School Assemblies in Pennsylvania: What to Look for and When to Book
Imagine it's a gray Tuesday in February. Four hundred kids file into your gym. Half of them are still thinking about recess.
Forty-five minutes later, they're laughing, shouting out answers, and talking about fractions on the way back to class. Your teachers are smiling too.
That's what the right school assembly does. The wrong one burns a class period and leaves your staff rolling their eyes.
I'm Joe Romano. For 30 years, I've brought school assemblies to Pennsylvania schools and across the Mid-Atlantic, and I visit hundreds of schools every year. Here's what I've learned about picking a great show, and about booking it at the right time.
Pennsylvania schools have a lot of choices
Pennsylvania has around 500 school districts. That's a lot of schools, and a lot of performers competing for them.
Some are great. Some are fun but light on content. Some are educational but so dry the kids tune out by minute ten.
So how do you tell the difference before you sign anything? Look for these five things.
1. The show ties into what you already teach
This is the big one.
A fun assembly that has nothing to do with your curriculum is a nice break. An assembly that reinforces what your teachers are already teaching is a tool.
Ask any presenter which subjects the show supports and how. In Pennsylvania, that might mean:
• Reading and math skills that line up with the PA Core Standards
• Science that fits the state's newer STEELS science standards
• Character education that backs up your school's behavior goals
My shows cover reading, math, science and character education. Every one is built to make a classroom lesson stick, not just fill a time slot.
2. Every kid in the room gets involved
Holding the attention of 300 to 400 kids at once is hard. Anyone who tells you otherwise hasn't tried it.
The best presenters don't just talk at kids. They get them calling out answers, solving problems and helping make the magic happen. In my shows, I bring as many as a dozen volunteers onstage — and the rest of the audience has a job too.
Ask the presenter: "What are the kids doing while you're talking?" If the answer is "listening," keep looking.
3. It works for kindergarten and fifth grade
Here's the tricky part of any K-5 assembly. Five-year-olds and eleven-year-olds want very different things.
Too babyish, and your fifth graders roll their eyes. Too advanced, and your kindergartners start wiggling.
A good presenter plays to both at once. Big, colorful visuals and silly moments for the little ones. Jokes and puzzles with a little more edge for the older kids. That balance takes years to learn.
4. The presenter stands behind the show
Anyone can promise a great assembly. Ask what happens if they don't deliver.
I back every assembly with a 100% money-back guarantee. If I don't meet your expectations in any way, you don't pay me. It's that simple.
In 30 years, no school has ever taken me up on it. That's not because the guarantee is hard to use. It's because the shows work.
5. It's easy to host
Your staff is busy. The last thing they need is a performer with a long list of demands.
Ask about setup, sound and space. The right answer is "I handle it." You should be able to point the presenter to the gym or cafeteria and get back to your day.
When to book school assemblies in Pennsylvania
Here's where a lot of schools get caught off guard. The best dates go early.
A typical Pennsylvania school year has a few busy seasons for assemblies:
• Fall: A strong start to the year. Character education is popular here, while routines are still forming.
• Winter: The long indoor months. Kids need a boost, and so do teachers.
• March: Read Across America. This is the busiest reading month of the year, and dates disappear fast.
• Late spring: After testing wraps up. It's a great time to celebrate a year of hard work.
Plan around PSSA season. Spring testing takes over your calendar and your gym. Most schools avoid booking an assembly during testing weeks. Check your district's testing window before you pick a date.
My advice? Book several months ahead, especially for March. I visit around 250 schools a year, and I have to turn some schools away every season because their date is already gone.
Paying for your assembly
Most Pennsylvania schools fund assemblies one of three ways:
• PTA or PTO funds, often from a fall fundraiser
• School or district enrichment budgets
• Grants tied to reading, STEM or character education
If your PTO is paying, bring them in early. They often set their budget in the fall, and a clear quote makes their job easier.
Ready to find your date?
I've spent 30 years learning how to make kids laugh and learn at the same time. Principals, teachers and PTO parents across Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic have trusted me with their students, year after year.
If you want a show your kids will talk about for weeks, and one your teachers can build on in class, let's talk.
**Get your Instant Quote** and see what's open on your calendar. Or call me directly at 301-641-1862.
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