More ideas for the week

From Tom Gayda, MJE

1. Guest speakers. Invite a local pro or former student made good to come and speak to your classes.
2. Party. During class or after school, have a party to celebrate the week.
3. No work worknight. Like a party. Plan to stay after school for fun only, no deadlines.
4. PR. Send nice notes to faculty who help you out a lot. Leave them candy or snacks in the lounge.
5. Hang out with other area schools. Invite them to your party or challenge them to some kind of competition.
6. Write letters to the editor. Have students write letters to the local paper detailing their love of scholastic journalism.
7. Have a press conference. Have a local politician, athlete or school administrator come to class and let students ask questions.
8. Exchangeapolooza. Send your publications to other schools or spend time looking through the ones you get for fresh ideas. Celebrate others.
9. Try something new. Live it up. Break from the norm. Do something cool you hear other schools always talk about. I’m going to try to get my students to sell ads!
10. Clean. It is almost spring…
11. Participate in SPLC Penny War. Raise money for a good cause!
12. Clip stories/ideas/designs. Create a visual library from your favorite publications.
13. Visit feeder schools. Get to know the middle schoolers who will one day take over.
14. Compete! We’re kicking off a contest next week, everyone can play!
15. Decorate. Make sure people know it is SJW by decorating your hallway area and classroom.