The following checklists reflect a principal’s general schedule. Actual monthly
calendars will vary from school to school and from board to board. Many district
school boards have created their own month-by-month calendars and checklists for
school administrators. In general, you will be finishing off tasks and reviewing
progress from the previous year in July, and in August you will be planning and
completing tasks for the upcoming school year. Follow your board’s timelines.
August is the month to start getting ready for the fall. Prepare now to ensure that
support is available when the staff arrives. Cover timetable changes, room
assignments, duty schedules, final hiring and anything else that can be thought of
and handled in advance. Having these all done ahead of time makes a smooth start
for the year.
(Source: Ten Principles for New Principals: A Guide to Positive Action, M. Joel, p. 20)
Prior to the beginning of the new school year:
- confirm your membership in the OPC and educational organizations and
associations
- catch up on your professional reading
- develop a personal vision statement
- subscribe to and read community newspapers.
The great thing about each school year is that it gives everyone a chance to renew
and to start over with a clean slate. Expectations from parents, students and staff
are high. It is the principal’s job to ensure that everyone enters this phase of the
year optimistically; just as taking off is the most significant and potentially most
dangerous part of an airplane’s flight, so is September in the school year’s progress.
Great caution and care must be taken during September to ensure and maintain
a great start.
(Source: Ten Principles for New Principals: A Guide to Positive Action, M. Joel, p. 20)
Be sure to take a significant period of time completely away from work
to enjoy your holidays.