We'll Take Care of That, Too!: Continued Commitment to Student and Family Success in Unprecedented Times
We’ll Take Care of That, Too!: Continued Commitment to Student and Family Success in Unprecedented Times
Principals have
been faced with what seems like insurmountable challenges since the onset of
the pandemic. Nonetheless, they press forward, staying focused on the school’s
vision, identifying barriers and their impact on the well-being of the school,
families, and local community. Thankfully, they don’t have to do it alone.
Across the nation,
principals are tasked with maintaining, and even accelerating, student
achievement after approximately two years of organizational disruption due to
the pandemic. While these leaders assess learning, analyze data, progress
monitor, plan and implement intervention, and follow their school’s vision
toward student success, for all
students, they are finding that new work must be prioritized.
It’s been said that
“we must Maslow before we can Bloom”, referencing Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
as the essential foundation that must be satisfied before accessing Bloom’s
taxonomy for learning. In the 2021-2022 school year, however, principals’ work
involves ensuring that all of the pieces are present for that work to be done
concurrently. It involves leveraging assets, accessing resources, and
prioritizing the needs of their teachers, staff, students, and families…first. These
prolific leaders will ask the critical questions, challenge old ways of
thinking, communicate with unabashed transparency, and exhibit bounds of
gratitude and grace.
What Do We Need?
Any
principal worth their salt already does his or her best to addresses the
barriers of poverty, inequity, and limited access. So, what has changed over
the last two years? Everything. Now principals are identifying new gaps- those
created by changes in mid-pandemic society. Now is the time to ask Staff and
families, “what do we need?”. Answers include everything from daily meals,
clothes and shoes, support with finances to pay utilities and mortgage/rent,
holiday help, access to technology or connectivity, to simply a place where one
feels safety and belongingness with mental health supports. After the responses
have been reviewed, leaders translate and clearly communicate those needs to
anyone and everyone that will listen.
Lift Your Voice and Roll Up Your Sleeves!
Pandemic
times call for pandemic efforts-great ones. Phone calls, old-fashioned footwork,
and letters to a variety of organizations can pay off in a major way. Local
community organizations donate, not only finances and materials, but more
important, their time and energy…something we principals have very little of
right now. Be present and invite your Staff and families to join in the
charitable events. Engage students, from a young age, in the cooperative
efforts of supporting one another, doing good-simply because it’s the right
thing to do, and then be certain to show your appreciation.
Embrace the Power
of “Thank You”
Showing organizations,
local or long distance, appreciation is nothing new, but there certainly are
new ways to do it. A photo is worth a thousand words- even more these days!
Take a photo with your local donor, or better yet, with the those that benefit
from their generosity, and post to a variety of social media outlets (Twitter,
Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok etc.) to encourage others to join in the
cooperative efforts to support our schools. Contact the local radio station or
mention them in a podcast. Simple yard signs and banners at your building show
how you acknowledge their contribution to your students’ success! Then, ask
them again. Invite them to be an ongoing partner in this crusade. Share the
results (student growth and achievement) and thank them, again.
The
administration, Staff, students and families of Peace River Elementary would
like to publicly thank the following (and many others) for their contributions
this year:
Port Charlotte Salvation Army Charlotte
County United Way
Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading The Patterson Foundation
Charlotte County Health Department Drug-Free Charlotte
County
Charlotte Community Foundation YReads
Program
Sunrise Kiwanis Kiwanis
Punta Gorda After Hours
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Punta Gorda
Police Department
Charlotte County Fire Department Port
Charlotte Chikfila
Girls on the Run Let
Me Run
Punta Gorda Rotary Elks
of Punta Gorda Lodge #2606
SuperT First
Alliance Church of Port Charlotte
Fawcett Memorial Hospital Jarrett Ford of
Charlotte County
Tropical Smoothie Dairy
Queen of Port Charlotte
Publix Winn
Dixie
If you would like to learn more about ways to
prioritize and acquire resources through partnerships to accelerate student
learning in your school, please contact this Proud Panther Principal at Heidi.Keegan@yourcharlotteschools.net. (941)
255-7627
Heidi L. Keegan, M.
Ed Principal Charlotte County Public Schools
Heidi L. Keegan has served as a Florida public schools
educator for 18 years as an elementary school teacher, Reading Coach, Assistant
Principal, and Principal in Charlotte County. An administrator in six Title I
elementary schools over the last 10 years, and a product of Florida public
schooling, her experience lies in reinvigorating school culture and climate and
instituting a systems-thinking approach to advocate for marginalized
populations, with the ultimate goal of closing the achievement gap. Student
achievement at the forefront, she has implemented various strategies to address
the diverse needs of students of poverty, students of color, and students with
unique abilities. She is a member of several professional organizations,
including the Florida Association of School Administrators where she serves as
the South Region Director for the Florida Association of Elementary and Middle
School Principals. She has completed educational degree programs at University
of West Florida, University of South Florida, and is currently seeking
admission to the doctoral program at University of Florida.
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