Making new student welcome bags is a service learning activity that encourages kids to welcome new students into the community with a small gift and guide to the school.  When kids move into a new school the experience can be overwhelming and scary. This service learning activity is meant to get children thinking about how new kids may feel and encourage them to reach out to those who come from other districts.

To start this activity, tell kids that you are making welcome bags for new kids who come into the school.  Ask them what they think it feels like to start at a new school. Maybe you have kids in your program or class that have moved to a new school. If so, ask them how it felt to not know anyone or where thing were located. Ask them what items would have made that transition easier. Then ask them what they think would be important to put in the new student welcome bags.

During the discussion the kids will likely come up with a long list of items.  Try to direct them towards items that are easy to make, cheap or free. Not to be a “frugal Franny”, but there is only so much money in the budget!  

After the kids develop a plan to welcome new students, contact the principals and tell them about the efforts your kids are making towards welcoming new kids. Then ask to leave the bag with them at the front office until a new child/children start.  

Things we have put into our new student welcome bags.

• A bag with the school mascot on it. I bought a pack of canvas bags from the Amazon (the were less than $2 a piece) and used an iron on transfer sheet.
• A map of the school with important teachers pictures in it
• A new student’s guide to teachers. I had to review this to make sure it was appropriate, but they wrote some very nice things about their teachers.
• A map of the town
• Community class schedule (for sports and rec)
• Bag of candy

What else can your students think of?  Add your ideas in the comments below.