In every school, there are two types of leaders: those who reflect the culture around them and those who shape it. The question is, are you a thermometer or a thermostat?

A thermometer simply measures the temperature. It reacts to its environment, rising when things heat up and dropping when the atmosphere cools. It reflects what’s already happening but doesn’t have the power to influence it. On the other hand, a thermostat sets the temperature. It establishes the climate, deciding whether the room is warm and welcoming or cool and focused.

As a High School Activities Director, your leadership has the unique ability to be the thermostat. You orchestrate moments that define a school’s spirit—from rallies to community service projects to quiet gestures of inclusion. You don’t just respond to the existing culture; you create it.

When your student leaders feel overwhelmed, do you bring calm and clarity to guide them? When participation wanes, do you spark enthusiasm that reignites the fire in your students? The thermostat leader sees challenges as opportunities to adjust the temperature, creating a space where every student feels valued, included, and inspired.

Take stock of your approach. Are you shaping the environment, or simply reacting to it? The choice to set the temperature is powerful, and it starts with you.

Let’s make California schools places where every activity radiates positivity and purpose. Be the thermostat that changes the climate for the better.

Here are five impactful ways Activities Directors in middle or high school can foster a climate of positivity and purpose:

1. Empower Student Leaders

• Train and mentor student leaders to take initiative and model kindness, inclusion, and responsibility.
• Provide opportunities for leadership growth through workshops, conferences, or peer-to-peer mentorship programs.
• Celebrate their successes and let them drive meaningful projects.

2. Create Inclusive Traditions

• Evaluate current activities to ensure they are welcoming to all students, regardless of background, interests, or abilities.
• Introduce events like multicultural fairs, gratitude walls, or random acts of kindness challenges.
• Highlight underrepresented voices in school-wide celebrations.

3. Recognize Everyday Heroes

• Develop a recognition system for students, teachers, and staff who embody the school’s values.
• Spotlight acts of kindness, academic perseverance, or community service through social media, assemblies, or newsletters.
• Incorporate peer nominations to strengthen the sense of community.

4. Foster Connections Through Service

• Encourage service-learning projects that allow students to connect with their local community.
• Organize campus-wide initiatives like food drives, park clean-ups, or partnerships with nearby elementary schools.
• Use reflection activities to help students understand the impact of their service.

5. Celebrate Small Wins

• Don’t wait for big events to bring joy. Find everyday moments to celebrate school spirit.
• Organize “Feel-Good Fridays,” where you play music during lunch or host pop-up activities like trivia games.
• Incorporate quick shoutouts during announcements to acknowledge students and staff making a difference.

By focusing on these strategies, Activities Directors can transform their schools into hubs of connection, pride, and purpose. Would you like these expanded for a resource or newsletter section?

Call to Action: Share your stories! How are you setting the temperature at your school? We’d love to spotlight your initiatives in our next issue. Email us your inspiring moments.