The Month of Time Change, Spring, Leprechauns, and Anticipation for Break

Happy March, Friends. There are so many lovely things that March brings to education. However, it is also one of the toughest months for our staff. I encourage you to simply choose 1 or 2 days to celebrate with your staff this month. Another great idea is to have "Secret Leprechauns" — think secret Santas — staff volunteer to be each others secret Leprechaun and surprise them with treats throughout the St. Patrick's Day Week. This is the month we all need a little inspiration so use this month's newsletter to inspire you to encourage and celebrate your team. Peace and Love, Cindy.

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March Days to Celebrate

March 1 | "National Peanut Butter Lover's Day" (not fair to those of us with peanut issues but....) |Provide staff with a buffet of peanut butter products (peanut butter cookies, nutter butter cookies, peanut butter cups). Or you could give staff an individual Jiff To Go Peanut Butter cup with their choice of a chocolate bar, apple, pretzel or banana to dip into their cup. Place a little sticker that says "to help charge your batteries when you are on the go."

March 2 | "Read Across America Day" |Put a poster up on the wall in the staff room and encourage staff to write what they are currently reading and the audience it is written for.

March 3 | “National Cold Cuts Day” | I am thinking of hosting a sandwich bar to celebrate today. Create a google for the necessities and have staff join in a “potluck” kinda of Friday. Staff could sign up for condiments, veggies, breads, cold cuts, and chips—all of the fixings to end the week.

March 6 | “National Frozen Food Day” and “National Oreo Cookie Day” | Two simple ideas to celebrate—pick up some of the Oreo to go packages that have 6 cookies in them and hand them out to staff. Add a sticker wishing them a great day. As for National Frozen Food Day, what if you asked each staff member to donate a frozen food item to the staff freezer. These could be used for staff who forget their lunch.

March 7 | "National Cereal Day"|Have a smorgasbord of travel cereals available for staff to greet them this morning. Include a little note of positivity such as "Breakfast the Meal of Educational Champions" or "Hope this starts your Tuesday off healthy and full."

March 10 | "National Pack Your Lunch Day" |turn your staff room or another place staff eat into a fun "restaurant-like" atmosphere by using tablecloths, fake candles, music, place settings, real utensils, cloth napkins, and fresh flowers.

March 10 | "National Ranch Day "|Similar to peanut butter day provide individual sides of ranch with various treats to dip into. This could include potato chips, a veggie tray, or a salad bar. Note: many stores have individual vegetable servings with ranch that are rather nominal. Include a sign that says "You are the BIG dipper to our students and families."

March 14 | "National Pi Day" | Treat everyone to an individual pie.

March 14 | National Potato Chip Day |This is ridiculously easy by going to your neighborhood store and picking up a variety pack of chips AND it is also “National Write Down Your Story Day”—what if you asked staff to write about a success they have had this month that will make a difference in someone else’s life? Stories could be shared in the staff room or use on your schools social media account.

March 15 | "Ides of March" | Hello Shakespeare. End all of your conversations and announcements today by saying "et tu Brute?" PS I LOVE Shakespeare!!

March 16 | "Absolutely Incredible Kid Day" |I LOVE this DAY. This is a fabulous day to ham up with your students and let them know this very special day was created to celebrate them.

March 17 | "St. Patrick's Day" | Here is a fun idea. Go to the website: Just Candy and order the collection of green only candy. Put the green candy in glass jars to pretty them up (can be purchased at the dollar tree). Other ideas include guess how many pieces of candy are in the jar or how many ounces the corned beef weighs. (Purchase a couple and combine the weight closest guesses wins the corned beef)

March 21 | “National French Bread Day” | Help staff figure out what they will have as part of their dinner tonight by purchasing a loaf of French Bread for everyone.

March 22 | "World Water Day" | Everyone gets a bottle of water and they can choose from various mixtures and flavorings to add such as lemonade, Hawaiian punch, spark, or tea. Basically anything you can find the powdered drink section.

March 23 | "National Chips and Dips Day" | Be creative with the various chips and dips you can find and create an afternoon snack for your team.

March 24 | "National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day” | Easy one to pull of today!!

March 28 | “National Something on a Stick Day” | Cake Pops in the afternoon to help everyone get through this Tuesday afternoon.

March 30 | "National Pencil Day" | Everyone gets a new pencil today to celebrate how "sharp" they are.

March 31| "National Crayon Day" and also more importantly my momma's birthday!! Happy birthday mom!! | On this very special day purchase a few adult stress relieving coloring books. (There are some great ones on line—make sure you are careful when ordering these—there are a few inappropriate ones available for purchase) Place the books and crayons in the staff room for staff to color and have a coloring competition. Students can vote on their favorite for a winner.

Cindy is in her 23rd year as a school administrator. She is currently the principal of Kelso Virtual Academy and Loowit Alternative High School within the Kelso School District in Kelso, Washington. Cindy has been recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals as the 2021 National Digital Principal of the Year. She has two teenagers and has been married to her husband, Leszek for 23 years. Find her on Twitter @sholtys.