Improving A Schools Culture

by

Bruce Conrad Davis

A principal named Craig was tasked with fixing a failing school. When he took over Emerson staff morale was near zero. Student absenteeism was rampant. Parent involvement was nil. Occasionally the outgoing principal sent a letter home to parents but only in English.The school served 650 children from homes where the parents spoke either English, Spanish, Vietnamese or Chinese. Many of the parents didn’t read or speak English.

Immediately Craig began? sending notices to parents in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

On his first day as the new principal Craig called a staff meeting. He told the teachers that each Thursday afternoon they were to pick two students from their room to receive award ribbons at the Friday morning assembly. One would receive the blue Student of The Week ribbon and the other student a red ribbon for Reader of The Week.

Tink, a veteran teacher, nobody knows why she was called Tink said, “What if we don’t do it?”

“I’ll do it for you,” Craig said.

“But you won't know who should receive the ribbons,” Tink said.

“ That's right. I'll just come in your room and pick two students at random. They will be happy. Their parents will be happy. You won’t. When you submit the names of the recipients write a brief note? as to why the student received a ribbon. Put the note in my mailbox before you leave Friday. Over the weekend I’ll call those 44 homes and tell the parents precisely why their child received the award.

The staff got on board. Friday mornings parents and or guardians showed up to see their children receive their ribbons. Student effort zoomed. Parent involvement skyrocketed. Parents expressed respect for their child's teacher.

Over the weekends Craig made the calls. Sometimes there was no answer but Craig kept a date and a record of each call. No answer? He called back. Line busy? He called back. He continued calling until he reached a parent or guardian. Parents were thrilled. “ Imagine! The principal called us over the weekend to tell us about the good work Bobby was doing in school.”

Time marched on. Parent involvement soared. Monthly attendance was at 98.7.

The California state Department of Education was impressed and named Emerson A California Distinguished School. Readers Digest,Inc named Craig An American Hero In Education.