School Newsletter: Homecoming Week Announcement and Schedule

Homecoming week involves more moving parts than most school events: spirit days, a football game, possibly a parade, and a formal dance, all happening within five days. Families need a clear, complete picture well in advance so they can prepare costumes, buy tickets, and make transportation plans.

This guide covers what to include in a homecoming week announcement, how to structure the information so families can find what they need, and how to communicate the rules clearly enough that the week runs smoothly.

Spirit day schedule

List every spirit day with the theme for that day. A simple format works best: Monday, Twin Day. Tuesday, Decade Day. Wednesday, School Colors Day. Thursday, Career Day. Friday, Class Color Day. Each entry needs the exact theme, not just the category, so families know what to shop for or pull from a closet.

If there are any restrictions on spirit day attire, such as no face paint during class or no costume accessories that could be distracting, mention those briefly. Students and families should not discover a rule at the door on Monday morning.

The homecoming football game

State the game date, kickoff time, and the full address of the stadium or field, especially if the game is at an away site. Include the ticket price and where families can purchase tickets before the game versus at the gate. If students receive complimentary admission with a school ID, say so.

If there is a halftime ceremony for the homecoming court, mention it. Families of court nominees want to know what to expect and many families in the broader community want to see it.

Parade details

Not all high schools hold a homecoming parade, but those that do need to communicate the route, time, and viewing locations clearly. Include the start location, the general path through town or around school grounds, and where families can expect the parade to pass. If road closures affect nearby neighborhoods, mention that too.

If student groups such as band, ROTC, or sports teams are participating, let families know so they can watch for their student. A brief note on where families should stand and how long the parade typically runs helps people plan.

Homecoming dance: tickets and logistics

The dance section of the newsletter needs the most detail. State the date, start time, end time, and venue address. Include the ticket price and purchase deadline, and whether tickets are available online or only in person at school. State clearly whether tickets sold out are final and non-refundable.

If students may bring a guest from outside the school, explain the guest approval process, the age limit, and the paperwork deadline. If outside guests are not permitted, say so plainly. Guest policy questions flood the office inbox when the newsletter is vague.

Dress code for the homecoming dance

Semi-formal means different things to different families. Spell it out. State the expected attire level, specific examples of what meets the standard, and specific examples of what does not. If there are neckline, hem length, or footwear requirements, list them directly.

State what happens if a student arrives in attire that does not meet the standard. Are they turned away? Is a parent called to bring alternate clothing? Families need to know the consequence, not just the rule.

Safety rules and behavior expectations

State the school's policy on alcohol and controlled substances at school events. If there are bag checks or other entry procedures, mention them so students and families are not surprised. If students who leave the venue cannot re-enter, say so clearly.

A sentence about behavior expectations sets the right tone. Something like: "The homecoming dance is a school-sponsored event. All student conduct policies apply. Students who violate those policies will be removed and their families contacted." Direct, clear, and respectful.

Sending and following up

Send the full homecoming announcement two to three weeks before the week starts. On the first day of homecoming week, send a shorter reminder with the daily spirit day schedule and a link to the original announcement for dance and game details.

Daystage makes it easy to schedule both sends in advance so neither requires staff to remember on a busy week. The system tracks which families opened the announcement, which helps office staff identify families to follow up with by phone before ticket deadlines close.