Fun Ideas to Welcome Students and Families Back to School
From "Popsicles on the Playground" to dancing mascots at drop off, we round up tons of fun ideas to help your PTO welcome back students and families.
Throw a "Teacher Reveal"
Just like a gender reveal, a teacher reveal is the same concept, where kids get to find out who their teacher is (and meet) before the first day of school. While there, parents can sign up for volunteer opportunities, after school programs, and more.
Hold a Mobile Block Party
Before school starts, take your PTO to your community's streets with a mobile block party! Make neighborhood stops on different dates and connect with students and families. Bring games, snacks, information on joining the PTO, and more.
Popsicles on the Playground
Who couldn't use a few friends before the new school year starts? Popsicles on the Playground allows students (and parents!) to meet each other and play before the first day of school. Invite families to the school playground for a meet and greet with the PTO before school starts. We're a big fan of popsicles because we all know ice cream can get expensive, especially if you're a large school. Set up a table with a cooler and have a PTO volunteer hand out popsicles to students (and a flyer encouraging parents to join the PTO, of course!). Invite the principal, too, so that he or she can get to know parents and their kids in a more relaxed school setting.
Make a "Welcome Back" Video Featuring Your School Mascot
@vwespto01 ♬ Back to School - Jack Hartmann
Donuts with Grown ups
Invite parents into the school on a Friday morning before school starts to enjoy a donut and a cup of coffee with the PTO. Ask your principal to attend, too. Donuts with Grownups (or Pastries with Parents) is a low-key way for parents to get to know your PTO and administration.
Welcome Message on the Big Screen (Fundraiser)
Crystal River Primary PTO turns back-to-school into a mini fundraiser by offering parents the opportunity to send their child a special back to school message on the big screen for $5.
Kindergarten Signing
Roll out the red carpet (and giant pencils) for a “signing day” during kindergarten orientation (kindergarten roundup). Here's everything you’ll need for a kindergarten signing day event at school...including free printable certificates for students to sign.
School Mascot at Morning Drop Off
Dust off that mascot costume and get ready to welcome back students! Greet families at morning drop off with some lively music and a friendly greeting from the school mascot for an unforgettable first day back. Or, have your school mascot visit each classroom the first day of school to take photos with students to take home.
@jgonsoulin Our mascot greeting students on their first day back #backtoschool #thisishowwedoit #wildcats #welcomeback #jires ♬ This Is How We Do It - Montell Jordan
Photos at Morning Drop Off
Set up a back-to-school photo backdrop with props and have volunteers greet families as they take first day of school photos. This is a great time to turn those clearance pool noodles into giant pencils for photo props!
@athomewithshannon *FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL* PICTURE ✏️ GIANT POOL NOODLE *PENCIL*✏️ this is easy to make and perfect for first day of school pictures!! All you need is a pool noodle, construction paper and some sticker letters! HOW CUTE?? #backtoschool #momhack #momhacks #craftymoms #craftymom #crafts #momsoftiktok #parentsoftiktok #schoolcrafts ♬ Love You So - The King Khan & BBQ Show
We also love this idea of making an oversized notebook paper prop using blue electrical tape:
@amanda_moye First day of school photo op! #backdrop #balloondecor #balloongarland #CapCut #firstdayofschool ♬ skip to the good part - 444
Welcome New Students with a Red Carpet and Confetti
New students and their families get quite the welcome on the first day of school with a walk down the red carpet and confetti!
@_mr.thompson_ How do you welcome new students!? #edutok #teachersoftiktok #tiktokteacher #iteach #middleschool #teacher #student ♬ Ooh Ahh (My Life Be Like) [feat. Tobymac] - Grits
Chalk the Walk
The day before school starts, invite parents to meet up on the blacktop to chalk the walk with welcome back messages. This is such a fun and easy way to build school community because parents get to meet up and make friends, and your PTO gets to mingle with parents in a relaxed atmosphere. Encourage parents to bring their kids to help chalk the walk with messages to teachers and other students!
First Day Photo Booth
Decorate, Decorate, Decorate!
Who wouldn't be excited to head into the first day of school with a set-up like this one from Prairieville Primary School?
Ice Cream Social
@fwafaptso FWAFA ice cream social 2023!!! #fwafaptso #fwafa ♬ Ice Cream (with Selena Gomez) - BLACKPINK
Welcome Back School Yard Signs
Welcome back families with school yard signs (they also make a great photo prop for the first day).
Boohoo Yahoo Breakfast
Typically held for younger grades, invite new and returning parents to celebrate with a few tears (and cheers!) at a Boohoo Yahoo breakfast.
Welcome Back PTO Bulletin Board
If your PTO is lucky enough to have its own bulletin board (IYKYK), this is a great place to introduce your PTO, upcoming events and fundraisers, and get parents excited about getting involved at back-to-school.
"Slide" Into A New School Year
This one was too great not to share! Encourage staff and PTO members to don roller skates for a fun "sliding into a new school year" welcome!
Get Students Excited to Welcome Teachers Back
Teachers are treated to a celebrity-style greeting the first day back as students and volunteers hold signs and cheer. Totally deserved!
Run With a Theme
When in doubt, go all out! Starkey Ranch K-8 PTO in Odessa, Florida went big with an unforgettable sports theme, "One Team, One Goal". We love the sound of that (and those giant marquee letters are on point!).
Add a Welcome Back Message to Your School Fence
This school also encouraged parents to post their first day of school pics in the comments of their Facebook post.
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