Standard Five
Principals/assistant principals will ensure that the school has processes and systems in place for budgeting, staffing, problem solving, communicating expectations and scheduling that result in organizing the work routines in the building. The principal/assistant principal must be responsible for the monitoring of the school budget and the inclusion of all teachers in the budget decision so as to meet the 21st century needs of every classroom. Effectively and efficiently managing the complexity of everyday life is critical for staff to be able to focus its energy on improvement.
Element Va. School Resources and Budget: The principal/assistant principal establishes budget processes and systems which are
focused on, and result in, improved student achievement.
focused on, and result in, improved student achievement.
One of the projects for my budget class required us as a school improvement team to analyze a school’s data and budget. Based on that information we planned how we would spend the budget in the upcoming year to best support the school and as a group we presented our plan. By completing this project, I learned how to use the TREGO Ed process to help the school improvement team agree on a focus area. In addition, I learned the importance of knowing how to spend money from each budget as one mistake with budget could cost me my job.
Element Vb. Conflict Management and Resolution: The principal/assistant principal effectively and efficiently manages the complexity of human interactions so that the focus of the school can be on improved student achievement.
At the Early College, one teacher on each side of the hall controls the thermostat; teachers were asked to communicate with each if the thermostat needed to be adjusted. I held multiple conversations with the teachers after complaints were reported. I was later informed that the teachers were still having issues with this colleague concerning the thermostat settings. In efforts to ensure that all students and staff were comfortable in the classroom, I sent an email addressing the problem I learned to address situations and to investigate when necessary. I also learned when addressing situations to be direct and clear.
Element Vc. Systematic Communication: The principal/assistant principal designs and utilizes various forms of formal and informal communication so that the focus of the school can be on improved student achievement.
The Early College High School opened in August 2017; I assisted the coordinator with creating the school website. Information is shared with the community and parents concerning the school; the website is still a work in progress. Participating in this process was very tedious and frustrating. I learned the importance of planning and communicating during this process.
Lunch at the Early College is transported in from Plymouth High School, when we first started school instructional time was interrupted to take student lunch orders. Daily, I started creating a google form that allowed students to complete their order, the responses from the form was sent to the cafeteria manager via email. I learned that it is very important to communicate, but to ask the best way of communicating individuals involved. Most importantly, I learned the importance of keeping paperwork for documentation.
Element Vd. School Expectations for Students and Staff: The principal/assistant principal develops and enforces expectations, structures, rules and procedures for students and staff.
Both students and staff received handbooks on their first day that explained their expectations and provided general information. I assisted the coordinator with creating the handbooks for both the students and the staff.
While assisting the coordinator with this task, I learned the importance of collaboration and having a vision for school. I also gained a better understand of the type of information that should be included in a handbook. This experience was very eye opening, as we created the handbooks for a new school.
While assisting the coordinator with this task, I learned the importance of collaboration and having a vision for school. I also gained a better understand of the type of information that should be included in a handbook. This experience was very eye opening, as we created the handbooks for a new school.