Dignity Launch Week
Everything your club needs to plan, launch, and celebrate a week that makes dignity visible at your school.
Getting oriented
Overview
Overview
This toolkit should give every club, no matter its size or experience, a clear answer to six questions:
- What Launch Week is
- Why they're doing it
- What they actually need to do
- How to choose a level of involvement that fits their school
- How to pull it off
- What happens after Launch Week
Toolkit roadmap
Section 1
Start Here: Plan Your Launch
Start Here: Plan Your Launch
What Is Dignity Week?
Each October, people around the world celebrate Global Dignity Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the inherent worth of every person and putting dignity into action. Dignity Week takes that idea and brings it to your school! During Dignity Week, students across the country will be finding creative ways to build connection, practice dignity, strengthen belonging, and make their schools and communities better.
It's also our official Students for Dignity Launch Week, when new and returning S4D groups kick off the year and invite others to get involved. Your school might celebrate with one great activity, several activities throughout the week, or a schoolwide event involving hundreds of people. Your launch doesn't have to be huge or extravagant to matter! Start with the people, time, and resources you have. You can always build from there.
How Big Do You Want To Go?
Not every school has the same amount of time, people, money, or support. Choose the starting point that works best for you.
Perfect if you're just getting started, working with a small group, or looking for one activity that can make an immediate impact. Activities include:
- Chalk the Walk
- Find Someone Who…
- Humanity Hunt
- Five Minute Connection
- Rewrite the Internet
Ready to reach beyond your club? These activities invite more of your school community to participate and can become part of lunch, advisory, school traditions, or Dignity Week events. Activities include:
- Pop Culture Dignity Lab
- The People Behind the Posts
- Dignity Awards
- Dignity Flag
- Fitted 4 Dignity
If you have the people, time, and support, go for it! These activities can become larger experiences involving your whole school, families, community partners, or multiple student organizations. Activities include:
- Dignity Retreat
- Dignity Festival
- Dignity Lip Dub
- Dignity Story Project
- Leave Your Mark: Dignity Legacy Project
Make It Yours
These aren't rules, they're just starting points. Borrow, combine, simplify, or build on any activity to make it work for your school. A Simple Launch activity can become schoolwide. A Go Big activity can be scaled down. You can choose one activity or combine several, or you can create something completely original! The goal is to create an experience that works for your school and gives people a chance to experience dignity in action while we celebrate Global Dignity Day.
Section 2
Build Your Launch
Build Your Launch
There is no single "right" way to celebrate Dignity Week. Instead of starting with a schedule, start with a question: What do you want people at your school to experience?
Maybe you want to get them curious about Students for Dignity. Maybe you want to help participants actually practice dignity. Maybe your school needs more opportunities for connection and belonging. Or maybe you want to create something visible that says, "This is who we want to be."
Choose the kind of impact you want to make, then find activities that can help you create it. Pick one category, pick one from each, or mix and match activities to build a Dignity Week that works for your school.
Categories of Activities
Get their attention. Give them a reason to stop. Make them wonder what Students for Dignity is all about.
These activities are designed to introduce S4D, create some buzz, and invite people into the experience. Think: food, music, games, creative displays, pop culture, and activities people will want to check out.
Try this type of activity if your goal is: Introducing S4D · Building awareness · Recruiting members · Creating energy · Getting people talking
Move beyond talking about dignity and give people a chance to actually use it.
These activities help participants explore the Dignity Index, recognize dignity and contempt, practice responding differently, consider new perspectives, and connect dignity to situations they encounter in real life.
Try this type of activity if your goal is: Teaching the Dignity Index · Practicing skills · Starting conversations · Exploring real-life situations · Helping people understand what dignity looks like in action
Create opportunities for people to connect with someone they might not otherwise meet.
These activities help people move outside their usual circles, learn about each other, work together, serve together, and make it easier for more people to feel seen, included, and part of the school community.
Try this type of activity if your goal is: Building connection · Strengthening belonging · Meeting new people · Widening circles · Serving others
Show people what your school wants to stand for.
These activities create visible expressions of dignity throughout your school. Create art, displays, traditions, performances, celebration, or something your whole school can contribute to.
Try this type of activity if your goal is: Creating something visible · Sharing student voices · Building school culture · Celebrating your community · Leaving something behind
Bring dignity beyond an S4D meeting and into your school or community.
Partner with other clubs, teams, classes, families, local organizations, or community members. Listen to people's stories. Serve together. Solve a problem. Find ways to practice dignity where it is needed.
Try this type of activity if your goal is: Community service · Building partnerships · Connecting generations · Solving a school or community need · Taking action
Need Help Putting It Together?
You don't have to follow a preset Dignity Week schedule, but if you're staring at an empty calendar and wondering, "OK… what do we actually DO all week?" here's one way it could come together.
Introduce Dignity Week through morning announcements, social media, posters, a Dignity Index display, Chalk the Walk, or another simple attention-grabber.
Try "Find Someone Who…", "Humanity Hunt", "Five Minute Connection", a photo booth, or another activity people can join without a big time commitment.
Make Global Dignity Day the centerpiece of your week. Host a Pop Culture Dignity Lab, begin creating your Dignity Flag, hold a schoolwide connection activity, recognize people through Dignity Awards, or choose another activity that fits your school.
Use advisory, classrooms, lunch, or club time to practice dignity. Try "Rewrite the Internet", a Dignity Index scoring activity, a belonging challenge, a service project, or another opportunity to put dignity into practice.
Share Dignity Awards or shout-outs. Show photos or highlights from the week. Finish a schoolwide project. Invite people to join Students for Dignity and tell them what's coming next.
Make It Work For You
Too much? Do one thing.
A single, well-planned activity can be your Dignity Week celebration.
Want more? Build on.
Combine activities, recruit other student organizations, spread activities throughout the week, or choose one of the Go Big ideas to create a larger experience.
There is no prize for doing the most. Choose what your school needs and has the capacity for, make it your own, and create something people will want to be part of.
Section 3
You Launched! Now What?
You Launched! Now What?
You did it! Congratulations! Whether your Dignity Week involved one activity, a full week of events, or something your entire school helped create, take a minute to celebrate what you've accomplished.
Then keep going.
Launch Week isn't meant to be the end of your Students for Dignity work — it's just the beginning!
We want to see what you create!
Send us your photos, short videos, student artwork, quotes, stories, projects, or anything else that shows how your school brought dignity to life.
We'd love to feature your work in the Dignity Dispatch newsletter, or on the Dignity Index Instagram.
Send your submissions to: karren@unite.us
Before sending photos, videos, or student work, make sure you have any permissions required by your school or district.
At your next Students for Dignity meeting, take a few minutes to look back. Ask:
- What worked?
- What didn't go as planned?
- What did people seem to enjoy?
- Who participated? Who didn't?
- What would we do differently next time?
- What did we learn about our school?
- What should we do next?
You don't need a formal evaluation, just pay attention to what you learned and use it to make your next idea even better.
Don't let all of the Dignity Week energy disappear on Monday morning!
Hold your next S4D meeting. Invite someone new. Try another activity from this site. Take on something your school or community needs. Build on an idea that worked during Dignity Week.
Watch for the next Dignity Dispatch newsletter, where you'll find new activities, challenges, resources, student ideas, and inspiration from Students for Dignity groups across the country.
Dignity Week gave people a chance to see what Students for Dignity can be. Now you get to decide what it becomes at your school.
Dignity Week isn't the finish line! It's the invitation to begin. We can't wait to see what you can do!
Section 4
Ready-to-Use Activities
Ready-to-Use Activities
Each activity follows the same format: Category, Best For, Time, Prep, Cost, Participants, What It Is, Dignity Connection, What You'll Need, How to Do It, Make It Bigger, Keep It Simple, and Resources.
⬇ Download activities (PDF)Key
Prep
- Low — can realistically pull together in a day
- Moderate — needs some advance planning, materials, permissions, or coordination
- High — needs partners, significant planning, rehearsal, or scheduling
Cost
- $ — free or under about $25
- $$ — roughly $25–$100
- $$$ — likely $100+; sponsorship or school funding helpful
Simple Launch activities
Schoolwide Launch activities
Go Big activities
Section 5
Resources
Resources
Ready-to-use materials clubs can use as-is or customize to fit their school.
Additional Resources
- Morning Announcements Templates
- Staff Email Templates
- Parent/Community Blurb Ideas
- Social Media Campaign Ideas
- Students for Dignity Information Flyers
Use these announcements as-is or make them your own. Add your school name, Students for Dignity meeting information, and details about the activities you're planning.
Dignity Week Kickoff Announcement
This week we're celebrating Dignity Week!
Dignity Week is connected to Global Dignity Day, a worldwide celebration of the belief that every person has inherent worth and deserves to be treated like they matter.
Throughout the week, [SCHOOL NAME] will be joining students across the country in finding ways to practice dignity, build connection, and strengthen belonging in our school.
Watch for [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES/EVENTS] throughout the week, and look for ways you can help people around you feel seen, heard, and valued.
Want to be part of Students for Dignity? [ADD MEETING TIME/LOCATION, QR CODE, SOCIAL MEDIA, OR OTHER INFORMATION]
Let's have a blast this week!
Global Dignity Day Announcement
Today is Global Dignity Day!
People around the world are celebrating one simple idea: every person has inherent worth.
Today, we're challenging everyone at [SCHOOL NAME] to put that idea into action. Notice someone who might normally go unnoticed. Learn something about someone outside your usual circle. Thank someone who makes this school better. Disagree without treating someone like they don't matter.
However you choose to do it, find one way today to help someone else know: You matter here!
Promote Your Activity
Use this template to create quick announcements for the activities you choose. You don't have to include every statement. Feel free to mix and match or create your own!
1 — Start with the hook: What's happening, and why should people care?
- Tomorrow at lunch, we're challenging you to _____.
- Think you can _____? Come find out during _____.
- Grab a friend, or meet someone new, and join us for _____.
2 — Give the details: What does someone need to know in order to participate?
- What: [ACTIVITY]
- When: [DAY/TIME]
- Where: [LOCATION]
- Bring/Do: [ANYTHING PARTICIPANTS NEED]
3 — Connect it to dignity: Keep this part short. One sentence is plenty.
- It's a chance to meet someone outside your usual circle
- Come see how small choices can move a conversation toward dignity
- Help us show what belonging can look like at [SCHOOL NAME]
- Join us in recognizing the people who make our school better
4 — End with an invitation:
- Everyone is welcome. Come join us!
- Find Students for Dignity at [LOCATION] to participate
- Bring a friend and come check it out!
- Follow [ACCOUNT] for updates throughout Dignity Week
Quick tip: Announcements don't need to explain the whole activity. Give people enough information to make them curious, tell them where to go, and make it easy to participate. Save instructions for when they arrive at the event or activity.
Teachers and staff can be some of your best partners during Dignity Week. Use these emails as-is, or customize them with your school's plans.
Remember to keep it short. Your email doesn't need to contain every detail. Tell teachers/staff what is happening, when it's happening, and anything you need from them.
Coming Soon: Dignity Week
Send this a few weeks before Dignity Week to give teachers and staff a heads-up.
Subject: Dignity Week is Coming!
Hello everyone,
Next month, [SCHOOL NAME] will celebrate Dignity Week in connection with Global Dignity Day. Our Students for Dignity group is planning a few activities throughout the week to help build connection, strengthen belonging, and put dignity into action across our school.
We'll send more details as plans are finalized. For now, we just wanted to put [DATES] on your radar and let you know what's coming.
Thanks for helping us make Dignity Week something our whole school can be part of!
[S4D CLUB/STUDENT LEADERS/ADVISOR NAME]
Here's What's Happening During Dignity Week
Send this once your activities are planned.
Subject: Dignity Week — Here's the Plan
Hello everyone,
Dignity Week is almost here! Here's what Students for Dignity has planned:
- Monday: [ACTIVITY + BRIEF DESCRIPTION]
- Tuesday: [ACTIVITY + BRIEF DESCRIPTION]
- Wednesday: [ACTIVITY + BRIEF DESCRIPTION]
- Thursday: [ACTIVITY + BRIEF DESCRIPTION]
- Friday: [ACTIVITY + BRIEF DESCRIPTION]
What we need from you (delete anything you don't need and add anything you do need):
- Please share/remind students about [ACTIVITY]
- Allow students to [PARTICIPATE/SUBMIT SOMETHING/VISIT A LOCATION/ETC.]
- If you teach advisory/homeroom, please [BRIEF INSTRUCTION]
- Encourage students to participate
- Join us! Staff are welcome to participate too.
Questions? Contact [STUDENT LEADER/ADVISOR + CONTACT INFO]
Thank you for helping us make Dignity Week a success!
[S4D CLUB/STUDENT LEADERS/ADVISOR NAME]
Quick Daily Reminder
Use this for a short email the day before or morning of an activity.
Subject: Tomorrow — [ACTIVITY NAME]
Hello everyone,
Tomorrow's Dignity Week activity is [ACTIVITY NAME]!
- What's happening: [1–2 SENTENCES ABOUT ACTIVITY]
- When: [TIME]
- Where: [LOCATION]
- What we need from you: [KEEP IT SIMPLE — e.g. "Encourage students to come"]
Thanks for helping us celebrate Dignity Week!
[S4D CLUB/STUDENT LEADERS/ADVISOR NAME]
Help families and community members know what's happening during Dignity Week. Use these blurbs as-is or customize them with your school's plans.
School or Parent Newsletter
[SCHOOL NAME] will celebrate Dignity Week [DATES] in connection with Global Dignity Day, a worldwide celebration of the inherent worth of every person. Our Students for Dignity group will host activities throughout the week designed to build connection, strengthen belonging, and help students put dignity into action. Watch for [ACTIVITY/HIGHLIGHT] and other opportunities for students to get involved!
Social Media
Dignity Week is coming to [SCHOOL NAME]! During [DATES], we're joining students across the country in celebrating Global Dignity Day and putting dignity into action through [ACTIVITIES/HIGHLIGHTS]. Follow along and see what our students create! #StudentsForDignity #DignityWeek
Community Newsletter or Newspaper
Students at [SCHOOL NAME] will celebrate Dignity Week [DATES] as part of Global Dignity Day with others in the national Students for Dignity community. Throughout the week, students will lead [ACTIVITIES/HIGHLIGHTS] designed to strengthen connection, belonging, and dignity within their school community. The week is part of an ongoing effort to give students opportunities to practice dignity through student-led activities, service, and connection.
Show your school community what you're doing, invite others to join, and help students across the country see what Dignity Week looks like at your school. And don't forget to tag us! We want to see what you create, and your school may be featured on the Dignity Index K-12 Instagram, or in the Dignity Dispatch newsletter!
Tag us: @dignityindexk12 on Instagram
Easy Things to Post
You don't need a full social media campaign. Capture what's already happening.
Before Dignity Week
- Countdown: "Dignity Week starts in 3 days!"
- Sneak peek of something you're creating
- Introduce Students for Dignity
- Share your week's schedule
- Invite people to an activity
During Dignity Week
- Photos or short clips from activities
- Student "fit checks" for Fitted 4 Dignity
- Behind-the-scenes setup
- A time-lapse of your Dignity Flag, mural, display, or other project coming together
- Quick student interviews: "What does dignity mean to you?"
- Dignity Awards or shout-outs
- A "Photo of the Day"
- "Today we learned…" or "Today we noticed…"
- Repost participants who tag your club
After Dignity Week
- Photo or video recap
- Favorite moments from the week
- Thank everyone who participated
- Share something your group learned
- Invite students to your next S4D meeting
Need a Caption?
Coming Soon: Dignity Week is coming! Join us [DATES] for [ACTIVITY/HIGHLIGHT] and help us put dignity into action at [SCHOOL NAME]. #DignityWeek #StudentsForDignity
Join Us: Tomorrow: [ACTIVITY NAME]! Meet us at [LOCATION] during [TIME]. Bring a friend, meet someone new, and come see what we've got planned! #DignityWeek #StudentsForDignity
In Action: This is what dignity looked like at [SCHOOL NAME] today. [ONE SENTENCE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED]. #DignityWeek #StudentsForDignity
Student Voice Video or Compilation: We asked students: "What does dignity mean to you?" Here's what they said. #DignityWeek #StudentsForDignity
Week Recap: That's a wrap on Dignity Week! Thanks to everyone who participated, created, connected, and helped make [SCHOOL NAME] a place where people know they matter. And we're just getting started! #DignityWeek #StudentsForDignity
Make It Your Own
These are just starting points, not required posts or captions. Use your school's voice. Follow trends. Make a Reel. Create a photo dump. Let students take over the account for a day. Use music students actually listen to.
The best Dignity Week content should look like it came from students, because it did!
Tag us! Whatever you create, tag @dignityindexk12 so we can follow along. Please also send photos, videos, student work, and stories directly to karren@unite.us so we can help spread the word! Always follow your school or district's social media, photography, and student media permission policies.
Want to help make your school a place where people know they matter?
Students for Dignity (S4D) is a student-led movement built around one big idea: every person has inherent worth.
S4D gives students a chance to turn that idea into action through connection, creativity, service, student-led activities, and real conversations about the things that affect your school and community.
COME JOIN US!
- Where: [MEETING LOCATION]
- When: [DATE/TIME OF MEETINGS]
- Contact: [S4D STUDENT LEADER/ADVISOR]
- Follow/Scan: [OPTIONAL LINK TO CLUB'S SOCIAL MEDIA, QR CODE WITH MORE INFO]