TOMMIE SAYLOR: The team must pull together ...

“If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame. But, if orders are clear and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers.” 

Sun Tzu, The Art of War

By Tommie Saylor

Kennedy High School Principal

At the end of last year, a staff member pleaded, “Can we just do one thing, one thing as a staff?”  I heard this plea, and at the beginning of this school year I stood up before the entire staff and declared that all the items listed in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are the things we should be doing as a staff. 

Now, I know that the first staff meeting way back on August 30, seems like a lifetime ago. It is easy to become “relaxed” in the implementation and/or execution of the declared standards in the SOP.  So, in an effort to rededicate our group to the ideals that drive our success, I offer the following:

ID Cards and Dress Code:  Every morning we stand at the doors looking for ID cards and Dress Code violations. Though we try hard to make sure we get everyone, I’m sure a few sneak through.  Keep in mind that some students don’t start their day at Kennedy, and arrive throughout the day from the Career Center or college classes where an ID card check is not conducted. 

So, if you see a student not properly wearing their ID card, or out of compliance with the Dress Code, take action. Tell them to fix the problem or send them to the office.  Don’t believe the students when they tell you that you are the only person who enforces the rules.  I have visited everyone’s classroom from time to time, and I can tell you for certain you are not the only one enforcing these rules. 

Don’t become hesitant when the student tells you, “I walked by Mr. Saylor and he didn’t say anything to me.” This is possible. I could have walked past a student out of compliance and failed to take notice.  But, this does not indicate acceptance of the violation, it simply means that I did not take notice of the violation, and because you did take notice of the violation it is your obligation to address the issue and force the student to fix the problem. 

In fact, it is all or our obligations to enforce the rules.  We must all work together to “pick up the slack” left. 

If you wish to join us at the door in the morning checking students for ID cards and Dress Code violation, you are more than welcomed to help.  Perhaps then you will notice that we work very hard to enforce the rules, often stopping dozens of students with violations forcing them to fix the problem before school even starts.

Backpacks:  Unless written permission has been given to the student (often found on the back of their ID card) backpacks are not allowed in the classroom.  I didn’t say that they are not allowed in the building, or in the halls, just not in the classroom. 

I see many students in the halls with backpacks, and I don’t say a word to them, because in the hall is fine. Just not in the classroom.  Don’t believe the students when they tell you that you are the only one enforcing the rule, because you are not alone.

Cell phones:  Do we really need to say it?  Cell phones are not to be seen or heard in the classroom, unless teacher directed.  If a student is in violation of this rule, write them up.  Do not take the phone. I don’t want the instructor or the school to be responsible for a $500 cell phone.  Simply tell the student to put the phone away and write them up.  If they refuse to comply with putting the phone away, send them to the office, and if the student continues to be defiant, send someone to get help from security. 

BBC’s, Rules and Expectations, Mission and Vision Statements:  Even though we have changed evaluation models, when I enter a classroom I still expect to see BBC’s posted and utilized, Rules and Expectations posted, and Mission and Vision Statements posted.  The administration will be noting the absence of these items on your evaluation (Organization, Rules and Procedures section).  Keep in mind, that a change in the evaluation model used does not indicate a change in standards.

Student Engagement:  The No. 1 thing I am looking for when I enter a classroom is student engagement.  I should not see students with their heads down on their desks sleeping.  I should not see the instructor lecturing on and on and on while students sit with glazed over eyes. 

I should see students actively engaged in the lesson and a part of the lesson as opposed to just an observer of the lesson. I should see plenty of student interaction with the instructor, with each other. 

 This does not mean that I expect to see students running around the room performing projects every day. This means that if you are before the students I expect to see question and answers and students engaged in a class discussion. I expect to see students in some manner involved in the presentation.  Otherwise, they can get just as much from watching a You Tube video, as to being in your classroom.

Parent Contacts:  I have stated more times than I can remember, that a parent can be either your biggest ally, or your worst nightmare. Often the difference is your level of communication with the parent.  I expect that you make at least one contact with each of your student’s parents at least once a month.  This contact must be positive and polite. 

Honesty is foremost, but often it is not what you say, but how you say it that can get you into issues with parents.  If you establish a good, positive relationship with the parents of your students, and a student begins to falter either academically or otherwise, the parents are often more willing to lend assistance.

MISTAR/Grades:  I expect grades to be transparent and updated on a regular basis.  A student and/or a parent should not have to guess as to the grade earned in your classroom.  You should be able to explain and defend any grade given to a student. Grades should be based on a student’s ability to demonstrate their knowledge or skill in performance of a specific task. Grades should be unbiased and based on concrete measurements of the student’s talents. 

You should grade a student in the same perspective that you wish to be graded and/or evaluated by the administration. If what you are doing to a student is something you would not like done to you, maybe you should rethink your practices.

Everything should be clear. If a classroom is “a Zoo” and rules and procedures are being openly violated, it is your fault and you need to fix the problem.

“Can we just do one thing, one thing as a staff?”

I offer the above, several things I expect us to be doing as a staff.

We are all in this together, a team of professionals dedicated to a sacred cause.  Only by working together, will we achieve our goals.  We will prevail, our students will become graduates and productive members of society, because together we are stronger and determined.

Helping students to find their greatness. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence by design.