Winter Planning for Schools: Staying Warm, Prepared, and Organized After the New Year

As schools settle back in after the New Year, winter quickly becomes the focus. Cold mornings, outdoor supervision, athletic programs, and student activities don’t slow down just because temperatures drop. For many schools, this time of year is about making sure students and staff are warm, comfortable, and prepared for the rest of the season.

Planning early for winter needs helps avoid last-minute orders and ensures everything runs smoothly during one of the busiest parts of the school year.

Why Winter Planning Matters for Schools

Winter weather creates unique challenges for schools. Staff may be supervising outdoor arrival and dismissal, students participate in recess and physical education outside, and teams continue practices and games despite the cold.

Having the right apparel and gear in place can help schools:

  • Keep students comfortable and focused
  • Support staff working outdoors
  • Maintain consistent school branding
  • Avoid emergency purchases later in the season

A little planning now can make a big difference through the colder months.

Common Winter Apparel Needs

Many schools use the winter months to review and refresh essential items such as:

  • Jackets and outerwear for staff and teams
  • Hoodies and fleece layers for students
  • Hats and cold-weather accessories
  • Uniform layering options for athletics and activities

These items are often used across multiple programs, making them a practical investment that supports the entire school community.

Planning Ahead Makes Things Easier

Schools that plan winter apparel needs early tend to experience:

  • Better availability of sizes and styles
  • Smoother ordering and delivery timelines
  • Less pressure during peak winter weeks
  • More time to focus on students instead of logistics

Winter is also a good time to look ahead at upcoming events and programs, ensuring nothing gets overlooked as the year moves forward.

Supporting Schools Through the Season

At Direct Promos, we work with schools to help them stay organized and prepared throughout the winter months. Whether it’s reviewing options, planning timelines, or answering questions, our goal is to make the process simple and reliable.

If your school is reviewing winter needs or planning ahead for the rest of the season, now is a great time to get everything in motion.

Ready to Plan Ahead?

Explore winter apparel options or reach out to discuss what works best for your school:
https://directpromos.com/

Proud to Partner with Pat Farley to Support New Jersey Schools

Written by Stephan Franco, CEO of Direct Promos

A Partnership Rooted in New Jersey Pride

We’re proud to share something close to our hearts — Direct Promos is partnering with Pat Farley, a lifelong New Jersey educator, coach, and community leader who has made giving back his life’s mission.

Born in Newark, Pat spent over 33 years teaching Health & Physical Education in both public and Catholic schools across North Jersey. Over the course of his career, he’s coached 60 seasons across six different sports and served as an American Red Cross instructor since 1996. His dedication to helping students, staff, and families runs deep — and now, that same passion is expanding into something bigger.

What This Partnership Means

Together, we’re working to support New Jersey schools, students, and local communities by making sure they have what they need to succeed — and to feel proud while doing it.

This collaboration focuses on the essentials that make a lasting difference:

  • Accurate, high-quality apparel and spiritwear that foster identity and pride
  • Graduation and milestone gear that celebrate every student’s achievements
  • Supplies and classroom resources that remove barriers and support daily learning
  • Community outreach programs that bring schools and neighborhoods together

For us, this partnership isn’t about selling products — it’s about creating access, comfort, and connection for the people who make New Jersey’s schools so special.

Why It Matters

Pat Farley has spent his life mentoring students and guiding athletes — helping them build confidence, discipline, and resilience. Those same values guide how Direct Promos works with schools every day. By teaming up, we can reach more districts, strengthen more programs, and give back in ways that truly count.

When students feel seen, supported, and equipped, they can focus on what really matters: learning, leading, and growing.

How You Can Get Involved

If your school, district, or community organization is looking for support — whether it’s spiritwear, event apparel, graduation packages, or supply drives — we’d love to talk.
This initiative is open to all New Jersey programs that want to uplift their students and strengthen their sense of community.

Reach Out:
Simply contact us here or reply to this post to start a conversation. We’ll help you find the best way to get involved or tailor packages for your school.

“New Jersey has given me everything — my start, my purpose, my community.
Now, I just want to give back to the state and the students who made it all worthwhile.”
Pat Farley

The Heart of the Work

This partnership represents what Direct Promos stands. By combining Pat’s decades of experience with our team’s resources, we’re creating something that reaches beyond classrooms and campuses — something that celebrates the true spirit of New Jersey.

If you’re part of a school or program that shares that vision, we’d be honored to connect.

Graduation Day’s Star Accessory: The Diploma Cover

Diploma Covers Deserve the Spotlight!

Diploma covers often get overlooked, but let’s be honest—they play a much bigger role than most people think. When it comes to graduation day, they’re all about the photo op.

Picture this: the ceremony is over, and happy graduates flood the campus, diploma covers in hand. Every corner becomes a backdrop for photos with family and friends. Snap after snap, each picture captures pride, joy, and the sheer relief of reaching a major milestone.

 

But the importance of a diploma cover doesn’t end there. Once the celebrations wind down, that cover becomes part of a display that honors one of life’s greatest achievements. Whether it’s framed on the wall, showcased on a desk, or tucked away safely, it symbolizes hard work, determination, and success.

A diploma cover isn’t just a protective case—it’s a keepsake that inspires graduates for years to come. It’s a reminder of what they’ve achieved and what they’re capable of next.

That’s why your school’s diploma covers should stand out. Add a touch of pride with your school’s name and logo embossed on the front. Go the extra mile with personalized options, like the graduate’s name printed in sleek gold ink.

Graduation is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Let’s make sure every student walks away with more than just a memory—they deserve a diploma cover that truly shines.

Ready to create something special for your grads?

Contact us for a quote today!

Set Your School Up for Success This Fall with a Free Online Apparel Store

Set Your School Up for Success This Fall with a Free Online Apparel Store

Back-to-school season might feel far off, but planning ahead means one less thing to worry about in the fall—especially when it comes to spirit wear, uniforms, and team gear. The good news? Direct Promos is making it easier than ever to get your school geared up with a FREE custom webstore—no hassle, no tech skills required.

Whether you’re a PTA leader, administrator, or coach, we know you’re juggling a lot. That’s why our team handles the full setup—from design to delivery—so you can focus on what matters most.

Here’s What You Get—for Free:

A custom-built online webstore featuring your school’s branded gear
A large banner to promote your store on campus
Customized flyers to send home or share digitally with families
✅ Access to premium back-to-school apparel and accessories
✅ Hands-on support from a team that knows school deadlines and spirit goals

Why Schools Love It

We’ve helped dozens of schools launch webstores that make it easy for parents and staff to order directly, saving time for everyone. You can use your store for:

  • Uniform orders
  • Fundraisers
  • Field day and spirit weeks
  • Staff gifts
  • Team and club gear

There’s no upfront cost, no inventory to manage, and no design stress—we take care of it all.

Get Started Today

Don’t wait until the fall rush hits. Secure your free store now and have everything ready to go by the time students are back in the classroom.

👉 Learn more about our Webstores
👉 Explore Back-to-School Options

Let’s make this school year your smoothest yet—starting with custom gear your whole community will love.

The Power of Color in School Apparel & Branding

The Power of Color in School Apparel & Branding

Color is more than just a design choice — it’s an identity. When it comes to schools, teams, and organizations, color connects students, staff, and communities in an instant. It’s the first thing people notice on a jersey, hoodie, or custom t-shirt — and it’s what makes your apparel stand out.

At Direct Promos, we offer an extensive range of apparel colors to help you match your school spirit or program branding perfectly. From classic athletic shades like deep navy, bold crimson, and vibrant gold to softer tones for staff apparel or community events, the right color can set the tone for pride and unity.

Pairing color with the right style matters too. Hoodies, sweatpants, polos, warm-ups, and spirit gear all look different depending on the fabric and shade you choose. With our broad supplier network and partnerships, we make it easy to select colors that last, wash after wash, without fading the energy of your design.

Whether you’re gearing up for back-to-school, planning spirit wear, or outfitting a team, color consistency ensures that your message and pride carry through every item. And if your exact shade isn’t in a catalog, we’ll work with you to source or customize it.

Ready to explore the full range of colors? Visit our Apparel Colors Page or Contact Us today to talk about your school’s next project.

Your school’s colors aren’t just shades on a chart — they’re part of your identity. Let’s make sure they shine on every piece of apparel you put out this year.