West Bloomfield MS is the Future of Teaching and Learning
Opening a new school rarely goes smoothly. You certainly wouldn't know that if you visited West Bloomfield Middle School (WBMS). Principal Amy Hughes, APs Lisa Graff and Jermaine Evans, their team of teachers, counselors and expert educators, with the support of a visionary board of education and supportive superintendent have built a place where learning was truly at the heart of its design. It is not perfect, and they'll be the…
Communication Competency – Part 4: Navigating Crisis Communication
My first year as a comprehensive high school principal was a series of unexpected challenges to manage. Some were about student language and school mascots, others were about perception of change as I took over from a long-standing and beloved Principal, but none were as complete as a long beautiful day in the spring, the Friday before Mother’s Day, when four students, one from each of our comprehensive high schools got into…
Women’s History Month Offers Opportunities to Shine Light on Achievements, Important Moments & More
March is Women’s History Month! Celebrating this in schools is an important way to recognize the achievements of women and bring awareness to gender equity. Schools can honor this month in a variety of ways, from classroom activities like a discussion about influential female figures to recognizing great works by female authors. Check out the list below for ideas to recognize Women's History Month in your school: Create a bulletin board or…
Let’s Talk About Sex … Education Opt-Outs?
Last year, we fielded several emails and calls from school districts that received so-called parental opt-out forms. And we’ve heard through the grapevine that another wave of parental opt-outs are potentially on the horizon in February or March 2023. Perhaps it is merely coincidence that MDE released a memorandum on the topic on February 2, 2023. Regardless, school administrators should know what Michigan law requires and, contrary to what some parents will…
Communication Competency – Part 3: Cultures of Communication
Regardless of our why, whether our communication is at a time of crisis, community building or celebration, how we communicate matters. It works to establish that positive communication culture that we strive toward. That “how” is not just the medium but the style of communication and how that style impacts the intended audience as we tell our stories. While it is easy to blast our generic communication to all, we may be…
Cultural Pride Leads to Student Body Success
Establishing a positive culture within your school, one where students feel welcome and successful, has become increasingly important, especially as many of our students have returned from long gaps in face to face education. Building leaders are charged with doing so during what seems like unending culture wars that have done more to divide than ever before. In order to grow this culture in Lincoln Park, the administrative team and key staff…
Black Authors Calendar
When I was growing up, I read extensively. I found that books opened new worlds for me. I was very fortunate to have a mother who regularly took me to the library and encouraged me to “take home as many books as you can carry,” parents who read to me, and strong teachers who inspired me to read and to explore many topics. While I read a lot, I found out, as…
Communication Competency Part 2: Telling OUR Stories
The community school was and ought to be the hub of our community! There is a reason that an overwhelming number of our parents have confidence in our schools. However, perennial surveys demonstrate that while we trust our own schools our publics think most “other” schools are failing to meet that trust quotient. How did schools go from being the center of the community to being a pin-cushion? Our intentionality in communicating…
Employee Misconduct
When faced with alleged misconduct, school officials are sometimes eager to impose discipline. However, navigating through employment protections applicable to the employee and adequately investigating the alleged misconduct are important preliminary steps that will help you minimize potential legal exposure. Under Michigan law, employment is presumed to be “at-will,” meaning an employer may discipline an employee without notice and without cause. But, depending on the employee’s unique circumstances, an employment contract, a…
Communication Competency, Part 1: Five Principles of Positive Communication Culture
The task of leadership is building collective efficacy. We need to get our teams to work and act as such, moving and doing with shared purpose! A wise friend, who has literally been my teacher, my coach, boss, best man, associate principal, a colleague as a principal and my boss again, lamented on the challenges of the Principalship. He said, people assume that as a Principal you have tremendous authority, when in…