What Successful Principals Do

<p>Here are practical insights from an experienced principal about how to run a successful school. Organized into three sections (Beginning the School Year, During the School Year, and Ending the School Year) these tips are powerful and attainable. Each one is introduced by an inspiring quote, followed by practical advice on how to implement the strategy. The 169 tips include:</p><ul> <li>Encourage Staff to Set Improvement Goals <</li> <li> Take Staff on Neighborhood Visits </li> <li>Call Parents with Good News Early </li> <li> Learn What Parents and Students Want </li> <li> Give Messages That Students Are Safe </li> <li> Stress Procedures Early </li> <li> Be Visible Daily </li> <li>Keep No Secrets from Your Staff </li> <li> Don't Make Decisions to Keep Friends </li> <li> Don't Wait for Group Consensus </li> <li> Praise Twice </li> <li>Be a Nurturing Leader </li> <li>Use Peer Pressure </li> <li> Let Kids Work It Out </li> <li> Have Family Night Activities </li> <li> Admit Mistakes </li> <li>Learn to Handle Complaints to Your Superiors </li> <li>Have Written Goals and Update Them Regularly </li> <li> See the School through the Parent's Eyes </li> <li>It Is Better to Do a Few Things Well</li> </ul> Part 1 Beginning the School Year; Chapter 1 Build Positive Relationships; Chapter 2 Communicate Your Vision; Chapter 3 Unite Employees with a Mission Statement; Chapter 4 Share Work Expectations with Staff; Chapter 5 Turn Cell Phones Off; Chapter 6 Set Short-Term Goals to Motivate Employees; Chapter 7 Encourage Staff to Set Improvement Goals; Chapter 8 Make Goals Measurable; Chapter 9 Set the Tone for Others to Follow; Chapter 10 Be on Time; Chapter 11 Dress Professionally Every Day; Chapter 12 Smile; Chapter 13 Know Everybody’s First Name; Chapter 14 Develop Organizational Skills; Chapter 15 Create a Support Group; Chapter 16 Eliminate Hoops; Chapter 17 No Surprises; Chapter 18 Send School News to the Media; Chapter 19 Take Staff on Neighborhood Visits; Chapter 20 Call Parents with Good News Early; Chapter 21 Encourage Staff to Use a Variety of Procedures to Determine Student Progress; Chapter 22 Encourage Teachers to Use Planning Periods on Instructional or School Duties; Chapter 23 Encourage Staff to Write a Weekly Newsletter to Parents; Chapter 24 Write a Weekly Staff Newsletter; Chapter 25 Encourage Input; Chapter 26 Empower Staff to Act; Chapter 27 Learn What Parents and Students Want; Chapter 28 Give Messages That Students Are Safe; Chapter 29 Encourage Parent Involvement; Chapter 30 Organize a Welcome Committee; Chapter 31 Requests to Move Children to Another Teacher; Chapter 32 Stress Procedures Early; Chapter 33 Start the Year Sharing Expectations with the Entire Student Body; Chapter 34 Challenge Upper Grades to Accept Leadership Responsibility; Chapter 35 Be Visible Daily; Chapter 36 Schedule Time with New Employees; Chapter 37 Encourage Staff to Mentor Others; Chapter 38 Help Staff Improve; Chapter 39 Give Educational Materials to Staff; Chapter 40 Provide Food and Refreshments; Chapter 41 Support Efforts to Establish and Maintain Appropriate Student Behavior; Chapter 42 Eat Healthy and Exercise; Chapter 43 Write Letters, Write Notes; Part 2 During the