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Monday, September 30, 2024

5 Festive Holiday Staff Morale Activities for December

I love December. I know it can be a crazy busy time, but there's no denying the festive flair floating through the air as the holidays inch closer. With so much to celebrate, and limited time, it's important to keep staff morale top of mind this month. Check out these fun holiday staff morale activities to connect with staff and celebrate together!

These 5 festive holiday staff morale activities are perfect for December.

Making Room for Staff Morale Activities in December

We all know that this time of year is busier than ever, but this doesn't mean that staff morale activities and games should fall by the wayside. Actually, anytime we have a busier than usual schedule, is usually when we need a boost the most. That's why it's so important to prioritize some holiday staff activities to keep everyone cheery and happy to be at work!

And don't worry friends... these holiday staff morale activities won't have you working all hours like a Christmas elf! These easy-to-prep ideas come together quickly so that you can spread a little holiday cheer to your staff members without burning the candle at both ends! 

1. Staff Secret Santa 

Let's kick this list off with a holiday classic - Secret Santa! I love Secret Santa because it allows for a bit of mystery and fun during the holidays. The version that I used in my school has a bit of a twist that makes this even easier and less pressure to facilitate as well. It works by placing a poster with a picture of Santa on a co-worker's door or at their desk with some kind of seasonal treat. Then, they get to play Santa and choose a co-worker to gift next. I would often start this off by choosing two co-workers and then letting the snowball continue. 
Host a staff secret Santa in order to boost moral this holiday season.

I always recommend starting this one early so that there will be time for the posters to travel through your school to everyone. I also usually send out a little note with gift ideas so that staff know they need not be large or extravagant. I suggest items such as:
  • holiday candy 
  • peppermint latte 
  • holiday stickers
  • microwave popcorn 
  • classroom decorations
  • red and green class art supplies
  • favorite seasonal read-aloud and more
I love seeing how creative the staff get with this one and it's fun seeing all of the Santa posters displayed all over the school as people are gifted. This is a great holiday staff morale activity to kick off the fun in your school!

2. Hot Cocoa Bar 

Staff snack bars are among my favorite ways to celebrate when it gets busy because they allow staff to visit the break room and grab a treat when it fits their schedules. In December, I always host a Hot Cocoa Bar to add some holiday magic to our day! This is a lot of fun to put together and totally customizable for your group. 

Hot cocoa bars make excellent holiday staff morale activities. Simplify the process of setting one up using the resources in this image.
First, you'll gather your supplies. You can choose to host this activity potluck style or use funds from your Sunshine Committee to fund it. I liked to make a few large pots of homemade hot cocoa and then keep them warm in slow cookers. You can also use coffee urns with hot water and cocoa packets as well if you prefer. I also made sure to grab plenty of toppings and add-ins, because that's what makes this so much fun! Some things to consider include:
  • whipped cream 
  • peppermint sticks
  • sprinkles
  • candy
  • sweet treats to eat with cocoa 
I also liked to grab some holiday decorations and plastic tablecloths from the dollar store to add a bit more fun to the mix. Then, on the day of, I set everything up and hang some signs to let staff know they can come to grab a cup of cocoa in the break room. Bonus points if you can get some holiday music playing in there too! Everyone loves this and it tends to create a sense of warmth and camaraderie among the staff. They'll often sit and visit as they sip their cocoa and talk about their holiday break plans. It's a wonderful moment to connect, chat, and take a breather together during the busy holiday season! 

If you want to simplify this process, be sure to check out my Hot Cocoa Bar Resource. Inside you'll find instructions, a shopping list, a recipe for hot cocoa, room decor and signs, as well as labels for cocoa and add-ins. This resource has everything in one place and will make it super quick and easy to set up a cocoa bar of your own!

3. Holiday Postcards

Make staff members feel appreciated using holiday postcards like the ones in this image. They are another excellent holiday staff morale activity!
If you need an inexpensive way to thank and recognize each of your staff members this holiday season without breaking the bank, I think you'll love these Holiday Postcards! These were designed to allow you to send a customized message to each member of your staff. There are a variety of card designs included for different holidays and seasonal sentiments. 

There are even some designs included that can be sent to loved ones of staff to tell them how much you enjoy working with their family member. This is an extra special touch that goes a long way and really makes staff feel valued. No matter which option you choose, I know your staff will love receiving these!

To use, you will simply choose your design and copy both a front and back side to each card. Then, cut, and fill them out and you're good to go! They're ready to be addressed and mailed out. You can also pop these into staff mailboxes, but I think receiving them at home makes it even more special. 

4. White Elephant Book Exchange 
Try hosting a white elephant book exchange as part of your holiday staff moral activities using the resource in this image.

I am always looking for ways to make holiday fun more affordable for staff members. I never wanted anyone to feel stretched too thin or stressed out about participating in an event. That's one of the reasons I absolutely love this White Elephant Book Exchange! It's the perfect staff morale game for your holiday party or meeting and is super simple to facilitate!

To set this up, you'll send out a letter to staff that lets them know you'll be hosting a book exchange. Their task is to bring a book to swap. It doesn't have to be new, gently used is absolutely fine, making this a budget-friendly option. They will wrap the book in holiday paper and bring it to the exchange. 

Then, you'll set up all the books in a display and have each staff member draw a number. Then, going in numerical order, each person will choose a book. After they choose, they open it and can either keep it or steal/swap it for another book. This continues until everyone has gone and had an opportunity to "steal". If you've never played White Elephant before, this really gets to be a lot of fun once a few people have stolen books! When you're finished, everyone will have a "new to them" book to read over the holiday break!

5. Holiday Simmer Pot 
Share a holiday simmer pot with staff members as part of your holiday staff moral activities. Add on these simple name tags and direction cards and you have an inexpensive holiday gift!

Last on my list is another fun, inexpensive gift idea for your staff members. This Holiday Simmer Pot is the perfect gift to hand out before the holiday break. Staff will love setting this up and using it over the holidays while they relax at home. Each bag of goodies contains the following:
  • orange (or mandarin)
  • cinnamon sticks 
  • cloves
  • fresh cranberries
  • rosemary sprigs
You'll bag all of these items up in a small cellophane bag and tie it with a holiday ribbon. Then, you'll attach a tag with instructions to each bag. To use, staff will empty the contents of the bag into a pot or slow cooker, cover them with water, and simmer on low for a wonderful holiday fragrance that will fill their home. This is such a wonderful gift to hand out as it's low-cost, thoughtful, and adds so much festive holiday flair to the air!

Make Planning Holiday Staff Morale Activities Simple

So, which one of these holiday staff morale activities was your favorite? It's always hard for me to choose, which is why I tend to incorporate them all. Since they are all inexpensive, low-prep, and easy to facilitate, it's a no-brainer in my book! I love that with just a few simple activities, staff will feel valued and connected to each other during this crazy busy time of year. If you'd like to simplify your staff activities in December too, be sure to check out the December Staff Morale Bundle. 

Check out the December Staff Morale Bundle to grab all of these fun holiday staff morale activities!

Inside you get all 5 of these activities so that you can get started right away with prepping! Each of the resources includes detailed instructions and just about everything you need to sprinkle some holiday magic among your staff! I know you'll love not having to worry about planning engaging staff morale activities during this already busy time of year. Have fun celebrating with your staff! 

Looking for More? 

Be sure to check out these posts for more ways to celebrate with staff! 

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Make sure to pin this post on Pinterest so that you can come back to it when you're ready to plan your holiday staff morale activities. 

The holidays can be a stressful time for teachers! Try boosting morale with some of these holiday staff morale activities for December! Staff members are sure to love activities like hot cocoa bars and a book exchange!


Monday, September 16, 2024

What is a Sunshine Committee?

If you've been around here a while, you might have noticed that I have a passion for helping administrators, teachers, and volunteers keep school staff morale high. This is because I was the leader of the Sunshine Committee in my own school for many years and saw firsthand just how valuable this practice is. But what exactly is a "Sunshine Committee"? If you've been wondering, I've got answers! Today we're talking about the what and how of Sunshine Committees. And. . . how it can help boost staff morale and motivation in your school! 

Wondering what a sunshine committee is and why your school should have one? They are great for boosting morale and making staff feel appreciated!

What is a Sunshine Committee Anyway?

A sunshine committee is a group of staff members that lead the way in creating a positive school culture.
First things first... what exactly are we talking about here? A Sunshine Committee is a group of people who are charged with the task of spreading a little sunshine to teachers and other school staff members regularly. Their goal is to tune into the pain points of school employees and come up with creative ways to make work more enjoyable, supportive, and fun for everyone. As the leader of this group for many years at my own school, I have to say... it's a pretty good gig! 

I was also a teacher, so I knew firsthand what my teaching colleagues were facing. But beyond this, it allowed me the unique opportunity to learn what other school staff members struggle with and how to help them as well. Remember, a school is made up of much more than teachers. We have support staff, nurses, secretaries, administrators, custodians, specials teachers, counselors, cafeteria workers, and more! All of these people play an integral role in the health and culture of the school environment, so it's key that we do our best to consider each and every one of them! 

Why You Need a Sunshine Committee

This image shows a group of teachers meeting in the break room.
So why do we need this group in our schools? Well, simply put... to help staff stay motivated, feel valued, and foster a sense of community. We all know that teaching and working in schools is harder than ever. School workers are faced with new challenges every day and carry a very heavy load. If we didn't focus on building community or boosting morale among staff, what do you think would happen? 

I think we all know that it's likely that we would end up with a group of unmotivated people who feel undervalued. No one wants this in their school climate! Instead, the Sunshine Committee is strategic in ensuring that events and parties are planned to help make work more fun. Team building activities, contests during staff parties, or monthly potlucks can truly go a long way when it comes to boosting morale!

Getting Started

So, you're ready to take on the task of recruiting and organizing a Sunshine Committee in your school - YAY! Let's dive into how you can get started. 

Members of the Sunshine Committee

Members of the Sunshine Committee are typically volunteers and other staff members. In my school, we needed at least one team member from each grade level or staff team to ensure that the views of that section of our school were conveyed. When recruiting members, I think this is a great place to start as it will ensure a well-rounded group! 

Roles of the Sunshine Committee 

Every school is different of course, but in general, one of the most important jobs of the Sunshine Committee is to plan parties, events, and even condolences for staff members in a time of need. This can cover a very broad range of events. In my school, our Sunshine Committee was in charge of the following:
This image shows a staff Christmas party. Planning parties and meetings are a crucial role of sunshine committees.

  • Seasonal Parties (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.)
  • Monthly Staff Meeting Activities (team building, games, contests, etc.)
  • Hospitalizations, Illness, or Funeral Donations or Gifts (flowers, cards, etc.)
  • Retirement Celebrations 
  • Weddings & Baby Showers

This, of course, isn't an exhaustive list, but rather a way to get you thinking about how a Sunshine Committee could serve in your school. Consider the needs of your school, where things seem to be lacking, or how you could make staff feel more excited to be at work. These are all great questions to ask yourself as you begin navigating how to put a Sunshine Committee in place in your school. 

More Support to Build Your Sunshine Committee

If you need some more ideas and support in setting up a Sunshine Committee then this resource is for you. Inside, I walk you through the specifics, or the nuts and bolts, as I like to call them, of putting together a Sunshine Committee. I share many of the policies from my own school to help you put together a committee at your school! 

How to Stay Organized in Your Sunshine Committee

This image shows an example of a planning resource that sunshine committees can use to plan activities, meetings and parties.
One of my best tips for running a successful Sunshine Committee is to stay organized. Like really organized! When I was head of our committee, I used a year-long planner to make this easier. Inside my planner, there were tons of pages and prompts to help keep me focused on the goals decided upon by the members of the committee and ensure that nothing fell through the cracks! Here are some of the pages I used to stay organized:

  • monthly calendars 
  • monthly informational pages 
  • recognition trackers
  • quote posters
All of these pages are included in my Year Long Staff Morale Planner. This resource is ideal for principals, administrators, and leaders of the Sunshine Committee. Once I started using it, it was SO much easier to stay on task with our goals!  I put all of these pages together in a 3-ring binder to help me stay on track. My favorite of these pages is the monthly information sheets. They include fun celebrations, a monthly challenge, a quote of the month, and other great little tidbits that kept me organized. 

I also included some blank pages for staff meeting ideas, checklists, reminders, wish lists, and anything else that popped into my head! Over time this binder became my command station that was filled with everything I needed for a fun month with staff. When a new year began, I always enjoyed flipping through to grab ideas and reflections to apply to the new year. 

Plan Engaging Activities to Boost Staff Morale

This image highlights a free resource that sunshine committees can use when planning moral boosters throughout the year.
Once you've got your planner all set up, it's time to start filling those pages right?! I have an awesome, FREE resource to help you plan for the whole year without spending hours searching for fun ideas. Simply follow this link to download a free Staff Morale Catalog.

Inside, you'll find ideas and resources for every month of the year and every occasion. No matter what you're looking for, there's likely something inside for you! Make sure to take advantage of this freebie as you begin your journey setting up a Sunshine Committee in your school. Not only will it streamline your planning, it will provide inspiration in those months when you need it most! 

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Be sure to pin this post on Pinterest so that you don't lose track of these tips and ideas for setting up a Sunshine Committee in your school! 

Wondering what a sunshine committee is and how your school could benefit from one? Check out this post for all the answers plus some ideas for ways that sunshine committees can boost staff morale throughout the year!
 

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

5 Fall Staff Morale Resources Perfect for November

November always seems to be gone in the blink of an eye! It's a busy month and many schools get a week off for Thanksgiving, so you've got to be super intentional with planning to fit everything in before break. That means your staff and teachers are going to be feeling the pressure. Busy months like these call for fun staff morale resources to keep motivation high. If you're looking for some fun fall ideas to use at your November staff meeting, or during the busy November days, you've come to the right place. Today I'm sharing some fall staff morale resources that are perfect for November!

This image highlights 5 Fall Staff Morale Resources Perfect for November that are sure to make your staff feel appreciated!

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: This post includes Affiliate Links to some of my favorite products. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Making Time for Staff Morale Activities in November 

This image shows a group of teachers during a staff meeting
Are you worried about how you're going to "fit in" more activities into an already packed month? I get it! As the leader of the Sunshine Committee in my school for many years, this was a constant stressor during busy months of the year. Back to school, the holiday season, and the end of the year... I'm looking at you! 

But, I want to provide a little perspective shift for you.  Making time for staff morale-boosting activities during these busy months may actually give you and your staff some of your sanity back. What do I mean? So glad you asked!

It's no secret that working in a school is a taxing job. Teachers, administrators, and school staff work hard to make schools a safe, loving, supportive, and fun place to be. Add a short month packed to the brim with extra holiday activities and you've got a recipe for overwhelm! By using some fun fall staff morale resources in your school during this busy time, you'll be infusing some extra motivation and encouragement into those hectic days when staff need it most! 

Never underestimate the power of team-building activities, staff morale boosters, small prizes, and games in your staff meetings. These "little" things actually end up being big things in the long run! They'll reenergize your staff, boost motivation, and help carry them through! Making time for these is an absolute must, if you ask me. 

Fun Fall Staff Morale Resources

Alright, are you convinced that you NEED some fun fall staff morale resources in your plan for November? I hope so! The ideas I'm about to share will make a huge, and meaningful impact in your school. I know they did for us! 

1. Fall Staff Morale Scratch-Offs 

Are you using scratch-offs in your staff meetings yet?! If not, I know you will love this first idea. Scratch-offs are a fun prize to hand out during staff meetings, or anytime you feel like making staff smile. They work like those BINGO scratch-offs you get at the gas station, except when staff scratch them off, a fun school-related prize is revealed. 

Fall staff morale resources like these themed scratch-offs are perfect for November.
The best thing about these though is that they're great for small budgets. Many of the prizes that we used were low-cost, or even no-cost! Here are some examples:

  • jeans day 
  • front row parking
  • copies made
  • lunch/recess duty coverage 
  • class coverage 
  • lunch provided
  • pack of pens or Post-its

Try using these Thanksgiving-Themed Scratch-Offs in November with your staff. Each ticket has a cute fall theme, a prize, and a place to add a scratch-off sticker or cover with scratch-off paint. There are pre-printed ticket options as well as blanks so you can add your own prize ideas. I love this feature because it means they can easily be customized to fit any budget. If your budget is small, choose more of the low-cost or no-cost prices. Bigger budgets might include some more custom prizes like gift cards or office supplies. Need more prize ideas for your scratch-offs? Read this post next!

2. Staff Morale Gratitude Jar 

Celebrate gratitude this November with these staff morale resources, like the gratitude jar shown in this photo.
November is a month focused on thankfulness, so why not make a Staff Morale Gratitude Jar?! Year after year this was one of my favorites. As a bonus, it's super simple to implement too! This resource includes two options, one for making a real jar, and one for creating a gratitude notebook. Both are a lot of fun! 

The idea behind the real jar is that staff will write down notes of appreciation for fellow colleagues. They leave them in the jar throughout the month or a specific number of days. As the jar fills up, the notes can be read aloud at a staff meeting or displayed on a bulletin board in the breakroom. You might even decide to deposit the notes into specific staff mailboxes as well! 

The gratitude notebook is similar to the jar, except staff write their notes down on the pages of a bound book. You can pass the book around for staff to read through, or leave it in a central location. No matter what you choose, it's a fun way to show appreciation and gratitude for staff while also keeping motivation high during the month of November. 

3. Staff Morale Mirror Shout Outs

The positive messages highlighted in this image are the perfect fall staff moral resources to use in November no matter where you stick them!
Looking for a simple way to decorate staff spaces without spending a ton of time or energy? You'll love these Fall Mirror Shout-Outs! 

These fun printable signs are designed to be displayed on a mirror and serve as a quick pick-me-up to your staff. At my school, I used these on the staff bathroom mirror. The messages are short and sweet, with a fun fall flair. They'll add a little seasonal pizazz to your space while also making staff smile. 

I always liked to print these out on fall-colored paper and then cut them out. Then, you can tape them to the mirror or other high-traffic areas in the staff breakroom. Bulletin boards, kitchen cabinets, and  staff mailboxes are great places to leave these fun messages! There are 10 different fall messages included, so you can even switch them out on a weekly basis during the month of November to keep staff guessing and looking forward to new messages. 

4. Fall Windshield Messages 

This image showcases Fall Windshield Messages, an encouraging November staff moral resource that you can stick to the windshield of teachers' cars!
Can you imagine walking out to your car after a challenging, tiring day at work to find a thoughtful note pinned to your windshield? Pretty great, right?! That's exactly the idea behind these Fall Windshield Messages. To use, simply choose the desired messages, print them out, and place them on the windshields of your staff's vehicles! This fall staff morale resource couldn't be easier to use and will truly make staff smile! The fall messages include things like:

  • I be-leaf in you.
  • You are awesome to the core. 
  • Your students are falling in love with learning. 
  • Thanks for planting seeds that will grow forever.

This resource includes 8 different fall messages that print 4 to a page. Each one has a cute fall border to add some festive flair. All messages come in both color and black and white so you can choose what works best for your school. The black and white version looks great on autumn colored pager. I loved pinning these to cars on a Monday when we still had a week to go until break. This is the perfect way to boost motivation and help staff feel appreciated during an extra busy week!

5. Staff Morale Trail Mix Bar 

Use the resources in this image to help you create the perfect trail mix bar for your staff members!
I saved the BEST for last! A Trail Mix Bar is one of my favorite fall staff morale resources to use in November. It's super customizable, easy to organize, and best of all - great for busy times of the year! Since the trail mix add-ins are non-perishable, you'll be able to set this up ahead of time and allow staff to come and go to grab a treat as they are able. No need to coordinate schedules during an already jam-packed month. So, how does this work exactly? Let's get to it!

To set up a trail mix bar for your staff, you'll shop for trail mix ingredients like cereal, pretzels, nuts, mini marshmallows, crackers, chocolate chips, and more. Then, on the day of your trail mix bar, you'll arrange all the goodies in small bowls with serving spoons. I also include baggies or cups for staff to fill as well as labels for each treat item. Then, decorate the space with cute signs and instructions to invite staff to create their own unique sweet and salty treat. 

This is a great activity to host the week before Thanksgiving break and is always appreciated by everyone! It's great for schools with allergies since everyone can choose exactly what they'd like to have. Just be sure to keep nuts (or other allergens) on a separate table if you're worried about cross-contamination. This resource includes everything you need to take the guesswork out of planning a trail mix bar for your staff. Inside you'll find detailed instructions, signs, snack labels, and even a shopping list! There's also an option to host this one potluck style if you'd prefer to have staff sign up for items to share. Either way, it's bound to be a hit!

Oh and if you're interested in hosting more snack bars, be sure to read this post next!

Simplify Staff Morale This November

Loving all of these ideas way too much to choose a favorite?! I've got good news... you don't have to! These Fall Staff Morale Resources can all be found inside the November Bundle. Inside you get all 5 activities in one, convenient package so you can simplify your staff morale planning and make the most of your limited time! 

If you love the idea of monthly staff morale kits, be sure to check out my Annual Staff Morale Bundle too. You'll find a fun-filled package for each month of the year, making it super simple to plan staff morale activities and keep motivation high all year long. 

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Pin this post on Pinterest to keep track of these fall staff morale resources, ideas, and activities for November!


November can be a stressful time for teachers with less days for teaching and holidays approaching! Help your teachers alleviate some of that stress with these 5 staff morale resources that are perfect for November! Like students, teachers love little rewards and celebrations and with ideas like a trail mix bar and scratch-offs, this post is sure to have some ideas that you and your teachers will love!