Elementary school principals from throughout the state have come together to share their favorite practices in a new document created by ACSA’s Elementary Education Council.
The document, tentatively titled “Favorite Practices of California Principals,” contains 36 simple, inexpensive and creative ways to build morale, reward students and staff, strengthen relationships and inspire success.
For example, Bev Estis, principal of Richmond Elementary School in Sierra Sands USD, has “Popcorn with the Principal.” Each week, a student from each class is selected to have popcorn with the principal during recess. During this time, students can share what they like about school and what they would like to see improved.
At Foulks Ranch Elementary in Elk Grove USD, principal Mary Beth Kropp said HUGS recognize staff for a job well done. HUGS – or Huge Undertaking, Great Success – are notes from one staff member to another recognizing accomplishments. They are displayed on a bulletin board, and a weekly drawing selects a winning accomplishment. The winner gets rights to the HUGS parking spot for the week.
Axel Hanneman, principal of Strauch Elementary in North Sacramento ESD, says at his school, the names of all students with perfect attendance are placed in a barrel each month. One name is drawn, and that student gets to take his or her family to dinner at a nearby restaurant that has sponsored the attendance campaign.
The favorite practices project was conceived by ACSA’s Elementary Education Council President Dan Owens, who said he was looking for a way to create resources that would benefit ACSA members. One of the resources that principals indicated would help was how to have fun in the principalship and keep staff, community and student spirit high.
“As a result, we began looking for ideas that made the quality of life in our schools better – for everyone,” Owens said. “We looked for ideas that all principals could implement, regardless of funding, languages, test scores, size of school or any other influences.”
Owens said it is important to share favorite practices because too often, conversations about schools are negative and discouraging, and principals are looking for ways to motivate those around them.
“Obviously, we need to continue our focus on eliminating the achievement gap, and helping all students reach their full potential,” he said. “We also need to keep good people in challenging schools feeling good about their contributions. We hoped to change some of the conversations for the positive. We created a network for sharing great ideas – ideas that principals believed made their schools great places for everyone involved in the school.”
“Favorite Practices of California Principals” is still in the development stage, but it is expected to be printed later this summer and available by the 2008 Leadership Summit, Nov. 6-8 in San Diego.