4 Reminders For A New School Year
by William Parker • • 0 Comments
We just welcomed our teachers and students back to school.
It was hard work to prepare for all the moving parts that make up master schedules, professional development, and schedule pick-ups.
It was hard work to prepare for all the moving parts that make up master schedules, professional development, and schedule pick-ups.
But there is also great satisfaction in having everyone back and knowing we’ve had a successful launch.
Each year I try to remember that the first days with our school team are as important as their first days with students.
New Teachers
During time with new teacher orientation, I shared some reminders that also apply to the entire school community. Here are four start-of-the-year tidbits followed by some free resources you may find helpful:
During time with new teacher orientation, I shared some reminders that also apply to the entire school community. Here are four start-of-the-year tidbits followed by some free resources you may find helpful:
1. Explore and define expectations for success.
Each year is different from the next. With our school team, we try to create a focus for the school year. This year, for instance, we are trying to brainstorm creative ways to support struggling students while maintaining strong rigor.
Each year is different from the next. With our school team, we try to create a focus for the school year. This year, for instance, we are trying to brainstorm creative ways to support struggling students while maintaining strong rigor.
Start by asking: If failure was not an option, what goals would you reach with students this year?
How do you create the right environment for this to happen within each classroom?
2. Set Ground-rules For Behavior
In addition to defining expectations, I suggest operating with three basic classroom management expectations for students: Paying Attention, Participating, and Being Respectful.
In addition to defining expectations, I suggest operating with three basic classroom management expectations for students: Paying Attention, Participating, and Being Respectful.
Those three categories cover most behaviors you can anticipate, and they serve as an umbrella for learning.
Paying attention means being focused, alert, arriving on time, and planning ahead.
Participating means jumping in, not being a bystander, coming prepared, actively engaging with others, and completing tasks on time.
Being respectful means treating yourself and others how you would like to be treated. It minimizes conflicts. It doesn’t eliminate conflict since challenges are inevitable, but treating others with respect reduces the potential for drama.
They are also positive statements, not negative ones, and you will find students more positively engaged when4 Reminders For A New School Year | Connected Principals: