School Organizing Toolkit For StudentsSpring 2019

IntroductionJuniors and seniors can prepare to get Set to Go to college with The Jed Foundation’s interactive Text, Talk, Set to Go conversation, delivered to their small group through a series of pre-programmed text messages.

The Jed Foundation (JED) is a nonprofit that exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. Set to Go, a program of The Jed Foundation, helps high school students prepare emotionally for the transition out of high school.

Here’s how Text, Talk, Set to Go works:

Students gather together in groups of 3-4 with one cell phone for their group. They text SetToGo to 89800 to receive a series of text messages that guide their group through a conversation on getting prepared for college. The text messages include polling questions, discussion questions and social media interactions that help students start planning now for their first year of college. To learn more, watch our informational video: http://bit.ly/TTSTGvideo.

Text, Talk, Set to Go is designed for high school juniors and seniors that are considering going to college or any post-secondary education.

This toolkit provides everything you need to organize successful Text, Talk, Set to Go events at your school or in your community.

If you have questions or need help, please feel free to reach out to Raquel Goodrich at raquel@texttalkact.com.

Win Cash for Your SchoolEnter your school to win a $1,000 cash prize*! The school with the most Text, Talk, Set to Go participants during JED’s fall campaign wins!

Upon signing up for the contest, you will receive a unique organizer code for your school. During the fall campaign, be sure your Text, Talk, Set to Go participants enter the organizer code when prompted to do so. The school with the highest participation rate between March – May 2019 wins the cash prize.** To sign up for the contest, visit https://www.tfaforms.com/4695504.

* The contest winner will be asked to send a photo and description of their event for JED’s promotional use.** Participation rate is measured as the ratio of total participants versus total students enrolled at the school

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Getting Organized

Below are two options for how you might organize your Text, Talk, Set to Go events. Option one is for hosting a single Text, Talk, Set to Go conversation with a few people. The second option is for holding larger events that include multiple Text, Talk, Set to Go conversations.

OPTION 1: GRAB SOME FRIENDS, START A CONVERSATION

Organize a small Text, Talk, Set to Go conversation. It’s easy!

› Get together with a few friends

› Find a comfortable place to talk

› Text “SetToGo” to 89800

› You will receive texts to lead you through a conversation that takes about 45 minutes.

OPTION 2: CREATE A SCHOOL-WIDE EVENT

Below are tips for holding larger Text, Talk, Set to Go events.

1. Form an organizing team

› Don’t organize this alone! It’s easier and more fun if you invite other people to work with you

› A diverse group will be able to reach the most people and help you think through the best way to host your event. Consider including these people on your team:

› Other juniors and seniors

› School counselors

› Teachers, nurses, coaches, principals, deans, etc.

› Student leaders and faculty advisors of school clubs and organizations

› Share this version of the guide with other students; share the faculty version of the guide with school staff (go to www.settogo.org/text-talk to download the faculty version).

› Have your team give Text, Talk, Set to Go a try. Simply text SetToGo to 89800 on a smartphone and follow the prompts

2. Make a plan

› Identify key strategies for organizing your Text, Talk, Set to Go event. Below are examples from past organizers:

› Do it with existing groups

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› As a classroom activity or assignment

› During a regularly scheduled club

› During school assembly

› Create a special event

› Host a Text, Talk, Set to Go event where multiple conversations can happen at once

3. Spread the Word

Here are some strategies for organizing a great event:

› Get your principal/dean and guidance office on board early in the process. If your school has a college counseling office or program, be sure to include them as well.

› Schedule a meeting with your principal/dean and/or the guidance office to:

› Explain how it works and why it’s important

› Describe WHAT Text, Talk, Set to Go is

› Say WHY it matters to you and to other students

› Say HOW it will make things better for the students that participate

› Propose WHERE & WHEN it can happen and ASK them to endorse and support it

› Ask counselors to be on hand in case students have questions or need information or resources following their Text, Talk, Set to Go event

› See sample letter to school leaders in the Appendix section

› Speak with teachers about doing Text, Talk, Set to Go in their classroom

› Explain how it works and why it’s important (see above)

› Talk to them face to face or send an individual email

› Share the faculty organizing guide with them, which includes a Teacher Lesson Plan (go to www.settogo.org/text-talk to download the faculty version)

› Invite a group of interested teachers to try Text, Talk, Set to Go together

› Reach out to student leaders and faculty advisors of school clubs

› Explain how it works and why it’s important (see above)

› Talk to them face-to-face or send an individual email

› Share the faculty organizing guide with them, which includes a Teacher Lesson Plan that can also be used in the club setting (download at www.settogo.org/text-talk)

› Invite club leaders to try Text, Talk, Set to Go together

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› Create flyers/email invitations/social media posts

› Once you have a plan for your event, use the flyers, email template and social media posts in the Appendix to spread the word

› Share the how-to video: http://bit.ly/TTSTGvideo

4. Add fun

› Serve food

› Add silliness (think costumes, mustaches, hats, #TextTalkSetToGo selfies)

› Add prizes

› Did we mention food? Make sure people know you will have food. This is a huge draw.

› Join the contest!

› Win cash prizes for your school or club! Enter the Text, Set to Go contest and you could win a $1,000 prize for your school! Visit https://www.tfaforms.com/4695504 to sign up and learn more.

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APPENDICES

Pg. 6 Event FlyerPg. 7 InfographicPg. 8 How To GraphicPg. 9 Email Template (to teachers/school clubs/etc.)Pg. 10 Email Template (to school officials and counselors)Pg. 11 Social Media Messages

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Email Template (to teachers/school clubs/etc.)

Dear ________:

Did you know that 60% of students wish they had gotten more help with emotional preparation for college?

I’d like to help juniors and seniors at our school get more prepared for college, and through The Jed Foundation’s Set to Go program, there is now a fun and interactive way to do so. The Jed Foundation is a nonprofit that exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults.

Text, Talk, Set to Go is an innovative approach that combines text messaging, social media and face-to-face dialogue to make it possible for people to talk about this important topic. Students in small groups receive a series of free, pre-programmed text messages to get them talking together about the college transition and how they can prepare for it. This 45-minute interactive activity can be done in the classroom, during school assemblies or with afterschool clubs. As a bonus, our school has been entered into a participation contest, and the school with the most participants between March – May 2019 will win $1,000!

Here’s how it works:

› Students gather together in groups of 3-4 with one cell phone for their group. › They text SetToGo to 89800 to receive a series of text messages that guide their group through

a conversation on getting prepared for college. › The text messages include polling questions, discussion questions and social media

interactions that help students start planning now for their first year of college.› Watch this how-to video to learn more: http://bit.ly/TTSTGvideo.

I’d like to talk with you about doing Text, Talk, Set to Go in your classroom or afterschool club.

When would be a good time for me to talk with you about this opportunity?

Sincerely ______________________

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Email Template (to school officials and counselors)

Dear ________:

Did you know that 60% of students wish they had gotten more help with emotional preparation for college?

I’d like to help juniors and seniors at our school get more prepared for college, and through The Jed Foundation’s Set to Go program, there is now a fun and interactive way to do so. However, I need your support in order for us to really make a difference.

The Jed Foundation is a nonprofit that exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. Text, Talk, Set to Go is an innovative approach by The Jed Foundation that combines text messaging, social media and face-to-face dialogue to make it possible for people to talk about this important topic. Students in small groups receive a series of free, pre-programmed text messages to get them talking together about the college transition and how they can prepare for it. This 45-minute interactive activity can be done in the classroom, during school assemblies or with afterschool clubs. As a bonus, our school has been entered into a participation contest, and the school with the most participants between March – May 2019 will win $1,000!!

Here’s how it works:

› Students gather together in groups of 3-4 with one cell phone for their group. › They text SetToGo to 89800 to receive a series of text messages that guide their group through

a conversation on getting prepared for college. › The text messages include polling questions, discussion questions and social media interactions

that help students start planning now for their first year of college.› Watch this how-to video to learn more: http://bit.ly/TTSTGvideo.

Here’s what we propose:

› This spring, set aside 45-60 minutes for students to participate (this can happen all at one time, during lunch, in select classrooms, during a school assembly or after school)

› Have students gather in groups of 3-4 and text SetToGo to 89800 on one of their cell phones. The group will receive polling questions, discussion questions and information by way of text messaging.

Here is what we will do to support the process:

› Provide all written materials and flyers for the event

› Help plan logistics with you and/or students

When would be a good time for me to talk with you about this opportunity?

Sincerely ______________________

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Social Media Messages

SAMPLE INSTAGRAM POSTS

› For Schools/Clubs

Text SetToGo to 89800 now!

Are you ready for college? #TextTalkSetToGo to get prepared!

› For Individuals

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Who’s with me? Grab some friends and text SetToGo to 89800 now!

Are you ready for college? #TextTalkSetToGo to find out!

SAMPLE TWEETS

› For Schools/Clubs› 60% of students don’t feel emotionally prepared for college. Let’s get everyone set to

go with a fun, engaging activity. Watch this how-to video to learn more: http://bit.ly/TTSTGvideo. #JEDsettogo

› This spring, our juniors and seniors will be doing a fun, engaging activity to help get set to go emotionally for college. Visit settogo.org/text-talk for more info. #JEDsettogo

› Are you ready to start your college journey? Gather 2 friends and text SETTOGO to 89800! #JEDsettogo

› My school is participating in #JEDSetToGo to support mental health! Thanks to @jedfoundation for this initiative.

› Get set to go to college and help us win $$ for our school! Grab 2 friends & text SetToGo to 89800 now! #JEDsettogo

› For Individuals

› I know I have more to learn about #CollegePlanning and transitioning to college life. Learn with me by gathering 2 friends and texting SETTOGO to 89800. #JEDsettogo

› Today I’m working on emotionally preparing myself for college and ask each of you to watch something worth sharing http://bit.ly/TTSTGvideo #JEDsettogo

› Sometimes college will be emotionally draining, but I know that I’m not alone. You shouldn't be either. Visit settogo.org/text-talk to learn how to prepare. #JEDsettogo

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SAMPLE FACEBOOK POSTS

› For Schools/Clubs

› 60% of students don’t feel emotionally prepared for college. Let’s get everyone set to go with a fun, engaging activity. Watch this how-to video to learn more: http://bit.ly/TTSTGvideo #JEDsettogo

› Preparing for college emotionally is often neglected. Visit settogo.org/text-talk to learn how we can prepare our students for college. Double bonus: help win $1,000 for our school! #JEDsettogo

› Let’s help students start the conversation on getting emotionally prepared for college. Visit settogo.org/text-talk to learn more AND help win $1,000 for our school! #JEDsettogo

› Attention staff that work with juniors and seniors! Help our students get set to go for college with a fun classroom activity. Visit settogo.org/text-talk to learn more. #JEDsettogo

› For Individuals

› I know I have more to learn about college planning and transitioning to college life. Learn with me by gathering 2 friends and texting SETTOGO to 89800. #JEDsettogo

› Today I am working on emotionally preparing myself for college and ask each of you to watch something worth sharing http://bit.ly/TTSTGvideo #JEDsettogo

› Sometimes college will be emotionally draining, but I know that I’m not alone. You shouldn't be either. Visit settogo.org/text-talk to learn how to prepare. #JEDsettogo

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