My Tip of the Week: Three Questions for Your Principal
We a
all
all kind of assume we know what our principals are thinking about and hoping for from our parent groups. But have you asked lately?
As you prepare for the new school year, I highly suggest asking these three questions in person or even in a summer email:
1. Are there key priorities this year you can help your principal with? Perhaps science scores have been lagging and your group can change reading night into science night, fund some science speakers, or coordinate a yearlong science celebration.
2. Is there anything you do that's been a problem or particularly challenging for the principal or for staff? Often, there are things you don't know are challenging (and that you could easily change -- like how you distribute flyers, perhaps) that harm your relationship with staff.
3. How can you best help your principal make this a great school year for all?
I bet you'll get some interesting answers to those questions. Better yet, I guarantee that simply asking the questions and listening to the answers will set a good tone for the start of the year.
We have lots of great resources on the care and feeding of your principal. Check out:
Make the Principal Your Partner
Advice From the Principal
Get the Principal on Your Side
As you prepare for the new school year, I highly suggest asking these three questions in person or even in a summer email:
1. Are there key priorities this year you can help your principal with? Perhaps science scores have been lagging and your group can change reading night into science night, fund some science speakers, or coordinate a yearlong science celebration.
2. Is there anything you do that's been a problem or particularly challenging for the principal or for staff? Often, there are things you don't know are challenging (and that you could easily change -- like how you distribute flyers, perhaps) that harm your relationship with staff.
3. How can you best help your principal make this a great school year for all?
I bet you'll get some interesting answers to those questions. Better yet, I guarantee that simply asking the questions and listening to the answers will set a good tone for the start of the year.
We have lots of great resources on the care and feeding of your principal. Check out:
Make the Principal Your Partner
Advice From the Principal
Get the Principal on Your Side
