South Florida is a cultural melting pot, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, is no different. Our 3,100 students represent a wide variety of cultures, which we celebrate intentionally 365 days of the year.
Category: School Culture & Climate
Our Student Showcase for Black History Month
Leadership Is a Funny Business
Humor has always been a part of my life. In fifth grade, I created my own joke book and sold copies to my friends for 25 cents each. In high school, they had to create an entirely new category just for me. I was voted “Class Joker”—because “Class Clown” didn’t fit. I told jokes; I didn’t make armpit noises.
The Giving Tree
I’ve always dreaded winter break. While my classmates looked forward to family celebrations, I prepared for loneliness. The absence of a “normal” family weighed heavily on me, a quiet ache I carried this time of the year. Christmas, once magical in my childhood, slowly lost its warmth the older I got, leaving only reminders of […]
5 Must-Read Posts in Honor of National Principals Month
Today marks the start of October, that special month when we honor principals nationwide. To kick off the celebration of your hard work and dedication, we’re re-upping the following School of Thought posts from our members—middle and high school principals and assistant principals just like you.
LeadershipReflection & Growthschool climateschool culture
Honoring My Heritage This Hispanic Heritage Month
As a child of immigrants, I have always taken great pride in being an American of Mexican descent. My earliest memories include long family trips driving six hours south to visit relatives in Ojinaga, Chihuahua, the Mexican border town across from Presidio, TX. Spanish was my first language, and at home, my parents spoke almost […]
Combating Spring Absenteeism
Spring in a beach town is beautiful and a bit of a nightmare for school attendance. At Keansburg High School in Keansburg, NJ, where chronic absenteeism peaked at 40% post-pandemic, the warming weather often signals a drop in engagement. With its beach, boardwalk, and amusement park, our town is known as the gateway to the […]
Assistant Principals Leadership NetworkAssistant Principals Network
Your 2025 UNITED Agenda: Staff Well-Being
Support Your People, Sustain Your School When educators thrive, schools succeed. These sessions will help you invest in your staff through recognition, retention, and relationship-centered leadership.
One High School’s Varied Celebration of Black History Month
February is Black History Month, and schools around the country are in the middle of celebrating the numerous contributions of African Americans to our history and culture. One of those schools is Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, CT, where Assistant Principal LaShante James, students, and staff are marking the month with a variety of […]
A Community’s Resilience Seven Years After the Parkland Tragedy
Seven years after the tragedy that forever changed Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD) in Parkland, FL, the community continues to demonstrate resilience, strength, and determination. Last summer marked a pivotal moment in that journey—the long-awaited demolition of the building where the shooting on February 14, 2018, took place. For many, its removal represents more […]
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: A Call to Action
Because I am a Latino principal, Hispanic Heritage Month has always held special significance for me. It serves as an essential reminder to celebrate the richness and diversity of Hispanic cultures and to honor the many contributions of individuals and events that have shaped our history. While we take time to reflect on our past […]