For Day One, commit to being the first person there and the last person to leave. Greet staff and students as they come and go from school today and try to create as many smiles and waves as possible. Bonus points if you can schedule a time during lunch when people can sit with you and learn more about who you are. 

Make it a goal to learn at least 5-10 new family names today. Bonus points if you make this a daily practice for connecting with families throughout the year. 

Print out welcome back posters and hang them at the entrance to the cafeteria. Bonus points if you say, "We are glad you're here" and/or learn as many names as possible during one of the meals you serve today. 

Make it a goal today to form 5 positive connections. Use these prompts as your guide:

• Say something kind about someone's attitude

• Say something kind about someone's behavior

• Say something kind about a colleague's work

• Meet 1 new person and share a smile

• Meet 1 new person and see if you can plan a reconnection within the week

Start each class by reading your "Why I Teach" letter and post it somewhere so people will see it consistently. 

"Why I Teacher" Prompt ideas:

• Why you go into education

• What makes your job hard, but worthwhile

• Your favorite thing about your role

Write positive messages on the bathroom mirrors letting the students and staff know that you are on their team and glad to have them back!

Have 3 interactions (in person or phone call) with students and 3 with staff today. See if you can both share 1 thing you are grateful for and 1 thing that's important for the other person to know about you or your work.

Great every student that gets on the bus with a smile and say, "I'm glad you're here." Bonus points if you can ask them their name and then repeat their name back with a statement that sounds something like, "I'm glad you're here (name)."