How do you greet kids onto campus?

How do you greet kids onto campus?

This is something that I think about frequently. I like happy places, people, and environments. Guess what? So do teachers and students. As a building principal, I have the opportunity to set the tone and be the one that creates a positive vibe on campus in the morning and throughout the day. 

 Here are some of my favorite things to create awesome environments for student learning and working:

1. Fist bumps and high fives! As kids come onto campus, meet them and greet them. At the beginning of the year, I made a point of telling students that I love fist bumps and high fives. Each morning, kids run over and greet me. It puts a smile on their face and mine!
2. Putting on a mascot costume every once and while makes so many positive impacts on your campus. Students, teachers, office staff, and parents can see the environment change when we welcome students onto campus. As students arrive and see a smiling hawk costume, it puts a smile on their face. Happy kids learn better! Take a risk and try something different.



3. Playing music taps into our creative side and makes the mornings fun. Blasting music wakes up the neighborhood and makes families walks to school fun and puts a smile on their face.

4. Ride the bus! Whenever you have the opportunity to ride the bus, do it. You should see their faces, when they get on the bus and see their principal sitting there. Take the time and build the relationships with students and the bus driver.

5. Be silly and don't take yourself so seriously. Show that you are vulnerable and willing to have fun. Kids need to see us loving our jobs. Without that, who would ever want to work in education.

 Be the one that sets the tone and changes teachers, students, and parents outlook.

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