Staff Underground Spirit Week Ideas for Schools

From Anything But a Cup day to Dress Like a Student day, an Underground Spirit Week is a fun way to boost staff morale while keeping students guessing!

by Kerri Beauchesne

11/21/2024

If you're a school principal and wondering what this whole "Underground Spirit Week" is that you've been seeing all over social media, you've come to the right place! An Underground Spirit Week not only builds morale among teachers and staff, it also gives students a laugh when they finally put two and two together and figure out what's going on! Plus, it's a great bonding activity, especially for staff members who don’t normally participate in team-building activities. This week-long spirit week is a fun one to do the week before school vacation!

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Here's how an Underground Spirit Week works: the principal (and/or the PTO) creates a calendar for the week by picking a different theme for each day (we round up a handy list of fun Underground Spirit Week theme ideas below). Invite teachers and staff members to dress according to the theme of the day, BUT remind them they can't—under any circumstances!—tell their students what's going on. Leave students wondering and guessing what's going on! (Wondering what teachers should say if the kids ask? A simple "We have no idea what you’re talking about!" is the perfect answer 😂). You'll be surprised how much an Underground Spirit Week can bring together your school community—teachers, students, and staff members—while everyone gets in on the fun. This is a great activity to do the week before break, when teachers and students are getting antsy for vacation and in need of a little fun. Some schools will have Underground Spirit Days (instead of a full-on week) called "What's Up Wednesdays" where the students have to guess "what's up" with their teachers. Want to up the ante? Email families (don't tell the teachers!) and invite students to participate in “Anything But a Backpack” day on teachers' planned “Anything But a Cup” day for a real laugh!

Underground Spirit Week is also a fun way to engage parents at your school on social media. Post a video or photos of your staff with this message: "Shhhh...don't tell the kids, but our teachers and staff are having some fun with an Underground Spirit Week! Can you guess today's theme?"

Underground Spirit Week: Ideas for Every Day of the Week

Anything But a Cup Day: Drink out of anything...except for a cup! "Anything but a cup day" examples: an empty coffee canister, Pringles can, a flower vase, a beaker from the chemistry lab, a baby bottle, a goldfish bowl, a watering can, a clean toilet plunger (yep, it's been done!), a bird feeder, a tea kettle, a pumpkin, a dog bowl, a pot or a pan, etc.
Black Out Day (or Monochrome Day): Everyone dresses in black (or another specified color) from head to toe
Royalty Day: Wear a tiara or crown, a sash, or don a full-on medieval king or queen costume...perhaps roll out your own personal red carpet in the classroom
Dress Like a Student Day: Bruh! It's time to break out the Crocs, fuzzy slippers), Nike socks, headphones, pajama pants, Stanleys and hoodies, and dress like students (oh, and don't forget to throw peace signs, pout your lips, and stick your tongue out while taking selfies!). Try reading the morning announcements using Gen Z slang to really grab students attention!
Decades Day: Dress like your favorite decade: 70s, 80s, 90s
Dress as Your Favorite Holiday Day: From Christmas to Valentine's day, invite staff to dress up as their favorite holiday (inflatable costumes are encouraged)
Target Tuesday: Wear red shirts and khakis; bring your snacks/belongings in a Target bag
Animal Print: Wear animal print patterns
Pajama Day/Tired Tuesday: Wear PJs and slippers to school. Don't forget to bring a pillow for your desk!
Lumberjack Day: Wear plaid or flannel Day (great for fall!)
Twin Day: Coordinate with another staff member or teacher in your grade
Disney Day: Dress as a character from your favorite Disney movie
Dress Like the Principal Day: Shhh...don't tell the principal about this special day! This is a fun one if your PTO is planning Underground Spirit Week and wants to pull a prank on the principal. Encourage staff to dress the like the principal for the day and see if they can figure out what's going on! Check out Willowville PTO's Dress Like the Principal Day (they called it "Freaky Friday") on TikTok!
Ninja Day: Dress in stealth-mode (e.g., all in black with sunglasses)
Band Day: Wear a t-shirt or something that represents your favorite music artist
Tacky Tourist Tuesday: Dress like a tourist for the day!
Mix and Match Day: Wear whatever you want...as long as it doesn't match!
"Under Construction" Day: Don a construction safety vest or (our personal favorite!) dress as a giant traffic cone (here's a traffic cone costume on Amazon)
Jean Jacket Day
Sweats and Slippers Day
Tie-Dye Tuesday
Socks and Sandals Day
Dress Like Your High School or College Day
Tutus and Ties Day