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.
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Readers Are Leaders
When students enter the school each morning they sit on the floor in the hallway outside their classrooms. Teachers have placed baskets of books in the hallway so students immediately take a book and start reading while waiting for their teachers to arrive. I walk around and hand out stickers printed with our "Readers Are Leaders" slogan to the students who are "caught" reading. Thanks to Dr. Elise Bourne-Busby, principal at Whittier Elementary School in Teaneck, New Jersey
Meet the Teachers
This year, Myrtle Creek Elementary held a "Meet the Teachers" event during our first in-service day before school opened. Our staff came slightly later on that day, and they stayed later so we could open up our school and classrooms (from 4:00-6:00) to students and their families for a special "meet the teachers" event. We advertised the event during registration, and many teachers sent invitations to the students on their class lists. The event was a great way to get kids and families excited about the first day of school, quell jitters, and provide an opportunity for everyone to check out classrooms, teachers, and desks before the big first day.
Thanks to Kristi McGree, principal, Myrtle Creek (Oregon) Elementary School
Chess, Anyone?
We have a district chess tournament that involves parents and students.
Source: "Principals Share Parent Involvement ideas " (EducationWorld.com -- February 28, 2000)
A Special Graduation Keepsake
This idea takes a little planning, but it is a great gift for the students who are graduating from your school. At the end of the year, provides parents with a recording (cassette tape or CD) of their child's voice each year of school. In kindergarten, the child might be reciting their ABCs and in first grade they might do a little reading. In second grade they might recite a poem, in third grade their times tables What a special tribute for a child to give to parents on elementary-school graduation day!
Source: Marcia Wright, "Make Graduation Day a Special Day Across the Grades" (EducationWorld.com -- May 13, 2003)
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Education World® Editor-in-Chief
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