Preface
About the Authors
1. July
July Key Tasks
Monitor Summer School
Review Curriculum-Writing Projects
Review Teacher Evaluations
Meet With Custodial Staff
Review and Revise Student Handbook
Update Teacher Manual
Review School Board's Policy Manual
Develop a Mission Statement
Review and Revise Administrative Responsibilities
Attend Monthly Board of Education Meetings
Analyze Trends in Disciplinary Referrals
Examine School Statistics
Assess Each Department's Status
Review Team Assignments
Meet With Parents
Review District Calendar
Check Status of Purchase Orders
Contact Local Police and Fire Officials
Review Report Cards and Grades
July Communications
Write Letter to Staff
Develop a Public Relations Program
Write Letter to Incoming Class
Write Letter to New Faculty and Staff Members
Establish Membership in Civic Associations
Subscribe to Local Newspapers
Write Letter to Nonpublic Schools
Write Letter to Parents Suggesting Summer Activities for Students
July Planning
Finalize New Student Orientation Program
Conduct Administrative Team Workshop
Finalize Calendar for Field Trips and Fundraising Activities
July Personnel
Review Staffing and Tenure Recommendations
July Checklists
2. August
August Key Tasks
Prepare School Opening Remarks for Staff
Meet With All Supervisors
Complete Master Schedule
Review the School's Mission Statement
Register New Students
Conduct Final Walk-Through With Head Custodian
Complete Last-Minute Double Checks
August Communications
Prepare Board of Education Presentation
Meet With Parent-Teacher Association Leaders
Complete School Opening Memo for Staff
Review Interim Reports
Send Letters to Students with Schedules for Opening Day
Send Opening-of-School Letter to Faculty and Staff
Send Letter to Parents About Future PTA Meetings
Write Article for Student Newspaper
Prepare First Weekly Memo to Staff
Send Letter to Police, Fire Officials, and Local Politicians
Submit Grade Examination and Analysis
August Planning
Establish Field Trip Schedule
Establish Fire Drill Schedule
Establish Goals and Special Projects
August Personnel
Set Shared Decision-Making Committee Meeting Dates
Revise Staff Directory
Review Substitute Teacher Procedures
Complete New Teacher Orientation Plans
August Checklists
3. September
September Key Tasks
Conduct First Faculty Meeting
Review Opening Preparations
Meet With Staff to Discuss Security Plans
Oversee Orientation of New Students
Meet With New Teachers
Initiate Staff Development Plans
Establish the Disciplinary Process
Review Guidance Program's Direction
Establish an Advisory Program
Complete Superintendent Reports
Provide Orientation for Public Address System Users
Meet With Extracurricular Advisors
Conduct Required Safety Drills
Begin Student Spirit Activities
Complete Annual Grant Proposals
September Communications
Compose Weekly Memo to Staff
Meet with Each Teacher Team
Report to PTA, Superintendent, and Board of Education on School Opening
School Improvement Teams and Site-Based Councils
Meet With School Nurse(s)
Write and Distribute Memo Regarding Special Education Accommodations
Conduct Class Visits
Send Open School Night Invitation to All Parents
Write Article for Principal's Newsletter to Parents
September Planning
Develop Assesmbly Procedures and Plans
Prepare for Open School Night
Develop Guidance Newsletters
Make Plans for an Evening Event With Coaches and Advisors
Plan Schoolwide Staff Development Activities
Maintain and Review Student Activities Calendar
Monitor Field Trip Requests
September Personnel
Distribute Emergency Information
Meet With Faculty Sunshine Committee
Develop a School Directory
Mail Faculty Start-of-School Materials
Set Up Schedule Changes Week With Guidance Department
Schedule Teacher Observations and Evaluations
Review Administrative Team Objectives
September Checklists
4. October
October Key Tasks
Set Budget Development Timelines and Parameters
Review Interim Reports
Prepare for Open School Night
Plan Halloween Dance and Alternative Activities
Screen New Entrants
Review Progress of Students in Need of Special Services
Review Plans for Faculty Meetings
Hold First Site-Based Committee Meeting
Coordinate the Year's Testing Program
Initiate Grade-Level Plans
Plan Homecoming Parade and Activities
Coordinate Recognition Day With Board of Education
Conduct Fire and Emergency Drills
October Communications
Plan Monthly Board of Education Presentation
Help Plan Monthly PTA Meetings
Schedule K-12 Principals' Meetings
Attend Meetings of Local Service Clubs
Review Bulletin Boards and School Exhibits
Send Thank-You Notes After Open School Night
Update School Profile
Conduct Evening Social Activities for Students
October Planning
Prepare List of Capital Improvements
Plan American Education Week Activities
Join Principals' Associations
October Personnel
Check on Teacher Observation Process
Host Breakfast for Staff
October Checklists
5. November
November Key Tasks
Prepare Report Cards
Conduct Teacher Observations
Hold Monthly Faculty Meeting
Preview School Play
Encourage Schoolwide Service Projects
Review Fundraising Guidelines
November Communications
Prepare PTA Presentation
Compose HOliday School Policy Memo
Prepare Board of Education Presentation
Foster Appreciation of Religious and Cultural Diversity
Initiate Student Service Awards Program
November Planning
Review Procedures for Inclement Weather
Apply for Funds and Permission to Attend Conferences
Complete Enrollment Projections
Schedule Holiday and Community Service Events
November Personnel
Involve the Library/Media Center
Continue New Teacher Orientation
November Checklists
6. December
December Key Tasks
Plan Holiday Work Schedule With Head Custodian
Review Budget Proposals
Complete and Report Calendar Year Fire Drills
Conduct Faculty Meeting
Schedule Classroom Observations
Prepare Holiday or Variety Show
Determine Components of the Sixth-Grade Orientation Program
December Communications
Prepare PTA Presentation
Prepare Presentation for Board of Education Meeting
Prepare for Retirement Parties
December Planning
Prepare Standardized Tests Results
Devise Midyear Examination Schedule
Review Winter Concert Schedule
Conduct Midyear Locker Cleanup
December Personnel
Coordinate Purchase of Gifts for Office and Custodial Staff
Review Extracurricular Activities and Evaluate Advisors and Coaches
December Checklists
7. January
January Key Tasks
Review Teacher Performance Evaluations
Create Remedial Plans for Staff
Evaulate Custodial Staff
Distribute Midyear Report Cards
Review Department and Team Goals
Review Curriculum Initiatives
Finalize Budget Requests
Make Informal Class Visits
Conduct Faculty Meeting
Prepare for Winter Examinations
January Communications
Conduct Parent-Teacher Conferences
Coordinate PTA Presentation
Prepare for Board of Education Meeting
Obtain Feedback on Student Lunch Program
January Planning
Assess Sixth-Grade Orientation Program
Review Ongoing Grants
Monitor Bulletin Board Displays
Collect Course Selection Data
January Personnel
Finalize Staffing Needs
Send Superintendent All First-Semester Teacher Evaluations
Conduct Evaluations for Nonprofessional Staff
January Checklists
8. February
February Key Tasks
Evaluate the Second-Semester Schedule
Issue Second-Quarter Report Cards
Complete Evaluations of Nontenured Teachers
Plan Monthly Faculty Meeting
Meet With Key Personnel About Next Year's Master Schedule
Review Teacher and Departmental Grades
Host a Career Fair
Plan for Eighth-Grade Graduation
February Communications
Prepare Boad of Education Report
Request Congratulatory Letters From Elected Officials
Hold Midyear Conferences
Prepare PTA Presentation
Encourage Teachers to Schedule Parents Conferences
Compose Honor Roll Congratulatory Letters
February Planning
Meet With High School Counselors
Check on Status of School Supplies
Establish Due Dates for Chairpersons' Scheduling Input
Coordinate Preparation of Facilities and Grounds for Spring
February Personnel
Evaulate New Teacher Orientation Program
Develop a Dialogue With Support Staff
February Checklists
9. March
March Key Tasks
Prepare to Defend Budget Requests
Continue Work on Master Schedule
Prepare for Summer School Program
Finalize Summer Writing Projects
Complete All Teacher Evaluations
Begin to Organize School Recognition Program
Conduct Faculty Meeting
March Communications
Set Meeting Dates With Elementary Principals
Supervise Closing Activities
Plan Monthly Board of Education Presentation
Prepare PTA Meeting Presentation
March Planning
Conduct Statewide Examinations
Begin Summer School Preparations
Begin Planning for Annual Awards Assembly
March Personnel
Begin New Teacher Hiring Process
Sent Reminder Notes to Supervisory Staff
March Checklists
10. April
April Key Tasks
Complete Master Schedule for Coming Year
Conduct New Student Orientation for Fifth Graders
Participate in Orientation for Eighth Graders
Make Public Presentation on Proposed Budget
Conduct Election for Student Government Officers
Initiate Student Awards Selection Process
Review Quarterly Report Cards
April Communications
Make PTA Presentation
Attend Monthly Board of Education Meeting
Send Congratulatory Letter to Honor Roll Students
Establish Parameters for Spring Musical
Complete Faculty Evaluations
Contact Parents of Students in Danger of Not Graduating
April Planning
Establish Summer Vacation and Work Schedules
Finalize Plan for Academic Awards Assembly
Facilitate Planning for Cultural Arts Program
April Personnel
Advertise Teacher Openings
Celebrate Secretaries' Day
April Checklists
11. May
May Key Tasks
Encourage District Budget Vote Participation
Conduct Monthly Faculty Meeting
Supervise Interim Report Distribution
Complete Evaluations of Administrative Team
Help With Summer School Planning
Conduct Exit Interviews
Conduct Remaining Fire Drills
Conduct Locker Cleanups
Oversee Administration of Standardized Tests
Prepare Report on Goals
May Communications
Distribute Progress/Interim Reports
Complete and Distribute Closing Procedures
Give Monthly Presentation at PTA Meeting
Contact Elementary School Principals
May Planning
Begin Developing Activities Calendar for the Coming Year
Finalize Custodial Summer Work Schedule and Goals
Analyze Present Year's Budget
Plan to Supervise and Attend Spring Events
May Personnel
Submit Recommendations for Extracurricular Appointments
Complete Extracurricular Activity Report
Conduct Ongoing Teacher Hiring
May Checklists
12. June
June Key Tasks
Monitor Final Examinations
Issue Final Report Cards
Review Final Grades
Complete All End-of-Year Reports
Organize Final Locker Cleanup
Conduct Moving-Up Exercises
Organize and Conduct Awards Assembly
Hold Early Registration for Summer School
Publish Teacher Sign-Out Procedures
Attend Culminating Events
Submit Summer Work Recommendations
Collect All Outstanding Books and Equipment
Arrange for Fall Sports and Activity Physicals
Transfer Student Records
Complete All Required Staff Evaluations
June Communications
Write End-of-Year Newsletter
Promote Faculty Drop-Ins
Make Board of Education Presentation
Attend PTA Installation Night
June Planning
Set Deadlines for Submission of Grades and Failure Lists
Finalize Summer Cleaning and Painting Schedule
Obtain All Teachers' and Chairpersons' Schedules and Vacation Dates
Develop Preliminary Plans for the Opening of School
June Personnel
Annouce Next Year's Teaching Schedules
Conduct Last-Minute Hiring
June Checklists
Resources
Sample Documents
Resource 1: Student Handbook Topics
Resource 2: Teacher Manual Topics
Resource 3: How to Build a Mission Statement for School Improvement
Resource 4: How Parents Can Help Their Children Succeed
Resource 5: Building Inspection Checklist
Resource 6: Sample Interim/Progress Report
Resource 7: Middle School Substitutes' Memorandum
Resource 8: Characteristics of the Middle School Child
Resource 9: Building Security Memo
Resource 10: Principal's Orientation Presentation
Resource 11: Principal's Weekly Bulletin
Resource 12: Effective Teamwork and Group Leadership
Resource 13: Best Practices in Quality Education for Students With Severe Disabilities
Resource 14: Open School Night Memo to Teachers
Resource 15: Budget Process Calendar
Resource 16: Interim Progress Reports Memo
Resource 17: Attention-Deficit Disorders
Resource 18: American Education Week Memo
Resource 19: Fundraising Considerations
Resource 20: Principal's Newsletter to Parents
Resource 21: Holiday Gifts: A Challenge or a Burden
Resource 22: Administrator's Observation Worksheet
Resource 23: Rating Scale for Custodial Services
Resource 24: Scheduling Timeline
Resource 25: Inspirational Memorandum
Resource 26: Interviewing Questions for Teachers
Resource 27: Letter Sent to All Those Running for School Offices
Resource 28: Rating Your Middle School Principal
Resource 29: Teacher's Comments for Interim Reports and Report Cards
Resource 30: Student Activities Evaluation Report
Resource 31: Final Examination Schedule
Resource 32: Locker Cleanup
Resource 33: End-of-Year Sign-Out List
References
