Back-to-School, Not Back-to-Stress. Lead like you know the First Day Matters.
Written by Susan B. LAIR
With just a few weeks of summer remaining, it’s tempting for Heads of School to race toward the finish line—revising handbooks, rewriting policies, and launching new initiatives. But a word of caution: anything implemented in haste and without thoughtful input is rarely lasting or effective.
You know that great educational program you saw at a conference? Save it. Now is not the time to overhaul major initiatives or introduce sweeping changes. Your faculty and staff are focused on classroom readiness: student rosters, bulletin boards, supply lists, and the hundreds of small decisions that set the stage for a successful year.
The best way to lead right now? Support them. Encourage them. Celebrate them.
Remember: you can’t fill others’ cups if yours is empty. And your team can’t pour the thrill of learning into students and families unless they feel seen, appreciated, and prepared.
Here are a few small but meaningful ways to lift morale in these final weeks before students arrive:
Surprise them with scones: Invite the parent association to bring coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and pastries directly to classrooms and offices one morning.
Host a staff picnic: Offer a school-sponsored outdoor lunch or early evening picnic for employees and their families.
Drop a note of encouragement: Place a short, handwritten note or inspirational quote in each employee’s mailbox.
Add some fun with drawings and donations: Ask vendors to contribute small gifts or gift cards. Let employees enter a raffle by simply dropping their name in a bowl.
Ice cream, anyone? Partner with a local shop (or fund it through the school) and host a banana split bar on campus.
Lights, camera, appreciation: Rent a theater and show an inspirational film—with popcorn and soft drinks, of course!
Revive the faculty lounge: Rather than complain about it, refresh the space. Add flowers, mints, clean surfaces, new staplers, paper cutter, paper clips—and maybe a soft playlist in the background.
Resist the urge to over-meet: Now is not the time for new mandates or major curriculum shifts. Your teachers need time, space, and your trust to prepare for their students.
The message is simple: use these precious final weeks to fill your team’s cups. They’ve been working hard behind the scenes to launch a great school year. Show them that you see it—and that you’re with them.
If your school has a tradition that helps launch the year with flair and excitement, share it with me. I’d love to post it for your colleagues to consider, tweak, and make their own.
And if this is your first year as Head, I know the start of school can feel overwhelming. Take a moment to re-read If You Can Keep Your Head for a steadying dose of reassurance.
