Click on the links below for more information or examples.
- Select a date & put it on the school calendar
- Inquire about funding through grants, Title 1 budget, donors, etc.
- Begin a list of ideas for activities, speakers, etc.
- Develop a planning committee of 6-8 people
- Communicate the date to parents with other important school events
- Encourage planning committee members to add to the ideas list of activities, speakers, etc.
- Seek out and apply for grants
- Develop a Google Sheets file or similar tool that all committee members can use throughout the planning process. Tabs could include primary schedule, upper grades schedule, speakers, challenges & contests, volunteers, purchases, activities, etc.
- Committee Meeting - Explain the vision, develop a schedule, and delegate tasks such as contacting potential speakers, communicating with teachers, developing challenges, etc. Encourage all committee members to search for and share challenges, possible speakers, and activity ideas. Send a follow up email with delegated assignments.
- Schedule assemblies for January & February to introduce the challenges and contests
- Determine the available budget and talk to the bookkeeper about procedures
- Write and share a speaker invitation that committee members can send to guests
- Begin sending speaker invitations
- Continue sending speaker invitations and keep track of RSVPs
- Secure judges for the contests
- Communicate with teachers about the dates for assemblies and the due date for afternoon activity plans and materials list (Mid January)
- Plan the parent workshop presentation and make a materials list
- The first assembly is held about 1 month prior to I Love Math Day. Prepare the slideshow and flyer that will be used during this meeting. Purchase or prepare any materials needed for Challenge 1 (usually estimation).
- Secure a substitute if one will be needed during I Love Math Day
- Use the teachers' materials list to develop a master list of materials needed. Also include prizes needed and speaker thank you gifts. Divide this materials list into groups:
Items already at school
Amazon Wish List - Use for specific items that the type or quantity matters. Ex. 4 copies of a specific game
Sign Up Genius Wish List - Use for items that can be purchased at Walmart or Dollar Tree and the exact type doesn't matter. Ex. Craft materials
Items to Purchase - Use for items that are more expensive and/or can't be purchased from the above places. Ex. Prizes
- Prepare speaker gifts
- Tie ribbon on prizes
- Meet with challenge winners to make final changes to presentations
- Take pictures of challenge and contest winners and insert into Awards Ceremony slideshow
- Check that all Sign Up Genius materials have been delivered. Email or purchase if not.
- Print, cut, and distribute afternoon activity cards to teachers
- Finalize parent workshop count and buy food
- Double check materials lists and purchase last minute items as needed
- Finalize Awards Ceremony slideshow
- Create and print the order of events for the Awards Ceremony
- Communicate any individual speaker needs to teachers (Ex. Tables, room set up, materials, etc.)
- Assign resource teachers and teacher assistants tasks and communicate schedules
- Edit, print, and hang up classroom signs
- Print and pass out student name tags with speaker assignments. Give each teacher and the office a copy of speaker assignments.
- Finalize handouts/schedules for teachers and office personnel. Print and email to the appropriate people. Remind teachers to show the afternoon expectations video on Friday.
- Set out recess games and instructions for volunteers to easily grab and set up Friday
- Create and hang banners
- Secure tables for speaker gifts and prizes
- Set up photo display
- Set out books for the primary grade readers
- Print Parent Workshop sign in
- Set out speaker gifts and prizes
- Set out lunch materials at the appropriate time
- Set up sound and projector for Awards Assembly
- Add t-shirt video & winner pictures to the Awards Assembly slide show
- Set up and lead Parent Workshop
- Try to relax and enjoy the day!