To build on Principal Dale Rumberger's insights about preparing his school to open this fall, Education Update readers have volunteered to share their reflections about starting new schools.
Karen J. Montgomery, Assistant Principal, Blue Angels Elementary, Pensacola, Fla.
When we opened Blue Angels Elementary in August 2000, I came from an elementary school with 1,500 students and a close-knit staff. We took our potential staff through a process to create a vision for the new school, using some of the tools in David Langford's quality learning process. We met with community leaders, teachers, parents, and students to envision what we wanted Blue Angels Elementary to look like and feel like when people entered our building. This was a powerful experience because all the stakeholders had a voice in the design of Blue Angels before it was physically constructed.
Renee Truncale, Principal, Cox Elementary, Sachse, Tex.
Opening a new school is always a challenge, but our school had some extra difficulties. The district had not planned to open this school until the following year but had to move up the time line. Unfortunately an operating budget was not ready, and thus we started with some limitations.
Three projects helped us garner community support, establish a school climate, and stretch those tight dollars.
In June, the PTA hosted a school shower. We had registered online with Target and Staples for school items. One evening, as they visited the inside of the building for the first time, parents and their children brought items for the staff lounge, games and equipment for the playground, instructional items, and gift cards.
The following evening, the faculty had a retreat, getting to know one another and receiving a challenge. For the challenge, each grade-level team received an envelope containing the donated gift cards as well as small purchase orders for home remodeling stores. At an overnight event in July, each team was to use the contents of their envelope to decorate a faculty bathroom, the lounge, the conference room, or the workroom.
When the challenges were complete, the decorated rooms were a great hit. The winning teams won two pieces of technology we had acquired. During that same overnight event, we developed our school mission statement, practiced the newly composed school song—and of course didn't get much sleep.
Our last project was the creation of a math and science exploration room. Instead of ordering manipulatives and science equipment for each grade level, we pooled the monies and filled tubs that teachers could check out.
Our first-year challenges became opportunities, and although we will be glad to return, nothing will replace this year in our memories.
Jane Higdon, Admissions Officer, North Point High School for Science, Technology, and Industry, Waldorf, Md.
I've been lucky enough in my 30-year career to begin two new high schools in Charles County, Md. Opening a new school has many stresses, but I have found them overshadowed by the wonderful possibilities that a new facility and new staff can offer to students and the community.
I also feel that a new school can make the existing schools take a look at themselves in order to reform, if needed, and to take pride in what they are. Everyone can benefit.
