What a Great Start to the New School Year!

Staying positive is easier when you focus on positive people, positive situations, and positive outcomes. For this blog, I want to focus on some of the positive influences and practices in our district.

First, it is exciting to have many of our initiatives and leadership roles being streamlined. For the first time in years, it feels like we are working smarter and not harder. Our main district initiatives are focused on student achievement through technology integration, curriculum mapping, and data to drive instruction which are all a part of the teacher evaluation systems AND supported by thoughtful professional development. This sets the framework for a successful year.

Second, the right, qualified staff members are falling into place. Starting the year out with three staff members down was a challenge, but I am very excited about the people we have to fill those positions. The building feels ready to tackle the new school year and make the best of it.

Third, staff and students are back with smiling faces. Being happy, having fun, and laughing are all key to being positive and in turn having a successful, rewarding school year. I will continue several initiatives and create new ones to continue to foster a culture of happy, positive employees and students.

• We will continue our "Caught Being Good" student program where teachers submit student names for being good. We recognize them on the PA system and give students a prize.
• We will continue our "Golden Apple Award" for staff who are team players and go above expectations for our students.
• We will continue our "Successory Program" where students submit slips for staff who have helped make them more successful.
• I will pass out positivity cards with personal notes of appreciation.
• I will send home postcards to students who stand out.
• I will encourage staff and students to laugh, enjoy education, and have fun.
• I will model positivity to all.

Here's hoping all those in the field of education have a positive and successful 2014-15 school year! 

A Handwritten Thank You Note Can Go a Long Way

I must say that today I was worried when I received an envelop from a teacher. Her student gave it to her to give to me.  There are a few things: a red blinking light on the phone, certain email alerts, and interoffice mail packages that make you hold your breath. However, I was pleasantly surprised to open the envelop to expose a handwritten thank you note.

I was thanked for doing my job. Actually, the way this parent has handled getting her child to learn from his mistakes is quite remarkable. I love it when a student can see the light go off and know why he or she shouldn't have done what he/she did, and most importantly that he or she take responsibility.

The note thanked me for "all" off my help and communication. She expressed her appreciation for my time, kindness, and guidance. She told me that she feels reassured knowing her son has me as his principal and mentor "as its obvious the kids, their welfare and learning is your first priority."  While this is the case, my decisions somethings make students, parents, and even my own staff question that. Not everyone can be happy with all decisions. I will eventually come to terms with this.

However, this note triggered the many tidbits of appreciation I have received: successory slips from the students, emails from parents on how I handled a situation, a text from a peer thanking me for helping out with something, and even a boss's day card with the most reassuring comment are all pick-me-ups. It's sad how much we have lost our ability to write a quick note of appreciation. As I think how helpful they have been to me, I realize that I need to write more. I have several stakeholders that deserve the same courtesy.

We all know that education isn't about the thank you notes, but it is about the smiles, the light bulbs, and the progress made in the lives of the youth we service, but a little thank you note CAN go a long way. It is teacher appreciation week, so don't forget to thank someone in education for all he or she does.  I am going to stop blogging, so I can write a few notes myself.........