A CONNECT kit coffee tumbler. IMAGE COURTESY OF NASSP

School leaders are stronger when they work together, especially when they have caffeine. That’s why NASSP has brewed up something special: CONNECT kits. The kits, which encourage a select group of school leaders to meet up for coffee, will help principals and assistant principals engage with other school leaders in their district and region to build community and share best practices. NASSP hopes that a meeting with a CONNECT kit will be the first of many such meetings where local school leaders sip, chat, and connect.

In October, State Principals of the Year with active memberships received the kits. Each kit contains a $50 digital Starbucks card and five NASSP coffee tumblers. The ask is easy: Invite four school leaders to a local Starbucks and connect with each other.

The kits are a pilot program that NASSP has created so school leaders can network with each other and spread the word about all the benefits of NASSP membership. To get the conversation going, kits also include a few starters:

  • What keeps you up at night?
  • What has been most impactful in growing you as a school leader?
  • What are you doing on your campus to boost staff morale?
  • How are you dealing with chronic absenteeism?
  • How are you managing teacher/staffing shortages?
  • How are you addressing diversity in your workforce?
  • What are some ways you are managing staff/student health and wellness?

School leaders can use these questions, or they can lead the conversation organically to discuss topics most pressing to the group. Just as important, everyone is encouraged to celebrate each other’s successes and lift each other up. After the meet-up, school leaders will complete a brief survey on how it went. They are also encouraged to send a few photos to NASSP and share and tag on their social channels using @nassp.