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Welcome back to another episode of Monday Matters! This week, Jen Schwanke and I are discussing ways that school leaders can influence a positive start to the school year. Below is a brief overview of our conversation:
- Set the tone with staff and students
- Enjoy teamwork and camaraderie with staff as you set the tone for the school year. Hard work can be accomplished in a way that is lighthearted and fun for staff and students.
- Model expectations
- Start out the school year by creating an environment that feels like home for students. Foster a sense of community so that students feel they are a part of something bigger than themselves.
- Schedule in advance what’s most important
- Ensure that teachers know, in advance, important dates that are happening throughout the school year. Allow them to plan around the schedule so no one feels rushed or out of the loop when it comes to PD days or other important events.
- Identify key responsibility areas and support new staff
- The beginning of a new school year can be overwhelming for new staff and admins. Key responsibility areas can help the start of the year run smoothly for these individuals and diminish feelings of overwhelm.
- Expect the unexpected
- No matter how much you plan, you can’t plan for everything. By shifting your mindset to expect the unexpected, you can handle anything the school year throws at you.
- Stay calm
- Everything feels like an emergency in schools, but very rarely is something truly an emergency. Be the calmest person in the room when you can, and that will set the tone for the rest of the room.
Now It’s Your Turn:
What are some methods that you used to influence a positive start to the school year at your school? Are they similar to what we discussed in the episode, or are they different? Think about what worked and what didn’t.
Listen to the episode to hear all of our takeaways! We hope your school year started on a positive note, and, as always, thank you for doing what matters!
