Put these October events ideas on your calendar

October is packed with fun, meaningful opportunities to fill your programming calendar and bring your community together to celebrate the people, creativity, and traditions that make your school special.

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Make school days more memorable with events that celebrate the season, foster moments of joy and connection, and remind everyone that kindness rules.

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October 2 - National Custodial Workers Recognition Day

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We all know our schools couldn’t run without the amazing staff working hard to make everything go smoothly. Custodians are often the unsung heroes of school communities, so celebrating them on National Custodial Workers Recognition Day is a fantastic way to show them just how much they are appreciated. 

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There are lots of tried and true ways to honor your custodial staff like an appreciation breakfast or wall of gratitude, but if you want to shake things up and try something different this October, here are two creative ways to mark the day:

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• Give the custodial space a surprise makeover: For a long-lasting, daily reminder of your appreciation, work with the principal, teachers, and students to transform the break room, closet, or locker area custodians use with a fresh coat of paint, comfy chair upgrades, and a stocked coffee and snack station. 
• Make a special delivery of essentials and treats: Whether it’s in a giant box, the back of a pick-up truck, or a full-on delivery truck, putting together a special delivery of tools, protective gear, personalized hoodies, gift cards, and notes of appreciation is a great way to involve parents and families, local businesses, and community partners in celebrating your custodial staff.

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October 5 - National Do Something Nice Day

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Keep pushing forward to create a culture of giving and kindness in your school by fostering opportunities for everyone to practice kindness, like National Do Something Nice Day. It’s an easy, low-lift event that gets everyone in your school community into a kindness mindset and shows that even the smallest gestures can have big meaning.

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National Do Something Nice Day is not only a great opportunity to have students, teachers, and staff uplifting each other in various ways, but it’s also perfect for bringing your school and local community together. For example, you can:

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• Have art classes make cards for residents at your local nursing home or hospital.
• Pair your graphic design classes with local restaurants looking for a menu redesign.
• Set up a “Compliment Cafe” where students, teachers, and staff can “order” from a kindness menu that includes compliments, high-fives, fun stickers, or positive notes.
• Host a “Niceness Drive” that helps a community organization like a food pantry or shelter by asking for donations of canned goods, lightly worn jackets, or other necessities.

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October 8 - National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School Day

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Everyone knows the love of a favorite snuggly friend, so why not mark National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School Day by inviting those cuddly buddies into school for the day? Encourage teachers and administrators to join in as well.

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There are plenty of unique ways to carry out the theme of the day so it’s not only fun and entertaining, but also educational. 

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• Incorporate teaching the history of teddy bears and their connection to Teddy Roosevelt.
• Give students time to create their own story about a real or imaginary adventure they’ve taken with their teddy bear.
• Teach a lesson on the different types of bears in the wild and their geography.

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In need of a furry friend? Find yours at For the Cubs and power donations to your favorite org when you buy through the Givebacks app or Shop to Give browser extension.

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October 22 - National Color Day 

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This year, celebrate creativity and self-expression by livening up the halls of your school on National Color Day. There are limitless ways to mark the day, so whether you’re looking for a low-effort event or something much bigger, you can easily customize this day to suit. 

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Here are some ideas big and small you can make your own:

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• Have everyone wear their favorite color (watch for a lot of blue as that’s the most popular choice for favorite color!) or assign grades or classrooms different colors and take a school rainbow photo.
• Organize a healthy snack bar where students can try foods of different colors (think red apples, carrots, bananas, grapes, and blueberries) and learn how those colors represent different nutrients and the impact they have on flavor perception. 
• Tap into the artsy side of your school on National Color Day by having everyone participate in a school-wide mural. Hang paper in a hallway and assign sections for each classroom where students can let their creativity loose.

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October 26 - National Pumpkin Day

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Get excited about fall by celebrating pumpkins with or without the spice on National Pumpkin Day! Before the pumpkin carving begins for Halloween, spend a day celebrating everyone’s favorite gourd. 

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• Create a little friendly competition with a Pumpkin Sink or Float Challenge and have students predict and test which pumpkins float in water to win a small prize.
• Run a no-carve decorating activity where students use paint, fabric, googly eyes, and other materials to decorate pumpkins that get displayed for all to see.
• Host pumpkin trivia to teach students fun and interesting pumpkin facts and history.

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Make October a month to remember

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No matter which events you choose to celebrate, October is the perfect time to strengthen your school community by offering activities that bring students, teachers, staff, parents, and families together.

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Whether you go big or small, pick an event or events that start new traditions and make October a month to remember.