Standard VI: External Development Leadership
A school executive will design structures and processes that result in community engagement, support, and ownership. Acknowledging that schools no longer reflect but in fact build community, the leader proactively creates with staff opportunities for parents, community and business representatives to participate as “stockholders” in the school such that continued investments of resources and good will are not left to chance.
Element VIa. Parent and Community Involvement and Outreach: The school executive designs structures and processes which result in parent and community engagement, support and ownership for the school.
For parents to be involved in their child's education they must be given information on events and ways to help their child prosper. I felt it was important to provide as much information to parents as possible other than social media outlets. Not all parents use social media or read the newspaper so I created a monthly newsletter that is printed and sent home in English and Spanish. I create the template with important dates, share with teachers to complete the weekly focus and at home tips and then share with our ESL Coordinator to translate into Spanish. With a 20% Spanish speaking population we must meet parents in the most appropriate way so they can help their children.
For parents to be involved in their child's education they must be given information on events and ways to help their child prosper. I felt it was important to provide as much information to parents as possible other than social media outlets. Not all parents use social media or read the newspaper so I created a monthly newsletter that is printed and sent home in English and Spanish. I create the template with important dates, share with teachers to complete the weekly focus and at home tips and then share with our ESL Coordinator to translate into Spanish. With a 20% Spanish speaking population we must meet parents in the most appropriate way so they can help their children.
Another way we share information with our stakeholders is by submitting articles and pictures to The Weekly Gazette. The Weekly Gazette is published in La Grange and the editor is a great partner with our school. He is receptive to printing the articles I send him to support our school and staff. I took the initiative to send the editor articles starting at the beginning of the year. I strive to provide information weekly so the community can see all of the wonderful things going on at La Grange Elementary. The editor also published articles shared from our district office and our school Facebook page.
I also wrote thank you notes to local organizations that donated school supplies and backpacks at the beginning of the school year. I continue to write thank you notes throughout the year when we receive donations.
Element VIb. Federal, State and District Mandates: The school executive designs protocols and processes in order to comply with federal, state and district mandates.
Below is communication from Associate Superintendent Herring asking for information about La Grange's class size predictions. I created the spreadsheet, answered the questions and forwarded to the interim principal for review before sending to central office.
Below is communication from Associate Superintendent Herring asking for information about La Grange's class size predictions. I created the spreadsheet, answered the questions and forwarded to the interim principal for review before sending to central office.
Below is a list of "look fors" issued by the district's Director of Elementary Curriculum. On-going training has been provided to K-2 teachers this school year on how to implement these items into their classrooms daily. This list has been shared multiple times with our K-2 teachers and I look for these items when completing walkthroughs and classroom observations.
As an administrator a part of my role will be to make sure the school is in compliance with all fire, tornado, and lock down drills. During my principal residency I have participated in carrying out these drills. Below is the compliance report our school secretary completes and submits to the district.