job. I hope you find this month’s newsletter full of simple ideas to help bring laughter and joy to your work. Feel free to reach out to me if I can do anything to support your work or be a sounding board as you maneuver through these unchartered waters. Find me on Twitter @sholtys. Cheers to 2023 and this fantastic world of principaling.
January Days to Celebrate
Jan 3 | National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day | Pick up some of these chocolates after Christmas on sale for this day, or January 3 is also National Drinking Straw Day. Have you thought about providing staff with environmentally friendly straws? Include a note or sign, “Taking Care of You and our Environment Today”.
Jan 4 | National Spaghetti Day (It’s what is for dinner) AND it is also National Trivia Day. Game time for everyone. Think Kahoot or random email trivia.
Jan 5 | National Bird Day | Is your school mascot a bird? You could really do so many fun things with this one. And it is also National Whipped Cream Day. Bring in the desserts for an afternoon snack to which you could add whip cream. (Ice cream, cookies, angel food cake, shakes, floats, and fruit). Deliver via room services to your staff for an added bonus.
Jan 7 (Saturday) | National Play Outside Day | Encourage your students, families, and staff to enjoy the outdoors this weekend.
Jan 9 | National Apricot Day (one of my favorite dehydrated fruits) and National Clean Your Desk Day | This would be appreciated by so many families and custodians especially.
Jan 13 | National Rubber Ducky Day | Purchase a variety of rubber duckies and place a number on the bottom of each. The number will correlate to a gift box full of simple and inexpensive prizes OR you could choose National Sticker Day–Put positive stickers around the school.
Jan 18 | National Thesaurus Day | Have a few fun words listed in the staff room and have staff come up with synonyms and antonyms as part of a trivia. It is also National Winnie the Pooh Day. You could easily include some of these classic quotes throughout the day or in announcements: “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”-Christopher Robbin; “After all, one can’t complain. I have my friends.”-Eeyore; “The things that make me different are the things that make me, me.”- Piglet
Jan 19 | National Popcorn Day | A pack of microwave popcorn to help staff “positively popping into 2023.” Or a buffet for a movie night at home with family, including popcorn and candy to help staff balance work and family tonight.
Jan 20 | National DJ Day | Play music throughout today in celebration. I love my Jammy Pack (see picture above). Music lifts everyone’s spirit. Shout out to Allyson Apsey, who introduced me to the pack! It is a game changer, people.
Jan 24 | National Compliment Day | Provide staff members with a notecard to write a compliment on for co-workers or school volunteers. Connect with families by also sending out appreciation postcards for their never-ending support of the school (Don’t forget your PTO).
Jan 27 | National Chocolate Cake Day | This is an easy one; go to the local bakery and pick one up.
Jan 30 | National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day | Oh my, this should be so much fun!! Wrap a special treat in bubble wrap for staff. Or create a stress relief kit with bubble wrap and a few other items (ibuprofen, a gift card for class coverage/recess duty, stress balls, breath mints, etc).
Jan 31 | National Hot Chocolate Day | Easy one!! And it is also National Plan for Vacation Day, which would be a great question for staff today. Use a poster in the staff room and ask, “Where would you like to go on vacation?” Provide staff with post-its to write their answers and place them under the question.
Cindy is in her 23rd year as a school administrator. She is currently the principal of Kelso Virtual Academy and Loowit Alternative High School within the Kelso School District in Kelso, Washington. Cindy has been recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals as the 2021 National Digital Principal of the Year. She has two teenagers and has been married to her husband, Leszek for 23 years. Find her on Twitter @sholtys.