This time of year with a major yearbook deadline looming and a final newspaper to produce before the holiday break, staff morale can be at a low point. Surprise your staff with an after school party to help boost their spirits and to let them know how much you appreciate all the hard work they have been doing.
-Plan the surprise for Tuesday or Wednesday.
-Don't let on that they will have a meeting after school. Instead, have your principal announce over the PA at the end of the day that all newspaper or yearbook staff members need to report for an "emergency staff meeting" immediately after school.
-The last "surprise meeting" I held, I went to McDonald's and got 30 cheeseburgers, then stopped by the supermarket and pick up 6 boxes of ice cream sandwiches and some juice boxes. The kids loved the simple after school snack.
-The relief of not having a "serious" meeting as they had feared, coupled with the fun atmosphere on a deadline week produced a more productive outcome than I had anticipated. We ended up staying several hours after school working in a relaxed atmosphere.
Think of a simple motivator and go with it this week. It will improve staff morale and provide a release for all the tension building up to deadline.
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