Secondary Scoop
October 2023
Quote
"The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing"
Stephen Covey
Message from Mr. McCane
The main thing in every school should be student learning and instructional leaders at all levels should keep that as the focus.
“Principals often find it difficult to remain focused on their fundamental purpose due to the nature of their job that requires attending to multiple and varied issues and problems throughout the school day. Principals must be able to work quickly, shift gears easily, and complete tasks in a compartmentalized way throughout the day. The major difference in managers and leaders is that managers are concerned with directing and leaders are concerned with influencing (Crow, Matthews, & McCleary, 1996; Turnbull et al., 2009). The key question(s) are "what are your big rocks, the things that matter most in a school? The biggest rock for effective instructional leaders is always student learning!”
As we close out the first month of the 2023-24 school year, continue with your instructional emphasis of: 1.) high expectations for all 2.) protecting those instructional minutes 3.) universal procedures, routines and expectations for all students. For many of us, our large and complex system is already generating educational data that is reflective of our students' performance levels - (Performance Data): NWEA data - what % is at grade level? What % is on-track for graduation? What % of sub-group minorities are enrolled in our advanced courses? What % of students received a failing grade in their courses etc.? With regards to other data that is being generated- (Process Data): Student attendance and behavior data is starting to take form… What percentage of students are exhibiting Tier I behavior or what is the average daily attendance percentage for our building? What percentage of teachers are pushing the goals and strategies of the school improvement plan?
This is an important note about linking your SIP or best educational practices to the teacher evaluation process…We have an opportunity to draw more clarity, more focus and more support, as we provide leadership with our teachers in writing their PGP/IDP goals in October. In general terms, we want teachers supporting the goals of our school improvement plans, we believe that highly effective people are also goal driven, we want all children to make one-year’s of academic growth and we know that other students need to make even more academic growth or “catch-up” growth just to stay on track with graduation. But this is your opportunity to provide more focus and clarity around teaching and learning over the months to come.
Additionally, as part of our district leadership and focus on instruction, we have been utilizing Instructional Rounds (Dr. Kristy Cooper-Stein) and we’ll continue to do so. But in addition to this, Dr. Slade and his directors will be providing walkthrough feedback and information to teachers and principals on our monthly visits to your buildings, as well. This training and implementation will continue in the weeks and months to come and is another opportunity for you to drive focus and impact on teaching and learning within your buildings.
Lastly, our first round of Parent Teacher Conferences will commence in mid-October and this is an opportunity for instructional leaders to bring focus and clarity around teaching and learning with our families. With limited time for these conferences, cover the key talking points with your teachers in advance with the focus being on teaching, learning, programming, support etc. Your role is central to the success of your building meeting all of our goals…You're off to a terrific start!
If you have any thoughts, concerns or questions, please call or write.
Thank you for your time.
Craig McCane
*Citations from the Principal’s Playbook
Important October Dates
October 2 - Building Staff Meeting (1 hour)
October 4 - Count Day; Open Wednesday (1.5 hours)
October 6 - 6-8 Students AM Only; Records PM
October 11 - 9-12 Students AM Only; Parent-Teacher Conferences
October 12 - 6-8 Students AM Only; Conference Option
October 18 - Early Release (1.5 hours); PD (3 hours)
October 19 - Secondary Assistant Principal Meeting
October 20 - Suspension Team Reports
October 20 - Key Communicators & Student Advisory Council Due Date
October 23 - Building Staff Meeting (1 hour)
October 24 - Secondary Principal Meeting
October 25 - Building PD Grade Level/Department Meetings (1.5 hours)
Secondary Principals Meeting
Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023, 08:00 AM
West Main PDC - Room 202
Secondary Assistant Principals Meeting
Thursday, Oct 19, 2023, 08:00 AM
West Main PDC - Library
Contact Secondary Education
Craig McCane - Director of Secondary Education
Office: 269-337-1578
Cell: 269-806-9531
Vicky Leatherman - Supervisor of Instructional Services
Office: 269-337-0168