Happy New Year
This past year is one that provided me a variety of opportunities to learn, grow and become a better person and principal. As we turn the page into the New Year I want to encourage you to reflect on the positive memories of last year. It is important to honor the incredible work you have done 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 this school year. Find me on Twitter @sholtys. Cheers to 2024 and this fantastic world of principaling. –Cindy
A Few of My Favorites in January
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 Jan 3 is also National Drinking Straw Day. Have you thought about providing staff with environmental 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 desserts for an afternoon snack that you could add whip cream to. (Ice cream, cookies, angel food cake, shakes, floats and fruit). Deliver via room services to your staff for an added bonus.
Jan 8 | National Bubble Bath Day No baths at school, but you could have a blast with bubbles. Bubble machines or bubbles to greet students and staff, have a recess time bubble party, or use a little bubble magic during lunch. (I am having visions of Laurence Welk in my head--yes I am that old). National Clean Your Desk Day is also January 8. Take the opportunity to help students learn a few organizational ideas and strategies they can apply to the real world.
Jan 9 | National Apricot Day One of my favorite dehydrated fruits!
Jan 12 | National Hot Tea Day Could you have a tea bar available in the staff room at the beginning of the day? Maybe have an afternoon tea party this afternoon.
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 OR celebrate 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 2024". Or a buffet for a movie night at home with family, include popcorn and candy to help staff balance work and family tonight.
Jan 23 | Measure Your Feet Day Okay, this is an unusual holiday for sure, BUT what a great math connection for students.
Jan 24 | National Compliment Day Provide staff members with a notecard to write a compliment on for co-worker or school volunteer. Connect with families by also sending out appreciations post-cards for their never ending support of the school (Don't forget your PTO). And it is also National Peanut Butter Day, so pick up some individual packets of peanut butter and provide staff with various items to dip. This could include bananas, apples, celery, crackers, chocolate and anything else you can think of!!
Jan 26 | National Fun at Work Day This is a day to do simple and fun things for staff: music, puzzles, and activities in the staff room. A great opportunity to have “fun” with staff.
Jan 29 | National Puzzle Day Place a few puzzles in your staff room for staff to work on during lunch or breaks, or provide a cookie that is in the shape of a puzzle with a note "You are a part of the puzzle that keeps our school striving for excellence".
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, gift card for class coverage/recess duty, stress balls, breath mints, etc), AND you can celebrate 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 it under the question.
Jan 31 | National Hot Chocolate Day Easy one!!
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.