Description
This book will be a valuable tool for all middle school leaders, be they new to the position or seasoned veterans. The authors call for a more comprehensive definition of leadership at the middle school level, because headteachers at the middle level, perhaps more so than at any other level, must develop a staff that believes it can contribute to every aspect of the school’s programme and tone. Developing the qualities and using the organizational tools presented in this book will help middle school headteachers truly become leaders of leaders. The purpose of this book is to stimulate the reader’s thinking and planning expertise. The authors describe practices that have worked in their schools, but are well aware that not all practices will be equally effective, or even applicable, in all schools. Hence the authors invite reader modification of any and all ideas contained herein. Robert Ricken, EdD, served as Principal and Superintendent in the Mineola School District for twenty-two years and was interim Superintendent in the following districts: North Bellmore, Elmont, Bellmore, Smithtown Central School District and the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. He has also been an interim Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent in the Half Hollow Hills Central School District. Presently, he teaches Educational Administration at Long Island University, C. W. Post. Dr. Ricken has served as the Long Island Coordinator for the Anti-Defamation League’s A World of Difference Institute and conducted anti-bias workshops in over 100 school districts. In addition, he has been the Chairman of the Board of the Nassau Citizens Budget Committee, Board Officer of School Business Partnerships of Long Island, Vice-President of the Nassau County Superintendents Association and President of Phi Delta Kappa, C. W .Post Chapter. Additionally, he served as an Impartial Hearing Officer and a member of the American Arbitration Association. In this capacity, he has conducted 3020A, Section 75, and special education hearings. Robert Ricken is the author of: Love Me When I’m Most Unlovable, published by the NASSP Book Two – The Kids’ View, NASSP The RA Guide to Nassau County Schools, Carlton Press, 1995 The Middle Level Calendar: A Handbook for Practitioners, NASSP, 1996 The High School Principal’s Calendar – A Month-By-Month Planner for the School Year, Corwin Press, 2000 The Elementary School Principal’s Calendar – A Month-By-Month Planner for the School Year, Corwin Press, 2001 Other articles have been published in the New York Times, Newsday, Sports Illustrated, The Harvard Review, Harper’s Weekly and Single Parent Magazine. He is a frequent contributor to many educational journals, and has written a column on education for a local newspaper, Economic Times of Long Island. Dr. Ricken has presented many workshops, and has recently been the keynote speaker for the NASSP in New Orleans, the National Association of Middle Schools in West Virginia, Baltimore, Denver, Washington D.C. and Atlanta. He has also spoken at the National School Boards Association in San Francisco and Rochester, as well as for Phi Delta Kappa at Hofstra, C. W. Post, and Molloy College. Awards include the Administrator of the Year by Phi Delta Kappa of Hofstra University, Administrator of the Year by Nassau-Suffolk Educator’s Association, and recognition for his work in labor relations by the New York Council of Administrators and Supervisors. The National Public Relations Association honored him for his exemplary public relations practices. In 1992, he received the Outstanding Service Support Award from the Girl Scouts of Nassau County. In 1994, he was the recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recognition Award by Nassau County. In 2000, the New York State Middle School Association awarded him the Ross M. Burkhardt Award for his outstanding contribution to middle level education. Preface About the Authors 1. July July Key Tasks Monitor Summer School Review Curriculum-Writing Projects Review Teacher Evaluations Meet With Custodial Staff Review and Revise Student Handbook Update Teacher Manual Review School Board’s Policy Manual Develop a Mission Statement Review and Revise Administrative Responsibilities Attend Monthly Board of Education Meetings Analyze Trends in Disciplinary Referrals Examine School Statistics Assess Each Department’s Status Review Team Assignments Meet With Parents Review District Calendar Check Status of Purchase Orders Contact Local Police and Fire Officials Review Report Cards and Grades July Communications Write Letter to Staff Develop a Public Relations Program Write Letter to Incoming Class Write Letter to New Faculty and Staff Members Establish Membership in Civic Associations Subscribe to Local Newspapers Write Letter to Nonpublic Schools Write Letter to Parents Suggesting Summer Activities for Students July Planning Finalize New Student Orientation Program Conduct Administrative Team Workshop Finalize Calendar for Field Trips and Fundraising Activities July Personnel Review Staffing and Tenure Recommendations July Checklists 2. August August Key Tasks Prepare School Opening Remarks for Staff Meet With All Supervisors Complete Master Schedule Review the School’s Mission Statement Register New Students Conduct Final Walk-Through With Head Custodian Complete Last-Minute Double Checks August Communications Prepare Board of Education Presentation Meet With Parent-Teacher Association Leaders Complete School Opening Memo for Staff Review Interim Reports Send Letters to Students with Schedules for Opening Day Send Opening-of-School Letter to Faculty and Staff Send Letter to Parents About Future PTA Meetings Write Article for Student Newspaper Prepare First Weekly Memo to Staff Send Letter to Police, Fire Officials, and Local Politicians Submit Grade Examination and Analysis August Planning Establish Field Trip Schedule Establish Fire Drill Schedule Establish Goals and Special Projects August Personnel Set Shared Decision-Making Committee Meeting Dates Revise Staff Directory Review Substitute Teacher Procedures Complete New Teacher Orientation Plans August Checklists 3. September September Key Tasks Conduct First Faculty Meeting Review Opening Preparations Meet With Staff to Discuss Security Plans Oversee Orientation of New Students Meet With New Teachers Initiate Staff Development Plans Establish the Disciplinary Process Review Guidance Program’s Direction Establish an Advisory Program Complete Superintendent Reports Provide Orientation for Public Address System Users Meet With Extracurricular Advisors Conduct Required Safety Drills Begin Student Spirit Activities Complete Annual Grant Proposals September Communications Compose Weekly Memo to Staff Meet with Each Teacher Team Report to PTA, Superintendent, and Board of Education on School Opening School Improvement Teams and Site-Based Councils Meet With School Nurse(s) Write and Distribute Memo Regarding Special Education Accommodations Conduct Class Visits Send Open School Night Invitation to All Parents Write Article for Principal’s Newsletter to Parents September Planning Develop Assesmbly Procedures and Plans Prepare for Open School Night Develop Guidance Newsletters Make Plans for an Evening Event With Coaches and Advisors Plan Schoolwide Staff Development Activities Maintain and Review Student Activities Calendar Monitor Field Trip Requests September Personnel Distribute Emergency Information Meet With Faculty Sunshine Committee Develop a School Directory Mail Faculty Start-of-School Materials Set Up Schedule Changes Week With Guidance Department Schedule Teacher Observations and Evaluations Review Administrative Team Objectives September Checklists 4. October October Key Tasks Set Budget Development Timelines and Parameters Review Interim Reports Prepare for Open School Night Plan Halloween Dance and Alternative Activities Screen New Entrants Review Progress of Students in Need of Special Services Review Plans for Faculty Meetings Hold First Site-Based Committee Meeting Coordinate the Year’s Testing Program Initiate Grade-Level Plans Plan Homecoming Parade and Activities Coordinate Recognition Day With Board of Education Conduct Fire and Emergency Drills October Communications Plan Monthly Board of Education Presentation Help Plan Monthly PTA Meetings Schedule K-12 Principals’ Meetings Attend Meetings of Local Service Clubs Review Bulletin Boards and School Exhibits Send Thank-You Notes After Open School Night Update School Profile Conduct Evening Social Activities for Students October Planning Prepare List of Capital Improvements Plan American Education Week Activities Join Principals’ Associations October Personnel Check on Teacher Observation Process Host Breakfast for Staff October Checklists 5. November November Key Tasks Prepare Report Cards Conduct Teacher Observations Hold Monthly Faculty Meeting Preview School Play Encourage Schoolwide Service Projects Review Fundraising Guidelines November Communications Prepare PTA Presentation Compose HOliday School Policy Memo Prepare Board of Education Presentation Foster Appreciation of Religious and Cultural Diversity Initiate Student Service Awards Program November Planning Review Procedures for Inclement Weather Apply for Funds and Permission to Attend Conferences Complete Enrollment Projections Schedule Holiday and Community Service Events November Personnel Involve the Library/Media Center Continue New Teacher Orientation November Checklists 6. December December Key Tasks Plan Holiday Work Schedule With Head Custodian Review Budget Proposals Complete and Report Calendar Year Fire Drills Conduct Faculty Meeting Schedule Classroom Observations Prepare Holiday or Variety Show Determine Components of the Sixth-Grade Orientation Program December Communications Prepare PTA Presentation Prepare Presentation for Board of Education Meeting Prepare for Retirement Parties December Planning Prepare Standardized Tests Results Devise Midyear Examination Schedule Review Winter Concert Schedule Conduct Midyear Locker Cleanup December Personnel Coordinate Purchase of Gifts for Office and Custodial Staff Review Extracurricular Activities and Evaluate Advisors and Coaches December Checklists 7. January January Key Tasks Review Teacher Performance Evaluations Create Remedial Plans for Staff Evaulate Custodial Staff Distribute Midyear Report Cards Review Department and Team Goals Review Curriculum Initiatives Finalize Budget Requests Make Informal Class Visits Conduct Faculty Meeting Prepare for Winter Examinations January Communications Conduct Parent-Teacher Conferences Coordinate PTA Presentation Prepare for Board of Education Meeting Obtain Feedback on Student Lunch Program January Planning Assess Sixth-Grade Orientation Program Review Ongoing Grants Monitor Bulletin Board Displays Collect Course Selection Data January Personnel Finalize Staffing Needs Send Superintendent All First-Semester Teacher Evaluations Conduct Evaluations for Nonprofessional Staff January Checklists 8. February February Key Tasks Evaluate the Second-Semester Schedule Issue Second-Quarter Report Cards Complete Evaluations of Nontenured Teachers Plan Monthly Faculty Meeting Meet With Key Personnel About Next Year’s Master Schedule Review Teacher and Departmental Grades Host a Career Fair Plan for Eighth-Grade Graduation February Communications Prepare Boad of Education Report Request Congratulatory Letters From Elected Officials Hold Midyear Conferences Prepare PTA Presentation Encourage Teachers to Schedule Parents Conferences Compose Honor Roll Congratulatory Letters February Planning Meet With High School Counselors Check on Status of School Supplies Establish Due Dates for Chairpersons’ Scheduling Input Coordinate Preparation of Facilities and Grounds for Spring February Personnel Evaulate New Teacher Orientation Program Develop a Dialogue With Support Staff February Checklists 9. March March Key Tasks Prepare to Defend Budget Requests Continue Work on Master Schedule Prepare for Summer School Program Finalize Summer Writing Projects Complete All Teacher Evaluations Begin to Organize School Recognition Program Conduct Faculty Meeting March Communications Set Meeting Dates With Elementary Principals Supervise Closing Activities Plan Monthly Board of Education Presentation Prepare PTA Meeting Presentation March Planning Conduct Statewide Examinations Begin Summer School Preparations Begin Planning for Annual Awards Assembly March Personnel Begin New Teacher Hiring Process Sent Reminder Notes to Supervisory Staff March Checklists 10. April April Key Tasks Complete Master Schedule for Coming Year Conduct New Student Orientation for Fifth Graders Participate in Orientation for Eighth Graders Make Public Presentation on Proposed Budget Conduct Election for Student Government Officers Initiate Student Awards Selection Process Review Quarterly Report Cards April Communications Make PTA Presentation Attend Monthly Board of Education Meeting Send Congratulatory Letter to Honor Roll Students Establish Parameters for Spring Musical Complete Faculty Evaluations Contact Parents of Students in Danger of Not Graduating April Planning Establish Summer Vacation and Work Schedules Finalize Plan for Academic Awards Assembly Facilitate Planning for Cultural Arts Program April Personnel Advertise Teacher Openings Celebrate Secretaries’ Day April Checklists 11. May May Key Tasks Encourage District Budget Vote Participation Conduct Monthly Faculty Meeting Supervise Interim Report Distribution Complete Evaluations of Administrative Team Help With Summer School Planning Conduct Exit Interviews Conduct Remaining Fire Drills Conduct Locker Cleanups Oversee Administration of Standardized Tests Prepare Report on Goals May Communications Distribute Progress/Interim Reports Complete and Distribute Closing Procedures Give Monthly Presentation at PTA Meeting Contact Elementary School Principals May Planning Begin Developing Activities Calendar for the Coming Year Finalize Custodial Summer Work Schedule and Goals Analyze Present Year’s Budget Plan to Supervise and Attend Spring Events May Personnel Submit Recommendations for Extracurricular Appointments Complete Extracurricular Activity Report Conduct Ongoing Teacher Hiring May Checklists 12. June June Key Tasks Monitor Final Examinations Issue Final Report Cards Review Final Grades Complete All End-of-Year Reports Organize Final Locker Cleanup Conduct Moving-Up Exercises Organize and Conduct Awards Assembly Hold Early Registration for Summer School Publish Teacher Sign-Out Procedures Attend Culminating Events Submit Summer Work Recommendations Collect All Outstanding Books and Equipment Arrange for Fall Sports and Activity Physicals Transfer Student Records Complete All Required Staff Evaluations June Communications Write End-of-Year Newsletter Promote Faculty Drop-Ins Make Board of Education Presentation Attend PTA Installation Night June Planning Set Deadlines for Submission of Grades and Failure Lists Finalize Summer Cleaning and Painting Schedule Obtain All Teachers’ and Chairpersons’ Schedules and Vacation Dates Develop Preliminary Plans for the Opening of School June Personnel Annouce Next Year’s Teaching Schedules Conduct Last-Minute Hiring June Checklists Resources Sample Documents Resource 1: Student Handbook Topics Resource 2: Teacher Manual Topics Resource 3: How to Build a Mission Statement for School Improvement Resource 4: How Parents Can Help Their Children Succeed Resource 5: Building Inspection Checklist Resource 6: Sample Interim/Progress Report Resource 7: Middle School Substitutes’ Memorandum Resource 8: Characteristics of the Middle School Child Resource 9: Building Security Memo Resource 10: Principal’s Orientation Presentation Resource 11: Principal’s Weekly Bulletin Resource 12: Effective Teamwork and Group Leadership Resource 13: Best Practices in Quality Education for Students With Severe Disabilities Resource 14: Open School Night Memo to Teachers Resource 15: Budget Process Calendar Resource 16: Interim Progress Reports Memo Resource 17: Attention-Deficit Disorders Resource 18: American Education Week Memo Resource 19: Fundraising Considerations Resource 20: Principal’s Newsletter to Parents Resource 21: Holiday Gifts: A Challenge or a Burden Resource 22: Administrator’s Observation Worksheet Resource 23: Rating Scale for Custodial Services Resource 24: Scheduling Timeline Resource 25: Inspirational Memorandum Resource 26: Interviewing Questions for Teachers Resource 27: Letter Sent to All Those Running for School Offices Resource 28: Rating Your Middle School Principal Resource 29: Teacher’s Comments for Interim Reports and Report Cards Resource 30: Student Activities Evaluation Report Resource 31: Final Examination Schedule Resource 32: Locker Cleanup Resource 33: End-of-Year Sign-Out List References
