Table of Contents
Introduction: A Note from the Principals Desk xi
Part 1 Before the Bell Rings: Seeing Up Teachers, Parents, and Administrators for a Great Year
1 "But I Done Want to Go Back to School!" Principal Tips for Motivating and Bonding Your Team 3
2 Classroom Placement: The Methods to Our Madness 6
3 School Supplies: Yes, We Really Need All That Stuff 10
4 Age-Appropriate Behavior: Finding Your Perfect Grade 13
5 Busing: How Parents, Teachers, and Administrators Can Keep Those Wheels Going 'Round 17
Part 2 Class Is in Session: How Administrators and Parents Con Let Teachers Teach
6 First Day of School: Lights, Cameras (So Many Cameras), Action! 25
7 Curriculum: Putting the "Can" in "Canned" 30
8 Assessments: A Necessary Evil, or So I Am Told 34
9 School Rankings: Look Beyond the Grade 41
Part 3 Meals, Snacks, and Other "Derlicious" Things
10 Lunchtime: Don't Bring Me No Lunchable to Open, Just Don't 47
11 Allergies: Don't Let a Kid Go to the Hospital Because You Couldn't Come Up with a Peanut-Free Meal for Your Child 57
Part 4 Specials: Other Ways Kids Learn
12 Social Workers: Why Children and Parents Need Them More Than Ever 63
13 Social-Emotional Learning: Positive Culture Starts with the Grown-ups 69
14 Reading Intervention: Catching Kids Early to Set Them Up for Later Success 76
15 Technology and Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword 80
16 Gifted and Talented Programs: Be Careful What You Wish For, Parents 86
17 Body Growth and Development and School: When Private Parts Become Public 89
Part 5 The Principal's Office: What Makes It Run and What Drives Us Crazy
18 The Principal Is Your Pal: Or Should Be, Anyway 95
19 School Office: The Brains of the Operation 99
20 The School Nurse: Administrating Band-Aids and Eyerolls 103
21 Professional Development: Teaching Teachers for as Long as Their Attention Spans Will Allow 109
Part 6 Notes Home: Strengthening the Parent/Teacher Connection
22 A Two-Way Street: How Parents and Teachers Can Better Communicate on an Ongoing Basis 117
23 Parent-Teacher Conferences: Some Basic Rules 123
24 Report Cards: Only Part of the Bigger Picture 126
Part 7 Extracurriculars: Fun at School
25 Sports: They're Great (but Not That Great) 131
26 Holiday Parties: It's the Most Exhausting Time of the Year 134
27 Gifts: Never Necessary, Always Appreciated 137
28 Goodie Table Day: Christmas for the Principal 142
Part 8 Code of Conduct-for Grownups
29 When Teachers Are Off the Clock; Somebody's Always Watching 147
30 Cliques, Drama, and Temper Tantrums: Parent-Teacher Associations 151
31 Pickup and Drop-off: An Exercise in Humanity 154
32 Summer Break: For Some People, Anyway 158
Part 9 Extra Credit: Lessons for Life and School
33 Dismissal: Final Thoughts from the Principal 163
Glossary 165
Answer Key: Teachers Teaching Teachers 167