7 DIY Templates for Back-to-school Social Media Posts

It’s the start of another school year, and I can just imagine the phone ringing off the hook and the email boxes filling up with those perennial start-of-the-year questions. It’s an exciting time. Lots of new things, and lots of info to convey, so don't overlook your social media to help during this important time of year. Extend your reach and create some communication efficiencies by using these 7 DIY templates for back-to-school social media posts.

As more schools are turning to social media to help convey key school information, more schools should take the back-to-school ‘season’ to not only get out in front of school communication, but think of creative and practical ways to use social media.

In addition, to help you make your posts as impactful as possible, we created accompanying graphics templates you can download, customize and upload to Facebook and Twitter for your district or school. You can use these do-it-yourself templates for links to a page on your school website or add the information to the post message. All you need to do is right-click each image, Save As your own, and download it. It’s then ready to be customized with your school information.

1. Back-to-school supply list

Right-click image and "Save Image As..." to download the template.

Many districts have dedicated web pages for back-to-school supplies, segmented by school and grade level. Some even then link to online sources that ‘package’ exactly what each student requires. Use an inviting social media post to reach out to your parents, and link it to your school supplies content.

2. Back-to-school important dates

Right-click image and "Save Image As..." to download the template.

Deadlines for scheduling, parent conferences, sports conditioning, holidays, breaks, school play auditions, exams – you name it. The faster and more thorough you can get your district’s important dates out to your parents and entire school community, the better. Link your important dates webpage to some timely social media.

3. Back-to-school important information

Right-click image and "Save Image As..." to download the template.

Arrival/dismissal schedules, emergency and lockdown info, dress codes, student handbooks, school meal programs, permission slips, policies and programs. Most schools have a tidy centralized spot on their website for all this; some schools are even pushing parents right to a mobile app for this info. Any way you deliver it, promote it using a helpful, inviting social media post.

4. Message from the superintendent

Right-click image and "Save Image As..." to download the template.

5. Message from the principal

Right-click image and "Save Image As..." to download the template.

Put a face behind the name; a face behind your school leadership. People want to know who’s in charge, and social media is a great way for your school leaders to connect with your entire school community. Keep it concise (no school memos here), inject some of your personality, be sure to include a photo with your message, and it doesn’t need be a stiff mugshot.

6. Teacher spotlight

Right-click image and "Save Image As..." to download the template.

7. Staff spotlight

Right-click image and "Save Image As..." to download the template

The start of the school year is an excellent time for both introducing new staff or otherwise featuring existing staff (maybe a service anniversary, award or accomplishment.)  Beyond the back-to-school timeframe, utilize these spotlights to bring well-deserved attention to everyone from the lunch lady and that always-overworked school secretary.

Right-click, and start socializing

These are just a few ideas to get the new school year off on good social media footing. It’s an enthusiastic time of the year for everyone – staff, students, parents, everyone in the school community. We’re stoked here too at SchoolNow.

Download the templates, customize them yourself, and use the how you see fit. And as my friend and fellow school social media advocate Andrea Gribble, who recently hosted a live Facebook discussion on back-to-school ideas, says, “Celebrate your school one story at a time.”