Mustang Message
February 26, 2020
A Principal's Perspective
I have a quote in my office from Angela Maiers. "Choose every day to thank, encourage, inspire, and let people know you notice and appreciate them. It's the most powerful thing we do." At times my nose is to the grindstone, focusing on all that needs to get done. This is a great reminder for me to stop and be thankful for the staff we have here at GP. I know that to have a positive school culture where we all want to be, it takes each and every one of us to make that happen. An encouraging word, noticing something big or small, taking time to convey appreciation and having a thankful mindset all contribute to our school culture where you can see and feel the collective energy and positivity as soon as you enter the building. Fab Fridays in February is one way to hopefully motivate and inspire during a month that is often seen as a dreary, slump month. Having fun and treats throughout the month are just small ways to convey my appreciation for each of you. A BIG thank you to the office staff for helping me pull off Fab Fridays in February!
I was reading an article about the wow factors that make a positive school culture. The author listed several ways to foster a positive learning and working environment at school. What are the eight components of a Wow-Factor School?
Article Link: https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/curriculum-teaching-strategies/positive-school-culture/
- Live your mission
- Embrace social and emotional learning for teachers and students
- Foster a culture of resilience
- Communicate well and often
- Recognize the awesome in your staff
- Recognize the awesome in your students: positive behavior interventions & supports
Make your school’s brand + community members visible. When students and staff arrive at school, they should feel a sense of pride, ownership, and community.
- Every word and action matters
While the list of ways to create a Wow-Factor School, is a great reminder for me as the instructional leader, it can also be applied in each classroom as well. What do you think makes GP a Wow-Factor School? Are these ideas evident in our students, staff and in every classroom?
Donna
HEB's founder, Charles Butt, invests in Texas public education. HEB provides the funds for Texas principals to attend the Harvard Leadership Institute and the annual conference. Thank you HEB!
News & Notes
C^2 Feb 24-Mar 3: GT Lesson Planning for Small Group Assignment Discussion from Staff Development 1/7
Cat in the Hat: The Main Street Theater traveling program will be performing The Cat in the Hat for Prek-2nd grade on 3/20/20 at 1:30.
Happy Birthday
This Week Birthdays:
Brandy Lackey, March 4th
Terrie Samuelson, March 5th
Mustang Yee-Haws
Staff Shout Out:
Thank you to Vicki Murphy, Morgan Gibbs, Jessica McMurray and Ruth Matthews for sharing great tech ideas in our spring tech training this week. Sharing new ideas about technology integration and having fun is a great way to learn!
March is here! Spring Break is coming!
Tell Me Something Good: Want to brag on a staff member or something happening at Greens Prairie? Please share! Shout it out at this link: https://forms.gle/srsZR8XknFjkMB6h9 Link can always be found in my email signature line.