School Spirit
Assembly Themes
Use songs for your theme for each assembly and structure the assembly around that theme. You can continue the there for a week.
AWSP Resources
Check out the ideas and activities resources on the Association of Washington School Principal Website. Click here.
Baby Picture Contest (submitted by Katherine)
Have teachers submit baby photos which are placed in a contest display. Students get an opportunity to guess and name as many teachers as possible. Winners of the "Who's Who?" gets to give a teacher a pie in the face at a spirit assembly.
Bubble Gum Class Competition (submitted by Debbie Caramandi, Bethel H.S.)
Use a yard stick to measure width of bubble. Each class has a Male/Female representative. Each team gets three tries. Biggest bubble is recorded & wins. Can't Burst Our Bubble!
Bubble Gum "Hellos" (submitted by Holly Raidel, Komachin Middle School)
Each member of our student leadership group is given a bag of bubblegum. Each student passes out multiple pieces to other students during lunch with the idea that that student is expected to keep one and pass the rest on to someone who has not yet recieved any yet. The goal is for every student in the school to get one piece of gum by the end of the lunch period - along with a "hello," and introduction from another student.
Camouflage Day (submitted by Jennifer Durham, Key Peninsula M.S.)
Can have a dance after a spirit day. If you live near an Army or National Guard Base, you can call and have them bring a tent or other items to go with your theme.
Creative Class Competitions for Assemblies
1. Mr. Potato Head - In teams of three, one is the Picker, one is the Stuffer, one is the Stuffy, Start with a large basket full of bags and bags of potatoes. To begin the stuffy is weighed on a scale. In a set amount of time, the picker selects a potato from the bin and gives it to the stuffer. The stuffer puts the potato into the clothes of the stuffy. This is a race to see who can gain the most "potato weight" by putting the potatoes in their clothes. One time is up, stuffies must walk 8-10 feet to the scale and weigh again. Note: Same sex is best for the stuffer and the stuffy.
2. Peanut Butter/Banana Sandwich Eating - Student A sits at a table with arms behind back, Student B stands behind with a blindfold on and becomes the arms of student A by putting arms underneath armpits of other person while standing front to back. Student B makes a Peanut Butter and Banana sandwich with Student A giving them verbal directions. First team to make the sandwich and drink a glass of milk wins.
3. Shaving Cream Hair Styles - Girls sit and put a big, blob of saving cream in their hair. Boys them rub it into their hair and make it into a creative design. Hair styles are judges and best hair style wins. Shaving cream works best to make spikes and interesting shapes, however best if done at the end of the day because girl will need to wash her hair afterwards.
4. Condiment Twister - On a regular twister board put ketchup on the red spots, mustard on the yellow spots, relish on the green spots, and mayo on the blue spots. Now play Twister and make a big mess at a pep assembly!
5. Frozen T-Shirt - Dip a t-shirt in water, crumple it up into a ball and put it into the freezer. At the assembly, first team to pound the ice out of their shirt and get it to the point someone can put it on wins.
6. Frosting Pass - Each relay team starts with a table spoon of one large blob of frosting and their arms behind their back. Relay begins when frosting if scraped on the nose of student first in line. Students rub noses from student to student passing as much frosting as possible. Team with the most frosting on the nose of the last person wins.
7. Skater Board Rowing with Plunging - This is a relay race where one team member sits on a skateboard and can not touch the ground. The team member moves forward along the gym floor by rowing with a plunger.
8. Fish Swatting - Set an defined area with plastic on the ground. Student A goes barefoot to help them not to slip when walking on the plastic. Student A puts a raw egg on their forehead and holds it into place with a cap made out of pantyhose. Student B rides on the back of student A and is blind folded with a soft, raw, whole fish in hand. The two communicate to work as a team to position themselves, swing the fish, and break the egg of the other team. When the egg is broken the team is out. Last team left wins.
9. Peanut Butter & Popcorn Toss - Team member A puts peanut butter all over their face. Team member B sits about 8 feet away and throws popcorn at team member A. The team that can get the most popcorn to stick in a given time.
10. Leadership Quotes and Atlas Map - Take and old Rand McNally Atlas (large size) and tear out entire states. Glue each state to an 11x18 sheet of construction paper. On the back of each map, glue a motivational quote which is typed in large font. Then cut each sheet into 5 puzzle-like pieces. Mix the maps up and give each group an envelope with their map and 5 strips of masking tape. Time to see who completes the puzzle, tapes it together, runs to the mike, and reads their quote first.
Dance Contest Assembly (submitted by Kay Andersen, Clarkston High School)
Contest Rules: Each dance will last 2 minutes. There will be one couple from each class per dance and all four couples will dance at the same time. COuples are judged on dance performance AND appropriate costumes. Dances are: Western, Swing, Jitterbug, Waltz, Charleston, Flamenco, and Tango. The internet has made it easy for kids t get dance instructions, however some have even gotten community and local dance instructors involved. The costumes really set the atmosphere and the choice of music is very important too.
Dance Themes
Door Decorating Contest (submitted by Sandy Rossmaier, Rainer High School)
Instead of hallway decorations, advisory classes compete to see who has the most creative, positive, and original doorway decor. General Rules: You can use any items that you provide that doesn't disrupt the learning environment and will not permanently damage the door. Roll paper is provided. Any member of an advisory that is caught vandalizing any door at any time will disqualifed their entire advisory. Doors are scored on a scale from 1-5 in the following categories: creativity, theme, originality, positive attitude, and attention to detail.
Dress Up Days
How to Get People to Dress Up:
Freshman "Incoming" Class T-Shirts (submitted by Ruth Comstock, Mariner High School)
The high school leadership class plans this activity i the spring by going down into the middle schools and promoting a contest to design the shirt. High school leadership students work with current 8th grade officers to choose the winning design. t-sirts are printed and sold at Freshman registrationa and during the school year.
Hot Chocolate Days (submitted by John Lombardi, Cascade High School)
During the winter months when returning from break, have leadership students hand out small cups of Hot Chocolate as the students arrive to school.
Headbands (submitted by John Bittinger, Everett H.S.)
Materials: Bed sheets, torn into 2" wide strips, 36" long; face paint or permanent markers. Prior to a big game, students gather in student center/cafeteria/and decorate strips of sheets to be headbands. Keep slogans, pictures and positive messages as examples. (Ex. "Go Seagulls!," "E-H-S! G-R-E-A-T!, etc.)
"How Much Spirit Do You Have" (submitted by Frontier Junior High)
Have the leadership class do a survey of "5" school spirit items and 5 ways to improve school spirit. Each class participaes and a tall of numbers are shown. The leadership class took this to heart and passed the ideas to the ASB.
Kiss a Senior Goodbye (submitted by Laura Bradford, Hanover H.S., Hanover, M.A.)
As a goodbye to the senior class member, anyone can pay a dollar to wrtie a message on a peice of paper to the senior of their choice during a specific class period. Then, during the period, the message is delivered to the senior, along with a small bag of Hershey's Kisses.
Lunchtime Activities with Spirit Days (submitted by Becky Latham, Bethel Junior High)
Western Day - Steer rope hay bales that have been dressed up with pictures of cows.
Disco Day - Have dance off or sock sliding contest
Twin Day - Partner Relays
Lunchtime Fun (submitted by Selah High School)
Mascot Man! (submitted by Susie Bennett, Selah Junior High)
At Selah, their ASB President took on the role of school mascot and made it into a superhero named Spartan Man. Using this character, he made short videos related to school issues (littering, lockers, bathrooms) that would communicate a need to the student body in a fun and entertaining format.
Memorabilia Display (submitted by Becky Latham, Bethel Junior High)
Collect old uniforms, 70's yearbook photos, and other school and post them in the cafeteria or a high profile place in the school. Use as decoration and spirit (echoing the decor used by Applebee's restaurants).
Pumpkin Painting Contest
Held during all lunches with sign ups in advance. Students get two days to paint the pumpkins with pumpkins, paint, and brushes supplied by the school and fellow students serving as the judges. Grade level winners chosen in four categories: Scariest Pumpkin, Most Unique Pumpkin, Funniest Pumpkin, and Best of Show. Pumpkins are displayed with place cards of information.
Questions that Promote Involvement (submitted by Kim Peterson, Lincoln M.S.)
When we plan school spirit activities, it is always our goal to support and promote activities that are inclusive. In an attempt to ensure success we ask ourselves some very important questions.
Can everyone locate a dress up item?
Is it a competition that needs no special talents?
Is it going to make anyone feel uncomfortable?
Can we provide good examples of what we expect?
Does the activity promote school unity and pride?
Would our parents/guardians approve of our selection?
Rolling Chair Drill Team (submitted by Connie Hachtel, Housel Middle School)
Fun for assemblies. Start a staff "Rolling Chair" Drill Team with different routines.
Rooter Bus Activities (submitted by Cathy Sork, Fort Vancouver H.S.)
List of fun act(Adobe Acrobat PDF file)
Spirit Couch (submitted by Tammy, Fife Middle School)
Four students are selected to sit on the spirit couch during a basketball game. Students on the couch get free popcorn and pop from the concession stand.
School Spirit Clothes (submitted by Bill Oman, Kelso H.S.)
To increase sportsmanship, have each club sponsor a sports team. Have them greet the visiting teams and show them where to park the bus.
Seasonal Activity Wall (submitted by Becky Latham, Bethel Junior High)
Using die-cuts, make a cut out with each athlete's name on a corresponding image, such as a ball, whistle, pennant, or shoe shape. Display the wall in a high traffic area in the school to promote involvement and recognize students. Replace at the end of the season. Can also include clubs and other student activity groups as well.
Senior Sunrise/Sunset (submitted by Jonathan Burns, Lancaster H.S., Lancaster, N.Y.)
At the beginning of the school year, seniors rise early and come to school for a sunrise breakfast. At the end of the school year, seniors come to school to watch the sun set for the last time and share moments of high school.
Shopping Cart Floats (submitted by Bree Bedsworth, Skiatook High School, Skiatook, OK)
Volunteers sign up in their grade to decorate a shopping cart borrowed from a local grocery store. They then decorate each cart based on the homecoming theme. The carts are then paraded around the pep assembly. During the game, the carts are set in an area that receives a lot of attention. People at the game are asked to vote on which cart they think is the best by putting money into a close by container.
Singled Out (submitted by Richland High School)
Singled Out is a lunchtime activity that has amazing reviews. It has not only attracted huge crowds at lunch, but has been a positive, fun environment for students to spend their lunch watching. This idea was copied off of the MTV made show "Singled Out." We hand out tons of applications with questions such as Pepsi or Coke, or cell phone or ipod. The applications are taken to the gym the day of the game and there is a "bachelor or bachelorette" with a bag over his/her head. All of the applicants stand on one side of the bleachers, and the bachelor is asked questions and the applicants have to leave if their answers do not match the bachelor's. Once down to 3 applicants the host of the show asks each applicant a question and then the batchelor and if the answers match the applicant they move down another step of the bleachers. The first one down to the ground wins. To finish, the bachelor and the winning applicant turn back to back and then are turned and they hug. The ASB gives them donated movie tickets for their "date" which is optional.
Spirit Days Fashion Show (submitted by Susie Bennett, Selah Junior High)
To kick off a spirit week, have an assembly on the first day or the week prior. Have ASB officers model each spirit dress up day for the week, Western Day for example, This illustrates to the student body what to wear and not to wear, increasing appropriate involvement. This can also be done on video instead of doing it live at an assembly.
Spirit Points (submitted by Melissa Johnson, Chief Joseph Middle School)
At school pride assemblies, open with ice breaker competitions pitting students from different grade levels and staff against each other to earn spirit points. Points are recorded and publicized. This goes on throughout the year with a winner at the final assembly of the year. Other ways to earn points throughout the year could be food drive, fewest overview library books, fewest tardies in a month, most fans at a sporting event, etc.
Talent Show + Pep Assembly (submitted by Delila, Chimacum)
Have a talent show during pep assembly to display spirit week ideas and showcase more students. The kids love it when the teachers are involved and is a great way to kick off a spirit week.
Valentine's Day Hearts (submitted by Michael Poindexter , Mark Morris H.S.)
Valentine's Day Idea: Student leaders hand out a red heart and pin to all students 1st period. Sometime during the day, students "give their heart" to another person (and some students begin to get a lot of hearts pinned to them). At the end of the day, you could (we don't always do them). At the end of day, you could announce the names of those students (and staff) with the most hearts as "Mr/Mrs Irresistible."
Worst Prom Photo Contest
Have students collect prom photos from staff members to display in a case around the school. Have a contest for worst photo, best dressed, most retro, etc. Have kids come up with the categories.
Use songs for your theme for each assembly and structure the assembly around that theme. You can continue the there for a week.
- Men in Black Week
Monday-Report the school that your mascor is missing.
Tuesday-Report that the mascot was seen in front of the school and have a picture displayed.
Wednesday-Report the mascot was picked up by police and have a picture displayed.
Thursday - Report the mascot in jail and show a picture.
Friday-Report the mascot was picked up by aliens and was returned to the school by the MEN IN BLACK, aka principal and other student in MIB suits and glasses. have them walk out to Men in Black music by Will Smith. Get cheerleaders to dress as aliens and do a small dance to the song. - Mission Impossible
- Funky Town
- Star Wars
AWSP Resources
Check out the ideas and activities resources on the Association of Washington School Principal Website. Click here.
Baby Picture Contest (submitted by Katherine)
Have teachers submit baby photos which are placed in a contest display. Students get an opportunity to guess and name as many teachers as possible. Winners of the "Who's Who?" gets to give a teacher a pie in the face at a spirit assembly.
Bubble Gum Class Competition (submitted by Debbie Caramandi, Bethel H.S.)
Use a yard stick to measure width of bubble. Each class has a Male/Female representative. Each team gets three tries. Biggest bubble is recorded & wins. Can't Burst Our Bubble!
Bubble Gum "Hellos" (submitted by Holly Raidel, Komachin Middle School)
Each member of our student leadership group is given a bag of bubblegum. Each student passes out multiple pieces to other students during lunch with the idea that that student is expected to keep one and pass the rest on to someone who has not yet recieved any yet. The goal is for every student in the school to get one piece of gum by the end of the lunch period - along with a "hello," and introduction from another student.
Camouflage Day (submitted by Jennifer Durham, Key Peninsula M.S.)
Can have a dance after a spirit day. If you live near an Army or National Guard Base, you can call and have them bring a tent or other items to go with your theme.
Creative Class Competitions for Assemblies
1. Mr. Potato Head - In teams of three, one is the Picker, one is the Stuffer, one is the Stuffy, Start with a large basket full of bags and bags of potatoes. To begin the stuffy is weighed on a scale. In a set amount of time, the picker selects a potato from the bin and gives it to the stuffer. The stuffer puts the potato into the clothes of the stuffy. This is a race to see who can gain the most "potato weight" by putting the potatoes in their clothes. One time is up, stuffies must walk 8-10 feet to the scale and weigh again. Note: Same sex is best for the stuffer and the stuffy.
2. Peanut Butter/Banana Sandwich Eating - Student A sits at a table with arms behind back, Student B stands behind with a blindfold on and becomes the arms of student A by putting arms underneath armpits of other person while standing front to back. Student B makes a Peanut Butter and Banana sandwich with Student A giving them verbal directions. First team to make the sandwich and drink a glass of milk wins.
3. Shaving Cream Hair Styles - Girls sit and put a big, blob of saving cream in their hair. Boys them rub it into their hair and make it into a creative design. Hair styles are judges and best hair style wins. Shaving cream works best to make spikes and interesting shapes, however best if done at the end of the day because girl will need to wash her hair afterwards.
4. Condiment Twister - On a regular twister board put ketchup on the red spots, mustard on the yellow spots, relish on the green spots, and mayo on the blue spots. Now play Twister and make a big mess at a pep assembly!
5. Frozen T-Shirt - Dip a t-shirt in water, crumple it up into a ball and put it into the freezer. At the assembly, first team to pound the ice out of their shirt and get it to the point someone can put it on wins.
6. Frosting Pass - Each relay team starts with a table spoon of one large blob of frosting and their arms behind their back. Relay begins when frosting if scraped on the nose of student first in line. Students rub noses from student to student passing as much frosting as possible. Team with the most frosting on the nose of the last person wins.
7. Skater Board Rowing with Plunging - This is a relay race where one team member sits on a skateboard and can not touch the ground. The team member moves forward along the gym floor by rowing with a plunger.
8. Fish Swatting - Set an defined area with plastic on the ground. Student A goes barefoot to help them not to slip when walking on the plastic. Student A puts a raw egg on their forehead and holds it into place with a cap made out of pantyhose. Student B rides on the back of student A and is blind folded with a soft, raw, whole fish in hand. The two communicate to work as a team to position themselves, swing the fish, and break the egg of the other team. When the egg is broken the team is out. Last team left wins.
9. Peanut Butter & Popcorn Toss - Team member A puts peanut butter all over their face. Team member B sits about 8 feet away and throws popcorn at team member A. The team that can get the most popcorn to stick in a given time.
10. Leadership Quotes and Atlas Map - Take and old Rand McNally Atlas (large size) and tear out entire states. Glue each state to an 11x18 sheet of construction paper. On the back of each map, glue a motivational quote which is typed in large font. Then cut each sheet into 5 puzzle-like pieces. Mix the maps up and give each group an envelope with their map and 5 strips of masking tape. Time to see who completes the puzzle, tapes it together, runs to the mike, and reads their quote first.
Dance Contest Assembly (submitted by Kay Andersen, Clarkston High School)
Contest Rules: Each dance will last 2 minutes. There will be one couple from each class per dance and all four couples will dance at the same time. COuples are judged on dance performance AND appropriate costumes. Dances are: Western, Swing, Jitterbug, Waltz, Charleston, Flamenco, and Tango. The internet has made it easy for kids t get dance instructions, however some have even gotten community and local dance instructors involved. The costumes really set the atmosphere and the choice of music is very important too.
Dance Themes
- Black Light Dance
- Famous Couples
- Wild, Wild, West
- 80's House Party
- Trophic Like It's Hot!
- Army/MASH
- Studio '06 - Disco Balls on Key Chains
- Jungle
- Superhero
- Fairytales - Once Upon a Time
- Time Warp - Blast from the Past
- How the Grinch Stole Tolo
- Candyland
- Cloud 9
- Toy Land
- Under the Sea
- Treasure Island
- Cajun Carnival - Night in New Orleans
- Fishin' in the Dark
- Midnight Masquerade
- Secret Graden
- Season to Remember (Each section of dance is focused on a different season)
- Sports
- Paint the Town Red
- Hollywood Nights - Night with the Stars (Grammys)
- Heaven on Earth - Clouds
- No Place Like Home
- Walk Through Paris
Door Decorating Contest (submitted by Sandy Rossmaier, Rainer High School)
Instead of hallway decorations, advisory classes compete to see who has the most creative, positive, and original doorway decor. General Rules: You can use any items that you provide that doesn't disrupt the learning environment and will not permanently damage the door. Roll paper is provided. Any member of an advisory that is caught vandalizing any door at any time will disqualifed their entire advisory. Doors are scored on a scale from 1-5 in the following categories: creativity, theme, originality, positive attitude, and attention to detail.
Dress Up Days
- Multiplicity Day (Like twin day, but match as many people as you can)
- Ugly/Shirt and Tie Day
- Grandparents/Senior Day (Dress like senior citizens)
- Garbage Day (Outfits designed out of plastic garbage bags)
- Early 90'2 T.V. Day
- Flotation Device Day
- Duct Tape Day
- Black/White Day (Can include blacklights in hallways)
- Thrift Store Day
- Superhero Day
- Fake an Injury Day
- Flip Flip/Hawaiian Lay Day
- Junior High Gear Day
- Men-At-Work/Construction Day
- Celebrity Day
- PJ/Flannel Day
- Hat Day
- College Gear Day
- Trend Day (Each student comes up with own "hip" fashion trend)
- Surf, Snow, & Sun Day
- Extreme Weather/Weather Disaster Day (Rain gear, crazy hair, flashlight, etc)
- Toga Day
- Fashion Disaster Day
- Watch Out for the Flood Day
- Imitate a Staff Member Day
- Patriotic Day (Red, White & Blue)
- Mash Day (Camouflage Outfits)
- Sunglasses Day
- Little Kid Day
- Hillbilly Day
- Whisper Day
- Circus Day
- Out of this World Day (Space)
- Stuffed Animal Day
- Yo Yo Day
- Watch Day
- Music T-Shirt Day
- "Dress Up" Dress-up Day
- Fishing Day
- Space Day
- Backwards Yad
- Weekly Dress Theme: SALAD DRESSING WEEK
Thousand Island (Caribbean/Hawaiian)
Ranch (Cowboy)
Blue Cheese (Blue)
Ceaser (Togas and sandals)
French (Berets and fashionable clothes)
House Dressing (School Colors)
How to Get People to Dress Up:
- Give points to classes with people dressing up; can make each day have an "easy" and a "challengeing" theme. 1 point for everyone who dressed easy and 2 points for people who went for the challenge.
- Give prizes for best dressed
- Advertise with posters, flyers, and bulletins
- Class with highest percentage gets a prize
- Always start the week with lower risk
- Crown daily spirit king and queen
- Have lunch time fashion shows
- Take pictures or make a dye cut with their name for people who dress up each day and post them in a showcase. Others will be motivated to dress up the following days
- Encourage and recognize staff members for dress up too.
Freshman "Incoming" Class T-Shirts (submitted by Ruth Comstock, Mariner High School)
The high school leadership class plans this activity i the spring by going down into the middle schools and promoting a contest to design the shirt. High school leadership students work with current 8th grade officers to choose the winning design. t-sirts are printed and sold at Freshman registrationa and during the school year.
Hot Chocolate Days (submitted by John Lombardi, Cascade High School)
During the winter months when returning from break, have leadership students hand out small cups of Hot Chocolate as the students arrive to school.
Headbands (submitted by John Bittinger, Everett H.S.)
Materials: Bed sheets, torn into 2" wide strips, 36" long; face paint or permanent markers. Prior to a big game, students gather in student center/cafeteria/and decorate strips of sheets to be headbands. Keep slogans, pictures and positive messages as examples. (Ex. "Go Seagulls!," "E-H-S! G-R-E-A-T!, etc.)
"How Much Spirit Do You Have" (submitted by Frontier Junior High)
Have the leadership class do a survey of "5" school spirit items and 5 ways to improve school spirit. Each class participaes and a tall of numbers are shown. The leadership class took this to heart and passed the ideas to the ASB.
Kiss a Senior Goodbye (submitted by Laura Bradford, Hanover H.S., Hanover, M.A.)
As a goodbye to the senior class member, anyone can pay a dollar to wrtie a message on a peice of paper to the senior of their choice during a specific class period. Then, during the period, the message is delivered to the senior, along with a small bag of Hershey's Kisses.
Lunchtime Activities with Spirit Days (submitted by Becky Latham, Bethel Junior High)
Western Day - Steer rope hay bales that have been dressed up with pictures of cows.
Disco Day - Have dance off or sock sliding contest
Twin Day - Partner Relays
Lunchtime Fun (submitted by Selah High School)
- Scooter Races: Down a long hallway...who can make it to the finish line the fastest.
- Bouncy Ball Races: Same as a scooter race.
- Silly News Programs: In a skit like format, have someone read or announce fun news plus some "gossip" that is floating around school.
- Trivia Games: Have a contestant row set up and have them answer questions as if they were on Jeopardy.
- Karaoke: Bring in a karaoke machine or have computer set up so that people can sing a long to the music. You can either have it as a contest or just for fun.
- Guess the teacher: Pick four or five teachers and take picture of their eye,or hand, or feet, post on a board in the lunch room, and have people guess what teacher goes with what body part.
- Mr. SHS Voting: Best cake, best poster, best pucker, best feet. Throghout the week of your schools Mr. High School pageant, have the school vote for who has the best ffet, who has the best lips, etc.
- Halloween Costume Contest: Who ever dressed up on Halloween parade around and those who did not dress up vote on the best costume.
- Name That Tune: Have easy/well known songs on CD, and have people challenge each other to see who can name the next song in so many seconds.
- Cookie Decorating: Those who would like to participate sign up the day before. During lunch each must decorate their cookie the best with the supplies provided.
- Guess how many candies are in the jar: Have a jar full or candy and people guess. Whom ever guesses the closest win the jar of candy.
- Biggest natural ears contest for Easter: If a person thinks they have the biggest ears, then they enter the contest and those at lunch vote.
- Singled OUt: A dating game; fun right before a dance; have guy or girl on one side of a screen or wall and have the three contestants answer questions to help the guy or girl decide who he ir she is taking to the dance.
Mascot Man! (submitted by Susie Bennett, Selah Junior High)
At Selah, their ASB President took on the role of school mascot and made it into a superhero named Spartan Man. Using this character, he made short videos related to school issues (littering, lockers, bathrooms) that would communicate a need to the student body in a fun and entertaining format.
Memorabilia Display (submitted by Becky Latham, Bethel Junior High)
Collect old uniforms, 70's yearbook photos, and other school and post them in the cafeteria or a high profile place in the school. Use as decoration and spirit (echoing the decor used by Applebee's restaurants).
Pumpkin Painting Contest
Held during all lunches with sign ups in advance. Students get two days to paint the pumpkins with pumpkins, paint, and brushes supplied by the school and fellow students serving as the judges. Grade level winners chosen in four categories: Scariest Pumpkin, Most Unique Pumpkin, Funniest Pumpkin, and Best of Show. Pumpkins are displayed with place cards of information.
Questions that Promote Involvement (submitted by Kim Peterson, Lincoln M.S.)
When we plan school spirit activities, it is always our goal to support and promote activities that are inclusive. In an attempt to ensure success we ask ourselves some very important questions.
Can everyone locate a dress up item?
Is it a competition that needs no special talents?
Is it going to make anyone feel uncomfortable?
Can we provide good examples of what we expect?
Does the activity promote school unity and pride?
Would our parents/guardians approve of our selection?
Rolling Chair Drill Team (submitted by Connie Hachtel, Housel Middle School)
Fun for assemblies. Start a staff "Rolling Chair" Drill Team with different routines.
Rooter Bus Activities (submitted by Cathy Sork, Fort Vancouver H.S.)
List of fun act(Adobe Acrobat PDF file)
Spirit Couch (submitted by Tammy, Fife Middle School)
Four students are selected to sit on the spirit couch during a basketball game. Students on the couch get free popcorn and pop from the concession stand.
School Spirit Clothes (submitted by Bill Oman, Kelso H.S.)
To increase sportsmanship, have each club sponsor a sports team. Have them greet the visiting teams and show them where to park the bus.
Seasonal Activity Wall (submitted by Becky Latham, Bethel Junior High)
Using die-cuts, make a cut out with each athlete's name on a corresponding image, such as a ball, whistle, pennant, or shoe shape. Display the wall in a high traffic area in the school to promote involvement and recognize students. Replace at the end of the season. Can also include clubs and other student activity groups as well.
Senior Sunrise/Sunset (submitted by Jonathan Burns, Lancaster H.S., Lancaster, N.Y.)
At the beginning of the school year, seniors rise early and come to school for a sunrise breakfast. At the end of the school year, seniors come to school to watch the sun set for the last time and share moments of high school.
Shopping Cart Floats (submitted by Bree Bedsworth, Skiatook High School, Skiatook, OK)
Volunteers sign up in their grade to decorate a shopping cart borrowed from a local grocery store. They then decorate each cart based on the homecoming theme. The carts are then paraded around the pep assembly. During the game, the carts are set in an area that receives a lot of attention. People at the game are asked to vote on which cart they think is the best by putting money into a close by container.
Singled Out (submitted by Richland High School)
Singled Out is a lunchtime activity that has amazing reviews. It has not only attracted huge crowds at lunch, but has been a positive, fun environment for students to spend their lunch watching. This idea was copied off of the MTV made show "Singled Out." We hand out tons of applications with questions such as Pepsi or Coke, or cell phone or ipod. The applications are taken to the gym the day of the game and there is a "bachelor or bachelorette" with a bag over his/her head. All of the applicants stand on one side of the bleachers, and the bachelor is asked questions and the applicants have to leave if their answers do not match the bachelor's. Once down to 3 applicants the host of the show asks each applicant a question and then the batchelor and if the answers match the applicant they move down another step of the bleachers. The first one down to the ground wins. To finish, the bachelor and the winning applicant turn back to back and then are turned and they hug. The ASB gives them donated movie tickets for their "date" which is optional.
Spirit Days Fashion Show (submitted by Susie Bennett, Selah Junior High)
To kick off a spirit week, have an assembly on the first day or the week prior. Have ASB officers model each spirit dress up day for the week, Western Day for example, This illustrates to the student body what to wear and not to wear, increasing appropriate involvement. This can also be done on video instead of doing it live at an assembly.
Spirit Points (submitted by Melissa Johnson, Chief Joseph Middle School)
At school pride assemblies, open with ice breaker competitions pitting students from different grade levels and staff against each other to earn spirit points. Points are recorded and publicized. This goes on throughout the year with a winner at the final assembly of the year. Other ways to earn points throughout the year could be food drive, fewest overview library books, fewest tardies in a month, most fans at a sporting event, etc.
Talent Show + Pep Assembly (submitted by Delila, Chimacum)
Have a talent show during pep assembly to display spirit week ideas and showcase more students. The kids love it when the teachers are involved and is a great way to kick off a spirit week.
Valentine's Day Hearts (submitted by Michael Poindexter , Mark Morris H.S.)
Valentine's Day Idea: Student leaders hand out a red heart and pin to all students 1st period. Sometime during the day, students "give their heart" to another person (and some students begin to get a lot of hearts pinned to them). At the end of the day, you could (we don't always do them). At the end of day, you could announce the names of those students (and staff) with the most hearts as "Mr/Mrs Irresistible."
Worst Prom Photo Contest
Have students collect prom photos from staff members to display in a case around the school. Have a contest for worst photo, best dressed, most retro, etc. Have kids come up with the categories.