It's Back to School for Principals Too

Students from kindergarten to high school seniors are anxiously awaiting the start of a new school year. They make the daily sprint to the mailbox to check if teacher assignments or class schedules have arrived. Kindergarteners are busy packing and unpacking backpacks with bright crayons, safety scissors and colored paper. High school students may glance over supply lists calling for calculators and binders.

Principals too, are preparing for the first day of classes and Patch asked a few for their perspective on the upcoming 2011-12 academic year. 

What are their priorities? How will these priorities be accomplished?  What are principals looking forward to as the first day of class approaches? Did they relax and refresh over the summer?

 Michael Baugus, Parkway Central Middle School

• Our top priority for the upcoming school year is the success of all students—helping them with setting, monitoring, and achieving their own academic goals.
• We are going to help them throughout the process with one-on-one conferences to help them chart their progress.
• I am most looking forward to Aug. 16. I'm excited to greet students back into the building and start a new year.
• As for relaxing, I spent time with my wife and kids—being a dad by taking them to the pool, playing in the sprinkler and drawing with chalk on the driveway.

Linda Lelonek, Parkway West Middle School

• We are excited to be moving into the new school year.  Our top priority will be to support each and every child. Our goal is to offer a nuturing, supportive environment where each child can reach their personal goals.
• We plan to meet as a collaborative staff to better understand the needs of our children and develop stratgies to help every student. We will develop strong professional learning communities.
• We happily anticipate seeing the results of our efforts—student growth.
• This summer I traveled to Mackinac Island for the slow pace, cool weather and the fabulous fudge.

Jeremy Mitchell, Parkway West High School

• We will continue to ensure that all students are succeeding academically.
• We  will ensure small class sizes, evaluating programs and provide support when necessary.
• I am looking forward to working with the West community to achieve the above goals.
• I spent time away with my family this summer.

Renee Sommers, Green Trails Elementary

• We support teachers in collaborating and learning from one another. They will plan for a daily, common intervention time for students.
• We will use student data to determine what they would benefit from whether addressing a gap in learning or a need for enrichment and challenge.
• School is not the same without the kids. We are looking forward to having them back in the building.
• I spent my summer doing a little traveling and some time with the family.