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Survival Skills for the Principalship
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Survival Skills for the Principalship
A Treasure Chest of Time-Savers, Short-Cuts, and Strategies to Help You Keep a Balance in Your Life

  • John Blaydes - Association of California School Administrators


January 2004 | 256 pages | Corwin
Survival Skills for the Principalship provides over 500 powerful tips, short-cuts, time-savers, ideas, strategies, and a collection of sample letters and forms shared by award-winning principals nationwide. This treasure chest allows principals, assistant principals, and aspiring principals to pick and choose from a variety of valuable resources as befits his or her school. Each chapter in this book is designed to provide timesaving and efficient survival skills, which can be implemented immediately. The materials in this book attempts to reduce the isolated job of the principalship by sharing what has worked and what hasn't worked for award-winning, highly successful principals from across the nation.
 
Acknowledgements
 
About the Author
 
Introduction
 
1. Blueprint for Leadership in 21st Century Schools: Matering the Changes, Challenges, and Complexities of the Principalship
Mastering the New Three R's of School Leadership

 
Framing the Power of the Principalship

 
Laying The Foundation of Your Principalship

 
Treasure Chest Sample #1: Dance Card Partners

 
Treasure Chest Sample #2: Professional Responsibilities

 
Holding a Grand Conversation

 
Mastering Resiliency

 
Treasure Chest Sample #3: Candy-Grams

 
Treasure Chest Sample #4: Parent-School Climate Questionnaire

 
Treasure Chest Sample #5: Assessment of Staff Morale

 
Treasure Chest Sample #6: Day of the Teacher Remembrance Book Parent Memo

 
Treasure Chest Sample #7: Sample Elementary Classroom Behavior Management Plan

 
Treasure Chest Sample #8: Discipline Problem-Solving Record Card

 
Strengthening Your Infrastructure

 
Putting the Home Back in Homework

 
Treasure Chest Sample #9: Parent Homework Brochure

 
Homework Survival Kit for Teachers

 
Treasure Chest Sample #10: Homework Survival Kit for Teachers

 
Treasure Chest Sample #11: Homework Alert

 
Treasure Chest Sample #12: Principal's Homework Letter to Parents

 
 
2. Mastering the Skills of Resiliency
Resiliency

 
The Rock of the Principalship

 
Survey Results - Stressors

 
Treasure Chest Sample #13: Stress Inventory

 
Tuesdays With Me

 
Time Management Tips From Award-Winning Principals

 
Building the Parent-School Partnership

 
Treasure Chest Sample #14: Parent Volunteer Survey Letter

 
Treasure Chest Sample #15: PEP Classroom Volunteer Survey

 
Treasure Chest Sample #16: School Volunteer Survey

 
Treasure Chest Sample #17: Volunteer Handbook Welcome Letter

 
Treasure Chest Sample #18: Parent Classroom Observation Procedures

 
Treasure Chest Sample #19: Parent Education Survey

 
Treasure Chest Sample #20: Parent Invitation to Kindergarten Orientation

 
Treasure Chest Sample #21: Parent Handout: Kindergarten - A Statement of Philosophy

 
Treasure Chest Sample #22: Parent Handout: Kindergarten Goals - What Your Child Will Learn

 
Treasure Chest Sample #23: Parent Handout - Getting Your Child Ready for Kindergarten

 
Treasure Chest Sample #24: Kindergarten Welcome Conference Agenda

 
Treasure Chest Sample #25: Parent Handout - Back to School Night

 
Creative Models - Special Needs Students

 
Timesavers for Referrals and Interventions

 
Treasure Chest Sample #26: Special Needs Interventions Inventory

 
Treasure Chest Sample #27: Special Needs Student Background Form

 
Treasure Chest Sample #28: New Parent Invitation for School Tour

 
Treasure Chest Sample #29: Parent Letter to Invite VIP to School Open House

 
Treasure Chest Sample #30: VIP Neighbor Invitation to Attend Open House

 
Treasure Chest Sample #31: Heroes of the Heart Award Invitation

 
Tips for Building Community Involvement in Your School

 
 
3. Mastering the Skills of Renewal
Renewal

 
Tips for Keeping a Balance in Your Life From Award-Winning Principals

 
Tips for Bringing Humor to Your School Culture From Award-Winning Principals

 
Enhancing Peak Performance

 
Building Your Dream Team

 
Treasure Chest Sample #32: Professional Information Survey

 
Treasure Chest Sample #33: Teacher Interview Questions

 
Treasure Chest Sample #34: Teacher Candidate Interview Record Sheet

 
Treasure Chest Sample #35: Candidate Progressive Ranking Sheet

 
Treasure Chest Sample #36: Telephone Reference Call Form

 
Enhancing Peak Performance

 
Teacher Evaluation

 
Treasure Chest Sample #37: Exceptional Elementary Tenured Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #38: Excellent High School Tenured Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #39: Excellent Elementary Tenured Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #40: Average Elementary Tenured Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #41: Average High School Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #42: Outstanding Elementary First-Year Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #43: Marginal Elementary First-Year Teacher

 
Letters of Recommendation

 
Treasure Chest Sample #44: Marginal Elementary Tenured Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #45: Exceptional High School Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #46: Exceptional Elementary Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #47: Excellent High School Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #48: Average Elementary Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #49: First-Year Marginal Elementary Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #50: Substitute Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #51: Math Teacher Award

 
Treasure Chest Sample #52: Science Summer Institute

 
 
4. Mastering the Skills of Reflection
Reflection

 
Touch the Wisdom Within

 
The M&M Game - A Culminating Learning Activity

 
Treasure Chest Sample #53: The Survival Skills M&M Game

 
Letter-Rip!

 
Sample Letters

 
Treasure Chest Sample #54: Changing Classroom Assignment - New Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #55: Mid-Year Classroom Teacher Replacement

 
Treasure Chest Sample #56: Teacher Leaving for Maternity

 
Treasure Chest Sample #57: Attendance Concerns

 
Treasure Chest Sample #58: Follow-up Letter - Strong Concerns About Continuing Poor School Attendance

 
Treasure Chest Sample #59: Concerns Regarding Student Tardies

 
Treasure Chest Sample #60: Follow-up Letter - Strong Concerns About Continuing School Tardies

 
Treasure Chest Sample #61: Requesting Business Donation

 
Treasure Chest Sample #62: Thank-You Letter - Business Donation

 
Treasure Chest Sample #63: Thank-You Letter - Community Service Organization Gift

 
Treasure Chest Sample #64: Thank You for Positive Letter About a Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #65: Thank-You Letter - Parent Donation of Gift

 
Treasure Chest Sample #66: Thank-You Letter - Music Teacher

 
Treasure Chest Sample #67: Thank-You Letter - Teacher Presenting Inservice

 
Treasure Chest Sample #68: Thank-You Letter - Consultant Presenting Inservice

 
Treasure Chest Sample #69: Thank-You Letter - Classroom Volunteer

 
Treasure Chest Sample #70: Thank-You Letter - Parent Volunteer School Event

 
Treasure Chest Sample #71: Thank-You Letter - PTA President

 
Treasure Chest Sample #72: Letter of Congratulations to PTA Honorary Service Award Recipient

 
Treasure Chest Sample #73: Parent Letter - Classroom Volunteer Who Didn't Show Up

 
Treasure Chest Sample #74: Parent Letter - Congratulations on Student's Good Citizenship Award

 
Treasure Chest Sample #75: Student Letter - Congratulations on Election to Student Council

 
Treasure Chest Sample #76: Student Letter - Consolation Letter, Not Elected to Student Council

 
Treasure Chest Sample #77: Parent Letter - Failure to Pick Up Child After School in Time

 
Treasure Chest Sample #78: Parent Letter - Suspension of Disruptive Parent From Coming on Campus

 
Memo-abilia

 
Treasure Chest Sample #79: Staff Memo - Welcome Back to New School Year

 
Treasure Chest Sample #80: Staff Memo - Open House Expectations

 
Treasure Chest Sample #81: Staff Memo - Congratulations on Successful Open House

 
Treasure Chest Sample #82: Staff Memo - Thank You, Day of the Teacher Appreciation

 
Treasure Chest Sample #83: Staff Memo - Procedures for Recess Time-Out

 
Treasure Chest Sample #84: Staff Memo - Classified Staff Appreciation Week Thank You

 
Principal's Message for Parent Newsletter

 
Treasure Chest Sample #85: Parent Letter - Welcome Back to New School Year

 
Treasure Chest Sample #86: New Student Survey About Special Needs Services

 
Treasure Chest Sample #87: Home-School Communication - The Key to Our School's Success

 
Treasure Chest Sample #88: The Joy of Reading Alout at Home

 
Treasure Chest Sample #89: Getting to School on Time in a Safe Manner

 
Treasure Chest Sample #90: Taking Time for Conversation and Consistency

 
Treasure Chest Sample #91: Creating a Climate for Learning

 
Treasure Chest Sample #92: A Parent's Guide to Teenage Parties

 
Treasure Chest Sample #93: Just a Little Bit of Heaven

 
Treasure Chest Sample #94: Character Education - Teaching Our Children the Attribute of Perseverance

 
Treasure Chest Sample #95: Avoid Interrupting Classroom Instruction

 
Treasure Chest Sample #96: Celebrating Our School Year - A Special Thank You

 
Treasure Chest Sample #97: One Good Parent

 
Treasure Chest Sample #98: The Season of Joy

 
Treasure Chest Sample #99: Emergency Preparedness Bulletin

 
Treasure Chest Sample #100: Middle School Report to Parents

 
Treasure Chest Sample #101: Parent Survey - A School Evaluation Tool

 
Treasure Chest Sample #102: School Organization for Next Year

 
Treasure Chest Sample #103: Weh Report Cards Don't Make the Grade

 
Treasure Chest Sample #104: Parent Letter - Responding to Parent Request for a Specific Teacher

 
Summary

 
The Last Word

 
Order Form - Survival Skills for the Principalship CD

 
 
Index

"A great book designed to lighten the load of school administrators—filled with practical, easy to implement strategies, short-cuts, time-savers, and sample forms and letters. A valuable reference guide for effective school leadership."

Fran Madison-Cohee, NAESP California State Representative
Principal, White Oak Elementary, CA

"If you are looking for insight, rejuvenation, and thoughtful, practical strategies for success in your role as a school leader, look no further. John Blaydes helps us remember why we became educators, why we want to continue, and why inspirational leadership is essential to schools."

Jane Foley, Vice President, National Educator Awards
Milken Family Foundation, Santa Monica, CA

"Educational leaders will treasure this handy leadership guide full of powerful strategies and meaningful examples that are easily implemented. School administrators will find practical suggestions for motivating staff, preparing correspondence, and handling difficult situations. This is a must for your professional library."

Deborah Jenkins, Executive Assistant
Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore, MD

"Clearly, Blaydes planned well as he linked the themes from one chapter
to the next. It will no doubt be a valued tool for school administrators."

Daniel P. Gaffney, Principal
Howard R. Yocum Elementary School, NJ

"This book is very readable for the practitioner. The examples presented are excellent and I think principals and superintendents could use this material for staff development of teachers, paraprofessionals, and for community members."

Ronald P. Weiss, Associate Professor
Minnesota State University

Sample Materials & Chapters

Introduction


John Blaydes

John Blaydes is one of the nation foremost experts in the field of school administration. He is an inspirational leader, author, motivational speaker, seminar leader and educational consultant. In recognition of his innovative leadership John has been honored with both the National Distinguished School Principal Award and the prestigious Milken Foundation National Educator Award. John also received the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts National School Administrator Award for his dedication to arts education and the California's School Principal Leadership Award from the California Librarians Association for his outstanding media... More About Author

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