Ideas for School Spirit Day

Looking for ideas for school spirit day? School spirit days tend to happen either in the fall right around homecoming, or in the spring as a break in the pattern. School spirit day may include pep rallies, a change in class schedule, big games or even fun games for wacky sports.

Watch a School Spirit Items slideshow!

Perhaps your school has a tradition of having a school spirit day at certain times of the year, or maybe you feel like this is an opportunity for your squad to really promote the accomplishments of fellow students. Either way, it's important to understand that a school spirit day is going to disrupt classes and therefore you'll need the support of the administration and teachers. Follow these tips for a flawless day:

• Make sure you have administrative support. Make sure that the administration backs your plan. You will be much happier if you work within their limits. Plus, if your squad has a great attitude about those limits, you may be able to work in more fun next year.
• Plan and communicate effectively. If you want teacher and parent support for your school spirit day, make sure that you plan well in advanced and communicate effectively numerous times. Don't assume that the flyer you sent home is sufficient. Use posters, the PA system, flyers and everything else to get your message across.
• Fun with a purpose. Don't have a school spirit day just to have one. Plan it around something bigger that is going on, be it a fundraiser for the booster club, homecoming or honoring alumni. You will get a much bigger response if you do it this way.

When you're thinking about promoting school spirit, think about what you can do to involve the most people including parents, faculty, alumni or students.

Class competitions, whether they be class cheers, class floats or class decorated hallways, is generally a great way to get most students involved. Not sure what to compete over? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Some high schools have each class decorate part of a wall in the gym according to a theme.
• School colors; whichever class was successful in getting most of the students to wear their school colors to a game wins.
• Challenge classes to raise funds for the charity of their choice. The class that raises the most wins a pizza party.

A list of school spirit ideas that have to do with clothing students wear.

• A recyclable school mascot. Have classes create school mascot costumes using recyclable materials like paper mâché.
• Hold an official, "Mr. or Miss School Spirit" contest. Award the person who comes dubbed with the most school spirit. (Make sure to state specifically what will and will not be allowed lest someone come too scantily clad.)

It's easy to declare your love for your school around town.

• Decorate your car. It's easy to find window paint, and you can deck out your windows, hood or trunk declaring your school pride.
• Art contest. Try giving a little exposure and incentive to budding artists to paint or create something demonstrative of school spirit. Hold a juried art show and consider asking local businesses to display phenomenal pieces. Not only does this get artistic students involved, it also allows area businesses to display your school pride.

Planning a day that's both eventful and includes as many people as possible is key for a successful school spirit day.

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