Related Posts
As the final weeks of summer fly by, independent school leaders find themselves in that familiar sprint toward the first day of school—a blend of excitement, urgency, and opportunity. There’s a remarkable amount of groundwork to be laid to ensure a strong and joyful start. Whether your school is already thriving or recovering from a tough year, this is your golden window to set the tone for everything to come.
Here’s a list of 100 things you and your team might focus on in these last few weeks. Some are quick wins; others require thoughtful planning and teamwork. All of them make a difference.
I. Strengthen Your School Culture & Community
1. Review your mission, vision, and values with your leadership team.
2. Revisit last year’s parent and staff feedback—what worked, what didn’t?
3. Meet with board or advisory members to align on priorities for the year.
4. Identify a theme or focus word for the year that reinforces community goals.
5. Plan a “State of the School” message to kick off the year with clarity and inspiration.
6. Schedule one-on-one meetings with returning faculty and staff.
7. Personally call or write to new families to welcome them.
8. Organize a Back-to-School picnic, breakfast, or coffee social to build connections.
9. Prepare staff talking points to ensure everyone is aligned in messaging to parents.
10. Invite your PTO or parent volunteers to help set a warm tone for new families.
II. Fine-Tune Internal Communication & Leadership Systems
11. Review and update your internal calendar—school-wide, by division, and by program.
12. Assign team leaders or grade-level chairs to manage communication flow.
13. Schedule weekly admin meetings and biweekly faculty check-ins for the year.
14. Establish how urgent decisions will be made when you’re not available.
15. Audit your school’s internal communication tools—is everyone using the same system?
16. Prepare emergency and inclement weather protocols and communications.
17. Update your school-wide contact list and distribute it to key staff.
18. Create a flowchart of “who handles what” and post it in the staff lounge.
19. Clarify faculty expectations for email and text message response times.
20. Review your grievance and feedback procedures—ensure clarity and fairness.
III. Onboard & Support New Faculty and Staff
21. Finalize contracts and HR documents for all new employees.
22. Host a welcome lunch for new staff.
23. Pair each new teacher with a mentor for ongoing support.
24. Offer a walkthrough of classroom setup for new teachers.
25. Orient new staff to your culture, curriculum, and community values.
26. Give new staff a “cheat sheet” of parent personalities and student histories.
27. Provide training in classroom management, school technology, and communication expectations.
28. Review child safety, emergency drills, and supervision policies.
29. Help new staff get to know returning families before school begins.
30. Invite new team members to share their stories at the opening staff meeting.
IV. Plan a Meaningful Staff Orientation Week
31. Create an agenda that balances training, team-building, and inspiration.
32. Include sessions on social-emotional learning and DEIB priorities.
33. Plan quiet time for teachers to prepare their rooms.
34. Invite a guest speaker or coach to uplift and energize your team.
35. Review student learning data and trends—what needs focus this year?
36. Schedule time for cross-program or inter-level collaboration.
37. Give teachers time to walk through new procedures or routines.
38. Host a welcome back breakfast on the first day.
39. Provide printed or digital copies of the updated staff handbook.
40. Include a segment to reflect on your “why”—why we teach, why this matters.
V. Prepare the Physical Campus
41. Walk every inch of the campus with a “parent’s eyes”—what needs repair or cleaning?
42. Replace burnt-out lights, chipped paint, faded signage, or torn posters.
43. Ensure bathrooms and communal spaces are spotless and stocked.
44. Check the safety and functionality of playgrounds and outdoor spaces.
45. Hang welcome banners or inspiring messages at entrances.
46. Post updated faculty and classroom directories in public spaces.
47. Confirm HVAC systems are functioning properly for every classroom.
48. Check all fire alarms, security systems, and safety gear.
49. Place maps, directional signs, and parking instructions where needed.
50. Prep your reception area to feel friendly, efficient, and calm.
VI. Organize Student Files & Parent Communications
51. Confirm all student paperwork is complete—health forms, waivers, emergency contacts.
52. Follow up with families who haven’t submitted required documents.
53. Send welcome packets or digital newsletters to all families.
54. Share calendar highlights and parent engagement opportunities.
55. Ensure new parents have access to your parent portal or communication app.
56. Clarify who to contact for questions about tuition, lunch, aftercare, or curriculum.
57. Update student rosters and emergency binders for every classroom.
58. Prepare allergy lists and health alerts for staff and food service.
59. Review drop-off and pick-up procedures with parents—clear signage helps!
60. Share teacher bios or welcome notes to introduce classroom guides.
VII. Get Classrooms Ready for Children
61. Schedule a full clean and restocking of each classroom.
62. Check materials for completeness, safety, and order.
63. Create inviting welcome areas for children—flowers, art, books.
64. Reorganize shelves to reflect the developmental level and readiness of students.
65. Prepare welcome activities for the first day or week—make it gentle and joyful.
66. Review individualized learning plans or notes from last year.
67. Assign cubbies, mailboxes, or lockers and label them with care.
68. Place family photos in younger children’s classrooms to ease transitions.
69. Create classroom norms or agreements with returning staff in advance.
70. Set up peace corners, calm-down spaces, or cozy reading nooks.
VIII. Lead 11th-Hour Marketing and Enrollment Pushes
71. Review which classes still have openings—be precise.
72. Run a targeted social media campaign for those age groups.
73. Reach out to leads from spring tours or inquiries.
74. Ask current families to share your school with friends.
75. Offer an open house or pop-up tour before school starts.
76. Update your website with current tuition, faculty, and program descriptions.
77. Make sure your Google listing is accurate and includes parent reviews.
78. Publish a back-to-school blog or video to spotlight your values and community.
79. Host a coffee event for prospective parents during orientation week.
80. Ensure your admissions coordinator is fully prepped for follow-up.
IX. Review Financials and Fundraising Plans
81. Double-check your budget against current enrollment numbers.
82. Meet with your business manager to confirm payroll, tuition, and vendor schedules.
83. Review tuition accounts—who’s paid, who needs reminders?
84. Plan your first finance committee meeting for the fall.
85. Finalize fundraising goals and messaging for the year.
86. Create or revise your annual fund theme.
87. Map out dates for donor cultivation and community events.
88. Ensure you’re tracking donations and pledges in your system.
89. Draft grant applications or proposals for fall deadlines.
90. Set a date for your first development or advancement committee meeting.
X. Build Relationships Early and Intentionally
91. Send personalized emails or notes to every new family.
92. Schedule time to greet parents at arrival and dismissal the first week.
93. Set up coffee chats, class potlucks, or parent mixers by division.
94. Invite parent volunteers to help decorate or prep classrooms.
95. Assign a buddy family to each new family.
96. Review plans for room parents or class representatives.
97. Confirm how teachers will stay in touch—weekly emails, apps, notes?
98. Set goals for teacher-parent communication in the first month.
99. Encourage teachers to learn parents’ names before the first day.
100. Make sure every child and parent feels seen, welcomed, and excited.
These final weeks before school begins are precious. What you do now reverberates across the whole year. Every checklist item, every thoughtful gesture, every system you set in place builds the foundation for a school year filled with trust, collaboration, and joy.
Don’t try to do it all yourself. Delegate. Empower your team. And remember—what matters most is how people feel walking through your doors.
If your school feels like a place where people belong, you’re already ahead.
