Program Maintenance

A key element to any successful Peer to Peer program is facilitating activities that generate new and continued interest and enthusiasm. These are the fun things that bring pride to the program about inclusive efforts while improving school culture. 

Provide Recognition and Awards to Focus Students and Peer Partners 

• “Peer to Peer Students of the Week” bulletin board is an easy way to recognize students in the program. The students can be randomly selected or nominated by school staff. Consider having each student fill out a “Peer to Peer Students of the Week” questionnaire at the beginning of the year, so as they are nominated, you can pull his or her sheet to display.

  • Peer to Peer Students of the Week Questionnaire

• Peer to Peer Awards - Present program participants with awards at your regular meetings throughout the year as a way to celebrate all students.

  • Peer to Peer M&M Award

• End of the Year Peer to Peer Certificates

• Paper Plate Awards - Create and provide a paper plate award for program participants. These awards can recount the year’s most memorable events with the students. During the year, keep a log of the most memorable events for each student to create the paper plate awards at the end of the year. Paper plate awards are exactly that, paper plates that are decorated and made into an award. The paper plate award usually reflects something humorous, exciting, or noteworthy that has happened throughout the semester or school year.

Plan a Field Trip

Look around your community to see what is available (movies, pool party, roller skating, pumpkin patch, bowling, sledding, Escape Room, Nature Center, etc.). Create an invitation to invite all students. 

Plan Celebrations

Plan celebrations for students regularly. These can be during school (excusal from a class, during lunch), before, or after school. Again, consider creating an invitation to attend. Some ideas include, but are not limited to: 

• Holiday Themed Breakfasts/Lunches/Celebrations

• Carnival Lunch

• Sledding Event

• Tournaments (e.g. Connect Four, Cornhole)

• Cereal Potluck

• Game Night

• LINKS Leadership Summit:

  • The purpose of the LINKS Leadership Summit is to bring together focus students and peer partners involved in Peer to Peer from multiple local high schools, with a focus on collaboration, connection, and fostering a sense of belonging. Through interactive activities, problem-solving exercises, and shared experiences, students are encouraged to build relationships, learn from one another, and strengthen their roles as peer supporters and friends. These events provide opportunities for fun, reflection, and lasting social connections, reinforcing the core values of participation and inclusion in Peer to Peer programs.

  • Educators from Saginaw County have successfully implemented a LINKS Leadership Summit for two years, establishing a proven framework that promotes collaboration, inclusion, and leadership development among Peer to Peer students. Over three days, the LINKS Leadership Summit events brought together students from local high schools for engaging activities focused on collaboration, belonging, and fun. Day 1 featured 170 students participating in icebreakers, scenario-based problem-solving, and a group cheer, while Day 2 saw 180 students enjoy games, bracelet-making, and bonding activities. The Peer to Peer Celebration Day concluded with 200 students socializing through bowling, laser tag, and arcade games, with many continuing their connections beyond the event. Feedback from all days was overwhelmingly positive. Use Saginaw County’s ideas and framework to support a LINKS Leadership Summit in your local school community.

Hold Monthly or Quarterly Lunches 

It can be as simple as students bringing their lunches to a meeting spot and providing drinks or a dessert. If funds allow (or you can get donations), pizza party lunches are usually a hit.

• LINKS Lunch Flyer Example

• Fast Pass - LINKs who have a “Fast Pass” can move to the front of the line so they can get to their lunch meeting

• Punch Card - Use this punch card to track attendance and give out incentives for students who attend

• Minute to Win It Activities

Design T-Shirts

Design & create a LINK T-Shirts for all participants in the program. Encourage investment in the program by having a contest for students to design the T-shirt and have the program participants or the entire student body vote on the winning T-shirt design. Print the winning design on the T-Shirts and distribute.

• T-Shirt Examples

• T-Shirt Design Lesson Plan & Example

Hold an End of the Year Banquet 

Schedule an end of the year banquet for all of the students and their families. Create a basic celebration invitation to be shared with the students and their families. At the end of the celebration, provide the students with a Certificate of Participation. 

Consider Additional Ways to Bring Pride and Enthusiasm to Your Program 

• Personal connections (notes, phone calls home, or postcards of acknowledgment)

  • Postcard Template 

• Birthday pencils

• Establish LINK Leadership Committees with peer partners and students with IEPs

• Promote Your Program. Share your program accomplishments with the public. Success breeds success!

  • Media Kit with Prepared Templates (coming soon)