Once Upon a Senior Year

 Well- the 2025-2026 school year has ended, but I am finishing up my stint being the summer school librarian for pre-k-2 school. I LOVE my adventures in library land- but let me tell you the prek students are giving me a run for my money!

I did end the year with one of my favorite programs- and one I plan to do every year.  I think I might even do it at the beginning of the year and the end of the year.

I see all the time these amazing public libraries and elementary libraries doing a teddy bear sleepover- and I adapted it for my seniors.  This year I hosted the first ever Senior Storytime/Teddy Bear sleepover.

The idea:

Host a story time for seniors in high school at the end of the year.  Have stations set up for them to participate in and invite them to bring their stuffed animals.  After the storytime and stations- the seniors leave their stuffed animal with the librarian to go on adventures over the weekend.

To Prepare:
-I looked at the best day to host this event- and chose to do it before Senior Sunset (which really was perfect
-I posted information that included pictures/videos with music on Instagram stories (that is where my students tend to stay)
-I had the senior class president share about it along with Senior Teachers
-I put information on our announcements
-I reached out to our librarians in our district and a couple of others to see if they would be interested in being a guest reader
-Created a Google Form for students to fill out-----> THIS WILL FORCE COPY THE FORM
*students did not have to fill out this form- but it did include questions about their stuffed animals/advice they would give to students/and if they wanted their stuffed animal to visit teachers

By the Numbers:
-I have about 2500 in our school- so roughly 700 Senior Students
-I had 19 stuffed animals that went on adventures
-I had 12 seniors show up for the event

Week of the event:
-Started collecting stuffed animals- when the stuffed animal got dropped off the student had to fill out a "permission form" and the animal was given a number.  This number went with the the tag that I added to the stuffie
-If students wanted their stuffie to meet some of the teachers- I took pictures (this I am revamping for next year!)
-Got materials and set up for Senior Read Aloud

Event
-This was from 6pm-7pm- but we ended up being closer to 7:30pm-it was sort of come and go before Senior Sunset
-I had 2 guest readers
-There was too much to do - but watching the students color and chat while holding their stuffed animals was pretty stinking cute
*******I did have some students that came that did not have a stuffed animal- I had extras that they got to use- and actually.. they ended up keeping a couple******

ALL THE PRINTABLES------>HERE

Senior Printable by akbusybee

After the event- I sent the Senior students on to the Senior Sunset- and I loaded up the stuffed animals to go on adventures around the school that weekend. 

Y'all- I loved this SO much!!

What I am doing different/Changing next year:

-Having a better system for taking pics with teachers- the kids REALLY loved that.. and I have to admit- I think the teachers did too
-creating a quick google form to go along with check in so I can grab an email address.. that students actually check!

-Instilling the help of students/other staff to take pictures- THIS TOOK FOREVER- it was worth it.. but it took SO long.. and even though I had a cart- I had at least 3 stuffed animals try to escape (thankfully I took pictures and could tell when one was missing.. it was like I was counting on a field trip!)

-Putting this on the calendar whenever the Senior events list comes out- it worked perfect to go along with Senior Sunset. (I think I might do a storytime at the beginning of the year to go with Senior Sunrise)

-Have a better way to share photos- this year the students that participated only got the video

-Having extra stuffed animals for students to adopt

-have a better way to attach labels

Overall- this was a VERY easy and I feel impactful program.  The students loved it.. and having a way to end their journey.

Have you done a stuffed animal sleepover?

Did you read this far?? I have to give an update about my beginning of the year Stationary Station- you can see the blog HERE

I gave parents/students the option to have their letter delivered the first week of school- OR the end of the year.  I loved passing out the notes at the end of the year- because some students didnt' even realize that they had a note written for them.  I shed a tear or two when I gave one student their note and later found out that the note was written by one of the parents that had passed away that year.  

Y'all these little things might take time and might seem overwhelming- but they sure can leave an impression and a lasting memory.  I can't wait to make even more memories next year at 2 High School Campuses!