Tiny notes. Big impact.

Helping students share what matters most.

What We Offer

A Note to My PrinciPal is a 501c3 nonprofit founded by 10-year-old Emma Lane Babcock to help kids feel heard, supported, and confident speaking up. Inspired by a classmate who didn’t feel safe asking for help, Emma Lane created cheerful, school-spirited mailboxes for students to write notes to their principals in a safe and confidential way. 

Principals want to hear and help their students, but they typically don’t have a way for students to communicate directly and discreetly with them. A Note to My PrinciPal exists to solve that problem, connecting students with their principal through a fun, approachable setup. Whether they want to express gratitude for a treat or share something that’s weighing on them, we want to help even the shyest of students have a voice.

Emma Lane’s goal? To equip every elementary school with a mailbox—so that more school communities can have healthier, happier, more supported students.

Every kid deserves to be heard.

How We Help

Custom

Mailboxes

Each bright, school-spirited mailbox is designed to make students excited to share their thoughts and feelings with their principals.

Confidential Communication

We provide a secure, private way for students to express their concerns or ideas, knowing their words are heard and respected.

Empowered Students

Our goal is to give students the confidence and safe space they need to speak up, ensuring they feel valued and supported in their school community–no matter what they’re struggling with.

What Makes Us Different

A Note to My PrinciPal addresses the student-principal disconnect by offering a new way for students to confidentially share their thoughts and needs through custom, school-themed mailboxes. We want to ensure every student’s voice is heard, even when speaking up feels scary or overwhelming.

How to Get Involved

*

How to Get Involved *

MAKE A DONATION

Help fund new mailboxes for schools in need–and help make an impact for their students.

NOMINATE A SCHOOL

Know an elementary school that would benefit from having a mailbox? To nominate your school, please provide your name, principal’s name, their email, and school phone number. We look forward to hearing from you!

SPREAD THE WORD

Share our mission and help us reach more schools and students.

Testimonials

  • Thank you so much! The box has been a big hit! The students love the idea of being able to communicate ideas and concerns directly to me in a non-threatening way. This allows them to share without fear of embarrassment or finding the right words in a conversational setting. In short, we love it! Thank you again for providing us with this wonderful resource. — Jeff Witt, HB Williams Elementary

  • I have received and responded to over 20 letters so far this school year. The kids love that I respond to some of them on the school’s Facebook page. When I receive an “I need to talk to someone” letter, I meet with the students instead, as I did yesterday. They felt heard and felt like their voice was listened to! It’s working, Emma Lane!

    — Lance Taylor, Union Elementary

  • We’ve received many wonderful, positive, and loving notes in our mailbox. Students have also shared some ideas for improvement. Thank you for this great opportunity for our kids!

    — Dr. Susan Kolmer Nannie Berry Elementary

Make a Donation

Our Mission

We’re on a mission to help students feel safe, heard, and confident sharing what’s on their hearts—one note at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Each mailbox costs approximately $60 to make and deliver, and they are always donated to the schools.

  • Students write a note, drop it in the slot on top of the box, and raise the red flag. (Don't worry, there is a lock on the front only the principal has a key to, so your note is confidential!) The official A Note to My PrinciPal notes have emojis too! For those students who just want to circle how they are feeling and give more details later.

  • You can nominate a school without donating. You can also donate without nominating. We never ask a school for money; the mailboxes are always donated. If you donate a mailbox to a specific school, we will add your name to the back of the mailbox!