Full Description
"A great book designed to lighten the load of school administrators--filled with practical, easy to implement strategies, short-cuts, time-savers, and sample forms and letters. A valuable reference guide for effective school leadership."
—Fran Madison-Cohee, NAESP California State Representative
Principal, White Oak Elementary, CA
"If you are looking for insight, rejuvenation, and thoughtful, practical strategies for success in your role as a school leader, look no further. John Blaydes helps us remember why we became educators, why we want to continue, and why inspirational leadership is essential to schools."
—Jane Foley, Vice President, National Educator Awards
Milken Family Foundation, Santa Monica, CA "Clearly, Blaydes planned well as he linked the themes from one chapter to the next. It will no doubt be a valued tool for school administrators."
—Daniel P. Gaffney, Principal
Howard R. Yocum Elementary School, NJ
Discover the new 3 Rs of school leadership—resiliency, renewal, and reflection!
Today's principals face unique challenges—demands of time, knowledge, and organization that take their toll on even the most flexible leader. This compilation of resources offers practical, ready-to-use solutions to the issues and dilemmas principals face every day. You can tap into these valuable resources for years to come as a long-term support that will enable you to use your time and energy more effectively, reduce personal stress, spark new ideas and programs, and enhance your effectiveness as an inspirational school leader. Inside you'll find:
Highly practical strategies for strengthening your school's instructional program
Tips, ideas, and techniques for creating a climate of excellence in your school
Ways to lighten up, laugh more, and bring humor to your school community
Proven strategies used by award-winning principals to maintain balance in their lives
Methods for managing the impact of stress on your performance and renew your energy for the important work of the principalship
Learn to work smarter and discover the time to build a welcoming and purposeful learning environment—for yourself, your staff, and, ultimately, your students.
Contents
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Introduction
1. Blueprint for Leadership in 21st Century Schools: Matering the Changes, Challenges, and Complexities of the Principalship
Mastering the New Three R's of School Leadership
Framing the Power of the Principalship
Laying The Foundation of Your Principalship
Treasure Chest Sample #1: Dance Card Partners
Treasure Chest Sample #2: Professional Responsibilities
Holding a Grand Conversation
Mastering Resiliency
Treasure Chest Sample #3: Candy-Grams
Treasure Chest Sample #4: Parent-School Climate Questionnaire
Treasure Chest Sample #5: Assessment of Staff Morale
Treasure Chest Sample #6: Day of the Teacher Remembrance Book Parent Memo
Treasure Chest Sample #7: Sample Elementary Classroom Behavior Management Plan
Treasure Chest Sample #8: Discipline Problem-Solving Record Card
Strengthening Your Infrastructure
Putting the Home Back in Homework
Treasure Chest Sample #9: Parent Homework Brochure
Homework Survival Kit for Teachers
Treasure Chest Sample #10: Homework Survival Kit for Teachers
Treasure Chest Sample #11: Homework Alert
Treasure Chest Sample #12: Principal's Homework Letter to Parents
2. Mastering the Skills of Resiliency
Resiliency
The Rock of the Principalship
Survey Results - Stressors
Treasure Chest Sample #13: Stress Inventory
Tuesdays With Me
Time Management Tips From Award-Winning Principals
Building the Parent-School Partnership
Treasure Chest Sample #14: Parent Volunteer Survey Letter
Treasure Chest Sample #15: PEP Classroom Volunteer Survey
Treasure Chest Sample #16: School Volunteer Survey
Treasure Chest Sample #17: Volunteer Handbook Welcome Letter
Treasure Chest Sample #18: Parent Classroom Observation Procedures
Treasure Chest Sample #19: Parent Education Survey
Treasure Chest Sample #20: Parent Invitation to Kindergarten Orientation
Treasure Chest Sample #21: Parent Handout: Kindergarten - A Statement of Philosophy
Treasure Chest Sample #22: Parent Handout: Kindergarten Goals - What Your Child Will Learn
Treasure Chest Sample #23: Parent Handout - Getting Your Child Ready for Kindergarten
Treasure Chest Sample #24: Kindergarten Welcome Conference Agenda
Treasure Chest Sample #25: Parent Handout - Back to School Night
Creative Models - Special Needs Students
Timesavers for Referrals and Interventions
Treasure Chest Sample #26: Special Needs Interventions Inventory
Treasure Chest Sample #27: Special Needs Student Background Form
Treasure Chest Sample #28: New Parent Invitation for School Tour
Treasure Chest Sample #29: Parent Letter to Invite VIP to School Open House
Treasure Chest Sample #30: VIP Neighbor Invitation to Attend Open House
Treasure Chest Sample #31: Heroes of the Heart Award Invitation
Tips for Building Community Involvement in Your School
3. Mastering the Skills of Renewal
Renewal
Tips for Keeping a Balance in Your Life From Award-Winning Principals
Tips for Bringing Humor to Your School Culture From Award-Winning Principals
Enhancing Peak Performance
Building Your Dream Team
Treasure Chest Sample #32: Professional Information Survey
Treasure Chest Sample #33: Teacher Interview Questions
Treasure Chest Sample #34: Teacher Candidate Interview Record Sheet
Treasure Chest Sample #35: Candidate Progressive Ranking Sheet
Treasure Chest Sample #36: Telephone Reference Call Form
Enhancing Peak Performance
Teacher Evaluation
Treasure Chest Sample #37: Exceptional Elementary Tenured Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #38: Excellent High School Tenured Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #39: Excellent Elementary Tenured Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #40: Average Elementary Tenured Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #41: Average High School Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #42: Outstanding Elementary First-Year Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #43: Marginal Elementary First-Year Teacher
Letters of Recommendation
Treasure Chest Sample #44: Marginal Elementary Tenured Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #45: Exceptional High School Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #46: Exceptional Elementary Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #47: Excellent High School Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #48: Average Elementary Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #49: First-Year Marginal Elementary Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #50: Substitute Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #51: Math Teacher Award
Treasure Chest Sample #52: Science Summer Institute
4. Mastering the Skills of Reflection
Reflection
Touch the Wisdom Within
The M&M Game - A Culminating Learning Activity
Treasure Chest Sample #53: The Survival Skills M&M Game
Letter-Rip!
Sample Letters
Treasure Chest Sample #54: Changing Classroom Assignment - New Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #55: Mid-Year Classroom Teacher Replacement
Treasure Chest Sample #56: Teacher Leaving for Maternity
Treasure Chest Sample #57: Attendance Concerns
Treasure Chest Sample #58: Follow-up Letter - Strong Concerns About Continuing Poor School Attendance
Treasure Chest Sample #59: Concerns Regarding Student Tardies
Treasure Chest Sample #60: Follow-up Letter - Strong Concerns About Continuing School Tardies
Treasure Chest Sample #61: Requesting Business Donation
Treasure Chest Sample #62: Thank-You Letter - Business Donation
Treasure Chest Sample #63: Thank-You Letter - Community Service Organization Gift
Treasure Chest Sample #64: Thank You for Positive Letter About a Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #65: Thank-You Letter - Parent Donation of Gift
Treasure Chest Sample #66: Thank-You Letter - Music Teacher
Treasure Chest Sample #67: Thank-You Letter - Teacher Presenting Inservice
Treasure Chest Sample #68: Thank-You Letter - Consultant Presenting Inservice
Treasure Chest Sample #69: Thank-You Letter - Classroom Volunteer
Treasure Chest Sample #70: Thank-You Letter - Parent Volunteer School Event
Treasure Chest Sample #71: Thank-You Letter - PTA President
Treasure Chest Sample #72: Letter of Congratulations to PTA Honorary Service Award Recipient
Treasure Chest Sample #73: Parent Letter - Classroom Volunteer Who Didn't Show Up
Treasure Chest Sample #74: Parent Letter - Congratulations on Student's Good Citizenship Award
Treasure Chest Sample #75: Student Letter - Congratulations on Election to Student Council
Treasure Chest Sample #76: Student Letter - Consolation Letter, Not Elected to Student Council
Treasure Chest Sample #77: Parent Letter - Failure to Pick Up Child After School in Time
Treasure Chest Sample #78: Parent Letter - Suspension of Disruptive Parent From Coming on Campus
Memo-abilia
Treasure Chest Sample #79: Staff Memo - Welcome Back to New School Year
Treasure Chest Sample #80: Staff Memo - Open House Expectations
Treasure Chest Sample #81: Staff Memo - Congratulations on Successful Open House
Treasure Chest Sample #82: Staff Memo - Thank You, Day of the Teacher Appreciation
Treasure Chest Sample #83: Staff Memo - Procedures for Recess Time-Out
Treasure Chest Sample #84: Staff Memo - Classified Staff Appreciation Week Thank You
Principal's Message for Parent Newsletter
Treasure Chest Sample #85: Parent Letter - Welcome Back to New School Year
Treasure Chest Sample #86: New Student Survey About Special Needs Services
Treasure Chest Sample #87: Home-School Communication - The Key to Our School's Success
Treasure Chest Sample #88: The Joy of Reading Alout at Home
Treasure Chest Sample #89: Getting to School on Time in a Safe Manner
Treasure Chest Sample #90: Taking Time for Conversation and Consistency
Treasure Chest Sample #91: Creating a Climate for Learning
Treasure Chest Sample #92: A Parent's Guide to Teenage Parties
Treasure Chest Sample #93: Just a Little Bit of Heaven
Treasure Chest Sample #94: Character Education - Teaching Our Children the Attribute of Perseverance
Treasure Chest Sample #95: Avoid Interrupting Classroom Instruction
Treasure Chest Sample #96: Celebrating Our School Year - A Special Thank You
Treasure Chest Sample #97: One Good Parent
Treasure Chest Sample #98: The Season of Joy
Treasure Chest Sample #99: Emergency Preparedness Bulletin
Treasure Chest Sample #100: Middle School Report to Parents
Treasure Chest Sample #101: Parent Survey - A School Evaluation Tool
Treasure Chest Sample #102: School Organization for Next Year
Treasure Chest Sample #103: Weh Report Cards Don't Make the Grade
Treasure Chest Sample #104: Parent Letter - Responding to Parent Request for a Specific Teacher
Summary
The Last Word
Order Form - Survival Skills for the Principalship CD
Index
