Feather Frenzy: A School Team Building Game
A Thanksgiving staff activity where colleagues steal paper feathers from each other.
Ongoing
Positive Pumpkins: A Staff Appreciation Bulletin Board
A fall-themed staff appreciation bulletin board.
Alissa Christensen
What is a staff appreciation bulletin board that I can use this fall?
Positive Pumpkins is a staff appreciation bulletin board where staff write a positive note to a colleague on a paper pumpkin, decorate it, and pin it to a shared fall display. It’s the perfect way to get your building in the mood for the fall season.
Why try it
Fall is the perfect time for a staff appreciation bulletin board
Fall is a time when energy and positivity can dip in a school building, and a shared board puts staff appreciation where everyone can see it. In this activity, each pumpkin pairs one colleague with one specific thing they did well, so the recognition stays personal and meaningful. Plus, every note stays up for the whole school to read on the way to the copier or the mailboxes.
What's included
Browse the printables included with this resource.
Things you'll need
Station signs
Pumpkin templates (2 sizes) or pumpkin die-cuts
Orange, white, or yellow cardstock or copy paper
Markers, colored pencils, and pens
Bulletin board, hallway wall, or staff lounge wall
Instructions
1
Print and prep
Print the directions sign and a stack of large and small pumpkins. Cut out a starter batch so staff can grab one and write right away.
2
Set up the station
Place the sign, blank pumpkins, and markers in a spot staff pass often, like the lounge, workroom, or front office. Add a title to the board so everyone knows where finished pumpkins go.
3
Invite staff
Invite staff to write a positive note to a colleague. Share the idea at a staff meeting or in your newsletter. A short invite works: "Grab a pumpkin, write a positive note to a colleague, decorate it however you like, and add it to our Positive Pumpkins board!" Remind staff that everyone in the building counts, from paras and custodians to the front office and cafeteria team.
4
Build the display
Build your staff appreciation display one pumpkin at a time. Pin pumpkins to the board as they come in. Restock blank pumpkins and markers every few days so the station is always ready.
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
Group the board by team
Cluster pumpkins by grade level, department, or support team so staff can find notes about their own group.
Mystery pumpkin notes
Leave notes unsigned and let recipients guess who wrote each one. Reveal the writers at your next staff meeting.
Take-home pumpkins
When the board comes down, hand-deliver each pumpkin to the person it names so they can keep it.
Family and student pumpkins
Set out a second stack of pumpkins at the front office or family night so families and students can add notes for staff.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Start the staff appreciation board yourself
Add the first 5-10 pumpkins before you announce the board so staff can see the tone and length to aim for.
Leader Tip #2
Reward a few pumpkins each week
Pull a few pumpkins each Friday and give the writers a coupon from the printable reward coupons
Leader Tip #3
Check who's on the board
Scan the board every week for names that haven't appeared yet, especially support staff, and write those pumpkins yourself.
Built by Educators, for School Leaders
This resource was created in collaboration with passionate educators and school leaders who believe in the power of intentional connection.
Alissa Christensen
Head of Customer Success
Shoutouts
A teacher recognition program that runs itself.
Give teachers an opportunity to recognize their colleagues and collect them in your dashboard automatically. Easily print and share these encouraging words with your team.
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