1. Choose a week to celebrate graduation.

Align the dates with the student’s graduating year if possible.  For example: Classes of 22, 23, 24, and 25 will celebrate the week of March 22-25.  If those dates do not align, schedule the week to be within the first month of school.  Check with administration and other student groups to check for conflicts.  Leave the final day open to showcase the Commitment to Graduate initiative and have students sign their commitments.

2. Create future-forward themes for each day.

Check with your student council and/or student Renaissance group to select themes. Remember to focus themes on celebrating all students’ successful future options, not just college-bound students. For example:

• Walking Yearbook Day – Sell white shirts with graduating class logos, and have students wear them this day and have teachers and classmates sign them.
• Future Career Day – Have students dress in scrubs, uniforms, or other potential career gear.
• Idol Day – Have students dress as people who have inspired them such as teachers, celebrities, or athletes.
• Decorate Your Backpack Day – Decorate with college colors, trade skill tools, athletic equipment.

3. Plan for treats, giveaways, and rewards.

Work with students and school-wide clubs to provide treats to the graduating classes each day.  For example:

• On 3/22 for the graduation class of 2022, provide after-school cookies in the shape of 22’s.
• For the graduating class of 2030 provide glasses that are in the shape of a 3 and an 0.
• For non-tangible rewards, give the graduating class represented that day an extra 5 minutes at lunch, let all seniors eat in the football stadium, etc.  Let students choose rewards to increase student interest and involvement.

4. Share plans with faculty.

• On one day teachers in a school-wide class (like everyone in 2nd period) or homeroom should show a video (made by students) explaining Commitment to Graduate.
• Explain that after the video teachers will take students to a central area to have students sign the banners representing their graduating class.
• Have teachers discuss and share ideas for the spirit week themed days.
• Encourage teachers to talk to students about the spirit week and share their own experiences with graduation to get them excited.

5. Support students in creating promotional materials.

• Make a video explaining the value of making a Commitment to Graduate from their perspective. This video would be shown in classes during the spirit week, before the signing ceremony.
• Design and print shirts to sell during the spirit week – could be class-specific or for anyone in the school. Make them colorful and worthy of being displayed in the school for the entire year.
• Design and print posters to hang in the school before and during spirit week.
• Create social media posts to share prior to and during spirit week.
• Write announcements to be shared with the school before and during spirit week to explain what the week is and why it’s being celebrated.

6. Celebrate the spirit week!

Take photos of each day’s activities and post on social media.

Give out graduation treats or rewards each day for that day’s graduating class.

On the final day, have students complete the Commitment to Graduate initiative: sign posters, banners, or C2G Contracts.

7. Continue reinforcing students’ commitment.

Display the signed banners, posters or gowns in a prominent location in the school throughout the year.

Consider other activities to reinforce a future-forward focus. Visit the C2G section of the Idea Exchange for more ideas.