Best Practices (HS)
School Spirit
Community Service
Cowboy Round Up
To kick off the new school year and welcome the incoming freshmen, Canyon ASB organizes an all day orientation to showcase the school. Upon arrival, freshmen are given name tags and play icebreakers in the gym to learn more about each other. Freshmen are welcomed by the ASB President and listen to speeches/testimonies from different Canyon students. Following the introduction, students are placed in groups and stay with those groups the entire day. Running through obstacle courses and playing football across the field, the freshmen of Canyon High are able to feel comfortable around each other and the school. It’s also a great way to meet new friends.
Color Day
Color Day is a one-day-only event where each grade spends pretty much the whole week preparing for. The purpose for Color Day is pretty much for School Spirit. Given that [South Pasadena High School] colors are black and orange (because we’re the tigers), each grade is on an even playing field where they are challenge to exude the craziest, most wacky and spirited costumes. In preparation for this traditional celebration, each class also creates a gigantic poster to hang in the gym to show their class spirit. The morning of Color Day, a hour-long assembly is held where the classes compete for Spirit Awards for best cheer, poster, and, of course, costume! It’s a “tiger-ific” fall time event, usually in October before homecoming.
Theme Week
Fantastiks
At Santa Teresa High, this is a homecoming best practice where, the teams are the classes so Freshmen vs. Sophomores vs. Juniors vs. Seniors. There is one overall theme for Fantastiks this theme is decided usually by the administration. Each class gets a section of that theme. For example last year our over all theme was super Villains, seniors got The Joker, Juniors: Green Goblin, Sophomores: Dr. Doom, & Freshmen: Cinestro. After everyone has they’re theme it’s up to the class officers to design a skit complete with voice overs, music, props, all that good stuff, they also need to order shirts for the participating class members (of course the shirts are theme related) in addition to having a skit they also need to have a pyramid design, and a list of game participants. On the night of Fantastiks everyone performs there skits for the school and three to four judges, which are past students and teachers. Then, there is a set time for pyramids, which are also judged and after a series of roughly four games are played at the end, all the points are tallied up and the winner is announced.
Core Olympics
Core Olympics is an event that Windsor High School started last year. It takes student groups on campus and puts them against each other to win the honor of being the olympic champions. The games take place during lunch breaks during a two week period. The Windsor High School ASB usually tries to pick games that are not only fun to play, but also fun to watch. Last year games included an egg toss, a pie-eating contest, musical chairs and more. Depending on how a student group did, they would get points for each event. It was really great to see students get so excited. The trophies were presented to the winners at the end of the two week period during Windsor High School’s Homecoming Rally. This kind of an event does not need to cost a ton of money, however, there can be a lot of work involved. That being said, Core Olympics was a success at Windsor. Perhaps, it could be a success at your school, too!
Dodgeball Inferno
This game takes place on a Friday night, usually a few hours after school, until late at night. In Dodgeball Inferno, all students get to form teams of up to ten and compete in a dodgeball tournament. Teachers usually make their own teams and compete as well. All the teams play dodgeball in a tournament style until one team wins and is declared the Champion. This was formerly an only-senior activity at Granada Hills Charter. Schools can choose to charge an entrance fee or not too.
Color Wars
At Beverly Hills High, this is a week long event that takes place during and after school. Each grade will be assigned a different color, (ex: Freshman are green) and for the week of color wars, each grade will wear their class color. During school, you can have lunchtime events, such as dodgeball or tug of war. Have the lunch time events in a central area where most students typically go. For afterschool events, it all varies with games from limbo to pushball to sumo wrestling. Be creative. Each class is also assigned a hallway in the school, where they can deck it out with their color. ASB is also encouraged to design and purchase t-shirts for their grades. Its a great springtime event.
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week is organized in order to warn staff and students about the dangers of using drugs through the distributing of ribbons, shirts, specialized pens, stickers, etc. advertising the negative effects of drug use. These materials are usually purchased and distributed by Student Government.
Project Chicken Soup
This is a week-long project dedicated to iproving self-esteem, building character, and healing the soul. Such a project can be undertaken during a time of the year when enthusiasm seemed to run low and senioritis was at an all-time high.
This Is Your Day
Every Friday after morning announcements at Bonita Vista High, four students and a teacher are chosen to be celebrated. During the day, they receive special gifts such as candy from the ASB. This is done to stimulate pride within the school and to make individuals feel special.
Gym Jam
Prior to the beginning of school at Harker, activity directors hold an event called “Gym Jam” to which all students, who have ever run for class office, and incoming freshman, who have indicated an interest in leadership, are invited. Students spend the night in the gym together and brainstorm spirit events, participate in team building activities, plan activities for the coming year, and bond.
Project Involvement
This is a way for students to become more actively involved in their student body, through the advertising of various events and programs that are available as extra curricular activities. In addition, the school can use this as a way to advertise opportunities within Student Government and Athletic Sports Teams. It is a way of delegating leadership roles to individuals outside of the class officers so help put on various activities throughout the year and to promote a healthy positive school curriculum. At Chula Vista it works!
Senior Buddies
The senior buddy program is designed to make the freshmen and sophomore transition from junior high to high school a little easier. A collection of volunteers from the senior class are preset at orientation to meet their freshmen or sophomore group and take them on tours of the campus as well as provide background on the school’s culture as well as what high school life is like in general. It is helpful to make T-Shirts for senior buddies so that they can be easily spotted by a stray freshman or sophomore at orientation.
Class Team Building Trips
On the first day of school at Harker, each class is given a special orientation in which all incoming class members can become better acquainted with each other or to spend more time with each other after the summer break. Various activities can be set up such as group community service, rope courses, a regatta trip, or sailing. For freshmen, this is a way for them to become better acquainted with their class as well as the school in which they are going to attend for the next four years.
Student Leadership Conference
This is a conference which teaches leadership skills to the student body as well as students from other schools. The conference is a chance for students with leadership experience to share their skills with others. Generally a theme for the conference will be chosen such as G.O M.A.D (Go Out and Make A Difference), S.T.A.R.T (Students Taking Action and Responsibility Today), L.E.A.D (Leaders Embracing a Dream), and F.L.Y (Finding Leadership in Yourself). Within the conference itself, workshops will be set up and run by individuals who have experience in the workshop subject or have shown remarkable leadership abilities. To kick of the start of the conference it is extremely useful if an inspiration speaker presents at the conference to focus the students on the purpose of the conference. When closing the event, it is a good idea to have food and music provided for the attendees as a simple thank you of their participation and hard work. Additionally this is an opportunity for all the students to share what the learned with each other.
Club Council
A council of students comprised of the club and class presidents as well as ASB, in order to maintain communication between the ASB and the clubs on campus. Within the Club Council, there are positions such as President, Vice President of the Club Council who also serve as the Commission and Commissioner of Club Liaison.
Alumni Tea
Making Change Survey
Often students find it difficult to make a difference on their school campuses, even if they are in ASB or hold a student leadership position. Use this School Improvement Survey to formulate data that you can present to your administration in order to make change! Follow the instructions and begin. The best way to administer this survey is through student government, but other youth leadership programs on campus can distribute as well. Make sure to check for permission with administration, and providing transparency in the process is ideal for gaining trust and building a good relationship with your Principal and Vice Principal.
Fundraising
Community Artfest
The Artfest is an event at which artistic works are showcased from the high school as well as from the local middle and elementary schools. All students, parents, and community members are welcome to view these noteworthy works of art. It allows for the community to connect and come together to appreciate the achievements and talents of community artists. Bonita Vista High continually experiences success with this activity.
Clean Up Day
Clean Up Day is a day set aside to focus on cleaning the campus. This activity lasts no more than three hours and can be done on a Saturday or any day when school is not in session.
Recycling Program
A program put on by the students and faculties of the special education program, they help collect school-wide recyclable products by placing bins in every classroom on campus. Generally three bins are placed in each classroom, one for cans, one for plastic, and another for paper. Recyclables are then collected on a daily basis from each classroom by the students of the special education program. This program not only promotes environmental awareness but also aids in preventing an overload of trash.
Stand Up for Kids
Stand Up for Kids is a non-profit organization founded in the early 1990’s to help rescue homeless and at risk-youth. Entirely run by volunteers, people participate with the intention of helping youth understand they can set goals within their lives and have the ability to attain them.
Concessions
Run by ASB, a concession stand is set up on campus that is available all year during passing periods and lunch. Snacks must be chosen that will be healthy for the students but also yield the highest profit for the Student Government class, as this is a profitable source of fundraising. In addition, inventory of items sold and finding students to help sell products as well as someone to track the amount of money obtained are a few tasks required in order to make this fundraising a success.
Wheelchair Basketball
A faculty verses students event in which people are able to sign up to participate in a game of basketball played in wheelchairs. Necessary materials are enough wheelchairs for teams, players, as well as adequate advertising. Such a fundraiser can raise funds for charities or the school, and often ticket packages are a clever way to attract attendance to the game. If the funding is going to a charity, invite members or recipients of the funds as VIP and have them sit in the front row or in box seats within the stadium.
Ice Skating the Night Away
International Food Faire
International Food Fairs are days in which the clubs are allowed to sell food and drinks to the students during lunch. It provides clubs with a way to fundraise for their upcoming events. To ensure that there is a wide variety of food, no two clubs are allowed to sell the same type of foods. Sign ups can be set up by the Club Council, or by ASB. Providing music in the area where the clubs set up their booths provides a fun atmosphere for students to purchase foods and learn more about the clubs selling them.
Air Band
Air Band is one of the most popular events to take place at any high school. It also happens to be an excellent means of fundraising, as well as a great opportunity to let the community in on what is going on at the local high school. Air Band is a time to get the “invisible kids” involved in school activities while allowing them to sine in front of their community and peers.
Faculty Follies
This is an assembly type fundraiser. At Whitney High, it takes place after school and what it is, is just a fun event where the teachers are the stars. Get as many teachers to get involved because the more that are involved, the more successful this event will be. The teachers come up with acts, dance routines, or anything else they think would be funny and they perform during faculty follies. You charge for admission and you can also have a concession stand selling snacks and drinks. You could also record the entire show and sell it as a DVD after. This is a fun event that students look forward to and is a great way to raise money!
Holiday Bizarre
The holiday bizarre is a fun event that not only raises holiday spirit, but also could be used as a school fundraiser. At John Glenn High, this event takes place after school just before winter break begins. First of all, you must get different vendors to donate or discount food for you to purchase so that you can charge a small fee and still make a profit. Along with the various food choices all school clubs that chose to participate will get a booth and charge for students to play games that the club sets up. By doing this, not only does the school profit, but the clubs end up gaining a profit as well. On top of everything, if you choose, cultural or dance clubs on campus can perform a variety of numbers. This is a fun event to kick of winter break and it also raises a large amount of money.
Fundraising to the Tee
This is a fun game that can quickly raise lots of money at a large event. Gather golf balls and sell them for $5-$10 each. Have people toss the golf balls down a hill with various “x”s marked with blue tape. The people who get closest to the X win various prizes, such as stuffed animals or electronics. Works at Bolsa Chica High!
International Night
Need a great way to raise money but have fun? International Night is a night where clubs can showcase their cultural performances as well as sell their cultural food. Tickets can be of any price that would most likely suit the satisfaction of students. Works at Saint Francis High!
Kickback Dance
This dance is a great way to get freshmen who may not be familiar with one another at the start of the school year, to get to know each other. It is also a great way to make some money by selling tickets for a low price. – Academy of Business, Law, and Education
Day at the Bay
Day at the Bay is a great way to prepare for the fun summer ahead as well as raise some money for your school. Towards the end of May or early June, right before summer break, this event includes filling the quad or any open area of the school with waterslides and other activities to help cool off in the heat. It’s a great way to prepare for the hot but fun summer ahead! – Granite Bay High School
Blacklight Dance
Do you need a night where you and your school friends can let loose and have fun? You can also capitalize on raising money for your school by selling tickets for the Blacklight Dance, an event where for one night, students can hang out with friends and dance to the music of the DJ while wearing neon colored, bright clothes and lights under black lights. – El Camino High School