Thought of the Week: Who am I as a Leader? A focus on the Ontario Leadership Framework, 2013
Navigating the leadership maze: We know that effective leadership is fundamental to the success of any organization, and we recognize leadership as one of our key professional responsibilities. But in the face of dozens of administrative tasks, day-to-day challenges and issues, achievement goals and demanding deadlines, leadership often remains an abstract concept, even for those in leadership positions.
What is leadership? What does effective leadership look like? What role does leadership play in the education setting? Most importantly, in the midst of day-to-day pressures, how can leadership practice help us to do more with less, streamline and focus our efforts, and achieve our practical goals?
What the research says
The answers to these questions can be found in a substantial and growing body of professional knowledge and research that demonstrates a direct and powerful link between effective leadership and improved student achievement and well-being.
School leaders are pivotal to the development of excellent teaching, excellent schools and ultimately, enhanced student achievement and well-being. Research suggests that leadership is second only to teaching in its impact on student outcomes. Principals and vice-principals play a critical role as school leaders to achieve this impact.
System leaders such as supervisory officers, play an essential role by putting in place supportive system practices and procedures, and providing system-wide leadership.
Where are you in your beliefs about leadership? How are you putting these beliefs – modelling them – daily in your practice? What impact is this work having on your staff?
“One percent of the work is stating the mission and 99 percent is living it.”
Health and Safety Reminders: Workplace Harassment
(obtained from the Workplace Violence and Harassment WellNet course, Link2elearning, SGDSB)
Information/Updates
School Learning Plan Feedback Meetings – I would like to meet with each of you (and your SLP if possible) to discuss your SLPs. It is IMPORTANT that staff know that they are welcome to join these meetings! Please communicate this to them. At this time, I would also ask to see the work that you have done around the BLPSA Self-Assessment and hear about the responses from staff. Please remember that this is a tool that will allow your staff to see where they are on our BLPSA journey – this is VERY important work to engage in so that all staff can see where they are at and feel a sense of direction!
NOTE: I will meet with some of you during my upcoming schools visits to review the document (MMPS, MTPS, TBPS/SPS, MNPS, BAPS, BEPS), so please include your SLP staff for a bit of time on those days if they wish and if possible.
RRPS has been done already however if the team would like me to come back and meet with them at another time, we can do that.
For GOPS and NPS we will need to look at booking some time between now and March Break.
Carried Over from Last Week
Police Protocol – Stay Tuned for much more on this – https://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/brochure/protocol/locprote.pdf
Transition to Kindergarten – First Nation Partners – Just a recap of our conversation on Friday – As part of your Transition to Kindergarten Season plans, we would like to have our schools reach out to their local First Nations partners and arrange to have a visit to discuss Kindergarten with families. These visits would allow for an informal conversation around the early years, and what our schools have to offer to children and families. We would ask that you customize your visits. You may get a chance to visit with children and families during pre-established programs – connecting with Nicole Richmond and the Education Directors would be the first step in this. However, during the visit, you might consider:
- Share our SGDSB video and discuss our vision of “belonging”
- Share our SGDSB Let’s Get Started pamphlet
- Share school specific information – Perhaps the Kindergarten educators attend with you if possible – around the Transition to Kindergarten Season activities
- You might even consider doing an activity with the children while the parents meet with the principal/educators.
- We might even engage in the Welcome to Kindergarten activities instead of having the parents/caregivers come to the school to do this work.
Please let me know what you need from me to make these visits a success!
Board Policy Review – Principal Update Meeting – Policy Review is on February 2. We will have to wait to meet until Wednesday, February 17, at 2:00. Same teleconference number as TMT.
Nicki’s Schedule
Mon and Tues – BMS Training – presenting, 3:15 – BAPS Staff Meeting
Wed -9:00 BEPS meeting with Shelley – BLDS focus, then travel to BAPS – 11:30-2:30 school visit, 3:10-MMPS Staff Meeting and PPA Meeting with Chris
Thurs – MMPS PLCs in am – travel to Nipigon in pm – Global Conversation via teleconference with Marathon
Fri – 8:00 SWST teleconference, 8:45 – POP teleconference with Katie and Kathleen, 10-11 Jean Clinton Teleconference, pm – BLDS with Shelley
Upcoming Dates
February 8 and 9 – BMS Training
February 12 – Report Cards Sent Home
February 19 – EQAO Session at GOPS 10:00-2:30
February 19 – Director’s Newsletter Submissions due to Dave please
February 21 – World Down Syndrome Day
February 24 – Pink Shirt Day (Bully Prevention)
February 26 – Student Led Conferences Completed
February 26 – New Teacher Orientation
February 26 – Transition to Kindergarten Plans due
March 1 – SIM via Virtual Learning Environment for SIM Team
March 3 and 4 – BMS Training
March 4 – Annual Learning Plan Update and Review Meetings completed
March 8, – Teacher in Charge Training Session – GOPS
March 9 – LLI (Elementary) via Videoconference
March 8 and 9 – LLI Grade 7-10 (See Carole)
March 11 – IEPs Updated and sent home
Learning Fair Celebration Dates – The Elementary Learning Celebration Fair will take place on Friday, May 27, 2016 at GOPS.
Modelling the Conditions for Learning 