What do you need for a school assembly with a speaker?
One point of contact with a cell number, a wireless handheld mic, a projector or screen with sound that reaches the back row, someone to read the intro, a plan for where upset students go, and two or three student leaders ready to ask the first question. Hold it Monday through Thursday so teachers can follow up the next day.
Two weeks before
- Confirm the date, the room and the start time with the speaker.
- Send families a note about the topic. For hard topics, include an opt-out line.
- Tell the speaker your enrollment, so they bring enough handouts.
- Get the purchase order or check request moving.
The week of
- Pick one point of contact for the day, with a cell number.
- Pick who reads the intro. A student leader is a good choice. How to introduce a speaker.
- Line up two or three student leaders to ask the first question. Nobody wants to go first.
- Decide with your counselors where students go if they need someone, and which adult the speaker should name.
- Print any take-home sheets.
Set up
- A wireless handheld mic, with fresh batteries.
- A projector or screen with HDMI, and sound that reaches the back row. Test it with the speaker’s laptop.
- Seating where the speaker can see every face. If you use bleachers, fill from the front.
- A water bottle at the front.
The day, start to finish
- 60 minutes before: the speaker checks in at the front office.
- 45 minutes before: sound and slide check in the room.
- 20 minutes before: ten minutes with the counseling team.
- The assembly: intro, talk, Q&A. Plan to end on time.
- Right after: students who want to talk come down to the floor. Counselors stay close.
- Next morning: teachers run the five-minute follow-up.
What’s the best day to hold an assembly?
Monday through Thursday. The follow-up the next morning is what makes an assembly stick, and a Friday assembly hands that morning to the weekend. If Friday is the only day, have teachers do the five-minute follow-up the same afternoon.
Quick answers
What’s the best day of the week for a school assembly?
Monday through Thursday, so teachers can follow up the next morning. A Friday assembly loses that morning to the weekend.
What equipment does an assembly speaker need?
Usually a wireless handheld mic and a projector or screen with HDMI and sound that reaches the back row. Ask the speaker. Some, including me, can work without a screen.
I’m a speaker, so I have a stake in this. Every rule here links to its source, so you can check it yourself. School and district policies vary, so check yours.