Your school and your situation are unique - that's why no two Renaissance programs are the same. Every Renaissance school creates a custom program, but they are all built upon the same Jostens Renaissance foundation and our principles of performance, promotion, and partnership.
The key is to start small... don't try to do too much too quickly. Ideally, at least three people from your school - an administrator, a teacher and a student - will attend a Renaissance Workshop to learn the basics of launching a Renaissance program in your school.
Keep in mind, throughout it all Jostens sales representatives are also Renaissance consultants. Your Jostens Representative will work closely with you and your staff to develop the right plan to suit your school's needs, and organize an introductory Renaissance workshop for your school.
When starting your custom Jostens Renaissance program, consider using the following steps as a guide.
Gain administrative support:
- Speak to your principal. Supply him / her with general information about the basic principles, goals and objectives of Renaissance.
- Ask administration and faculty to attend a Renaissance Introductory Workshop, coalition conference, and/or the Renaissance National Conference.
Give information to your faculty members to elicit support:
- Select a few key faculty / staff members, students, and parents to help you plan your program.
- Request one hour of a faculty meeting or in-service day to share your vision of what you believe your school can become. Explain how Renaissance can help achieve that vision, not as THE ANSWER to all of your school's needs but as an essential part of the answer.
Form a school Renaissance program:
- Determine a key performance area(s) on which your committee will concentrate:
- Improved GPA's
- Improved attendance rates
- Improved graduation rates
- Reduced discipline problems
- Faculty / staff involvement
- Establish baseline information for area(s) of concentration so you can chart your school's progress and celebrate its victories.
- Brainstorm ideas in terms of eligibility requirements, incentives and recognition plans that pertain to the key performance area(s).
- Sift through your ideas and focus upon those that are attainable
- IMMEDIATE - Can quickly put into action
- SHORT TERM - Require more organization and work, but are definitely achievable
- LONG TERM - Ideas that are not achievable at this time.
- Sort ideas into different categories:
- Of all the achievable ideas, select one that you can do, and DO IT! Continue to repeat this idea so that the students are aware that the reward / incentive system is consistent and permanent.
- Review your efforts and results. Find all of the potential problems and address them before you start a new idea.
Formulate a plan of action:
- A 3-to-6 month planning period is usually necessary to implement a Renaissance program.
- Select a date to officially start your Renaissance program.
- Return to your faculty/staff with a solid plan to garner as much support from your colleagues as possible.
- Enlist faculty members' help, drawing on their energy, talent and ideas.
- Make volunteering easy. Have a job ready when someone offers help.
Discuss plans to raise funds for Renaissance projects:
- Within your own school: Soda / snack machines, student financed fundraisers, dances, student government organizations, etc.
- Outside fundraising:Car washes, garage sales, concession stands, etc.
- Within the business community:
- Chamber of Commerce or Mercantile Association
- Sponsorship of a particular event or project
- Solicitation letters for support of Renaissance
- Make presentations at various organizations within the community
- Formal appointments with managers of businesses to explain Renaissance and seek support.
- A student ambassador-training program.
Formally introduce Renaissance to your student body:
- Kick off Renaissance with a party, dance, rally, etc. Try to build interest and curiosity with promotion. Decide how this will be done, and who will be responsible.
- Try to bring in a speaker to ensure that everyone is aware that a new era is dawning at your school.
- Plan a student recognition program that is out of the ordinary. Avoid the calling of names to the stage type of assembly. Seek to recognize large numbers of students for a variety of positive achievements.
- Remember to keep recognition visible, tangible and walk-aroundable!
Fully implement Renaissance in your school:
- Keep the Renaissance image, name, principles and criteria in front of everyone all the time.
- Advertise! Advertise! Advertise!
- Plan ongoing recognition efforts. Plan recognition weekly, monthly, or whenever the opportunity presents itself.
- Focus on the behaviors that signify Renaissance membership.
- Don't be afraid to stick to your principles. Remind students that they have to earn membership, and that membership has privileges.
- Remind faculty / staff that student incentives and rewards are earned. These privileges and rewards must be viewed as a complete part of the school's culture. They are not optional.
Always remember that help is available through other Renaissance schools and the corporate Renaissance office, and you can always ccess the Jostens Renaissance Educator Hotline at 1-800-624-5534 for assistance and ideas.
Give your Jostens Renaissance program time to grow, allowing it to take on a life of its own. If done right, your movement will lead you in the right directions. Most importantly, keep in mind that it's never too late to re-energize education and incite change in your school. If you're interested in launching a Renaissance program in your school, contact your local Jostens Representative to get started today!
