In March of 2020, schools all over the country were physically closed. However, teaching and learning continued. In Saluda County Schools (SCS), we made clear and consistent communication one of our top priorities. Here are four things we believe we did well that may help other school leaders communicate and plan for what may be […]
Communication and Planning in the Time of School Closure
building closurebuilding relationshipsCommunicationcoronavirusCOVID-19HealthMental healthschool building closuresschool closureschool reopeningsocial and emotional learning (SEL)social emotional needsWellness
Just One-Third of Principals Express Confidence in School’s Ability to Keep Kids and Adults Healthy When Buildings Reopen
Districts across the nation are rolling out school reopening plans with provisions to keep students safe. But the school leaders charged with implementing those plans have little confidence those provisions will work, according to a poll conducted by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Of the 1,450 principals who responded, just 35.2 percent indicated […]
Betsy DeVoscoronavirusCOVID-19President Trumpschool closuresschool reentryschool reopeningSecretary DeVos
School Resource Officers and Law Enforcement in Schools
To highlight the positive contributions of school resource officers (SROs) and offer recommendations for ensuring they have the appropriate training and partnerships with school leaders to create a safe and supportive school for each adult and child. Learning is most effective when schools are safe and welcoming environments for all students and adults. Principals know […]
Building CultureCommunicationEducation PolicyEquityEthicsGlobal-mindednessOtherRelationshipsSchool SafetyWellness
Are Schools Ready for What Comes Next?
At the beginning of 2020, no one could have foreseen the impact of the pandemic. In the face of myriad obstacles, educators stepped up to implement remote learning to get through the remainder of the academic year. A post-COVID-19 world will be here eventually, but it is anyone’s guess when that will be. As schools grapple with the unknown questions […]
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Preparing School Staff for the Unthinkable: February 2020
Stakeholders involved with educating today’s youth do not want another school tragedy or shooting. Students, parents, teachers, and public and private school administrators place school safety at the top of their daily responsibility list. Years ago when asked, “What is your primary focus?” principals would provide answers relating to curriculum development and academic achievement. Today, […]
The Principal Advocate: 5 Ways School Leaders Can Support Students, Teachers, and Communities
Americans trust principals to care about others, provide fair and accurate information, and handle resources responsibility. A Pew Research Center survey shows that Americans have an even higher trust for school leaders than police, military leaders, and less surprisingly, journalists and members of Congress. This trust brings tremendous credibility when advocating for students, teachers, learning, […]
Building CultureCommunication
Trauma-Informed Schools
The purpose of this position statement is to highlight how trauma and adverse childhood experiences affect student learning and school climate and to offer policy recommendations to help support educators as they seek to create trauma-informed schools. The most recent data from Child Trends indicate that 45 percent of children in the United States have […]
Building CultureCollaborative LeadershipCommunicationCurriculum, Instruction, & AssessmentsEducation PolicyEquityEthicsGlobal-mindednessHuman Capital ManagementInnovationLeading LearningOtherReflection & GrowthRelationshipsResults-OrientationSchool SafetyStrategic ManagementVision & MissionWellness
What Teens Need From Schools
What do teens need? Asking more than 100 teens from different backgrounds will yield more than 100 different answers. Freedom. Support. Acknowledgment. Space. Sleep. Communication. To be known. Creativity. Heroes and role models. Money. Friends. Time. Success. Less stress. A voice. Trust. Affirmation. Like every one of us, each teen is unique. As a whole, […]
Building CultureCommunicationCurriculum, Instruction, & AssessmentsEquityEthicsGlobal-mindednessLeading LearningOtherRelationshipsTechnology & E-learningWellness
What Principals Can Do to Ensure School Discipline Policies Promote Safe and Inclusive Learning Environments
Research shows that “principals are essential to improving student achievement and narrowing persistent achievement gaps between students in underserved communities and their economically advantaged peers.” In fact, one study asserts that “there are virtually no documented instances of troubled schools being turned around without intervention by a powerful leader.”
Building CultureEquityLeading LearningOtherReflection & GrowthRelationshipsschool improvementSchool Safety
Tackling High School Football
Secondary school principals have always been involved in their high school football programs, but coaches and athletic directors have traditionally taken the lead. Recently, however, various issues—burgeoning safety concerns, increased parental interest, enhanced attention to alternatives to tackle football, and the growing importance of social-emotional learning—have resulted in principals having to focus more attention on […]