3a: Focus on Collaborative Work Environment
The principal/assistant principal understands and acts on the understanding of the positive role that a collaborative work environment can play in the school’s culture.
Collaboration at Phillips
In order to increase collaboration throughout the school, we have developed several teams. These teams include:
In order to increase collaboration throughout the school, we have developed several teams. These teams include:
- School Improvement Team
- Opportunity Culture Design Team
- PBIS Committee
- Special Events Committee
3b: School Culture and Identity
The principal/assistant principal develops and uses shared vision, values and goals to define the identity and culture of the school.
School Identity Events
- Developing mission & vision with the staff
- iZone Community Celebration
- iZone Community Steam Night
- Phillips & North Design Team (community members, students, parents, stakeholders)
- School bus rides & community visits
- Beginning of School Year Pep Rally
- Family Fridays
- Phillips Day of Service
- Homecoming
- Look & Feel of the School - Student Beautification Committee
3c: Acknowledges Failures; Celebrates Accomplishments and Rewards
The principal/assistant principal acknowledges failures and celebrates accomplishments of the school in order to define the identity, culture and performance of the school.
Star Teachers, Students & Staff
Each month, our family votes for star teachers and students. This February, we included star staff members to honor everyone who makes teaching and learning possible for our scholars!
Each month, our family votes for star teachers and students. This February, we included star staff members to honor everyone who makes teaching and learning possible for our scholars!
Bulldog BARK Shout Outs
Each week, the administrative team sends out the Bulldog BARK, a weekly newsletter with updates, information, . Each BARK includes shout outs to various stakeholders in the school community. See examples below.
Each week, the administrative team sends out the Bulldog BARK, a weekly newsletter with updates, information, . Each BARK includes shout outs to various stakeholders in the school community. See examples below.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
In December 2017, the administrative team sent out a Mid-Year Teacher Working Conditions Survey. The Instructional Leadership Team used the feedback to make PD decisions for the spring. The administrative team used the feedback to reflect on communication, student accountability, and expectations.
Each week, we include resources in the Bulldog BARK for teachers to use to grow. We work to model continuous improvement by also sharing what we are reading/thinking about.
3d: Efficacy and Empowerment
The principal/assistant principal develops a sense of efficacy and empowerment among staff which influences the school’s identity, culture and performance.
In order to increase efficacy throughout the school, we have continued collaboration with and created several teams of teachers to drive decisions for important initiatives. These teams include:
I have partnered closely with our School Improvement Team chair to support her in facilitation of School Improvement Team meetings. She is now creating dynamic agendas that increase engagement of all SIT members, and she gathers feedback from the team on the process and outcomes of meetings.
When staff members or students approach with ideas that we think are best for kids, we empower them to move forward with their ideas and provide whatever supports they request. For example, two teachers were the driving forces behind our iZone STEAM night; all we had to do was say yes and follow their lead. When our MCL expressed interest in sharing how she aggressively monitors student learning with our staff, again, we gave her the time and space to make it happen.
- School Improvement Team
- Instructional Leadership Team
- Innovative Scheduling Team
- Opportunity Culture Design Team
- PBIS Committee
- Special Events Committee
- Student Council
I have partnered closely with our School Improvement Team chair to support her in facilitation of School Improvement Team meetings. She is now creating dynamic agendas that increase engagement of all SIT members, and she gathers feedback from the team on the process and outcomes of meetings.
When staff members or students approach with ideas that we think are best for kids, we empower them to move forward with their ideas and provide whatever supports they request. For example, two teachers were the driving forces behind our iZone STEAM night; all we had to do was say yes and follow their lead. When our MCL expressed interest in sharing how she aggressively monitors student learning with our staff, again, we gave her the time and space to make it happen.