Principals hear of their importance
during record-setting Summer Institute

by Lew Armistead
L.A. Communicatons

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(A photo from our 2007 Summer Leadership Institute.)

The message was clear during the sixth annual Summer Leadership Institute of The Principals’ Partnership—speakers understood the importance of school leadership. They also challenged principals to extend themselves to improve programs for the students they serve.

More than 700 participants attended the four-day meeting in San Antonio, making this Institute the largest in the program’s history.

“I can’t think of a more demanding job than that of a high school principal,” said Bob Turner, president of the Union Pacific Foundation and UP’s senior vice president for corporate relations. “We are so proud of what you do and how you support your communities.”

Results from the second annual Principals’ Partnership Poll were release during the Institute, providing families advice on how they can help support students in preparing to enter the workforce.

More than 400 Partnership members responded to the question, “What single piece of advice would you offer families to help them prepare their high school student to enter the workforce?”

Forty-three percent of the respondents (165 principals) advised families to help their high school student develop workplace readiness skills, including prompt and regular attendance, teamwork and accepting responsibility

Cynthia Clark, principal, C.K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento, encourages parents to incorporate workplace skills into the home.

“Too many employers are finding that young people do not have a strong work ethic,” Clark said. “Parents can help their student prepare for the workforce by teaching them how to accept a task, follow-through, and complete all chores.”

Teaching teamwork is an important activity to accomplish at home, according to Stephen Jupe, principal, The Dalles-Wahtonka High School, The Dalles, Ore.

“Everyone appreciates a team player who goes beyond what the expectations are of any work activity, whether it be at home, at school or on the job,” Jupe said.

Other top action items cited by principals participating in the poll include:

•Investigate career interests through inventories, job shadowing and internships (19 percent);

•Prepare academically by taking challenging coursework (14 percent);

• Give your child responsibilities at home that have natural consequences (six percent);

• Stay involved with the school, particularly with your child’s counselor (four percent).

Among other comments offered at the Institute—

• "We would like to thank you for all that you are doing in the lives of young people. Your role is not easy or glamorous, but please know that your kindness and compassion are affecting lives daily.”—The Rachel’s Challenge Team

•It’s healthy to “forgive yourself for things that you normally beat yourself over.”—Darrel Scott, father of Rachel Scott

• "School reform is not about programs. Programs don’t teach kids; you and your teachers do.” Dr. Douglas Reeve

* “Who sets the culture in your school—MTV? You own your school.”—Reeves, in urging principals to celebrate student achievement and recognize high achieving students as role models.

• “Change a missing assignment from a zero in the grade book to something a student really fears—doing the work.”—Reeves on turning away from a “toxic” grading system

• “The brain learns best when it’s not in high stress. Although some stress is good. It gets the adrenalin going.”—Marcia Tate.

• “Humor improves memory and strengthens the immune system. Just look at how long some of our famous comedians live.”—Tate

• “You are the most important person in the school. You are the leader. You set the tone.”—Ron Clark, 2002 Disney Teacher of the Year

     More information from the Institute can be found elsewhere on the Web site.

See our Feature Article Archives for past articles!