(A text written in the 1960s
describing the tasks for school principals in northern Ontario)
This program
is based on the principle that the principal, in their
role as supervisor, is first and foremost the teacher of teachers.
In this
capacity, and using effective teaching techniques, the
principal serves as the spark plug that initiates and successfully
leads any activity aimed at improving teaching.
This program
can be used as a guide to create a tailored program for your school.
September
1.
Distribution of school supplies, tools, books.
2. Assisting
new teachers in preparing their daily schedule.
3. Helping
teachers group students by their abilities in reading, arithmetic, etc.
4. Guiding
teachers in evaluating standardized test results.
5. Creating
a meeting schedule for the year:
- Professional meetings
- School organization meetings
- Emergency drill exercises
6. Reviewing
measures to minimize student accidents.
7. Adjusting
student classification to fit circumstances.
8. Preparing
a schedule for the use of school facilities: assemblies,
physical education classes, visual education classes, concerts.
9. Preparing
extracurricular activities.
10.
Establishing guidelines for using equipment: sports gear, maps, globes,
scientific tools, intercom systems.
11. Updating:
- Ontario student records
- Office records
12.
Administering intelligence tests for first-year students, overseeing
corrections, and helping teachers interpret results.
13.
Encouraging teachers to pursue professional development.
14.
Compiling school statistics.
15.
Reviewing the reference library.
16. Initial
classroom visits to inspect records, desk plans, preparation books,
timetables, and general organization.
17. Staff
meetings to discuss topics such as:
- Tests and their evaluation
- Student progress and development
- Adapting curriculum to individual differences
- Interpreting the curriculum
- Parent reporting
18.
Selecting a specific project for the year.
19.
Preparing for the Educational Congress.
October
1. Special
study of report cards and preparation for parent-teacher
meetings.
2.
Procedures for the first-term exams. Verify each teacher's plans
regarding the exams.
3. Continue
progressing on the chosen yearly project.
4. Work on
improving the teaching of arithmetic. Administer diagnostic
tests.
5. Inspect
teaching methods used in each classroom and the curriculum being
followed.
November
1. Review
report cards, paying attention to:
- The nature and tone of the comments
- The way marks are distributed
2. Classroom
visits to observe students whose report cards show
weaknesses. Plan with the teacher on the best steps to address these
weaknesses.
3. Listen to
first-year students read. Use an appropriate word list to assess their
level.
4. Continue
work on the yearly project.
5. Improve
handwriting instruction, aiming for uniformity in letters and
methods.
6. Visit
classrooms to inspect:
- Bulletin boards
- Current events corner
- Use of class libraries
- Reference materials collected for teaching social and natural
sciences
December
1. Have
second-year students read and administer a short vocabulary
test.
2. Continue
the yearly project.
3. Improve
spelling instruction in each classroom. Administer spelling tests and
review the results with the teacher.
4. Observe
methods used and their correlation with composition teaching.
5. Ensure
the curriculum is followed until the end of the term.
January
1. Listen to
third-year students read and administer vocabulary tests.
2. Continue
the yearly project.
3. Enhance
reading instruction:
- Focus on primary grades
- Invite a specialist to hold a series of meetings for primary
levels.
- Pay special attention to methods in other grades
4. Prepare
for a school concert.
February
1. Report
cards. Parent meetings. Preparation for pre-Easter exams.
2. School
concert or another school activity.
3. Classroom
visits to focus on students struggling to keep up with
classwork: study with the teacher how to support them. Review the
teacher's notes on these students.
4. Continue
the yearly project.
5. Inspect
work done in music and art. If needed, invite a specialist to meet with
staff to discuss the program.
March
1. Listen to
first-year students read. Administer a vocabulary test.
2. Improve
teaching of Social Sciences, focusing on:
- Goals and classroom responsibilities towards these goals
- Interpretation of the curriculum
- Observing Social Sciences lessons in classrooms to ensure the program
develops desired social attitudes
3. Continue
the yearly project.
April
1. Improve
instruction:
- Oral expression
- Vocabulary - dictionary usage
- Writing
- Reading and literature
2. Review the French program.
3. Continue
the yearly project.
May
1.
Administer standardized reading and arithmetic tests. Oversee
corrections and interpretation of the results.
2. Meet with
parents of students who might be accelerated or held back.
These specific problems are under the principal's
responsibility.
3. Provide a
written report to the inspector on each teacher's work and
competence.
4. Review
the overall results of the yearly project.
5. Observe
classrooms and discuss progress with teachers regarding the school
year.
6. Work on
improving science and health instruction.
June
1. Field day
- sports, exercises, races.
2.
End-of-year exams.
3. Review
report cards before the end of the month.
4. Prepare
for September: staff meeting to review accomplished work and
prepare the general program for the next year.
5. Ensure
all class records are completed, and a promotion list is
prepared.
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