STANDARD FIVE: MANAGERIAL LEADERSHIP
School executives will ensure that the school has processes and systems in place for budgeting, staffing, problem solving, communicating expectations and scheduling that result in organizing the work routines in the building. The school executive must be responsible for the monitoring of the school budget and the inclusion of all teachers in the budget decisions so as to meet the 21st century needs of every classroom. Effectively and efficiently managing the complexity of everyday life is critical for staff to be able to focus its energy on improvement.
A. School Resources and Budget
During my coursework in Spring 2020, we completed a budget course that allowed me to analyze a school's data and make budget determinations for the year given the information. Working with colleagues, I analyzed the data and the budget to make appropriate recommendations for specific budget codes and within the parameters of the given allotment.
In my Spring 2020 coursework, we had the opportunity to learn the different budget codes and how those funds can be used by the school executive. The school executive has to be well versed with her budget to properly support students and teachers.
As the Principal Resident at Washington this year, part of my role was to be Co-Coordinator for GT Cares, which is an Accelerated Learning program held after school and taught by Washington teachers. GT Cares has an additional component, the Plaza Comunitaria, which is an adult learning program for Latino Americans local to the Raleigh area. At the beginning of the year I applied for the Family Engagement Award Grant, which awarded us $15,000 towards the support of the GT Cares program and Plaza Comunitaria. The original budget for these programs is about $35,000. I revamped the budget to reflect an option that would support students and teachers to provide additional support to grow kids with fidelity and integrity of the funds.
B. Conflict Management and Resolution
During the first year of my coursework, I took a course on Crucial Conversations that aligned with the text. We learned how to engage in Crucial Conversations and reflected about our experiences with Crucial Conversations. I utilize this framework for conversations that I currently have with staff and students.
As an effort to increase Social Emotional Learning for staff, I introduced Circle Training and shared information about how to access the formal training hosted by the county. The introduction to Circle was an opportunity for staff to reflect on if they wanted to further introduce Circle into their classroom with training.
C. Systematic Communication
At Washington GT Elementary, every Monday the principal sends a Monday Memo. Other staff members have an opportunity to share important updates. The literacy coach, math coach, school counselor, instructional facilitator all share information with staff using this document. For this particular school memo, I have an announcement offering PD to staff.
This calendar of events outlines a collaboration between the staff and the Parent Teacher Association. The two entities work together to engage students and families throughout the school year. As Principal Intern, there are several events that I attend outside of school hours and the school building, like Skate nights, Arts and Letters Night, and the Math and Science Night.
This year the Assistant Principal and I collaborated with our Magnet Coordinator to create the Lunch Duty Schedule for the 2019-2020 school year. Instructional assistants, support staff, administrators and clerical staff are utilized for lunch duty to supervise kids and provide teachers a duty free lunch.
D. School Expectations for Students and Staff
STAR expectations are Tier 1 of Positive Behavior Intervention Support for our students at Washington. The STAR expectations are taught and reinforced by teachers, support staff, and administration throughout the school year. At the beginning of the year, teachers use these guidelines to teach students how to behave in various spaces around the school.
The administration and clerical staff at Washington update the Staff and Parent-Student handbook each summer to reflect the policies and practices at Washington GT Elementary. The handbook creates common language and guidelines for the entire Washington community.