The first staff meeting!

A principal, at least this principal, wants to have a beginning staff meeting with just the right amount of information, discussion, activity, and engagement so that the staff isn't just sitting there thinking about the mountains of work they might have to do to get ready for the first day with students. What a tall order sometimes!

There are certain procedures we need to review each year. Going over the school's guiding principles is always a good idea. Modeling activities that you would like to see in the classroom is a way to present these guiding principles and any new ideas for engaging students. Finally, if there are any changes from the previous year to timetabling, discipline procedures, technology, and/or resources, there should be time to present, discuss, and answer questions. Sounds easy, doesn't it?!

In my experience, the staff meeting doesn't always go as planned, and I do tend to go over time. Therefore, I usually give a draft agenda to the staff the week before a meeting and invite staff items. The first staff meeting, however, is more critical, as I feel it is necessary to begin as I want to proceed. I usually begin thinking about this meeting's agenda in May and June, listing items that need to be addressed, then adding to it after much reflection regarding last year's meeting. Then, during the principals' meetings in August, I add still more as new and different topics arise. Once I have that list, I create a PowerPoint with the topic headings, cutting out what can be addressed in subsequent meetings. I interject video clips, hyperlinks to online resources, and provide time for discussion. I leave it for a day or two and then revisit the PowerPoint, cutting and revising. I am getting better at it.  :-)

One way to determine how the staff meeting went and to gather a bit of information about your staff is to have staff fill out an evaluation. I like to do the exit card.

This year my exit card reads: 3 pieces of good news I've heard today; 2 ways in which I plan to serve the students; and 1 personal life passion I have. It's best to hand this out at the beginning of the staff meeting: you won't forget to do it; and the staff can fill it out as we go along. I also have them sign and date it so that I know if and how I need to give support.

What do the rest of you principals do to spice up your staff meetings and, at the same time, make it all count? Please comment.