We have an ice cream social at our Back to School Night. The principal gives a little welcome speech in the gym, introduces the teaching and support staff (and explains any changes for the new school year, like a new lunch program). Then families can go visit their students' classrooms and partake in the ice cream and toppings (free). We also have several booths set up in the gymnasium - one for our PTO, and others for the boy scouts and girl scouts and some other local children's clubs/organizations. One thing we've learned is to limit the number of toppings we provide. Seems like a small thing, but one year we had a dozen different toppings and the gym was sticky from floor to ceiling!
Our school has in the past done a back to school pot luck and then make your own sundae bar. We sell tickets for the ice cream and as most local vendors/grocery stores donate ice cream and toppings we make $500.00 or so for our school. I should note we have a small school community and only charged $1.00 for the ice cream. We had a great turn out and what a great opportunity to greet each other after the summer.
We had our first meeting for our Welcome Back BBQ and this is what we are planning. The PTO is serving up a BBQ meal with potato salad and beans and asking all the invitees to provide desserts. There will be a table at the entrance to greet everyone and they will be given name tags. Dinner time will be a time to mingle and meet each other. Then the principal will get some "mic" time to do a welcome speech, introduce his staff, the school board and the PTO. He will also give instructions as to what to do. The National Honor Society Students will host tours of the complex, pointing out especially the admin offices, the library, the computer lab, etc...We have asked groups from the local and school community to make posters depicting what they "offer" and they will have flyers available with information. We the PTO will have a membership drive booth and will display our information plus booster stuff we sell through the year. We are setting up a children's corner with simple activities for them.
We're very excited about this event. It's the first time our school has done this, they usually only have a sit-down dinner for teachers and school board members hosted by the PTO. I felt like a more casual program at the school with everyone invited would give more people an opportunity to mingle, meet and get familiar with the school and all the people involved. :cool:
The school where I will be serving as PTO pres next year is going to open in the fall and is K-5. On the board is exactly one person with ANY experience. One thing that I have asked our principal is that for orientation before the year starts as well as any future tours, that we allow 5th graders to be trained as tour guides. This stemmed from concern that our 5th graders don't feel like they're being tossed around like a ball from school to school - this is THEIR school and I'd like them to have some feeling of pride and "this is MY school" feelings. By the way - he loved the idea and when the construction crew leaves the 5th graders will be the first ones in to get to know the place! (Yes - I do have a 5th grader!
Good luck!
Hi. I, too, am looking for ideas for a Welcome Back night. However, in my instance, it would be a Welcome to your New School night. I am the secretary-elect of the new PTA of a school opeing in Sept 2002. I think it would be a great idea to provide everyone (parents, children, teachers & staff) with an opportunity to meet and mingle. Might make those first few weeks in a new environment a little less stressful. I don't know where to begin, though. None of our newly elected PTA officers have any prior experience. Plus, with students, parents, teachers and staff, it might get a little crowded and overwhelming. I would welcome any suggestions [img]tongue.gif[/img]
Can you invite the other activities that participate at the school - if any - scouts, sports, art club - whatever other activities that there are. Sounds like an interesting school and that you have a good amount of involvement. Good luck.
