Common Thread
A fast, no-prep icebreaker where small groups race to find the most unique things they all have in common.
10-15 min
One Message, One School
A school culture guide helps principals plan a unified kickoff with scripts.
Alissa Christensen
A framework for planning your back-to-school kickoff so every staff member delivers the same expectations to every student. Pick a rollout format, build a shared slideshow, and use ready-made scripts to teach key routines from day one.
Why try it
Give every student the same message about hallway, cafeteria, playground, and bus behavior, no matter which adult is speaking. Staff use one shared plan to teach expectations, model routines, and reinforce them the same way in every classroom and shared space.
What's included
Browse the printables included with this resource.
Instructions
1
Pick your rollout format
Choose the format that fits your school: an all-school assembly, grade-level assemblies, classroom visits from admin and staff teams, or rotation stations where classes move through key spaces like the cafeteria and playground.
2
Build a shared slideshow
Create one visual presentation covering your school values, schoolwide behavior expectations, specific expectations for key areas like hallways, bathrooms, cafeteria, playground, and bus, and examples of what "good" looks like.
3
Teach expectations by area
Use scripts for each key area (bathroom, playground, cafeteria, bus, hallway) that follow the same three-part flow: welcome and reset, teach expectations using student-friendly language, then let students practice and get praised for what went well.
4
Reinforce all year
Model the right and wrong ways to follow expectations, let students practice them in real settings, praise students who get it right, and revisit expectations weekly during the first month.
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
Staggered rollout
For larger schools, spread the kickoff across a few days by grade band or building.
Family recap
Send a short recap home to families so the same expectations get reinforced outside school too.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Assign roles early
Decide ahead of time who leads each part of the rollout and what support role every staff member plays.
Leader Tip #2
Share the slideshow first
Send the slideshow to staff before the kickoff so they can preview it and ask questions.
Leader Tip #3
Check in after day one
Ask staff a quick question like "how did it feel, and what needs adjusting" so you can tweak the plan going forward.
Built by Educators, for School Leaders
This resource was created in collaboration with passionate educators and school leaders who believe in the power of intentional connection.
Alissa Christensen
Head of Customer Success
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