Capturing the Energy of the First Day of School

The traffic is a little heavier, the air is a little cooler, and the coffee pot is done brewing just a little bit earlier. These environmental clues signal what has evolved into one of my favorite days of the year.

The first day of school.

With the return of students and faculty in full comes the responsibility to capture the energy that accompanies the beginning of a new school year. As school marketers, we have to step on the gas pedal and somehow be in five places at once to catch all of the goings on. From all-school gatherings to division and grade specific events — which are always subject to change! — the task of telling this specific story can be quite daunting.

But we don’t work in education because we want to stay still! At Rivers, we kick the day off with an All-School Meeting that features addresses from the Head of School and the student body Co-Presidents before breaking off into shortened class periods in the Upper School and a week-long Leadership Lab in the Middle School.

The day concludes with a “Red & White” competition that puts an exclamation point on the day of activities.

It is cliche to say that “a picture is worth 1,000 words” but it is never more true than the first day of school. There is so much excitement and energy on campus that it cannot be conveyed through words — you need the visuals!

What are your school’s opening traditions? What you do on the first day of school sets the tone for the rest of the year and says a lot about what makes your school unique.

Whether its color wars, outdoor classes, a dodgeball tournament, or a Leadership Lab, tell the story of your first day of school with visuals that represent your school at its best.