How To Implement Spirit Weeks Miller Middle School

How To Implement Spirit Weeks Miller Middle School April Goodman-Orcutt & Dana Pollock Contact: goodman-orcutt_april@cusdk 8. org pollock_dana@cusdk 8. org Link to slides: https: //tinyurl. com/millerspiritweek

Spirit Week Purpose ★School Spirit ★Community & Unity ★Fun break from regular academics https: //tinyurl. com/millerspiritweek

Past Spirit Days What we loved! ★ Stand-alone days throughout the school year ★ Could be connected to holidays ★ Constantly working towards school spirit

Past Spirit Days Improvements. . . ★Overwhelming for students, staff AND our committees ○ Always planning; never reflecting ○ Too much to remember ★Noticed a lack of preparation ○ Too many events lead to plans that lacked focus

Past Spirit Days Improvements. . . ★Restrictive rules ○ Not everyone needs to be “wild & crazy” in order to participate ○ People want to participate in their own ways ★Consolidate with purpose ○ Do less with greater impact vs do it all with small impact

Goals for Spirit Weeks ★ 1 week in each quarter ★ Integrate Homeroom competitions with spirit ★ Consistent throughout the year ★ Cut back on “rules” for participation ★ Develop a “basic” schedule ★ Start with a “simple” theme - Rainbow ★ Start the week with easy and increase to more challenging

Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Dress up Dress Up Student Comp. Teacher + Student Comp. Teacher Comp.

Rainbow Spirit Week

Photo Evidence

Observations Participation increased throughout the week ★ Students felt more comfortable as they saw others participate ★ Maybe our theme days were easier ○ EX - Blue is an easy color : ) ★ Noticed that everyone was excited to participate intrinsically

Plans for this year 1. Rainbow 2. Wacky Tacky 3. Olympics 4. Decades

Any Questions? Miller Middle School April Goodman-Orcutt & Dana Pollock Contact: goodman-orcutt_april@cusdk 8. org pollock_dana@cusdk 8. org Email accepted!