A start

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A start
By Cathy-Dee

You already have a start with the committee. I've been in schools with both good and bad morale, and in my current school we had a "bad" year last year and are really working hard this year to get back to having things feel
much better.
I think this is perhaps one of the most important things a school can focus on. If the staff are not happy, it is going to trickle down into the classrooms and overall it's going to make a difference in how the kids perform. Plus who wants to come to work when everyone is feeling down.
Carolyn had some great ideas so I'll just mention what we have been doing and apologize

for any over-lap in ideas.

- secret pals - this can be fun if you do it several times throughout the year. The idea is not to spend a ton of money but to give little thoughtful things to others - a cup of coffee on their desk, fresh flowers from your garden, sneaking out to scrape snow and ice off their car before the end of the day, baking treats, etc.,

- We do star students when we catch a student doing something nice for the school they get a star student certificate at our school's monthly assembly. You could do something similar for staff - but instead perhaps focus on one or two staff members at each assembly - "Star Teachers"

- perhaps someone on staff shares something about what these teachers are doing that is great - a special project their class is doing, etc., perhaps this is something your administration could be in charge of. You pick the 1 or 2 staff members at the beginning of the month and the administration looks for good things they will be able to share at the assembly. We so often do not get praise even for the little things we do, that this would be a neat way to get praise without it being to "silly or contrite".

- Have mini games or contests - we are having our "social coordinator" put up a board featuring baby pictures of the staff - everyone in the school including teachers are going to get to guess who they think the pictures belong too. There will be prizes for students and staff.

- Plan a social once a month or every two months
- these could be done at homes of teachers who are willing to give up their homes
- book a restaurant
- go curling for an evening or bowling
- get tickets for a theatre event

Daily motivational messages, quotes, etc., These could be read over the intercom every morning just to give a lift to the day. Sometimes starting things on a positive note helps.

Decorate your staff room - quite often the mood of the staff room is dependent on the atmosphere - we put up the icicle lights during the winter months to brighten our staff room. Buy some bright posters - some could even be motivational -others of children and some just for fun. Put a table cloth on the table, etc., Make the staff room feel cozy, warm and inviting.

Have a treat day once a week - each staff brings in a treat over the year to share (doesn't always have to be sweet things either, could be veggie plates, fresh baked bread, etc.,)

At staff meetings have 1 or 2 teachers share something interesting either about their students, their classroom or even their personal lives. At the first staff meeting after Christmas have everyone share at least one thing they did over the holidays. This helps everyone get to know one another a bit more on a personal level which makes your school feel more like a family than just a job.

Have the committee plan surprises - perhaps once a month so it's not too overwhelming.
One month - every teacher has a You're the Best" type balloon fastened to their chair.

Month two - A bunch of flowers on their desks

Month three - A duty free week where you have found parents and perhaps community members to cover all the duties.

And so on....

It won't be an easy fix, but sometimes those little things really do make a difference and it will make you feel good so even that is a bonus all by itself

Have fun!