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Ideas to involve elected officials in back to school week

Involving elected officials in your schools is important. Here are some ideas that are easy to implement.

Invite congressional representatives, state legislators, city council members and county commissioners. Include your city manager, planning director, library director, police and fire chiefs, local newspaper editor... the possibilities are endless!
Send a letter inviting your elected officials to visit your high school and be on a panel in an American Government class.
Invite local officials to visit your student government class and discuss leadership. Ask the student council to host an elected official throughout a morning of their regular classes. Schedule a town-hall-style meeting with students at lunch.
Ask your elected officials to be honorary principals for a day at each of your schools. Allow them to shadow the principal through a typical school day.
Invite a group of officials to visit one of your successful programs: FFA, technology center, ESL classroom, language immersion program, theater arts - you know your strengths and your needs!

Hint: To get elected officials into your building, be flexible about the date and time. And let them know you are inviting the press!