Principal s Monthly Checklist

Transcription

1 July/August Item Fill personnel vacancies: Form a hiring committee, identify and contact potential candidates. Follow Up Date Completed Review various personnel decisions that need to be made: assignments, schedules, tenure recommendations. Review faculty members credential status. Collect all necessary staff personnel paperwork: emergency cards, district forms, etc. Identify and assign mentors for new staff members, clarify their responsibilities, provide training. Select date for and plan the new teacher orientation. Plan check-in meetings with key teachers to review schedules, expectations, changes in policies and/or procedures: resource teachers, special education, SST. Meet with the secretary and other classified staff to review duties and procedures. Create a substitute teacher program: identify good subs, invite them to be in your sub pool, identify rotating long-term subs to cover peer observations, collaboration time activities, have subs in all subject areas. Align with budget. 1

2 Send out end of summer letters to all staff reminding them of dates for beginning of the year professional development and dates for returning to school. Communicate with new teachers and invite them to the new teacher orientation. Make sure that all written materials are prepared for either mailing to parents or distribution to students to take home on the first day. Send out welcome letters to families inviting them to school opening events. Review last year s mailing to make sure that information is updated and accurate. Prepare a new school year packet with handbook, updated guidelines, announcements, summer meeting dates, etc. Mail out to summer addresses. Submit instructional minutes tally to appropriate district office. Review district calendar for important dates and deadlines for testing, key documents, notifications, and reports. Plot them on your school s internal calendar. Monitor regularly. Complete a school calendar that includes testing dates, teacher professional development days, minimum days, and district events. Integrate community/neighborhood events into school calendar. Plan the first staff meeting with a focus on building community as well as revisiting instructional goals for the year. Load budget and reconcile with school site plan. Update school safety plan and emergency procedures. Review district policy manual for new or revised policies or procedures. Review and sign any necessary contracts with selected vendors (school pictures, vending machines, professional development providers, etc.). Complete the master schedule. Tally instructional 2

3 minutes to ensure compliance. Do school facilities walk-through with key constituents. Address areas that need repair. Arrange for deep summer cleaning. Inventory master keys for school. Account for all keys. Identify liaison for coordination of facilities use. Review purchase orders and make sure materials have been or are scheduled for delivery. Finalize transportation plan and process. Have necessary machines serviced, order needed furniture. xx Clear out and archive office files. Have lockers cleaned and repaired, locks changed if needed. Have teacher s lounge deep-cleaned and refurbished before teachers return in August. Check to ensure technology is in working order. Arrange an opening 1-3 day institute the week before school to initiate the faculty s professional learning community and model adult learning throughout the year. Identify teacher-leaders for the learning community. With leadership team, identify instructional norms (common strategies to be used across grades, subject areas, departments). Inventory instructional materials for each grade. Make sure there are enough for each student. Ensure that copies of learning standards, curriculum guides, and other teacher resource materials are ready for distribution. Community- Building Host a thank you luncheon for clerical staff, custodians and volunteers who helped with summer cleaning. 3

4 Organize a community Back-to-School social event. Do a community walk about and introduce yourself to local business owners and neighborhood associations in the immediate vicinity of the school. Make contact with after-school service providers to discuss logistics for the coming year. Reflections: What is working to move items off the list? 4

5 September Item Determine extra duty assignments for teachers; minimize additional duties for new teachers. Follow Up Date Completed Schedule classroom walk-throughs for the first quarter. Assign teacher leadership roles such as grade level teams and team leaders. Set up regular meetings with mentors for new staff members. Get updates. Do necessary troubleshooting. Ensure first school bulletin is produced and sent home. Make sure all volunteers are processed according to district guidelines. Set up brief principal-staff check-ins to discuss how things are going, determine needs. Calendar regular meetings with new teachers. Set up communications system to facilitate daily communications across the school: , voice mail, signage, etc. Send out various forms and notices to parents: free lunch application, after-school program notice, etc. Set up staff newsletter to facilitate daily communications. Identify language translation volunteers from among parents at least 2 for each major language spoken in the school. 5

6 Practice various safety drills. Review safety procedures with staff. Establish Emergency Response Team among staff. Adjust school enrollment numbers: no shows, reassignments, wait-listed families. Adjust student room assignments. Check in with SSC, ELAC, and other committee leaders. Confirm meeting dates. Meet with leadership team, grade level team leaders, or department heads to debrief opening days. Prepare for Back to School kick-off event with teachers. Reconcile budget where necessary. At first faculty meeting, review school vision, set community agreements, review key data. Have instructional conference with teachers: identify instructional issues that are surfacing in the classroom. Do instructional materials check. Ensure that each student has adequate materials (i.e., textbooks, workbooks, reading material, manipulatives, etc.). Community- Building Establish norms for adult working relationships. Host a parent morning coffee gathering or afternoon tea. Engage parent and teacher leaders for traditional fall activities (Fall Festival, etc.). 6

7 October Item Prepare for fall teacher evaluations: notifications, set up observation schedule. Follow Up Date Completed File teacher evaluation list with appropriate human resources personnel. Begin round of teacher evaluations. Prepare input on teacher tenure decisions. Send out reminders of upcoming parent-teacher conferences, report cards. Update staff on necessary district communications. Prepare for fall testing season. Submit CBEDS data. Prepare for inquiries about next year s enrollment: what is the process; district deadlines and guidelines. If appropriate, visit athletic teams and/or other school representative groups and review proper codes of behavior and good sportsmanship. Prepare for the end of first six-week report card cycle. Continue to review lesson plans, do walk-throughs, monitor level of implementation of mandated programs and use of agreed on best practices. Launch professional development activities: set up study groups, cycle of inquiry, action research and/or looking at student work protocols. 7

8 Community- Building Share Halloween policies with parents. Prepare for Halloween parade and other school traditions (concerts, etc.). Contact local community police beat office to ensure there is no vandalism or other problems related to the school site during non-school hours. Reflections: What is working to move items off the list? 8

9 November Item Complete formal observations per district timelines. Follow Up Date Completed Put in place intervention plans for teachers not meeting standards. Meet with classified staff for performance reviews. Send out reminders of upcoming parent-teacher conferences, report cards. Update staff on necessary district communications. Prepare for fall testing season. Submit required plans and documents due to district offices: Safety Plan, Technology Plan, Library Plan, Title I Parent Involvement Plan and others. Prepare for the end of second six-week report card cycle. Provide professional development based on school site plan, school improvement targets. Review findings from first cycle of inquiry. Look at achievement data (grades, assessments, teacher observation) with teachers to identify focal students in need of additional support. Put intervention plans in place for students not meeting standards. Community- Building Prepare for holiday season. Set policies so all respect different religious beliefs. 9

10 December Item Follow Up Date Completed Continue second round of teacher evaluations. Calibrate evaluation ratings with peers. Remind teachers of end of semester expectations. Do mid-year check on: requisitions for supplies or teaching aids, budget proposals, etc. Prepare for fall enrollment fair, school tours, and parent information nights. Organize coverage of facility during winter break. Notify district office of emergency phone numbers if you are going out of town. Stay on schedule with observations and walkthroughs. Reflect on progress to date on annual goals and revise work plan in light of internal data. Community- Building Organize student recognition event, teacher appreciation event, and holiday celebrations. Reflections: What is working to move items off the list? 10

11 January Item Set specific performance goals with classified and certificated staff based on last round of evaluations. Prepare testing announcement, schedule and athome preparation tips to be mailed to parents. Follow Up Date Completed Update staff on necessary district communications. Prepare for March/April testing season: acquire all testing materials. Check in with test coordinator. Conduct in-service training with necessary staff. Prepare for the end of third six-week report card cycle. Continue to review lesson plans, do walkthroughs, monitor level of implementation of mandated programs. Community-Building Collaborate with PTO for spring parent outreach activities. Encourage classes to do community service projects. Select a spring date and organize Principal- for- a Day or other local business event that strengthens business/school partnerships. 11

12 February Item Assess vacancies for next school year: who will not be returning to the classroom? Follow Up Date Completed Schedule second round of observations for permanent teachers. Send in evaluations for all probationary teachers and staff, including teachers who are not re-electing to return. Update staff on necessary district communications. Send parents upcoming testing schedule and at home prep tips for testing. Continue district and State testing preparation. Engage teachers in their professional learning community. Re-energize study groups, action researchers, etc. after holidays. Arrange support for struggling teachers Monitor teacher collaboration: are teachers using the time effectively? What are they producing? Reflections: What is working to move items off the list? 12

13 March Item Survey teachers on their intentions for returning next year. Follow Up Date Completed Write up summaries for permanent teachers. Complete evaluations of non-tenured teachers in advance of March 15 th layoff notices. Work with district personnel on recruitment of highly qualified teachers. Send message out to parents about attendance during testing. Update staff on necessary district communications. Update staff on state testing procedures. Oversee testing: meet with coordinators, help troubleshoot, distribute materials. Create tentative roster of next year s classroom assignments. Plan coverage of facility during spring break (see December). Prepare for spring Parent/Teacher conferences. School site plan for next year needs to be reviewed with SSC. Prepare for the end of fourth six-week report card cycle. Encourage teachers to share their practice during professional learning time. Check in with struggling teachers. Offer emotional support as well as coaching. Community-Building Spring events to build school community. 13

14 April Continue to prepare for fall vacancies. Finalize all summative evaluations for permanent teachers. Update staff on necessary district communications. Item Follow Ups Date Completed Finalize all state assessment schedules and communications about testing with teachers and staff. Prepare summer school program (if applicable): convene team and review school achievement data to identify needs. Finish testing Finalize site plan. Turn in to due district office. Meet with 5 th, 8 th, or 12 th grade teacher leaders, parents, and students to plan graduation activities and ceremony. Monitor end-of-year expenditures, based on enrollment, school goals, program needs, etc. Be sure not to exceed allowable carryover. This year s money should be spent. Begin review of faculty and student handbooks. Assign section revisions to Leadership Team members or key teacher leaders. Prepare for fourth report card cycle. Identify students who can benefit from summer intervention. Confirm current academic support. Community-Building Meet with PTA/PTO regarding end of the year service awards. Confirm spring events to continue strong school community. 14

15 Reflections: What is working to move items off the list? 15

16 May Item Follow Up Date Completed Distribute 360 degree principal feedback form. Collect by mid-month in order to analyze data and share out key findings. Finalize teacher evaluations for the year. Be sure classified staff evaluations are completed. Summarize evaluations submitted to district. Survey parents about returning for next year. Update staff on necessary district communications. Notify supervisor of your summer vacation schedule. Process all purchase orders, requisitions, etc. Begin collecting data for various end of- year reports. Organize for textbook collection. Finalize academic plan for next year based on testing results. Involve staff in review of school handbooks, safety plans, etc. Allocate next year s budget. Plan and requisition summer facilities work. Prepare for the end of final six-week report card cycle. Set tentative instructional goals for next school year based on review of data and lessons learned. 16

17 Create tentative roster of next year s classroom assignments. Survey teachers regarding summer professional development plans. Identify appropriate PD. Arrange for purchase orders. Share lessons learned from practice in your professional learning community. Community- Building Celebrations and Appreciations: design specific gestures of appreciation and celebration for teachers, classified staff, parent leaders and volunteers. Reflection: What is working tomove items off the list? 17

18 June Item Follow Ups Date Completed Monitor and verify posting of vacancies for next year. Identify pools of potential candidates. Create recruitment strategy. Finalize tentative teacher assignments. Send message out to parents about attendance during testing window with approximate dates. Prepare final reports and requests for accounting: reimbursement claims, processed invoices, petty cash receipts reconciled. Update staff on necessary district communications. Submit program budgets: categorical expenditure plan. Arrange for summer facilities care: cleaning schedule, storage options, access during summer months, etc. Submit instructional supply orders: textbooks, workbooks, manipulatives, kits, etc. Prepare your closing Principal s Report. Submit purchase orders for summer professional development. Do year-end debrief and celebration in professional learning community. Community-Building Ensure that end-of-year celebrations for teachers, school community are taking place. Take classified staff to lunch to express your appreciation and their importance as part of the learning team at the school. 18

19 End of Year Reflections: 19