I think it is still okay to say, “Happy New Year!” for at least another week. So HAPPY NEW YEAR! I’ve had a chance to visit a few schools this month and am so happy to see how your visions are starting to show up in classrooms. This means that the systems and structures that you’ve put in place are also beginning to do what you’ve intended them to do. Closing out this month is a perfect time to revisit your improvement plans from the beginning of the school year. Try asking yourself the following questions to help drive your next steps.
Questions for Reflection
Does my instructional focus/priority statement/theory of action make sense based on my current data? If not, what should it be?
Are the actions that we are taking toward our instructional focus/priority statement/theory of action aligned? If not, what should we change?
Are our resources (time, money, people, skills) aligned with our instructional focus/priority statement/theory of action aligned? If not, how should we reallocate?
FYI
Creative Station has one more 1:1 coaching slot available for this school year. If you or someone wants that slot, please reach out ASAP.
Our Leading Change & Strategic Planning PLCs will launch this spring (1 for Principals and 1 for APs). Planning alone is inefficient and ineffective. Not only do you need to engage your stakeholders, but you also need to share ideas and collaborate with other leaders who can push your thinking. Let me know if you are interested.
Quote of the Month
"I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education, and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits."
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Oslo, Norway, 1964
What We Are Reading/Listening To
Immunity to Change by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey
How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization (Leadership for the Common Good)
An Age-by-Age Guide to SEL Activities by Heather Clarke
How to incorporate essential social-emotional learning skills into your child's life—at every age and grade level.
Hidden Brain “Who’s In Your Inner Circle?”Ever wonder how the folks in your inner circle impact the trajectory of your life? This episode gives insights and recommendations about navigating this phenomenon.
Tools We Are Using
StreamYard This is a platform schools can use to liven up their live-streamed events for families. It is web-based, so there is no need to log in to an account to view content. It allows you to brand your event and give it a clean and professional look.
Organizations You Should Know About
New York Cares This organization has been around for decades and is committed to mobilizing volunteers to meet the needs of people and communities. They do AMAZING work with schools. As a principal, our school had a very active and successful partnership with New York Cares, and I encourage you to reach out to them as well.
As always, you can find us at www.creativestion.org, by email at info@creativestation.org, or on Instagram at creativestationnyc.