It's A Secret: Underground Spirit Week

Students at Sullivan Elementary were kept in "the dark" as the teachers and staff members kept them guessing recently with "Underground Spirit Week".

Here's how an Underground Spirit Week works: the principal (and/or the PTO) creates a calendar for the week by picking a different theme for each day (we round up a handy list of fun Underground Spirit Week theme ideas below). Invite teachers and staff members to dress according to the theme of the day, BUT remind them they can't—under any circumstances!—tell their students what's going on. Leave students wondering and guessing what's going on! (Wondering what teachers should say if the kids ask? A simple "We have no idea what you’re talking about!" is the perfect answer).

You'll be surprised how much an Underground Spirit Week can bring together your school community—teachers, students, and staff members—while everyone gets in on the fun. This is a great activity to do the week before break, when teachers and students are getting antsy for vacation and in need of a little fun. Some schools will have Underground Spirit Days (instead of a full-on week) called "What's Up Wednesdays" where the students have to guess "what's up" with their teachers. Want to up the ante? Email families (don't tell the teachers!) and invite students to participate in “Anything But a Backpack” day on teachers' planned “Anything But a Cup” day for a real laugh!

Underground Spirit Week is also a fun way to engage parents at your school on social media. Post a video or photos of your staff with this message: "Shhhh...don't tell the kids, but our teachers and staff are having some fun with an Underground Spirit Week! Can you guess today's theme?"

At Sullivan Elementary, there were points for participation and organizers say it "was a close race until the very end!"

The fourth grade team at Sullivan took the prize.