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Home > Administrator's Desk Channel > Administrator's Desk Archive >Principal Ideas > Principal Ideas Article |
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| PRINCIPAL IDEAS ARTICLE | ||
Principal Ideas
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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
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