Have you calibrated with your administrative assistant for the start of the new school year? Please check out the Quick Tips your Board of Directors prepared to help the start of the year be smooth and easy in your office.
Edmund Boell IV, Principal, Carrollton High School
- Create a “Day At-a-Glance” – Ask your assistant to print or share a daily agenda with meeting notes, room numbers and who’s attending.
- Maintain a Weekly Priority Sheet – Assistants can help the principal stay on track by organizing to-dos by urgency and importance.
- Digital Folders = Lifesavers – Keep shared folders up-to-date (observation forms, evaluations, newsletters, etc.).
David Lindbeck, Principal, Kingsford High School
- Color-Code the Calendar – Use colors for categories like meetings, walkthroughs, deadlines or family events.
- Build in Transition Time – Schedule 5–10 minute breaks between meetings when possible to allow breathing room.
- Reminders are Golden – Send quick nudges for important events, especially if the day is back-to-back.
Kristin Meldrum, Principal, Royal Oak Middle School
- Be the Gatekeeper – Assistants can protect the principal’s time by prioritizing appointments, screening calls and filtering requests.
- Over-communicate Early – Keep the principal informed about schedule changes, urgent messages or shifting priorities.
- Keep Messages Short & Clear – Use bullet points and clear subject lines in emails or written notes.
Travis Thomsen, Principal, Portage North Middle School
- Anticipate Needs – If assistants can predict what’s coming (e.g., copies for meetings, reminders for evaluations), they are invaluable.
- Have a Go-To System for Emergencies – Know who to call, where to find student/parent contacts and building safety protocols.
- Keep a Cheat Sheet – Include extensions, common acronyms, key policies, copier codes and emergency plans.