Steps to Book Your School Assembly - A School Assembly Planning Guide
Updated: 17 minutes ago
Planning a Ryan’s Story assembly starts with a clear picture of the program, your students’ needs and the preparation and follow-up you want to provide. This guide brings the main steps together for school staff and parent volunteers coordinating a visit with John Halligan.
1. Review the assembly and educator resources
Ryan’s Story is a 60-minute student assembly for grades 5–12. John shares his family’s experience to encourage reflection on bullying, cyberbullying, empathy, connection and asking for help. Review the Student Assembly overview to see the topics, format and supporting materials.
The student assembly includes pre-visit coordination and pre- and post-assembly educational resources. The Educator Resources page provides planning guidance, parent letters, a lesson plan in PDF and editable Word formats, discussion activities, posters and family follow-up materials. The parent program is a separate, optional presentation for families.
2. Check possible dates and program details
Start with the availability calendar and request form. Compare possible dates with your school calendar. When practical, a date that fits John’s existing travel schedule can help with scheduling. If a nearby school already has a visit scheduled, ask about coordinating a shared presentation day.
Review Programs & Pricing and the FAQ before requesting a date. These pages explain the current program options, fees and logistics. Ask John about your school’s circumstances rather than assuming a date, cost or arrangement is confirmed.
3. Send a request and confirm the details
Use the request form to share the information John needs to discuss a visit:
Your school name and location.
Your preferred date or possible dates.
The grade levels and approximate number of students.
Your contact details, scheduling needs and questions.
John personally follows up to confirm availability and discuss your school’s grade levels, audience size and scheduling needs. You are welcome to ask questions before choosing a date. There is no obligation until the details are confirmed together.
4. Prepare staff, families and students
Use the planning guide and parent notification letter on the Educator Resources page. The lesson plan includes classroom warm-ups and preparation activities, so teachers can introduce the visit in an age-appropriate way.
Coordinate with your counselor or student-support team before the assembly. Make sure staff know your school’s procedures for responding to student concerns or disclosures and how students can reach support afterward. Share your school’s support contacts and adapt the activities to your students. Review the preparation and student-support FAQ alongside the planning guide.
5. Confirm the day-of plan
Confirm the presentation time, student groupings, room arrangements and technical setup with John, using the planning guide as your checklist. Allow for the 60-minute presentation when organizing the school day, and identify the staff who will help with logistics and student support.
Give staff time to review the preparation materials and clarify any questions in advance. Keep the school’s support arrangements available during and after the presentation.
6. Continue the conversation afterward
Plan the follow-up before the visit so the assembly connects with your school’s ongoing work. The lesson plan offers discussion questions by grade band, reflection activities and classroom extensions. One example is the 20-minute middle-school Upstander Pledge activity, in which students write three personal commitments to support peers and speak up when someone is being hurt. Sharing or displaying pledges is optional and requires permission.
Use the parent follow-up letter and family discussion guide to help families continue the conversation at home. Choose activities that fit your students and school procedures, and remind students where they can get help.
Ready to discuss a visit? Check availability and request a date, or explore the educator materials first.
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