From Door Dudes to High Five Fridays, These Parents are Making Mornings Awesome for Students
Through volunteer-powered morning greeter programs like Door Dudes and High Five Fridays, schools are turning the chaos of morning drop-off into something students actually look forward to. And honestly? It’s kind of genius.
It's a simple concept, where a handful of adults show up at school for 15–30 minutes in the morning with one job: make kids feel seen before the bell rings. We’re talking smiling mentors, fist bumps at the curb, high fives down the walkway, music blasting...even the occasional volunteer directing traffic or opening car doors...while wearing an orange traffic cone costume. Gotta love a committed volunteer, right?
That first moment of the day matters more than we give it credit for. For some students, a simple “good morning” or fist bump is their first real connection of the day. For others, it’s a small but much needed reset before they walk into the building carrying whatever they’re carrying (in some cases, a lot more than just a backpack). Either way, the message is the same: you matter here and we're happy to see you. And those kind of messages stick.
Schools that run morning greeter programs often see a real ripple effect—stronger school culture, calmer arrivals, and kids walking into the building a little more regulated, a little more grounded, a little more ready to learn. A high five at the door might look small, but it can do a surprising amount of emotional heavy lifting.
Volunteering during these fun, morning moments are surprisingly good for you, too. You show up half-awake with a coffee in hand, and twenty minutes later you’ve high fived 80 kids and feel more awake, more connected, and a little more joyful than you expected. And, there’s a very real chance it becomes the best part of your day.
Take the pledge to volunteer for one hour at school through the 1 Hour for Schools movement. Your school could win $3,500!*
How To Start a High Five Friday or Morning Greeter Program at Your School
You don't need a big committee or a daily commitment to make a difference. One morning a week can help create a welcoming start for students—and it's an easy volunteer opportunity for busy families.
Pick one day.
Start with a weekly tradition and give it a name, like High Five Friday or Big Welcome Wednesday, or create a male caregiver mentor program, like Door Dudes. Keeping it to one day makes it easier to recruit volunteers and build excitement.
Get the green light.
Work with your PTO and principal to choose the best entrance, decide what time volunteers should arrive (about 15–20 minutes before the first bell), and review visitor and safety procedures.
Recruit a small crew.
Just 4–8 volunteers are often enough. Parents, grandparents, caregivers, and other trusted family members can all help greet students. Many schools will sometimes invite local high schools (and former graduates!) - a great way for them to help out while getting community service hours often required for high school.
Keep it simple.
A smile, wave, fist bump, high five, or cheerful "Good morning!" is all it takes. Hold encouraging signs to make the morning feel festive: You matter, Shine bright today, Happy Fri-Yay, We're glad you're here, Be Brave. Be Kind. Be You., Believe in Yourself!, Kindness is cool, High Five ✋ or Fist Bump 👊? (with arrows so students can pick how they want to be greeted)
Show your school spirit.
Wear school colors or school shirts. Invite your mascot to make an appearance!
Take photos and spread the word.
With your school's permission, share photos in the PTO newsletter or on social media. Seeing happy faces and the power of volunteering is one of the best ways to inspire other parents to get involved.
Have fun with it.
Play upbeat music (if your school allows it), or add seasonal themes throughout the year to keep students looking forward to your weekly tradition.
*No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. See official sweepstakes rules.
