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Advisories Inspire, Motivate Students
Helping students focus on what makes them happy and building connections to themselves, people, and institutions is part of the successful formula for a two-year advisory program at one Missouri middle school.
Principals Reflect on Teachers Who Made a Difference in Their Lives
Who was the teacher who had the most significant impact on your life? That’s the question we posed to our “Principal Files” principals. Their responses confirm that the most respected teachers are those who take time to build relationships with their students.
Assessing Technology Integration
We asked members of the Education World Tech Team What kinds of activities, lessons, resources, and so on should an administrator, parent, or other observer expect to see in a classroom in which technology is being appropriately -- and seamlessly -- integrated? Read what they said.
Morning Meetings in Middle School: An Elementary Ritual Grows Up
Many elementary classes start each morning with a meeting, but more and more middle school teachers are realizing that their students crave the community and camaraderie of the morning meeting too. Included: Four components of a morning meeting.
Pete Hall: The Bull’s-Eye of School Discipline
Remember that time when there was a line of students awaiting their punishments outside your office door? The school day was a blur of black eyes, name-calling, and disobedience. That was this morning, really? Oh, you mean that happens every day?
‘Paperless’ Packets Save Money, the Environment
School board packets in the Tolleson (Arizona) Union High School District used to take days and reams of paper to prepare. Now all the information is presented and archived online, not only saving the district time and money, but also helping the environment.
Principals’ Favorite Read-Aloud Books: 2008
Do you love to read aloud to students? If so, you understand that modeling a joy of reading is one of the most valuable things you can do. So what is the book you most love to share? Here are our “Principal Files” principals’ favorites. Please add yours! Principals’ Classrooms Visits Help Build Better Readers
When principals and literacy coaches understand what students are learning and teachers are teaching -- and participate in literacy lessons -- they set a positive tone for the school that can lead to improvement in reading, say author and educator Dr. Beth Whitaker.
Sports4Kids: Reforming Recess by Teaching the Rules of Play
Is recess the most harried time of your day? A time when fights and visits to the nurse's office skyrocket? Before you eliminate recess, consider these principals’ thoughts about Sports4Kids, a program that has reformed their playgrounds and restored order to recess.
Organizing Staff Meetings Even You Want to Attend
Do you run your staff meetings like press briefings -- that is, read the news and run? More principals should use faculty meetings as opportunities for problem-solving and professional development, according to the authors of Energizing Staff Meetings.
Stop It!
The principalship is one step shy of One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, so a little diversion is nice. But when all the diversions in our day get in the way of what is most important, we need to say Stop it! because sometimes succinct wins.
Developing, Retaining Strong Teachers in the Schools That Need Them Most
Too often, beginning teachers in urban schools or teachers new to an urban setting become frustrated when their students don’t respond to them. It’s not that they are bad teachers -- they just need to learn how to reach out more to students and their parents.
Yearbooks Capture Elementary, Middle School Memories
The yearbook is a classic souvenir of high school days, but today elementary and middle schools are getting into the act. Preserving the priceless moments and toothless smiles of young children is the goal of hardworking advisors, parents, and students.
Interviewing for the Principalship: Tips from Principals
Interviewing can be a grueling process. But aspiring principals can relieve the pain by heeding this advice from our “Principal Files” team. Included: Practice interview questions, sound advice, plus a few surprises that might be encountered along the way.
Getting the Most Out of School Counselors
While elementary-school guidance
counselors still are not the norm, those that are assigned to schools can provide valuable support to students, teachers, parents, and principals. The key is to let them do their jobs.
Pete Hall: Leading Off the Edge of the Map
It might not surprise you to come across in a column about principal leadership names the likes of Thomas Edison and Ferdinand Magellan. So how the heck did Pete Hall manage to add to that mix Rowlf the Dog
from The Muppet Show? Follow along…
In-School Daycare Benefits
Faculty, Community
One of the biggest headaches for working parents -- particularly mothers -- is reliable childcare. A district that opened an on-site daycare center for employees and the community finds it gives administrators an edge in recruiting and retaining faculty.
Principals Share Lessons Learned About Communicating With Parents, Others
Seldom does a day go by when most school leaders don’t learn something new about the importance of communication. Here, our
team of experienced “Principal Files” principals share their thoughts and tips about best practices in communication.
Kids Learn Better With a Song
In Their Hearts
Do you recall the multiplication tables, grammatical terms, or historical documents because of a song you learned as a kid? Educators recognize that teaching with song makes learning not only more fun, but more effective and long-lasting.
Ten Ideas for a Successful Take
Your Family to School Week
PTA Take Your Family to School Week is just one of the PTA programs revitalizing parent involvement in education. This special week in February is easy to implement too, with these ten ideas and the PTA’s online guide and poster.
“Souper Bowl” Connects Kids to Their Communities
Don’t miss this opportunity for your school to connect with the community during Super Bowl week. Each year, the Souper Bowl of Caring involves students as they collect millions of pounds of food to benefit local organizations. Participation tips included.
Pete Hall: Confronting Concerns With Teacher Performance
The time is now to confront the malpractice being committed by teachers who don’t pull their weight. If there are children in that teacher’s classroom, we have an obligation to provide the best possible learning environment and to insist upon excellence from that teacher.
Community Scavenger Hunt Teaches Research Skills, Much More
When armies of students descend on local libraries, it has to be time for the State of Jefferson Scavenger Hunt. The three-day event challenges kids to track down answers to a series of questions. The results include improved research skills, priceless memories.
Guidelines for Grading Principals
Stress Multiple Benchmarks
Concerned that administrators might not have enough input into NCLB-inspired criteria for assessing principals, a national principal association has offered criteria that include more than test scores. Included: NASSP’s recommendations, comments from NAESP.
Reformers, School Leaders Work
Closely to Improve Schools
Sometimes an outside perspective is what is needed to jump-start change. Some districts are committing to reform through long-term partnerships with foundations and centers that can provide consultants, money, and other resources.
If You Were Handed a $10,000 Windfall…
Principals can make a seemingly small windfall like $10,000 go a long way! That’s what we learned this month when we “gave” members of our Principal Files team $10,000 to spend. The principals offered wise tips for spending in ways that add true value.
Study Circles Help Gather Input,
Solve Problems
Many schools and communities use study circles to ensure that diverse perspectives are represented as they address issues such as the achievement gap, redistricting, building projects, racism, and bullying. Included: Tips for starting a study circle.
Pete Hall: Who’s Doing the
Work Here, Anyway?
I’ll just spit this out there: It’s time that we, as educators, evaluate everything that we do in our classrooms. Many of us are spending a tremendous amount of time and a monumental amount of energy in low-yield practices.
One Book, One School, One Community:
A Singular Reading Experience
Driven by the desire to enhance literacy skills and bring together generations, these three schools organized “One Book” community reading activities. Is this something your school might do? Included: Tips for choosing the right literary selection for a community read.
Twenty-Five Ideas for Celebrating American Education Week
American Education Week was first celebrated in 1921 as a way to help raise America’s literacy rate. Today, AEW offers a special opportunity for educators to shine a light on the great things they do. Included: Twenty-five ideas for celebrating AEW in your school.
Principals Promote Reading Aloud With Special Award
Are you a principal who is looking for a special way to recognize Children’s Book Week this year? You can share your love of reading and set a great example for students by reading aloud the five books nominated for the 2008 Principal’s Read Aloud Award.
A Leap in Leadership
“True leaders (and their followers) will not resort to throwing up their hands in despair. It is imperative that leaders create a culture of empowerment, a place where creative problem solving reigns. True leaders do not perpetuate a culture of “We Cannot Do.”
More Schools Turn to Extended Days
Hours of test preparation, especially in underperforming schools, has left little time for electives or even some of the un-tested basic subjects. Adding time to the school year and day has helped some schools improve their scores and flesh out their curriculums.
Pete Hall: Who’s Your
Joey Amalfitano?
You wake up late, you burn the toast, the cat vomited on the rug and you find out by stepping in it, you leave the house just barely behind schedule but then have to stop for gas… Ever had a day like that? That’s the day you have to find your Joey Amalfitano.
Is This "It" for Tag?
Schools in a handful of states have recently made news headlines by banning tag on their playgrounds. While school officials seek to make playgrounds safer, others disagree with the decision to eliminate tag. Included: Views from the trenches and the benches.
Principals Share Programs That Work
There are hundreds of programs out there. Some claim to raise student achievement. Others aim to improve student behavior, stop bullying, or keep kids off drugs… But do these programs work? Included: Principals share ten programs that work.
Principals' Feats Fuel
Fabulous Reading
What would students do to see their principal throw cow chips, spend a night on the roof, or get slimed? It turns out that they will do a great deal -- of reading! Principals everywhere are capitalizing on their students' desire to see them perform wacky stunts.
Social Studies Fairs
Inspire Young Historians
Picture a room filled with colorful project displays and students who look like they just stepped out of the pages of a history book -- and you are imagining the view teachers, parents, and students alike enjoy during a social studies fair. Tips included.
Partners for Student Success:
Parenting Workshops
Principal Becky Ford worked closely with her district's parent liaison to design parent support workshops for students who had behavior issues. Strategies to help children become better students were presented, including tips for using reward systems at home.
Pawlas on PR: Volunteers and Mentors Add So Much to a School
Setting up and maintaining a strong volunteer or mentor program is not an easy task. But most principals who take time to recognize the immediate and countless benefits of establishing volunteer programs feel the extra effort is well worth it.
Pawlas on PR: Forging Relationships With the Larger Community Pays Off Big-Time
Schools cannot afford to function independent of other segments of their communities. Now, more than ever, it is essential that schools form relationships with community members, groups, and agencies for the mutual benefit of the students and schools.
Pawlas on PR: Experienced Administrators Share Their Advice With Aspiring Principals
Twenty-three students in George Pawlas's graduate educational leadership course recently interviewed experienced school administrators to learn, What two pieces of advice would you give to an aspiring administrator? Here is what they said.
Pawlas on PR: Take Care of the People Who Take Care of You
The words of a local dentist's grandmother have got me reflecting on what school principals can and should do for their internal and external publics and members of their immediate families. "Taking care" efforts with all three groups are vitally important.
Pawlas on PR: Crisis Planning -- Have You Done Yours?
No one can predict when or where the next disaster or tragedy will strike, so principals must be prepared to deal with any possible crisis. Principals who develop effective crisis plans are those who understand the true meaning of the saying, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."
Teacher Selection Counts: Six Steps to Hiring
As principals, we feel an enormous amount of pressure to staff our buildings with strong, effective, intelligent people. If you’ve ever had to fill a teaching vacancy, you know how hard that is: Hard as a coffin nail. Included: Tips for “getting the right people on the bus.”
Mapping Instruction With Interim Assessments
Officials in one school district needed to know if their instructional interventions were working. They needed data reported more often than state tests could provide, so they created an online assessment tool that has improved instruction and raised test scores.
For Hungry Kids, Backpacks Lighten Load
Students who are disruptive, can't concentrate, or lack motivation may not need a firm hand; they might, instead, need a helping hand. Principals in many states have initiated programs that fill backpacks with food to help kids get the fuel they need to flourish.
Teachers Take Lead in Instructional Talk Throughs
To meet teachers’ professional development needs, one district’s administrators developed Instructional Talk Throughs. Teams of teachers observe colleagues and offer written and verbal feedback. Included: An outline of the Instructional Talk Through
Pete Hall: Reviving the American Dream
Pete Hall is wondering if the American Dream is dying. "As educators, we can teach -- through some direct instruction and intentional role-modeling -- what the American Dream means," he says. Will you be joining Pete in reviving the American Dream this year?
Order in the Cafeteria: Tips for Improving Behavior and Supervision
Some principals have nightmares about “cafeteria time.” But with rules for traffic flow and behavior firmly in place, many principals say lunchtime can run hitch-free. Included: Tips for improving behavior, training monitors, and planning trouble-free recess time.
The Best Thing About This Year…
So what was the best thing to happen in your school this past school year? Was it a special event? A school-wide effort that paid off? A special recognition? A kid who made great strides?... Read what our “Principal Files” principals had to say.
Paul Young: The No-Hat Rule
Would you agree that manners, civility, and respect for decorum are values that are heading the way of the horse and buggy? Paul Young thinks so. He says a return to teaching manners in school must start at the top -- so take off those ballcaps!
Paul Young: The Five Levels of Principal Leadership
Joe had ‘arrived’ when in early August, at age 29, he was selected as the principal of Union Elementary School. In a rush to make a great first impression, Joe made a momentous mistake. If only he’d read John Maxwell’s Leadership 101…
Paul Young: Have You Got Enough Love to Be a Mentor Principal?
Have you got what it takes to mentor the next generation of school leaders? If you’re a principal who has benefited from the helping hand and heart of a skilled mentor, you’ve no doubt picked up skills that will support you as you grow great teachers and future principals.
Paul Young: Who Is Responsible for Unruly Kids?
Community members finally had it with unruly students at a neighborhood bus stop. So they turned to the school for help. After being confronted, the principal knew he had to take action. But how would he handle this “potentially dangerous” situation?
Paul Young: The Light in the Principal’s Office
You’ve all heard of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), which is often triggered by the shorter days and longer nights of winter. But have you heard of BAD? Principal Paul Young offers his perspective and a few tips for managing kids who suffer from BAD.
Paul Young: The Omnipresent Principal
To students in a school, the principal often seems to be everywhere. While we know that is physically impossible, there are things that any principal can do to make it seem that way. A principal’s omnipresence sets a tone for a school and gives it a personality.
Paul Young: Give Yourself the Best Gift -- The Gift of Time
Time. Busy principals always seem to need more of it. So why do they give so much of it away so freely? By gaining control of the time they do have, principals can save precious minutes every day and create more hours in a week for more important things.
Paul Young: Preventing Gridlock -- The “Principal” Traffic Cop’s Job
The job of a principal is not all that different from the job of a traffic cop. When gridlock forms in our schools, it is the principal -- the school’s traffic controller -- who must make the quick decisions that “drive” achievement and remove barriers to improvement.
Paul Young: Becoming a Principal Is Like Learning to Swim All Over Again
The lessons Paul Young learned while learning to swim stick with him today. Learning to swim and learning to principal aren’t all that different, he says. Both require encouragement from trusted teachers. So are you ready to dive into the principalship?
Paul Young: Landing Your First Principalship
When it comes to being interviewed for that first principalship, all principals-to-be can benefit from the experience of a mentor. Mentors help their mentees focus on what must be said rather on what not to say. Included: Tips for aspiring principals.
These Shoes Were Made for Running/Walking
A runner for many years, Principal Kim Pavlovich has created a run/walk program that each week attracts teachers, parents, and more than half the student body to the school track. Included: Tips for starting this simple and inexpensive program in your school.
Beyond Standardized Testing: District Focuses on Assessing the Whole Child
Concerned that high-stakes testing was narrowing student assessment down to a few scores, educators in one Illinois district developed a system to assess a wide range of skills -- including thinking skills and social skills -- they wanted students to master.
Principals on the Move: Tips for Making a Smooth Move
If you have just been assigned to a new school for next school year, or if you’re taking your first job as a principal, members of our “Principals Files” offer practical advice. Included: Tips from principals who have experienced a move or two or more.
Pete Hall: Changing Addresses
Forward this column to anyone you know who will have a new principal’s office in the coming school year. That includes new principals beginning their first assignments and vets who are moving to new schools or districts. Plus: Tips for starting off on the right foot.
This Is Only a Test
Testing may not be a favorite activity, but it is here to stay. When the adults around them are nervous -- or worse yet, negative -- about standardized tests, students can adopt those attitudes as well. Included: Simple tips to help administrators facilitate a smooth test day.
Teachers, Parents, Kids Bond Over Books
Inviting parents to participate in a book discussion group with teachers has led to better relationships between teachers and parents and a deeper understanding of current education and child-rearing issues. Included: Tips for starting a group at your school.
The Web and Teacher Growth
Do today’s classroom teachers have a shelf life? Is it possible that teacher "restlessness" is a natural consequence of life-long learning? Does being on a constant learning curve alter the persona of our profession? How has the Internet contributed to that change?
Pete Hall: Turning Teacher Evaluations on Their Ears
The scheduling, the classroom observations, the reports, the checklists… Teacher evaluation time is an exhausting time. Just ask our ulcers. But when you keep SITTM in mind, and pair it with frequent classroom walk-throughs, students end up the big winners.
March Madness
“Put me behind a podium, flip the switch, and I can talk the hind leg off a donkey. It’s fun, having a platform where you can express your opinion. It’s even more fun when people appreciate what you have to say.
Military Veterans Proudly Serving Again, in the Classroom
Former servicemen and women bring to the classroom unique management skills, flexibility in dealing with others, and the ability to respond to nearly any situation. Included: Three troops-turned-teachers talk about the rewards, difficulties of their new.
Showing Appreciation on “Secretaries Day”
Administrative Professionals Week (formerly called National Secretaries Week) is celebrated each April. What are you doing to recognize the folks in the front office who keep things on an even keel in your school? Here are some practical ideas…
Even Little Makeovers Make a Big Difference
Many schools would benefit from an “extreme makeover” but can’t afford one, let alone a coat of paint. Some community volunteers are taking on the job of making over rooms and teacher lounges, surprising and delighting school staff.
The Principal as Troublemaker
Paul Young is past president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). And he is a troublemaker. But, as he describes in this essay, being a troublemaker is a necessary thing for strong school leaders to be.
Administrators Praise Three-Minute Walk-Throughs
Since one North Carolina school district started using three-minute walk-throughs, principals have become more involved with curriculum, provided support for educators, and learned from students. Included: How a three-minute walk-through program works.
Students Clean Up Their Act and "Dare Not To Swear!"
At Bremerton (Washington) High School, the student-generated "Dare Not To Swear!" program has proven that students can be even more effective in reducing swearing than teachers. Included: Two schools’ approaches, plus Dare Not To Swear! poetry.
Marriage, Family, and the Principalship: Making It All Work
The demands of the principal’s job can’t help but take a toll on marriages and families. According to our “Principal Files” principals, keeping families intact requires plenty of effort, teamwork, a well-used calendar, and a cell phone with lots of minutes. Included: Principals offer their advice.
Pete Hall: Before “Lightning” Strikes
Around and around we go with the Frequent Fliers. The Detention Crew. The kids who have difficulty staying out of trouble. They are the Lightning Club. Lightning can strike at any time, without warning. Included: Start a Lightning Club in your school.
Crafting Thorough Cleaning Plans
Few educators may link school cleanliness with student performance, but cleaner buildings can mean higher attendance and more learning. Included: Tips for developing a comprehensive cleaning program that creates a healthier environment for all.
School Spotlight
Newman Elementary School colleagues learn by observing one another.
Improving School Environments Through Green Cleaning
As research mounts about the link between indoor air quality and health, and as more children enter school with respiratory problems, schools, districts, and even whole states are switching to more environmentally-friendly cleaning agents.
Pete Hall: Why 100 Matters
According to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, all students -- that’s 100 percent of enrolled students -- will test proficient by the 2013-2014 school year. Do you know what 100 percent really means? One goal-oriented school in Washington State does!
Ten Things Everyone Needs to Learn
Your school will try to teach you the facts you'll need to pass their tests, but schools won't teach you the things you really need to learn to be successful. What are they? Stephen Downes offers a list of his top ten things you need to learn.
Dealing With Angry Parents
Education World’s “Principal Files” team always provides practical tips that help out school leaders in sticky situations. In this article, they tackle the topic of “angry parents.” Included: Tips for calming upset parents and solving problems.
Pete Hall: Four Things You Must Do in 2007
For this new year, let's promise ourselves we won't overdo it with pledges we can't keep. Let's make a few subtle shifts in our attitude that can pay substantial dividends in our daily routines. Let's make a special effort to do these "Four Things You Must Do in 2007."
More (Short) Tests Can Help Learning
With all the testing going on these days, it's hard to imagine doing more. But some schools are finding that assessing students throughout the year with short tests can improve learning and better prepare kids for the big tests. The idea is backed up by research.
Wellness Policies Promote Healthy Choices
The federal mandate for schools to adopt written wellness policies has prompted many to focus on cafeteria and snack items as well as opportunities for physical activity. What have school leaders learned as they implemented new wellness policies?
The Greatest Thing About My School Is…
Do you have a sense that the media too often focuses on the negative news about our schools? With that in mind, all principals should be prepared to spread the good news about their schools. And we asked our “Principal Files” principals to do just that.
WatchDOGS Unleashed on Schools
WATCH D.O.G.S. is a K–12 program that makes it easy for father figures to spend meaningful time in a school setting. The program is overseen by a “Top Dog” volunteer dad who partners with the school administrator to identify opportunities for WatchDOGS dads.
Online Grades Provide Access and Accountability
In many schools, teachers use online grading systems to keep parents (and kids) informed. Administrators say the improved communication makes students more accountable for their work and eliminates unwelcome "surprises" on report cards.
Pete Hall: Why I Wear Red Socks to School
The earliest known socks were discovered in Egyptian tombs. In subsequent years, socks have taken many turns on the paths of style and function. Principal Pete Hall’s socks, for instance, are red. Every day, red socks. So why does Hall wear red socks to school every day?
Principals Who Can’t Live Without Technology
Easy access to technology has changed the way school principals work. So what tech tools can’t principals live without? High on their lists are handhelds, calendaring tools, data “warehouses,” and curriculum software that helps boost student test scores.
Demonstration Puts More Meat into Essays
Students and parents construct burgers to build better essays. Parents and students used sample topic sentences, explanations, and diagrams to construct effective essays using the Hamburger Writing Model.
Mentoring New Administrators to Success
Too often new administrators are dropped into their offices with a list of expectations and little support -- not even a bottle of aspirin. But the Savannah-Chatham County (Georgia) mentoring program is designed to nurture and mold quality educators into quality administrators.
Programs Connect U.S. Students, Orphans Abroad
The Memory Project enlists students to create portraits and books for orphaned children overseas. Teachers say the program helps students learn about the world and provides opportunities for authentic learning. Included: How your school can participate.
Creating Your Own Web Site
Bernie Poole provides 11 easy-to-read handouts designed to lead you or your students step-by-step through the process of creating a content-rich education-oriented Web site.
Weekly Folders Deliver News from School to Home
Need an easy and inexpensive way to reach parents with important news from your school? Many elementary and middle schools package all communication and student work into a "weekly folder" that is sent home on the same day each week.
"You Must Remember This…"
We asked members of the Education World Teacher Team "If you could give a brand new teacher just one piece of advice, what would it be?" Discover what they told us.
Pete Hall: T2 -- Togetherness and Teamwork
There is a Kilimanjaro-sized mountain of research supporting the importance of teamwork in our schools. Quotes such as "many hands make light work" and "two heads are better than one" could not be more apropos than they are in today's schoolhouses.
Bulletin Boards: Powerful Teaching, Community-Building Tools
Bulletin boards loaded with student work add personality to school hallways and speak volumes about what teachers value most. Included: Ed World's "Principal Files" team speaks about the power of bulletin boards from the primary grades to high school.
What Structures Need To Be in Place To Make Teacher Leadership Thrive?
The hierarchical structure of schools perpetuates a tradition: principals lead and teachers teach. Given that structure, it is difficult to imagine how teacher leadership can thrive. But it can thrive, and principals are instrumental in creating conditions to make it happen.
Best Bulletin Boards: Principals Share Favorite Hallway Displays
Some bulletin boards reflect student learning. Some attract attention as they display students' work or family photos. Others simply brighten school hallways. Included: Principals share "best bulletin boards."
Saving Kids from Stress
Facing fierce competition to get into top colleges, many students are compromising their health and values to get ahead. Experts are even seeing stress levels increase at the elementary school level. Some educators are working to reduce the pressures on students.
Pete Hall: The Attack
With the advent of the No Child Left Behind Act, higher standards and expectations, growing pressure for preparing
children for global competition, and an increasing need to address the whole child… on behalf of 50 million children
I ask you to join me in "The Attack."
Teachers Teaching Teachers: Professional Development That Works
If you're not capitalizing on the expertise of your school's teaching team, you're missing out on the most effective professional development around. Ed World's "Principal Files" principals share their experiences with and enthusiasm for teachers-teaching-teachers PD.
Teachers Receive Due Praise at Graduation
There is no time like the present to begin planning your school's best commencement ever. This year, take a page from the book of higher learning and recognize not just the graduates but the elementary and middle school educators who helped get them there.
"Recovery Rooms" Put Disruptive Students on Road to Recovery
Are disruptive students inhibiting learning in your school? If so, the answer may be creating a place for them to refocus and regroup -- a "recovery room." With guidance, students can reflect on their mistakes and find ways to improve.
Pairing At-Risk High School, Elementary Kids Benefits Both
Mixing at-risk high school and elementary-aged students might sound like a plan for perpetuating bad habits. But when asked to serve as mentors, the high school students stepped up, and they and their charges are learning about themselves and each other.
Carle, Cleary, Rowling, and [Your Students' Names Here]: Kids
Can Be Published Authors, Too!
Kids of all ages can be encouraged to write when they know that their work will be returned in the form of a published
book. Learn how to get started with book-writing projects for whole schools or individual classes.
Put "Punch" Into Your Parent Handbook
Is it time to take a fresh look at your school's parent handbook? How can your school get more out of this essential
resource for parents? Education World takes a look at ten handbooks from across the grades and shares what each
one does especially well.
My Three Favorite Things: Data, Data, and Data
"Educators, as a breed, are afraid of data," says Ed World columnist Pete Hall. "We treat them like contagious
numerical pathogens. After all, for decades we have been the evaluators, but now we are the evaluatees, often
left to the mercy of unpleasant school designations..."
Group Brings Waves of Humor to Professional Development
The group Wavelength proves that professional development can be fun and full of substance. Using skits, music,
and improvisation, the troupe zeros in on hot education topics. Included: Descriptions of Wavelength presentations.
Teacher Feature
A school's "Backpack Buddies Club" helps families overcome hunger.
Summer Reading Picks
What's on your summer reading list? Members of the Education World Teacher and Tech Teams share their favorite
books for professional development, personal information -- and pure pleasure.
Integrating Technology and Science
Discover how technology enhances the science program in the Greece Central School District, Rochester, New York.
It's Time to Reinvent the Principalship
The idea of a single principal who can do everything is not working. Here are eight recommendations for reinventing
the principalship to help reduce stress on current administrators and entice new candidates to the profession.
Principals as Leader-Managers
Principals often view leadership and management as two different roles, but the most effective principals know
how to blend the two. Included: Tips for combining leadership and management skills to be a more effective administrator.
America's Battle of the Books: Dueling Readers Spar About Literature
Students choosing to read meaningful literature and avid readers from different schools working together as teams:
does it sound too good to be true? America's "Battle of the Books" combines literature and friendly competition.
Start a "battle" at your school!
Pete Hall: 600 Reasons To Do It Again Next Year
"I cannot begin to share the number of times that I've sat alone in my car at the end of a long day of principaling.
I sit, unwilling to turn the key as dusk creeps into the staff parking lot, and wonder aloud, 'Why, exactly, do
I continue to do this?'"
The Best Convention Speakers We've Seen...
Have you been to a conference session that truly inspired you? Have you run into a speaker whose message changed
the way you do things? Improved your school? Improved your life? Our "Principals Files" principals name the speakers
you must see!
Counseling: A School Improvement Tool
The role of counselors in schools is expanding from just attending to individual students to leading discussions
and activities for groups of students that can help improve school performance and behavior.
Pete Hall: Prioritize and Delegate Your Way to Effective
Leadership
"If a principal cannot effectively prioritize time and energy, and if a principal cannot delegate certain tasks
and decisions, then that principal will find him or herself dangling at the end of a very short rope over a frothing
sea of sharks, piranhas..."
Schools and Online Social Networking
Most educators working with middle and high school students are aware of the explosive involvement of youth on
social networking sites. Few are prepared to deal with it. In this article, Nancy Willard discusses the risks
and benefits of such sites and offers schools a comprehensive approach to addressing student Internet access.
BRAVO Principals… Act With Courage, Conviction
Making difficult decisions requires courage. A principal's acts of courage help ensure that all children
learn. Those acts also serve as catalysts; they motivate colleagues to act with courage. Included: Sandra Harris
offers ten actions of courageous principals.
Getting Kids to Read By Keeping Their Eyes on the Prize
Educators know that children who read and are read to are more likely to become life-long readers. That's why
many schools are using reading incentives -- from reading honor rolls to "prize patrols" -- to encourage kids.
And they're reading more as a result.
Create a School Profile Brochure
Most corporations have professional brochures that promote their history, goals, and results. So, asks George
Pawlas, why shouldn't schools create brochures to boast of their history, their stats and awards, their community
connections, and their visions and goals?
Systems Let Schools Call More Parents Faster
School phone trees are being eclipsed by phone systems that can dial thousands of numbers in minutes and alert
parents to emergencies, schedule changes, and even events, saving administrators time and stress.
Got Motto? -- Twelve Slogans to Help Build School-Wide Community
You've seen those celebrity-filled "Got Milk" magazine ads? Now it's time to meet the "Got Motto" poster principals!
They're using school-wide slogans to spur enthusiasm, inspire teamwork, and build community. Included: Twelve
mottos for your consideration.
Professional Learning Communities
Professional learning communities are teams of educators systematically working together to improve teaching practice
and student learning. Learning communities are characterized by shared values and vision, collaboration, and support.
Learn more!
Teaching and Learning Online
Whether you're planning on taking or teaching an online course -- or pursuing an online degree -- you won't want
to miss this Teacher Team article, in which our resident experts talk about their online teaching and learning
experiences.
Tech Conferences: For Geeks Only?
Afraid you're not techie enough for a tech conference? Think again! Four classroom teachers share how attending
a national tech conference impacted their teaching and networking.
Scrabble Clubs Spell Learning, Fun
Many schools are luring students away from TV and video games with the chance to out-spell classmates in after-school
Scrabble club competitions. Educators say playing Scrabble improves language and social skills. Included:
Scrabble as a teaching tool.
Pete Hall: Get Out of That Chair!
Principal Pete Hall says walk-throughs are the most powerful thing he does. They provide him with a clear picture
of the state of learning in his school and many peripheral benefits too. Walk-throughs, Hall says, should be a
priority in every principal's day.
Use a Daily "School Pledge" to Build Community
While discussing morning rituals that would be meaningful for teachers and students, the staff at the Adams School
in Castine, Maine, decided to introduce five daily pledges -- a different one each day. They got their inspiration
from literature, history, and pop culture.
BRAVO Principals… Celebrate Diversity
Columnist Sandra Harris says principals make their schools stronger by valuing their students' diversity. By highlighting
-- even encouraging -- diversity, they make kids who might feel "different" feel welcomed instead. They limit
bullying and harassment too.
Triumph Over Truancy: Tips for Improving Student Attendance
Greater learning, a brighter future, less delinquency, and more funds for schools -- there are countless benefits
to increased student attendance. Many schools are coming up with novel approaches to resolve their truancy woes.
Will their ideas work in your school?
Support Personnel Are P.R. People Too
Secretaries, custodians, cafeteria workers, crossing guards, and bus drivers are key personnel in creating a school's
reputation. Education World columnist George Pawlas shares tips for capitalizing on the P.R. potential of your
schools support personnel.
Principals Reflect on the Best Parts of the Job
Being a school principal is a tough job. But many principals stick with it because the joys of the job far
outweigh the frustrations. Education World's "Principal Files" team recently reflected on what it is that gets
them out of bed each morning!
What's the Most Frustrating Part of Being a Principal?
What are the biggest challenges faced by school principals? Members of our "Principal Files" team recently shared
the downside of being a school leader. They reflected about unfunded mandates, kids who fall through the cracks,
a lack of parent support, and more.
Hallway Greeters Make Morning Transition
Safe, Pleasant
The atmosphere at New Hampshire's Dame School is slower and happier since hallway greeters have become part of
the morning routine. The number of students running through the hallways has decreased, and the noise level has
dropped considerably.
Morphing Your Elementary School Into a Literacy Academy
We used to call them grammar schools. Now we call them elementary schools. I propose a new definition
of our schools -- especially those that service the primary grades. We need to shift our mindset and rename them
as…
Community Effort Links In-School, After-School Learning
Louisville, Kentucky, school officials wanted youngsters to get more out of their after school hours. With the
help of a software program, schools share data with after-school program staff who develop content to address
students' areas of weakness.
BRAVO Principals... Help Staffs and Students Cope With
Stress
Sandra Harris has seen firsthand how principals have handled the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. But
not all disasters are natural ones. In the event of job loss, illness, death, and divorce BRAVO principals do
all that they can to help faculty and students cope.
"Together We Can" Motto Spurs Columbia Elementary's Success
Columbia Elementary's school motto is "Together We Can!" Together principal Lori Musser and staff members have
adopted initiatives such as after-school clubs and intensive reading instruction to help students achieve.
Pawlas on PR: 50 Million Students Can't Be Wrong
Research says that people base their opinions of schools on what children tell them. That's why principals should
take a good look at their schools from a kid's perspective. Included: Tips for improving students' -- and parents'
-- perceptions of your school.
School-Wide Mail Delivery System Teaches Kids Letter-Writing, Responsibility
In this IM, e-mail age, many children haven't experienced the excitement of getting a hand-written letter. One
popular program, though, allows students to write letters and work in an in-school post office. Included: See
how it works, try it in your school!
Budgeting in the Accountability Age
Doing more with less has been the challenge for school districts in recent years, but now the demands of the No
Child Left Behind Act, coupled with shrinking resources, are making budgeting even harder.
Got Three Hours? A School Needs You
Who could say no to giving three hours to their child's school over nine months? That's what the founders of the
parent volunteer program Three for Me reasoned -- and they discovered once parents got a taste of volunteering,
they were eager to keep coming back.
Pete Hall: Mentoring and the Three Golden Rules
New principals have no idea what they're about to encounter. That is not their districts' fault; they hired competent
leaders. The principalship is simply a beast that cannot be understood until one has wrangled with it. Included:
Three "golden rules" for principals.
Principals Offer Practical, Timely "Time Management" Tips
Have you mastered the 3 D's (Delegate it, Dump it, or Do it)? Could a "closed-door policy" help you better
manage your time? Maybe you should set up "satellite offices" -- or find a hiding place? EW's "Principal Files"
team offers those tips and more.
BRAVO Principals… Care About People
How do caring principals show teachers and students that they care? Sandra Harris shares ten traits of caring
principals that she has observed -- ten ways in which principals make teachers and students feel important, respected,
recognized, heard, and included.
Schools Where Wellness Is a Way of Life
The need for students to eat more healthful foods and get more exercise is getting a lot of attention in schools
these days, but some school leaders are going a step further, developing wellness policies and health alliances
with their communities.
More Tips for Great Newsletters
Surveys say newsletters are the second most important source of information about your school. George Pawlas offers
timely reminders about what to include in the newsletters you produce during the second semester. Included: "Fifteen
Tips for Writing Right."
Breakfast Book Club: Feeding Bodies and Minds
Every school wants to foster a love of reading in students, but how can schools fit another reading activity into
a packed educational day? Some schools are inviting kids to join in book discussions as they eat breakfast. Included:
How to organize a breakfast book club.
Schools Celebrate Martin Luther King and His Dream
Each January many schools celebrate the life of Martin Luther King by bringing to life his words and his dream.
Learn what some schools, including three that bear his name, do to keep the meaning of this holiday foremost in
the minds of their students.
How Does Your School Handle the Homework Dilemma?
Do you have a school-wide policy? Do students earn a homework grade? What about late homework? Or the effects
of homework zeros on student grades? Education World's "Principal Files" team members share their thoughts on
those questions and others.
BRAVO Principals… Rekindle the Spirit
Sandra Harris says principals who encourage others "rekindle the spirit" of their schools. Harris shares ten ways
in which principals are encouraging teachers and students and, as a result, creating a school-wide atmosphere
of encouragement and achievement.
School-Wide Handwashing Campaigns Cut Germs, Absenteeism
School-wide handwashing programs can improve the health and attendance of students and staff. If your school does
not have a program in place, many resources are available to help you get one started. Included: Links to valuable
free resources.
The Benefits of Being an MBWA Principal
As principal, getting out of the office and into classrooms can have countless benefits for your school. George
Pawlas offers three easy and fun ways to get into classrooms more often. A couple of his ideas are accompanied
by favorite classroom memories.
Schools Offering Service With A Smile
Greetings, smiles, and eye contact may be standard customer-service training in the retail industry, but now it
is moving into schools as well. Some districts are training all staff members, including administrators and bus
drivers, to be more customer-friendly.
Setting New "Sub" Standards
The demands of the school day are altering the role of substitute teachers as placeholders or baby sitters. More
districts are training their subs in classroom management and instructional skills so a teacher's absence does
not mean a lost day of learning.
School-Wide Rules Creation
Learn about one school's efforts to improve school climate by developing a more consistent approach to discipline
from classroom to classroom and in common school areas, such as the playground, lunchroom, and hallways.
Pete Hall: 3 Steps to Embracing Change
Change is scary. But as leaders of school improvement, we are faced with the daunting challenge of making change
a necessity, a known quantity, and fun. Yes, change is fun! If you don't believe that,
come along with me.
Visitation Day: Parents "Walk in the Shoes" of Students
Tight-lipped kids often keep their parents in the dark about school activities. How can schools bring them out
of the cold? Invite them in! "Parent Visitation Days" are easy to organize and a great way to get parents in touch
with their kids' school life.
Yearlong Themes: Principals Use Them to Build Spirit, Achievement
Does your school use a yearlong theme to motivate students and increase student achievement? Education World's
"Principal Files" team shares a dozen ideas to help others see the power and potential of using yearlong,
school-wide themes.
BRAVO Principals... Communicate Effectively
Author and EdWorld columnist Sandra Harris says that BRAVO principals follow three principles of effective communication.
They are truthful, yet tactful; available; and active listeners. Included: Examples of those three principles
in action during the school day.
Preparing the Next Generation of Urban School Leaders
In an effort to deepen the pool of qualified urban principal candidates, the Institute for the Mentorship of Urban
School Leaders at Lehigh University was established to give proven school leaders the training and support needed
to be effective administrators.
Kids Tutor Kids to Big Gains
When Ivy Hall School staff members were searching for a way to provide more individual support to struggling readers,
they turned to Stevenson High School's service club, and found a supply of free, effective tutors.
Panning for Gold in the Era of Accountability
Is your school's public perception in need of a little polishing? Even if your school is "in need of improvement,"
you can mine golden nuggets of good news and silver linings to make the school's image shine. Here are some ways
you can do just that.
Does Your School's Atmosphere Shout "Welcome!"?
Does your school's atmosphere shout "Welcome!" to parents, students, and staff? Our "Principal Files" team shares
how they've created welcoming atmospheres in their schools. Most of their ideas are easy to duplicate. Learn from
their ideas, share your own.
Tools for Teaching: The School Discipline Code
The logic of all school discipline codes is timeless: "The punishment fits the crime." The greater the crime,
the greater the punishment. Look in your student handbook under the heading "Discipline Code" and you will find
a "hierarchy of consequences," arranged from small to large. It begins with a verbal warning and ends with suspension
and expulsion. Does it work?
A Techtorial: e-Portfolio Fever
Discover what an e-portfolio can do for you and for your K-12 students! This techtorial includes an overview
of portfolios as well as a simple and quick demo of e-portfolio building.
Rise and Shine with Morning Assembly
Connect students and staff at the beginning of each day with a "morning assembly." Principals say a well-organized
assembly establishes a positive tone for teachers and students and encourages community involvement.
BRAVO Principals… Share Power
EdWorld columnist Sandra Harris says sharing power means acknowledging that every faculty member at your school
is a leader. By empowering others, you inspire others, you build a climate of trust and respect, and good decisions
get made!
Parents and Teachers Working Together
How do you establish and maintain a good working relationship with your students' parents? The Education World
Teacher Team shares their strategies for increasing parent involvement and ensuring parental support.
Dressing (Teachers) for Success
"Dressing appropriately" used to be a phrase with universal meaning. But in an age where flip flops appear in
White House photos, some school districts want to make it clear how they expect all staff members -- including
teachers -- to dress.
Newsletters: An Essential Tool for Every Principal
George Pawlas learned early in his years as a principal that regular, informative communication from his office
helped build support for his school. That's when he discovered the true value of parent newsletters. Included:
Newsletter do's and don'ts.
Parent Planning for Parent Involvement
Too often administrators view parent involvement programs as neglected gardens. If by chance they grow and bear
fruit, terrific. If they don't, it can't be helped. But a national institute says that, with some planning, all
schools can grow parent involvement programs.
Always Strive to Be a Better You
Just as James Bond exists by the words "Live and let die" so award-winning principal Pete Hall lives by the words
"Always strive to be a better you." How does Hall's motto guide his principalship? He shares ideas that might
help all principals be their best.
Schools Recruit, Recognize Contributions of Volunteers
Is your school crawling with volunteers? Or are you looking for ways to recruit more volunteers? In this article,
our "Principal Files" principals talk about the benefits of volunteers and offer tips for recruiting them and
recognizing their contributions.
Co-Principals Face Challenges Together
Many principals have days when they wish they weren't alone at the top. Mary Gentili and Jeanne Wall say they
have found that working as co-principals gives them the help and support they need to efficiently run a school
with 1,100 K-2 students.
BRAVO Principals… Calm the Storm
Sandra Harris teaches at a university near Houston, which has been a focal point of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
She is witnessing firsthand the essential role that principals are playing in the effort to bring relief and normalcy
to the lives of children and families.
Bring "Order" to the Cafeteria
Is your school's cafeteria a place where you love to spend time, or is it a nightmare come to life? How can you
make the lunchroom a more "orderly" place? Administrators share their best tips for improving atmosphere, behavior,
and manners in the lunchroom.
Students Design School Uniforms
Telling a teen what to wear can be both futile and exhausting. So when Charlotte-Mecklenburg school officials
were considering adopting student uniforms in three high schools, they recruited designers with insight into what
kids would wear: other kids.
Getting the Most Out of Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are an important part of any school's communication plan. And principals are in a position
to help ensure that the first conference of the year sets a tone for future communication. Included: Tips for
prepping parents and teachers ahead of time.
Staff Meeting Idea: Teachers "Stand" for Students
Looking for an inexpensive, powerful way to remind your staff of why they embarked on a career in education? Try
"I Stand For...," an activity that asks teachers to rise and name a student for whom they have made a difference.
Tips for using this activity included.
Mastering the New Three R's
Most educators find themselves constantly feeling that they have too much to do and too little time. John Blaydes
offers advice for mastering the three R's of resiliency, renewal, and reflection to keep you healthy and more
productive.
Schools Bring Professional Development In-House
More districts are getting away from generic professional development -- the "spray and pray" approach -- in favor
of their own professional development programs targeted to their needs and presented by their staff.
Coaching Teachers to Success
Staff development teachers in the Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools are coaches, mentors, and on-site
resources for classroom teachers. Many bring years of teaching experience and a desire to help their peers do
the job.
Is Your Parent Newsletter the Best It Can Be?
Education World's "Principal Files" principals agree that parent newsletters should be an essential part of every
school leader's communication plan. They offer encouragement, ideas, and advice for those who want to start a
newsletter or improve their current one.
Accessibility Tools
The NEA reports that, as of 2004, nearly every U.S. classroom includes students with physical and/or learning
disabilities. Learn about the new technologies that make it possible for those students to work alongside their
classmates.
State Your Mission: Creating Mission Statements that Work
What is your school's mission statement? If it doesn't exist or you can't recall it, it's time to take another
look. A mission statement can be a focal point for learning. It can guide all school activities, and even assist
you in choosing the right people to join your staff.
From Chaos to Coherence: Managing Teacher Stress
"I'm totally stressed out." Listen carefully when teachers repeat that routine mantra. The stress they're experiencing
could affect their performance, students, and personal lives. But stress doesn't have to take a toll. Included:
Effective stress-fighting strategies.
Principals Hold Key to Teacher Retention
Recruiting and hiring teachers for schools is hard enough -- so it’s frustrating if teachers leave after a year
or two. A Houston, Texas, principal talks about the important role a principal plays in retaining teachers.
What Great Principals Do Differently
You can tell great principals by what they do, what they say, and who works for them, according to educator, author,
and speaker Dr. Todd Whitaker. They are the people who lead by example and recruit other effective people.
Principal Ideas Volume #1
Just think of Principal Ideas as a virtual show-and-tell for principals. Each week in the coming school
year we'll present five new principal-tested ideas. Send in your idea today, get an Education World mug if we
use it! See the article for information.
School-Community Relations is Great PR And Then Some
George Pawlas, author of The Administrator's Guide to School-Community Relations, says every principal
should carry a list of "six statements you can say with pride about your school." Pawlas offers that PR advice
and much more in this EdWorld interview.
What Makes Effective Teaching Teams Tick?
Many of the most successful schools teem with the spirit of team teaching. Educators agree that teaming has huge
benefits for students' academic and social growth, but what makes the most effective teams tick? Included: "Ten
Commandments" for team teaching.
Improving School Culture
What kind of culture pervades your school? Do staff members feel like a family? Or is it like a factory or a Little
Shop of Horrors? One way to assess school culture, and then strive to improve it, is through the Center for Improving
School Culture's triage survey.
Schools Strive for Waste-Free Lunches
Schools are discovering the benefits of cutting down on the waste they produce, particularly in the lunchroom.
In addition to monetary benefits, the schools are producing stewards of the Earth. Included: Simple ways to reduce
waste in the lunchroom.
Green Schools Save the Environment, Money
Green schools, which are built to rely more on natural resources or have extensive recycling and conservation
programs, may sound expensive or a lot of work, but actually they save districts money in the long run, some experts
say.
Walk-Throughs Are On the Move!
Principals use walk-through observations to engage teachers in conversations about student learning. Included:
Principals share the benefits of walk-throughs; how to initiate walk-throughs with teachers who might fear frequent
classroom visits by principals.
Community Evaluates Superintendent Online
Opening oneself up to an evaluation by the community takes some nerve, but Nashville's superintendent Dr. Pedro
Garcia was up for it. The responses are leading to changes in how he communicates with the community. Included:
The online evaluation form.
Excellent Evaluations: Practical Tips for Improving Principals'
Observation, Teacher Evaluation Skills
Evaluating teachers is a principal's most important responsibility. Education World's "Principal Files" team offers
their advice for doing this process better. Included: What to look for, evaluation form options, walk-through
tips and forms, tips for teachers, more.
Report Calls for Overhaul of Administrators' Programs
A report on graduate education programs says they do a poor job of training school leaders. The system needs overhauling,
according to the author, Columbia University's Dr. Arthur Levine. We talked with principals who have some suggestions.
Parents Try High-Stakes Tests
One Mississippi middle school is offering parents the chance to answer questions from its state tests, to help
them understand what their children face. Included: Description of a test information night for parents.
Sharing Your Legacy: Words of Advice and Encouragement to the Next
Generation of School Principals
The knowledge of thousands of soon-to-retire principals will be lost forever unless we capture it in some
way for the next generation of school principals. A new project is intent on capturing the knowledge with which
you will retire.
Enforcing Dress Codes a Continuous Challenge
Dress codes are hard to create -- and harder to enforce -- but with enough parent and student involvement at the
beginning, and consistent enforcement once they are in place, educators at three schools report that dress codes
can work.
Before You Fly Off to That Conference… Have You Thought of Everything?
A big conference can be the best experience of your professional life -- or a big waste of time! To help you out,
our "Principal Files" team shared their experiences. Included: Tips to help you plan for -- and get the most out
of -- the next conference you attend.
50 Great Questions for Teacher Interviews
The questions you ask during interviews are key to drawing out the personalities of applicants and selecting the
right people to join your staff. Find your next new hire with these questions that will help you learn about their
knowledge, experience, and more!
Homework Club "Memberships" Grow
Attendance at homework clubs soon could rival the turnout for more traditional afterschool offerings. The clubs
give students the help and structure they need to complete assignments. Included: Tips for organizing a homework
club in your school.
Susan Patrick on the National Educational Technology Plan
Recently, Susan Patrick, director of the DOE's Office of Educational Technology, talked with Education World about
the vision of the National Educational Technology Plan -- and responded to its critics. Included: Share your opinion
about the report.
Principals Offer 30 Ways to Fight Stress
Being a principal is a stressful job -- no doubt about it! But principals do a great job of figuring out how to
beat that stress. We asked our "Principal Files" team to share their stress-busting tips. Maybe some of these
30 ideas are ones you haven't thought of before.
Crafting A Workable Cell Phone Policy
With so many families depending on cell phones, banning them from schools became pointless. Now the debate is
how to regulate phone use in schools, as more students own camera phones and ones that can send text messages
and connect to the Internet.
NETP Offers Action Steps for Success
On Friday, January 7, 2005, the U.S. Department of Education unveiled the National Education Technology Plan.
Find out how NCLB started the ball rolling, why today's students are different, and what the DOE says educators
must do to meet the needs of today's students. Included: Exclusive comments from National Educational Technology
Director Susan Patrick.
Using Data Rooms to Map Your
Way to Success
Got data? Most administrators would say of course. The trick is to get it off the shelves and into the open. By
setting up data rooms to display, track, and analyze information, administrators can make meaningful, measurable
changes in their schools.
Promoting Respect and Service: Two Programs Get A+ for Impact
While students at one Connecticut elementary school learn the "ropes" of respect, middle schoolers in California
are making community service part of the curriculum. Both schools received special awards for their programs.
Included: Community service tips.
The Journey Back: Administrators Return to the Classroom
They have taken the path from the classroom to the principalship and beyond, then gone back because they realized
the lure of teaching surpassed their desire to sit at the helm. Included: Advice for school leaders who are thinking
about returning to the classroom.
A Live-In Principal Explains His Move
To squeeze more family time into an 80-hour workweek, principal Michael Bremont moved his wife and four sons into
a building on the school campus. The move fits in with his belief that showing students commitment nurtures success.
Recess Before Lunch Can Mean Happier, Healthier Kids
Recess follows lunch almost as predictably as four follows three, because it always has been that way. Principals
who have put recess first, though, have noticed children eat more and behave better after lunch. Included: Tips
for making the transition.
Tech & Teaching: Principals Share Best Uses of Technology
Technology can be used to engage students in ways that other tools cannot. So what are the most fun or creative
ways principals have seen teachers use the technology at hand? That's the question we asked our "Principal Files"
team.
Principals Review Teacher-Graded Student Written Work, Enhance
Instruction Quality
Principals can and should assess the quality of graded student work in their schools. Yvonne Bender offers straightforward,
simple suggestions for accomplishing this kind of assessment, which can improve instruction.
Outreach Through the Airwaves: Schools Bring Message Home with
Television
Some districts are using cable TV to reach out to their communities. These "education stations" keep citizens
informed and sh | 
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