School Leadership

Matthew Lynch published in School Leadership November 27, 2023

6 Ways to Set School Staff Meeting Norms (Without Ticking People Off)

Setting meeting norms is an essential aspect of fostering a collaborative and respectful environment during school staff meetings. Despite their importance, setting the rules can be a delicate matter. Below are six ways to establish meeting norms without ticking people off:

1. Involve Everyone in the Discussion

Give each staff member a chance to voice their opinions about the proposed norms. Encourage everyone to share their ideas and thoughts, making the process inclusive and respectful. By involving all members in the process, you create a sense of shared ownership.

2. Start with Positive Intent

Communicate that the purpose of setting meeting norms is to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their viewpoints and working together toward common goals. Emphasize the positive aspects of cooperation and collaboration rather than listing negative behaviors that must be avoided.

3. Provide Options and Seek Consensus

Instead of dictating specific norms, offer different options and let the team decide which guidelines would best promote a productive atmosphere. Once various suggestions have been provided, encourage discussion among staff members to come to a consensus on each norm.

4. Focus on the Why

Help your staff understand why each norm is essential by explaining how it fosters collaboration, respect, and openness. Emphasizing the rationale behind each rule shows that these norms are not arbitrary but intended to serve a specific purpose in achieving the goals of collective work.

5. Keep Norms Simple and Clear

Draft simple and easy-to-understand norms that help avoid misinterpretation or confusion during meetings. Aim for clarity rather than complexity when defining guidelines; this reduces ambiguity and makes adherence easier for participants.

6. Revisit Norms Regularly

Make it a habit to revisit meeting norms periodically, allowing staff members an opportunity to suggest adjustments or updates based on their experiences with previous meetings. Regular revision demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement, encouraging openness to change and positive evolution.

In conclusion, setting school staff meeting norms is a crucial aspect of fostering a productive and respectful working environment. By involving everyone, starting with positive intent, providing options, focusing on the why, keeping norms simple, and revisiting them regularly, you can create a collaborative atmosphere that benefits your entire team.

Matthew Lynch published in School Leadership November 27, 2023

10 of the Best Principal Stunts We’ve Ever Seen

Introduction:

Principals everywhere have been known to take on unusual stunts to inspire school spirit, raise funds for their communities, and create memorable experiences for their students. Some of these stunts become local and even national news. Here are ten of the best principal stunts we’ve ever seen.

1. Bungee Jumping for Books

Principal Michael Kapolka took to the skies to motivate his students to read. For every 100 books they read collectively, Kapolka bungee jumped before his entire school at a special assembly, thrilling students and demonstrating that learning can be an exhilarating adventure.

2. Dance Marathon Principal

In a display of relentless stamina and pep, Principal Jim Allen from Kershaw Elementary danced continuously for 24 hours straight, partnering with multiple students from his school throughout the marathon dance session to promote positivity and unity.

3. Roof-Camping Principal

Dr. Dan Fox promised his students he’d camp out on the roof of their school if they met a certain fundraising goal — which they did! So, Dr. Fox literally elevated his commitment by spending the night atop the building in a tent, accompanied by cheers from his proud students below.

4. Lip-Sync Battle Champ

In an effort to boost morale and encourage creativity among her students, Principal Jennifer Sinclair organized a school-wide lip-sync battle in which she enthusiastically participated. Donning a flashy outfit and showcasing her own lip-sync skills, she became an instant champion among her student body.

5. Monster Truck Rally Ride

Principal Brian Bettis fulfilled every child’s dream when he got behind the wheel of a monster truck during an all-school assembly, as a reward for student accomplishment in physical fitness and sportsmanship challenges held throughout the year.

6. Superhero Rappel Entrance

When his school exceeded their fundraising goal for new technology equipment, Principal Adam Kohnen knew he had to do something special. Channeling his inner Superman, Kohnen rappelled from the roof of the school dressed in a cape and superhero attire, delighting students with a surprise grand entrance.

7. Dancing Principal at Traffic Duty

Is traffic duty a bore? Not if you’re dancing principal Jennifer Douglass. To encourage kindness and boost the mood, Douglas took on traffic duty at her school while showing off her best dance moves, much to the delight of students and parents alike.

8. Sumo Wrestling Showdown

Two principals, one sumo wrestling match — it doesn’t get much better than this! Principal Richard Fisher and his fellow administrator, Principal Jared Anderson, faced off in a humorous sumo wrestling duel to promote fundraising efforts for their schools.

9. Slime Shower Spectacle

In an ooey-gooey and unforgettable spectacle, Principal Carla Brunberg agreed to be showered with slime when her students surpassed their goals in a reading challenge. The slimy event brought laughter and excitement to the school community while demonstrating dedication to literacy.

10. Principal-Powered Carnival Ride

When his students excelled at their reading challenge, Principal Jeffrey Sipiorski went above and beyond for them — he transformed himself into human carnival ride by spinning each student around by their arms during an all-school assembly! The cheerful event left everyone dizzy with excitement.

Conclusion:

These daring principals remind us that going above and beyond for students can lead to memorable experiences that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s dancing or skydiving into their hearts, these ten principal stunts prove that administrators are willing to step out of their comfort zones to inspire joy and learning in exciting ways!

Matthew Lynch published in School Leadership November 25, 2023

20 Enchanting Forest Classroom Theme Ideas

A forest-themed classroom can create an enchanting and magical learning environment where students feel like they have stepped into a world of adventure and exploration. Here are 20 forest classroom theme ideas to transform your space and immerse students in nature’s beauty.

1. Tree Trunk Seating: Arrange tree trunk-shaped cushions or bean bags around the classroom as alternative seating options for story time or independent work.

2. Leafy Canopy: Hang green fabric or streamers from the ceiling to create a leafy canopy overhead.

3. Forest Mural: Collaborate with your students to paint a forest mural on one of your classroom walls, featuring trees, woodland animals, and a winding path.

4. Tree Bookshelf: Organize books on a tree-shaped bookshelf or attach floating shelves to the wall in the shape of tree branches.

5. Woodland Creature Reading Buddies: Encourage independent reading by providing stuffed animal forest friends for students to read with.

6. Fairy Light Strings: Illuminate your classroom with strings of fairy lights, giving it an enchanting ambiance.

7. Nature Table: Designate a table for displaying natural items found on nature walks, such as leaves, pine cones, and rocks.

8. Log Slice Chalkboard: Attach log slices to the wall as mini chalkboards, where students can practice writing or solving math problems.

9. Tree Stump Stools: Set up rustic tree stump stools in a corner for group work or small group instruction.

10. Birch Tree Decals: Decorate the walls with decals of tall birch trees to bring an authentic forest feel into your classroom.

11. Forest Floor Rug: Enhance your learning space with a rug that features a forest floor pattern with leaves, branches, and other organic materials.

12. Moss Covered Letters: Craft moss-covered letters to spell out key vocabulary words or inspirational messages above your whiteboard.

13. Woodland Fauna: Display figurines of woodland creatures such as foxes, deer, and squirrels that represent different learning groups or reading levels.

14. Twig Pencils: Provide students with twig-shaped pencils to encourage a connection to nature during writing activities.

15. Forest-Themed Lessons: Integrate forest-themed learning materials, such as tree life cycles, food chains, and ecosystems into your curriculum.

16. Nature Window: Create a beautiful window display with realistic nature window clings featuring forest animals and plants.

17. Log Slice Coasters: Use log slice coasters for students to place drinks or snacks on during break time.

18. Forest Soundscape: Play soft forest sounds, like birdsong or rustling leaves, in the background while students work to enhance the immersive atmosphere.

19. Tree Stump Tables: Utilize tree stump tables as small side tables, perfect for holding books, supplies, or plant-based decorations.

20. Wooden Signposts: Label different areas of your classroom with rustic wooden signposts marked with phrases like “Reading Nook,” “Math Forest,” and “Writing Grove.”

Incorporating these forest classroom theme ideas will not only create a visually stunning and engaging environment but also inspire students to appreciate nature and connect with their surroundings. The enchanting atmosphere will encourage learning, curiosity, and creativity in every student.

Matthew Lynch published in School Leadership November 25, 2023

14 Ways Principals Can Make Walk-throughs and Observations Easier

1. Develop a Clear Purpose: Principals should establish a clear purpose for walk-throughs and communicate this to staff, helping to create understanding and openness.

2. Consistent Schedule: Set a consistent schedule for walk-throughs so teachers know when to expect visits. This provides a sense of predictability and structure.

3. Collaborate with Teachers: Work with teachers to co-create goals and expectations for the observation process, fostering a supportive environment.

4. Focus on Specific Areas: Narrow the focus of observations by targeting specific areas of improvement, making it easier for teachers to understand and apply feedback.

5. Emphasize Growth Mindset: Frame walk-throughs as an opportunity for growth and learning, not just an evaluation tool.

6. Be Transparent: Providing clear guidelines and rubrics about what is being observed helps teachers understand the expectations.

7. Provide Immediate Feedback: Sharing feedback right after the observation allows the teacher to reflect on their practice while it is still fresh in their mind.

8. Use Simple Documentation Tools: Utilize user-friendly documentation tools that make it easy for principals to record observations, streamlining the process without creating additional work.

9. Build Trusting Relationships: Foster positive relationships between principals and staff members through open communication, minimizing anxiety around walk-throughs.

10. Involve Instructional Coaches or Peer Observers: Including other educational professionals in the process can provide more comprehensive feedback and relieve some of the pressure on both principals and teachers.

11. Encourage Self-Reflection: Encouraging teachers to complete their own reflections about their practice can open up dialogue and initiate change based on self-assessment.

12. Acknowledge Strengths: Recognizing the strengths and accomplishments of teachers during walk-throughs fosters a positive atmosphere where improvement is embraced.

13. Choose Best Times For Observations: Observe during peak teaching times or when teachers are implementing new strategies to witness authentic instruction.

14. Offer Ongoing Support: Provide opportunities for continued support and professional development to help teachers improve their practice.

By implementing these 14 strategies, principals can make walk-throughs and observations less stressful and more effective for both themselves and their teaching staff. This will create a more supportive environment focused on teaching and learning growth.

Matthew Lynch published in Education Leadership, School Leadership August 23, 2023

The Key Roles of a School Superintendent That Make Them Effective

The CEO of a school district works as a school superintendent. They are responsible for both the success and failure of the school district. Their role is extensive and all-encompassing. It is a rewarding job, but they have to make tough and taxing decisions. Exceptional skills are required to function as an effective superintendent.

To carry out their tasks, they have to deal directly with people. They have to build appropriate relationships to discharge their duties efficiently. Superintendents should be capable leaders who have a good rapport with interest groups within the community and the school.

Engage with the Board of Education

The board hires the superintendent. They have to work in partnership with them. If they work together in harmony, there are more chances of achieving success in the school district.

The superintendent has to inform the board about all the things that take place in their school district. They also make suitable recommendations for improvements. The school board evaluates the superintendent and can terminate their job if they do not work efficiently.

Superintendents have the responsibility of preparing agendas for board meetings. They can attend the meetings and make recommendations. However, they do not have the chance to vote. In case the board is in favor of a mandate, superintendents have to carry it out.

Be a Good District Leader

In large districts, superintendents have assistant superintendents. They assist them in specific areas like curriculum and transportation. But in small school districts, the superintendents may not enjoy this luxury. They have to carry out the daily duties on their own.

Superintendents are responsible for assessing the principals and assistant principals. They have to meet with the principals regularly and give suitable instructions regarding their buildings’ daily operations.

If they like, they can have direct interaction with the teachers and coaches. They can also make recommendations for hiring or terminating the services of a particular teacher. Superintendents have the responsibility to appoint capable and trustworthy support personnel.

Take Care of the Finances

The duty of developing and maintaining an appropriate school budget lies on the shoulders of the superintendent. School finances keep changing every year. So this is a complex task, especially in public schools where the availability of money depends on the economy.

Look After the Daily Operations

The superintendent has to decide whether to repair a school building or add new structures to it. They have to ensure that the curriculum meets district, state, and national standards. They must review old policies and revise them or write new ones.

Lobby for their District

They have to look for ways of improving their district. Superintendents must maintain good relations with the community and media. They should use the media to further the interests of the school district and students. They should also connect with the other school districts and exchange ideas for improvement.

Matthew Lynch published in School Leadership May 11, 2023

Site-based Management/Decision-Making: Everything You Need to Know

This has to do with the process through which all school-related decisions are taken at the school level with contribution from all interested stakeholders. The decision-making is usually handled by parties who are based in the school, so they are usually more effective at accurately representing the actual needs of the school.

The origin of site-based management can be traced to the last half of the 20th century, when an industrial model flaunting the advantages of empowering factory workers to modify their roles gained extensive popularity and credibility. Encouraged by the high quality and economic success attained by Japanese car manufacturers that gave factory workers better autonomy to manage their own teams, several U.S. businesses and factories gave their employees a bigger role in their job-related decision-making. When this industrial model, which was later embraced by businesses too, was transplanted into schools, the approach was called school-based or site-based management.

For site-based management to work well, schools must allot adequate time to learn skills like decision-making. They should also set aside enough time for the ongoing meetings attended by all stakeholders to accomplish effective decision-making by agreement rather than fiat.

Some hallmarks of efficient site-based management are:

· Decision-makers at the school site advocate and execute changes that bring positive transformation to teaching and learning.

· Site-based decision-makers exercise power over staffing, budget, and curriculum.

· Power sharing permeates the school, along with its decision-making group(s).

· There’s school-wide and continuous professional development.

· All information is comprehensively distributed throughout the school and community. Several schools and districts using site-based management put up websites loaded with information and news related to almost anything and everything any person would ever want to know about them.

· The principal is capable of simultaneously leading and sharing responsibility and power.

Implementation of site-based management has its own share of challenges. School systems often fail to decide how best to bring changes to shift from a more centralized approach to a decentralized way of work. Not knowing the limits of their autonomy is another problem that can adversely affect a team’s effectiveness.

It’s the responsibility of principals to help people develop the necessary skills to become self-directing instead of telling them what to do at every step of the process. Additionally, instead of accountability being limited to the principals and superintendent involved in site-based management, it should cover the entire decision-making group, usually made of teachers, parents, and other representatives of the community.

Matthew Lynch published in School Leadership May 5, 2023

School Culture: Everything You Need to Know

This refers to the traditions, values, beliefs, and symbols that are unique to a school. A school’s culture is manifested in the way it operates and it’s what makes it separate from other schools.

School culture is an essential part of the school experience. Typically, school leaders are at the forefront of building a good school culture. They’re supported by other members of the school and stakeholders when devising and implementing systems and plans focused on student success. Having a good school culture with transparent practices, rules, data plans, and feedback loops help educators deliver instructions in a positive setting. However, a positive school culture can’t be created overnight. It takes time and practice.

A good school culture is largely dependent on strong, overlapping, and cohesive connections and interactions among all members of the organization. School leaders should take the lead in building strong relationships among teachers, administrators, students, parents, and other staff. They should also include student voices to craft practices and policies that support student learning and a safe and positive school environment. These processes are deliberate efforts by the leaders to connect the learning environment and the student experience and focus on both systems and instructions to build and sustain an upbeat school culture and environment.

Beliefs, actions, and values will spread the farthest and be firmly reinforced when everyone interacts without doubt, fear, and discrimination. In a strong school culture, leaders interact directly with administrators, teachers, counselors, families, etc., who also communicate amongst themselves directly. When communications are restricted, and there are fewer connections, a culture becomes weaker. For example, if some teachers never interact directly with their principal, or any staff member is made to work in isolation, or an administrator is repeatedly excluded from communications, it will be an uphill task to spread messages about shared commitments and beliefs.

A good culture arises from messages that endorse traits like honesty, collaboration, and hard work. Focusing on equity, diversity, and inclusion of the teachers, staff, and students are equally crucial for building a positive school culture. All these factors will influence how students, educators, and other staff members are engaged in different school activities and even influence their actions. When teachers, other staff members, and students have strong positive relationships, it’ll encourage emotional and social learning for students.

A holistic sense of responsibility is another hallmark of good school culture. When everyone contributes toward the upkeep of culture and equally attends to and shares the responsibility for developing and sustaining it, it’ll surely lead to institutional success.

Matthew Lynch published in School Leadership May 4, 2023

School Climate: Everything You Need to Know

This describes the qualities that are usually found at school, particularly with regard to social interactions. It may refer to the relationship between students, teachers, parents, and other staff. In other words, school climate refers to the character of school life and reflects goals, norms, values, learning and teaching practices, organizational structures, and interpersonal relationships.

When the school climate is positive and sustainable, it encourages youth development and learning essential for a contributing, productive, and fulfilling life in a democratic society. Typically, such climate includes:

· Values, norms, and expectations that support people feeling emotionally, socially, and physically safe

· Feelings of being respected and engaged

· Students, educators, and families working together to build and contribute to a shared school vision

· Nurturing attitudes and education models that highlight the satisfaction and benefits obtained from learning

· Contribution of every person to the school’s operations and taking care of its physical setting

Having a supportive and effective school climate is vital for encouraging positive life outcomes for young adults. That’s why a growing number of local, state, and federal educational agencies are endorsing and supporting school climate improvement practices and policies.

A positive school climate can bring several benefits for students. For one, it enhances the level of safety in school. This causes decreased rates of student discipline and suspensions issues, in general. Even risky behaviors in students undergo a sharp decline. All these can have significant social, physical, and emotional benefits for students.

An effective school climate leads to an enhanced motivation to learn, improved academic results among diverse groups of students, and higher graduation rates. Studies have also found a correlation between positive school climate and reduced student absenteeism in high school and middle school, in addition to lower student suspension rates in high school.

A supportive school climate helps boost staff morale and even improves adolescent health and academic outcomes. Schools that provide the students with a safe and better-structured learning environment, have fair discipline practices, and encourage and nurture positive student-teacher relationships reduce the possibility and frequency of student behavioral problems. Additionally, they foster a greater attachment to school and offer the optimal foundation for academic, emotional, and social learning.

To improve their school climate, schools can conduct a climate survey, collect and analyze the data, and identify the measures and programs best suited for the school. Next, they should implement them and even consider going beyond academic learning to integrate emotional and social learning for their students’ overall development.

Matthew Lynch published in Parental Involvement, School Leadership September 2, 2021

Group Communication Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Are you looking for apps, tools, and resources that you can use to communicate with your school community? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.

Chatzy– This social messaging analog provides a safe, instant messaging platform for students. It does not require any sign-up process; it is simply “plug and play.” It works on all browsers and does not require any plug-ins to function. You simply create a virtual chatroom for your students to interact and develop together. Available in multiple languages.

ParentSquare– ParentSquare is a tool that increases parent involvement in school management and planning by providing a safe and secure platform for parent-educator correspondence. It helps to maintain a tightly knit, proactive group of educational stakeholders by offering two-way group messaging, private chats, area-wide alerts and announcements, and a simple user interface. ParentSquare brings parents from silent spectators in their children’s education to more active participants by establishing an open, two-way communication channel between them and their children’s educators.

Signal Vine – This is an intelligent two-way text messaging platform that allows users to personalize communication with students. Signal Vine’s Blended Messaging® approach enables you to connect CRM or SIS data to segment and personalize student communication. With Signal Vine, you can automate your messages and responses to save time while quickly identifying those responses that require an individual approach.

Child Care Daily App– This software solution is designed for daycares and similar facilities to securely manage communications between the business and its customers. The automated processes handle repetitive tasks, such as sending personal or group messages, alert notifications, or volunteer activity notices to parents. Updates are sent via the web, email, mobile device, SMS, or other means.

SchoolBzz – provides a solution to consolidate the tools schools use to communicate with families. It aggregates the key information and updates in one place, eliminating the need for parents to manage multiple user accounts or sift through long emails, newsletters, or websites to find the information they need. As a result, parents can get relevant information anywhere, anytime.

Composica – This system integrates authoring freedom and flexibility. It uses an HTML5-based authoring solution for interactive e-learning content and real-time collaboration. The system reduces development time by saving, cataloging, and reusing pieces of content from previous projects. It also allows teammates to see what everyone is working on, open tasks, review notes, post on the project’s wall, and group chat.

Slack – Slack provides a single place for messaging, file sharing, and one-on-one and group conversations. Paired with a powerful search feature that allows anyone with permission to access past conversations and files, Slack allows schools to save time and communicate more effectively. It can sync across all your devices and integrates seamlessly with over 1,500 apps.

Communication & Calendar App – This is a communication app designed to help schools and districts keep in constant communication. It is a mobile and web platform that brings schools together with calendars, notifications, and group communications. The app is available on desktop and mobile devices, and it automatically updates events and dates to remind parents of upcoming events.

Matthew Lynch published in Education Leadership, School Leadership September 18, 2020

7 Ways That Principals Can Influence School Culture

When it comes to school culture, principals have the most influence on it. They do so by setting the tone for how others are to behave and interact in the school environment. Good school leaders create a culture of respect, trust, optimism, and intention, and bad ones do just the opposite. In this article, we will discuss 7 ways that principals can influence school culture.

Create a shared vision. As a principal, it is your job to create a grand vision for your school. However, this vision should not be created in a vacuum. Once you create your vision, share it with your leadership team and then with the entire staff. Let them partner with you to shape your vision into a collaborative one that everyone can buy into. At the end of the process, everyone might not be happy, but they will buy into this shared vision since they had a hand in creating it.
Be dependable. The key to any organization is the presence of employees that are responsible and trustworthy. As the school leader, it is your job to set the tone by being dependable and trustworthy in your dealings. If you say you are going to do something, do it. This will filter down to the rest of your team, creating an environment were everyone trusts each other to follow through on their responsibilities.
Practice intentionality. As a leader, everything that you do must be intentional. Intentionality is “A decision to purposely act in a certain way to achieve and carry out a set goal. It’s knowing what we intend to accomplish, as well as how we intend to go about it.” This way, when you make decisions, the intent behind your actions is not hard for people to decipher. They will be able to spot the rhyme and reason behind your decisions and see how it meshes with the school’s mission and vision.
Embrace failure. School leaders sometimes get caught up in wanting to appear perfect and infallible. However, this is a huge mistake. Being upfront about your mistakes can create a school culture where people can be human. When we think of mistakes and failures as the building blocks of success, not something that should be shunned, innovation and creativity can blossom.
Delegate. Attempting to do the lion’s share of the work will only lead to frustration and burnout. Instead of going this route, delegate tasks to your leadership team and other staff members. This will create an environment where people feel empowered and experience true professional growth.
Embrace change. In this life, nothing is certain except change. Don’t be the leader who resists new innovations and practices, be the leader that embraces them. From time to time, your district will adopt new policies, reforms, technology, etc. When they do, embrace these changes, and model flexibility to your staff. Things are going to change, with or without your blessing. Might as well get used to it.
Be risk-taker. You know the old saying “no risk, no reward?” This is certainly true in the field of education. Many of the educational innovations that we use today were created by educators that decided to try something new, and as a result, make a difference. As a principal, create an environment where fidelity to district, state, and federal policies is mandatory, but also where experimentation and creativity are encouraged.

Can you think of any other ways that principals can influence school culture?