Summer is a critical time for leadership teams to step back, reflect, and intentionally design the kind of school culture they want to see. The strongest school cultures do not begin on the first day of preservice. They are built through intentional planning, clear communication, and consistent relationships long before then.
If you want your staff to return feeling valued, connected, and ready to work together, summer is the perfect time to lay that foundation. A positive school culture is not created by a single welcome-back event or a well-written mission statement. It grows when leaders use their time wisely to build trust, strengthen relationships, and set a purposeful tone for the year.
Here are five things you can do this summer to set your campus up for a strong, positive culture before day one.
Reflect with Purpose
Before planning for the year ahead, take time to reflect on the one that just ended. What helped staff feel supported? Where did communication break down? Which routines, meetings, or traditions energized people, and which ones drained them?
This kind of reflection gives you valuable insight into the culture your staff are creating, not just the culture they hope exists. Looking honestly at the past year helps you make more thoughtful decisions about what to keep, what to change, and what to improve.
A simple reflection process might include reviewing staff feedback, looking at attendance patterns, considering turnover, or asking a few trusted team members for honest input. The goal is not to dwell on problems, but to learn from them.
Clarify the Culture You Want
Summer is the ideal time to define the culture you want to build before the year begins. Start by identifying a few priorities that matter most. Strong school cultures are built on clarity and consistency, not a long list of initiatives.
Ask yourself:
- What do I want staff to feel this year?
- What should be true in every classroom?
- What are the 2–3 things we will consistently prioritize?
Once you have identified your priorities, revisit your school’s mission, vision, and campus goals to ensure everything is aligned.
Then simplify your priorities into short, memorable phrases your staff can easily remember and use. When everyone knows what matters most, it becomes much easier to build alignment across the campus.
Reconnect with Your Staff
One of the most meaningful things you can do over the summer is reconnect with your staff. A personal note, a quick phone call, or a simple check-in message can remind your staff that they are more than a name on a schedule.
Take time to welcome new staff, encourage returning staff, or check in with those who may have had a challenging year. These small acts of care build trust before the year begins.
A strong culture starts with people feeling seen. When leaders show genuine interest in their team, staff are far more likely to return feeling connected rather than disconnected.
Communicate Early
One of the simplest ways to build culture over the summer is through communication. Staff want to know what to expect, what is changing, and how they will be supported. Unclear or last-minute communication can create unnecessary stress before the school year even begins.
Consider sending a few well timed, thoughtful updates, such as a summer newsletter, a welcome back message, or a short video.
The key is to keep communication calm, clear, and consistent. Share important dates, major priorities, and any changes that directly affect their work. Just as importantly, use your communication to reinforce the simple message that your staff are valued and supported.
Plan for Their Return
The way staff are welcomed back matters. The first few days of the year help shape whether people feel energized, overwhelmed, or disconnected. Summer is the time to plan for a thoughtful return that feels intentional rather than rushed.
This could include a welcome back breakfast, a team building activity, a meaningful opening message, or time for staff to reconnect with one another. Even small touches such as favorite snacks, welcoming signs, or a well-organized agenda can make a big difference.
A warm return does not have to be elaborate. What matters most is that it feels thoughtful and purposeful. That alone sends a powerful message.
Final Thoughts
The work you do this summer creates the foundation for everything that follows. When you take time to reflect, prioritize, and plan with intention, you are not just preparing for a new school year, you are shaping the experience your staff and students will have every day.