Dorian, thanks for sharing the idea about the teachers getting involved - I’m not sure why I didn’t think of that! I hope others will comment too! We need at least 100 suggestions for Debby!

As a teacher, I have to tell you:  I only use student generated bulletin boards.  No reason for you to slave away cutting out letters and such!

You could have the different CCD classes make their own boards, display their own work, etc.  The CCD teachers can give it as an assignment the first few weeks of CCD. 

The different parish clubs and organizations can make their own bulletin boards too.  Ask the staff to provide materials, pictures, bios, and do a “Meet the Rectory or Parish Staff” board.  Parish council can do the same. 

I would simply put the paper background up (enlist some helpers-  perhaps the Youth Group if you have one) and let everyone make their own!

My husband is the DRE at our parish - and since he’s admittedly not artistically inclined - I’ve taken on the bulletin boards in the CCD classrooms hallway.  I’ve done a “liturgical year” based theme: I use the color for the liturgical season for the borders, and then do brief age-appropriate explanations of the major feasts/major saints’ feast days with appropriate pictures/images.  I redo the board a few times a year (for Ordinary Time, Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter), but reuse the materials as the season comes around again.

I agree - its both an exciting and daunting project with 100!  But definitely get a team to help you out - teachers, students, youth group.  What might be fun is for every classroom to have a patron saint and dedicate one board per classroom to their saint.  You can put up a picture and name for each saint and the class can find out about their saint and add their own words and pictures.

If the parish ministries will be using some of the rooms, they might want to put up details about that ministry too. 

Utilize some main hallway boards as photo boards to show off special parish events and congratulations to newly baptized, first communicants, confirmandi, newly married.
I think an “art” board to post children’s religious art would be great too - just like in Faith & Family Magazine! 

Get help and have fun!

I would pick out some saints to profile on the boards.  You could have parishioners nominate their favorites, and then task groups of teenagers to research each one.

I’m all for the student generated idea.  That way, it will be more meaningful to the kids.  You might want to put a background color and trim up and label the boards to give the teachers some ideas.  If you go with Lisa’s list idea (great idea), the kids could create the lists in teams and illustrate them.  If your budget is limited, I’ve used kids handprints for trim or adding machine tape with kids drawing on them for trim. Good luck and have fun- what a huge undertaking!

Here’s my two sense:  I have 4 bulletin boards in and outside my classroom.  All 4 have “themes” depending upon the season.  Two of them are religious themed.  I do student generated boards.  I put up sayings such as “We Honor Mary”  “We are Waiting” We Walk with Jesus” etc etc.  and I put up the children’s work in a pleasing manner.  100 bulletin boards is too much for one person to manage.  I like all of the above ideas!  Get Help!

Ten commandments - The beatitudes - Fruits of the Holy Spirit - Different virtues - Saints - different parables and other stories in the New and Old Testament - vocations - Sacraments - Special Prayers - Different aspects of the Catechism - Popes - World Youth Day - Charitable Organizations - Themes such as Light of the world and Growing in the Spirit - Also, look on your school district website or the government education website and look at the religion curriculum for unit and chapter themes. There should be plenty between all the grade and age levels. I also never did (or I guess I should say rarely did) my bulletin boards on my own. Make and delegate some as special projects if you can. GOOD LUCK!

Since most rooms have three boards I think the ones you do should themes that unify the parish (appropriate saints) and teach basics as suggested and one should be free for the teach to change through the church year. In September it could introduce the students to each other and be ready to go but later show what that class is learning- very helpful when parents visit.

Use the cool paper at the craft stores…the scrap-booking paper that they sell. It is easy and pretty, use the ribbon with tape on the back to edge it. Staplers work great and fast. Have fun! +JMJ+

How about getting a whole pile of holy cards and doing some saint-related boards? One for youth saints… One for married saints…saints who were kings and queens, saints whose names begin with “F”...saints who particularly practiced charity…depending on what cards you get, the possibilities are endless!

While CRE, I assigned each classroom with a patron Saint.  The board consisted of the Saint’s name and picture, feast day, patronage list, and a quote from the saint.  We also had boards showcasing prayers - easier prayers for the younger grades, and more complex for the upper grades (Divine Mercy Chaplet, for example).  The High School room also had a chastity themed board, as well as a fetal development and pro-life board.  I also had a board that rotated through the works of mercy.  You could make 14 boards each based on one of the boards, or combine one corporal and one spiritual on each board.

Maybe have the CCD teachers pick out a couple of themes they will be focusing on, and have the kids make artwork to illustrate those themes.  Kids LOVE seeing what they’ve helped create.  Helps them learn quickly too.  Maybe take pictures of the completed work of art and give them to the kids as a keepsake.

These are all great ideas. I agree with student generated boards. It makes the classroom feel like it’s theirs, and it’s easy on the teacher. I would also have each of the teachers either do, or give input on the other big board, since they know what they are teaching that year. I recommend using the top board as a prayer petitions board. Each time the students and teacher have a petition, they write their petition on a colorful index card and then the teacher puts it up. Whenever someone looks up at the board, they say a short prayer for all the intentions.

Bestcatholicposters.com has some nice posters, including some for older kids like lists of Catholic scientists with quotes from them about science and their Catholic faith.

TY! I really like the Pro-Life board idea….right now, I am waiting for room assignments. I have been “warned” that some rooms may be used by both young grades in afternoon and then older grades in PM. UGH. but we will see.