As I began writing this article I kept hearing the old Beach Boys song in my head “Be True To Your School”. Alright, so I am telling something about my age, but the song still rings true. School banners are a great way to show off your school. When you have the yearly open house at the beginning of the school year, it’s nice to see the school banner hung in the front of the building for everyone to see. New students and their guardians can admire it, while returning families can feel the rush of pride that comes with being an alumni.
Why do we need school banners?
School banners have many purposes and are designed in a variety of ways. The school banners that have the name of the school and a picture of their mascot can be used for special events held after hours at the school, or can be carried with a group if they are involved in an event where they are representing the school. Our local marching band had a school banner that specified their school’s name and the band’s name. It served as a meeting place for the spectators that were supporting the band as well as a source of pride for the students and teachers participating. School banners can also be used to provide motivational or inspirational messages. There are a ton of motivational messages that can be put on a vinyl banner with the school name and mascot. Putting them up around the school can help to reinforce positive ideas.
Should students be involved in designing their school banners?
That is something that only your school can decide but there have been a lot of schools that give students the opportunity to express themselves on school banners. The art department allows the students to create drawings of the mascot, or of something about the school that they felt was significant. Students also submitted ideas for motivational or inspiring messages to be put on the school banners.
The student body as well as the faculty then cast their vote for their favorite graphic and wording. The top five of each were made into school banners that were hung all around the campus. Many of the students said that they felt they got more out of it by getting to help make the decision. They felt that by being involved, the school banners represented the students themselves instead of what the teachers thought the banner signs should say.
The feedback from the students continues to be positive. The students that have already graduated continue to feel a great deal of pride in their school and some have even become volunteers because of it. The incoming students become part of the process as new custom banners are designed. And the previous banners are on display for all to enjoy. School banners are very reasonably priced. Therefore the school is able to continue this tradition each year. Funds are raised and the community finds itself involved on many levels. Pride in the school translates into pride in the community, and continues to build a strong positive environment for students and professionals alike. And all of this can be created with a simple school banner!