The New Principal. Margaret Carter
their schools a focus, and you will be expected to excel in that focus. The principal who wants to change the mission of the school is in for a major battle. Not because these programs are wrong, but traditions at any school or in any organization is extremely difficult to change.
Slow, tiny modifications are many times the best way to institute change over a few years. Have a solid, justifiable reason for the change; get people to see a different perspective; and hopefully staff or community members will take up the cause for you. Avoid having people change just because “the principal said so.” Starting a new program helps move change along, as there is a limit on folks’ time, energy, and money.
Personal Experience
During my teaching career, I had chosen to work at the district’s only alternative education center. The center was for students who were either young parents or expectant mothers or students who needed credits due to being expelled from a traditional school or who had dropped out. There was also a night school program at the site. Students did not have a formal graduation ceremony. They simply completed their credits and moved on with their lives. I had attended a “Robing Ceremony” at one of the local high schools; an advanced studies school in fact. This Robing Ceremony was a very emotional experience where students were able to acknowledge someone who had helped them along the way. These students, at the alternative school, had amazing stories they were able to tell during the ceremony. Of all the things accomplished at this school, the Robing Ceremony was a tradition that I was most proud of helping to start.
After considering the school’s customs and traditions, think about the role you would like to play in these activities. Thoroughly examining your role in these activities is a great opportunity to strengthen the relationship that is developing between you, the staff, and the community at large. Students get a big kick out of silly or fun activities like throwing pies at the principal or putting her in a dunk tank. These are just a few of the extras that schools enjoy. Be careful about what you have promised. Make sure it’s doable, affordable, and would look appropriate on television or on social media.
Now that you’ve examined and analyzed your school in general, let’s look at more details. See table 1.1
| Dimensions of School | |||
| Dimension | Elementary | Middle | High |
| Staff | Number of core classes or compartmentalized classes option | Number of core classes | Number of required courses for graduation / auxiliary credits / department heads / senior sponsors / underclass sponsors |
| Schedule | Number of auxiliary classes (art, music, PE, STEM—for planning time) | Number of auxiliary classes (art, music, PE, STEM—for planning time) | Teacher or counseling committee in charge of master schedule |
| Library | Scheduled, open, or combination | Scheduled, open, or combination | Policies / services / community access |
| Parent/community | President / parent bulletin / marquee | President / parent bulletin / marquee | President / parent bulletin / marquee / showcases / booster |
| Security | Who / how many / procedures | Who / how many / procedures | Who / how many / procedures |
| Counseling | District counselors / procedure for outside counselors | District counselors / procedure for outside counselors | District counselors / procedure for outside counselors / student counseling policies and schedule change procedures / 100% student coverage plan |
| Special services | How many students / cases / meeting times | How many students / cases / meeting times | Case management / transitions |
| Communication | Webmaster / parent bulletin / marquee | Webmaster / parent bulletin / marquee | Webmaster / parent bulletin / marquee |
| Teacher organization | Union representative / meeting times | Union representative / meeting times | Union representative / meeting times |
| Special events | Pre-school meet the teacher / holidays / parent conference procedures / promotion | Pre-school meet the teacher / holidays/ parent conference procedures / promotion / transition to high school | Prom / graduation / academic competitions / sports / special interests / pre-school freshman focus night |
| Duty schedules | Scheduling team | Scheduling team | Scheduling team / after-school-night duties |
| Health care | Immunizations verification / screenings / community services | Immunizations verification / screenings / community services | Immunization verification / screenings / community services |
| Transportation | Bus / car / walk procedures | Bus / car / walk procedures | Bus / car / walk procedures / student parking policies |
| Finance | School secretary or principal’s assistant will track and monitor income and expenses | Financial secretary will track and monitor expenses and income | Financial secretary will track expenditures and income of the school and departments |
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