A key way we set ourselves up for success is by preparing teachers for the walkathon. That means we got really organized with our approach and materials. We not only worked hard to make sure that parents knew what was going on, we brought our amazing teachers into the fold as well and made sure they felt comfortable with the plan.
Join the Staff Meeting
If your teachers/administrations will allow it, grab a slot on the next staff meeting agenda. Use the time to quickly summarize the fundraiser and how it will impact them/what you need from them. Allow time for questions and take notes of what feedback they have for you.
Give Them a Toolbox
Not literally…but ahead of the walk, I recommend creating a go-to packet/kit with everything the teacher needs for their homeroom going into to the fundraiser period.
Here’s what’s in ours:
- “What to Expect” letter with all of the dates, times and details
- Blank flag for classroom to decorate/carry on day of walk
- Custom water bottle stickers
- Donut Day preference card (for if their homeroom reaches 100% of goal)
- Homeroom Goal Tracker
We used these zipper bags to organize these items into a kit and distributed them to our teachers. The feedback we received was fantastic – they loved having everything they needed in a special pouch (rather than loose materials they had to organize).
Here’s the link to the blank garden flags that homerooms decorated: Garden Flags. These were super inexpensive and a really fun addition. While some passed around the loose flag to carry the day of the event – others stapled it to yardsticks or attached to broom handles and waved them high to keep their kids together.
If you’re interested in personalizing your zipper bags and recollecting them at the end of the walk so you can use them year after year, check out my custom zipper bag listing on Etsy.
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