Mary Jane Creegan

Everyone keeps talking about schools and safety. Are there some things that every school should do that doesn’t involve much money or equipment?

I am a principal in a building that has gone from almost all white, middle class children to one of very mixed ethnic and socio-economic status in just three years! Needless to say it's been quite an adjustment. What are some things I can do to help long-time staff whom resent this change in population?

I have a group of parents who are "on my doorstep" at least once a week. I know that they mean well, but they are taking too much of my time. They don't really complain as much as they keep wanting to know the details of everything that is going on. Any suggestions for how to deal with this?

Q. Everyone keeps talking about schools and safety. Are there some things that every school should do that doesn’t involve much money or equipment?

A. Each school should develop a crisis team that anticipates a variety of events that can happen. This team should meet and think through what new procedures need to be put in place BEFORE the crisis happens!

Communication is crucial to a safe school, so walkie talkies for the principal, assistant principal, school nurse, and custodian are very effective, inexpensive way to communicate among key players in a crisis.

Impressing on staff and parents that school doors need to be locked and all visitors sign in and receive a visitor badge upon arrival is a pro-active policy. Requiring a photo I.D. from everyone picking up children is another requirement we have. Up to date emergency forms are vital if you need to contact families.

Q. I am a principal in a building that has gone from almost all white, middle class children to one of very mixed ethnic and socio-economic status in just three years! Needless to say it's been quite an adjustment. What are some things I can do to help long-time staff whom resent this change in population?

A. Change is very difficult for teachers. I think it sometimes adds to their sense that they have little control over their situation. Inservice training which provides factual and human information about the new culture is very important. If this inservice can be done by someone in the school system who is a member of the minority community it might be helpful. If this person can relate their personal experiences it breaks down a large group into individuals.

I think it is important that the teachers realize that the children are here and we may have to change some of our methods of instruction. We need to meet the student's needs. These changes take time and time needs to be allowed for the staff as well as the students to adjust.

Q. I have a group of parents who are "on my doorstep" at least once a week. I know that they mean well, but they are taking too much of my time. They don't really complain as much as they keep wanting to know the details of everything that is going on. Any suggestions for how to deal with this?

A. Perhaps asking one of the parents to act as a liaison for the group might help. If space in the school can be designated as a parent center it Might make the parents feel they have a role to play in the operations of the school. If you can schedule a coffee hour at a convenient time with a time limit you may be able to control the time spent. It is a mixed bag. On the one hand we are always complaining that parents need to be more involved in their children's education, but on the other we sometime don't know what to do with them.