Time. There is a finite amount of time in the day. The sunrises as the work of a Principal begins and the sunsets and your building Principal is still working. It is a thankless job paid in hugs and the seldom received thank yous.

When I took an Elementary Principalship I thought that I would have more time. Leaving the Assistant Principal role of a 900-1,000.00 students I really thought there would be time for my family. With the reduction in afterschool events and the constant demands of student discipline (including positive behavior supports) the role of the Assistant Principal is complex and all consuming. But, nothing prepared me for the job of Principal.

The CEO of a building is more than just that of a manager. The Principal of today is overwhelmed with a scope of demands far greater. My hopes in starting a blog was to post weekly. But, that hope is only a glimmer in the sky of the universe. What I find is that the role of Principal changes on a daily basis, even hourly. The job of Principal comprises more than any one job I have ever held.

A friend suggested that I start a time study to share the actual demands of a Principal. The question there in lies… when do I have time to write down all that I do in the scope of a day? So I thought I would just simply make a list. The list seems to never end, it is exhaustive to even review. Yet, I would be remiss if I didn’t of course state that I have never had a job that have loved as much as this one.

Disclaimer: Many of these items cross over to many areas. These are not listed in a priority order. As a principal our first priority is always students and families.

Building Manager

Handle discipline of students

Write and develop staff handbook

Fix the copy machine

Clean the staff kitchen

Prepare work orders

Manage school improvements

Supervise Professional Staff

Communicate with Staff in writing

Document conversations

Reply to e-mails

Manages student files

Approves spending for internal accounts

Approves time sheets for Title I employees

Approves time sheets for non certified staff

Purchases items for school

Cleans office

Organizes office

Approve purchases

Review internal budgets

Write grant applications

Plan, fund and facilitate guest speakers and assemblies

Create master schedules

Manage the building calendar

Approve building use, manage billing, handle usage

Manage facility maintenance and repairs

Train staff in emergency procedures

Handle Workers Comp claims

Complete Accident Reports

Conduct emergency drills

Submit changes in operating schedules

Comply with state and federal requirements

Return phone calls to various parties

 

 

School Culture/School Improvement

Handle Teacher Appreciation Week

Participate in PTA

Conduct action research

Attend and conduct School Improvement Meetings

Professional Learning Communities

Establish a Vision for the School

Approve Schools of Choice Applications

Plan and host recognition ceremonies

Conduct data meetings

Plan parent teacher conferences

Creates innovative ideas

 

 

Student Advocate/Interactions

Attends IEP meetings

Restrain and handle violent/aggressive students

Supervise the lunch room 3 plus hours

Return parent phone calls

Provide first aid

Manage building safety

Check for head lice and communicable diseases

Train staff in checking for head lice and communicable diseases

Handle discipline of students

Handle Harassment and Bullying Complaints

Confiscate weapons, drugs and other illegal items

Compile expulsion and attendance referrals

Handle Kindergarten Round-up

Supervises bus routes

Issues bus tickets

Meets with students

Facilitates Principals Advisory Council

Review Student Data

Contacts and communicates with agencies (police, DHS, social workers, counselors, protective services)

Home visits to families and students

Conduct parent meetings

Conduct student success meetings

 

 

Public Relations

Manage website

Create newsletters

Greet parents

Demonstrates a presence in hallways

Advertise and public relations for school

Communicate changes to stakeholders

 

 

Instructional Leader

Conducts and plans staff meetings/ Professional Development

Schedule, hire and recruit Professional Development

Plan for staff to attend conferences

Conducts staff evaluations (4 observations, pre conferences, post conferences, data meetings, final evaluation meetings, compile evidence, review artifacts and evidence)

Develop and write school improvement plans

Evaluate Programs

Monitors staff Professional Goals

Create IDP (Individual Development Plans)

 

 

District Requirements/State Requirements

Plan for parent involvement

Complete Title I paper work

Manage Title I budget

Create Title I budget

Develop School Improvement plan

Compete PH-80’s

Sign and approve T-2’s for staff travel, conferences

Complete reports

Present at board meetings

Present at quarterly board reports

Submit state reports

Attend district meetings

Attend attendance hearings

Administer State Assessments

 

 

Technology

Manage ipads

Assist in computer repairs and trouble shooting of technology devices

Troubleshoot for teachers and para-professionals

 

Human Resources

Make lunch room supervisor schedules

Manage lunch room supervisor trainings

Conduct lunch room supervisor staff meetings

Supervise custodians

Evaluate custodians

Evaluate para-professionals

Evaluate secretaries

Manage secretaries

Manage and train para-professionals

Hire professional and non professional staff

 

 

Professional Development

Attend conferences

Present at local conferences

Conference Call with consultants

Reads periodicals and relative articles

 
If your a principal and I missed something please add a comment below.
Yours in education,
Christie