EdWorld Internet Topics





Our Top 10
Admin Desk Features

Article Archive
Blog: Of Principal Concern
Focus On...Admin Topics
Instant Meetings
Leadership Library
Newsletters 'R Us
Partners for Success
Principal Blog
Principal Files
Principal Ideas
Take Five

Admin Columnists
All Columnists...

Carlton Ashby
Pete Hall
Diane Hodges
George Pawlas
The Principal Poet
Paul Young
More Admin Desk
Features

Admin Desk Newsletter
Best Books for Admins
Conventions & Conf
Exceptional Events
Grants Center
Grants Newsletter
Great Meetings
How I Handled…
Morning Math
PR for Principals
Principal Profiles

More Admin Archives
Fundraising/Funding
Goal Setting
Parent Involvement
Programs of Interest
Special Themes
Staffing & Training
Technology/Internet
Wire Side Chats

More Admin Resources
Free Admin Newsletter
Message Boards
Tools and Templates

Visit Our
Other Channels


- Article Archive
- Free LP Newsletter
- Holiday Lessons
- Lesson of the Day
- Work Sheet Library
- See more...


- Article Archive
- Meet Our Columnists
- Reading Room
- Strategies That Work
- Teacher Features
- See more...


- Article Archive
- Sites to See
- Tech Lesson of Week
- Tech Team Articles
- Techtorial How-To's
- See more...


- Article Archive
- EW Goes to School
- Regina Barreca Humor
- School Issues Glossary
- Wire Side Chats
- See more...





- A+ Site Reviews
- Advertising Info
- Contact Us
- EDmin Planning Center
- Education Standards
- Financial Tips
- Free Newsletters
- Message Boards
- Subjects/Specialties
- Tips Library
- Tools & Templates
- See more...
Featured Programs
   E-Learning

Home > Administrator's Desk Channel > Administrator's Desk Archive >Principal Ideas > Principal Ideas Article

PRINCIPAL IDEAS ARTICLE


Principal Ideas
Volume #2

Share

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! See the sidebar to learn how to be part of Principal Ideas.

Join the Fun --
Share an Idea!

The ideas presented in this article come from the Education World archive and from principals just like you. Since these principals have been kind enough to "show and tell" an idea, now it's your turn! Share an idea you've used to
- Celebrate Students
- Plan a Special Event
- Welcome Students Back to School
- Make Graduation Day Special
- Liven Up Your A.M. Announcements
- Motivate Teachers
- Involve Parents
- Raise Money
- Plan an Effective Staff Meeting
- Get Some Good PR for Your School
…or any other topic of interest to principals.

Send your idea today to principalideas@
educationworld.com

Be sure to include your name, your school name, and your school address because if we post your idea in Principal Ideas, we'll send you an Education World mug!
First Day of School "School Hug"

On the first day of school, we do a "school hug." Students form a ring around the school and give the school a big group hug! We've found this to be a nice way to say "Welcome back." Parents love it because it's an interesting "event" and a nice photo opportunity. For kids, it helps from the very start of the year to build a sense of "school family."
Thanks to Bernard Falahee, principal at Raupp Elementary School in Lincoln Park, Michigan

Theme of the Year

We start each school year with a new theme. Previous years' themes have been "NASCAR -- Racing Into a Good Year" and "Riding the Wave -- Continued Success for Every Student." During the year, we refer frequently to the theme of the year.
Thanks to Robert Evans, principal at Washington Irving Elementary School in Edmond, Oklahoma

Trivia Time

Teachers need appreciation often, not just during the annual recognition week. That's why I keep filling the candy jar in the staff lounge. It is also why I frequently offer prizes for the correct answer to trivia questions I post on the white board in the staff lounge. Those are just a couple of the things I do all year long to show my appreciation to the teachers.
Source: Patricia Green, "Sixty-Five Ways to Recognize Teachers During Teacher Appreciation Week -- and All Year Long" (EducationWorld.com -- April 22, 2003)

Clean Slate

At the start of a new school year, it is important to give kids a fresh start. I encourage my staff and teachers to look at our students not as failures, but as students who haven't reached their potential. I tell my staff "Don't dwell on last year's problems. Treat every student as a new student without baggage." I remind teachers that we should all treat students like we would want our own children or ourselves to be treated. As much as I ask teachers to think that way about students, I try to think of teachers in the same way: Each year is a "clean slate."
Source: Dee Manitzas, Principals Search for Words to Rally the Troops

School Assemblies Raise Spirt

Our music and PE teachers get together to lead a monthly school spirit assembly. Students with perfect attendance for the previous month are recognized. We make it a big deal for the kids. They sit in a VIP section. They receive a certificate, a ribbon, and a McDonald's coupon. The assemblies also include special speakers who address issues central to our school's curriculum. We have had speakers talk about the need for students to learn to work hard now so they can be successful in the future. These two teachers really pump up the kids about how neat it is to hear their names at the assembly, and they have organized some of the most fun skits I have ever seen. At a recent spirit assembly, a special "Leader of the Pack" skit was the highlight. The skit included several teachers and some parent volunteers -- and the principal! -- all on tricycles performing to the oldie tune. I even had an eventful "crash" at the appropriate time during the song. Oh, and there were "Doo Whop" girls on stage too!
Source: Ernest Elliott, Teachers Who Make Principals Say WOW!

Education World® Editor-in-Chief
Copyright © 2006 Education World



 

Fundraisers & Fundraising Ideas:
Earn 90% Profit!

Leading Trade and
Vocational Career
savings.


Online Degree Directory

Walden University
M.S. in Education
Degrees Online


Online Schools
University Degrees
College Programs


Grants for Public
& Private Schools
Free Information


APUS
Online Degree
For Educators



Tips for Teachers
Resource Cards 
At No Cost to You 


Travel to Europe
and Earn Credits on
CreativityWorkshop



Copyright 1996-2009 by Education World, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Home | About Us | Reprint Rights | Help | Site Guide | Partners | Contact Us | Privacy Policy