Ways to Welcome New Staff Members to Your School
Pick the ideas that fit your team and your style.
Ongoing
Outdoor Family Engagement Activities
Outdoor family engagement activities for schools, from picnics to glow runs, that help families and staff connect.
Alissa Christensen
A menu of eight outdoor activities that bring families, staff, and students together outside the classroom. Pick the option that fits your school and calendar, then use it to build connection between home and school.
Why try it
Get families on school grounds outside the usual events like conferences and concerts. Outdoor activities are low-pressure, welcoming to families of every schedule and comfort level, and give staff a chance to connect with families in a more relaxed setting than a classroom or office.
Instructions
1
Choose your activity
Review the eight activities below and pick the one that fits your team and school community.
2
Set a date and spread the word
Pick a date and share the details with families through your usual channels: newsletter, flyers, text alerts, or social media.
3
Line up materials and helpers
Gather any supplies the activity needs and recruit staff or volunteers to help with setup and check-in.
4
Host the event
Run the activity as planned, and use the time to greet families and make introductions between staff and the community.
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
Outdoor movie night
Set up an inflatable screen, a hung sheet, or a blank wall on school grounds for a family movie night. Add a concessions table for snacks like popcorn and candy, and let the proceeds go toward your next school event. Ask families to bring blankets or lawn chairs and pick a family-friendly movie that fits a wide age range.
Picnic in the part
Gather at a nearby park or on school grounds for an all-school picnic. Ask each family to bring their own food so everyone can plan for their own preferences, and set up yard games like cornhole, frisbee, and other lawn games for families to enjoy together while they eat.
After-school stroll
Once a month, lead a 30-minute walk around the school grounds or neighborhood for families and staff to unwind together after the school day. Keep the pace casual so families of all ages and fitness levels can join in.
Walking school bus
Set weekly meeting points along walking routes to school, and ask staff members to walk with families as "bus drivers" before or after the school day. Consider a casual dress day, like sweats or jeans, for staff who volunteer as drivers.
Yoga or Zumba session
Invite a local instructor to lead a 30-minute yoga or Zumba class for families and staff on school grounds. Ask families to bring their own mats or towels, and open the class to any skill level.
Glow run
Map out a 1-mile glow stick course around school grounds or through the community, then add music, refreshments, and prizes at the finish line. Have families register ahead of time, encourage matching outfits or themes, and station volunteers along the route to help guide runners.
Spring clean-up
Gather families and staff to pick up litter, weed garden beds, and tidy up outdoor spaces around the school together. Break the space into sections and assign a family or group to each one so the work stays manageable.
School garden
Start a garden project on a plot of land or in raised beds where families, staff, and students plant and tend fruits and vegetables together after school. Assign a weekly watering and weeding rotation so families can check in on the garden even outside of school hours.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Have a weather plan
Pick a rain date or backup indoor space ahead of time so a forecast change does not cancel the event.
Leader Tip #2
Recruit early
Ask for volunteer help from staff or your PTA at least two weeks out so setup and check-in run smoothly.
Leader Tip #3
Start small
If this is your first outdoor event, choose a lower-lift option like the after-school stroll before planning something bigger like a glow run.
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
Loading...
Similar resources
