Another family-oriented tradition a principal may want to initiate is
a breakfast for the top ten graduating students. One principal held this
breakfast every year, and at this meal he asked these top students which
staff members helped or inspired them the most. He then sent a letter to
every teacher or counselor or administrator they mentioned, informing
them that one of the top students had named him or her as one of their
most memorable teachers or mentors. This principal also asked these stu-
dents to speak with their friends and ask them, before they graduated, to
thank their memorable teachers for their help.
The principal who sends home a parent newsletter can expand on this
tradition. The last page of the June newsletter could include a short article
asking each parent or student to send a thank-you letter to a teacher. The
bottom of the page would be a tear-off template letter that the parent or
student could complete and give to the teacher. The leadership of a school
needs to encourage its clients—the students and parents—to show their
gratitude to teachers and other staff members, who work long and hard to
serve children with little external recognition.
Finally, a principal needs to recognize family members when they
retire to begin the next phase of their lives. One principal had a special
brunch for all his retirees before the graduation ceremony. After the meal,
all were invited to join him as special guests at the graduation ceremony
where they were introduced to the students and parents and given a round
of applause for their years of dedicated service. All careers need closure
and congratulations. A principal will find that even after he retires, he will
be invited to school events and retirement celebrations where he will be
expected to say a few words as the now more elder statesman.
Another principal recognized the contributions of staff by providing
them with longevity pins at the end-of-year luncheon. Teachers who had
served in the school for five, ten, fifteen, twenty, and more years were
awarded these pins to the acclamation of their colleagues.
School leaders also need to establish school-wide rituals that become an
expected part of the school year for all members of the school commu-
nity. Here are some rituals various principals established at their schools,
which a school leader could emulate.
In some schools, principals teach a class. As this can be difficult and
sometimes a disservice to students in the class because of missed instruc-
“Always Remember What’s Important” 185