It can be a challenge to know what to post on social media when students are on summer break and there is less school activity than normal. Here is a quick list that will provide piles of ideas sure to keep the content rolling out to your community!
I think your goal should be at least 3-5 posts per week on Facebook. Why not take a break from posting for the summer? Because the algorithm Facebook uses in regard to the number of people who actually see the posts you put up is such a tricky thing. Plus, you want to keep students and parents engaged with the school over the summer.
- Take time to create a “Top 10 List” of the best things about your school. It could be called “Top 10 Reasons to be a Tartan” or “10 Things You Didn’t Know About Darlington.” Then list out each one over a series of 10 days in a row, or even 10 weeks, where you post one fact each Wednesday.
- Post a #MotivationMonday. Every Monday you can schedule out an inspiring quote. We prefer that you create the quote on a photo of your students or on a piece of artwork a student created. You can use a simple and fun app. Here are seven we suggest.
- Post a picture of an empty classroom, telling your students you miss them.
- Put up a photo of the work and remodeling being done on the building while the kids are gone, such as a gym floor being resurfaced. Before, during and after photos are great!
- Remember #TBT. Don’t stop sharing those old yearbook photos every Thursday! We share them every Thursday morning at 6:00 am. For more guidance on how to do this, check out this blog created to guide you through the process of snapping photos from old yearbooks.
- Feature pictures of the staff who work at the school year round. Those stories need to be told. Many students, and even the parents, don’t realize that some staff members don’t get a summer vacation!
- Show summer school fun and learning!
- Video record someone opening up new boxes of material when they arrive. It’s the latest craze, and it could work for your school. Ooo – new pencils… Aaaah – new iPads. OMGoodness – check out the awesome new desks!
- Display artwork from the past year. Your community loves to see creativity from your students.
- Post lost and found items still at the school.
- Snap a picture of random visitors that stop by the school, such as teachers with their kids as helpers, the auditors and even the mailman!
- Search out your school hashtag and share some of those photos on your school account. Make sure that the students pictured are on the “ok to post on social media” list.
- Create a school pride contest, asking students to share selfies of themselves in different summer vacation spots showing their school shirt, hat or bracelet.
- Share the district calendar for next year, reminding folks of when school starts.
- Ask your community what is on their summer vacation bucket list.
- Link to the school supply list by mid-July. It’s sad to think about, but as soon as the 4th of July is over, stores start advertising for back to school!
- Include staff updates over the summer. Kids and your community love to know what they are up to over the break. Whether it is building a treehouse with their kids or visiting relatives in a nearby state, they are all newsworthy for your followers!
- Ask for weekly updates on what your students are reading over the summer. You could even ask for photos of them reading, or a video book review to help others find great books to read.
- Ask your students what kind of summer jobs they have!
- Make regular use of some fun hashtags. These weekly themes can really help drive a theme for knowing what to post!
- #thoughtfultuesday – Create a funny deep thought around your school or mascot (ie #ThoughtfulTuesday – Do you ever wonder how we became the Greenwich Grasshoppers?)
- #TriviaTuesday – Ask questions around your PBIS or other behavior-based curriculum. It’s never too early (or late) to help reinforce being respectful, responsible, and productive at school.
- #MusicMonday – Ask your followers for their favorite summer tune.
- #WellnessWednesday – Ask your followers to share their favorite outdoor physical activity.
- #WisdomWednesday – What is the best advice you have ever received?
- #ThankfulThursday – What teacher are you most thankful for in your life?
- #FlashbackFriday – Every Friday, you could copy and paste a memorable post from your school’s pages from the 2015-2016 school year. Take special time to highlight big accomplishments from your students and staff.
If this post was helpful, subscribe to my free newsletter. You’ll get my best suggestions delivered to your inbox each week, plus you’ll grab a copy of my top 10 tips for schools using social media!