In the 17 years I’ve been an administrator in the Derry, NH, school district, we’ve had plenty of controversies. We’ve had school board meetings where members of the public come and share their opinions and disagree. But I’ve never seen people at those meetings being disrespectful—until now.
Category: School Safety
Mask Mandate Brings an Unfortunate Level of Anger and Disrespect
Expect the Unexpected as Schools Navigate the New Normal
At my school in Florida, we’re in our second year of being back in person. Things are very different this year—masks are not required for students and staff, we can hold more athletic events and school activities, and we don’t have to worry about students staying six feet apart; they can now work together in […]
An Angry Encounter with a Parent over Masks Left Me Shaken
I’ve been the principal of my school for 15 years, so I think I have a pretty good pulse on this community. But I recently had an experience with a parent over masks that shook me because it was so extreme and out of character.
Principal Recovery Network Briefs Congress on Capitol Hill
Last week, the NASSP Principal Recovery Network (PRN) hosted their first-ever public event, speaking directly to members of Congress and their staffs at a briefing event on Capitol Hill. School leaders shared emotional stories about the tragic shootings that unfolded in their buildings. They inspired attendees as they described the heroism displayed by students, educators, […]
Read This, Save Lives: Creating Safer Classrooms for LGBTQ+ Students
I was a curious student who spent my free periods talking to teachers, and I could find my way around the library blindfolded. But for most of my life, I absolutely dreaded going to school.
In Times of Crisis: Why I Became an Adviser
No one could have foreseen our frightening circumstances, but having an NHS chapter made all the difference. I have been a National Honor Society (NHS) adviser for three years. Actually, it’s more accurate to say that I have been the sole adviser for that long—I had previously been co-advising our chapter with my wife for […]
7 Strategies to Enhance School Safety
Guest post by Bill Ziegler Without a doubt, the most pressing issue in schools today is safety. It seems like a week can’t go by without hearing about a school shooting or someone talking about school safety fears. The Washington Post recently reported a startling statistic that indicated more students have died in school shootings […]
School Safety Advocacy From a Student’s Perspective
Following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, which claimed the lives of 17 students and educators, advocates around the country organized a national movement demanding change to better protect our schools and communities from gun violence. Leading that movement are student survivors of the shooting joined by thousands of young […]
Every Student Matters
Guest post by John C. Bartlett When I woke up the morning after Election Day, my to-do list had a new priority: a visit to my English language learner classroom and a conversation with our 50 students who were getting their first taste of American democracy at work. What did these students want and need […]
Leveraging Title IV, Part A to Create Safe and Supportive Schools
Guest post by Kelly Vaillancourt Strobach Principals have a responsibility to ensure student safety while also providing a supportive environment that is conducive to learning. This requires a careful balance of addressing physical safety while also addressing the psychological safety of students. Despite the current focus on arming teachers and other school personnel, this tactic […]