“A Call from the Principal”

Mitzi Grogan, Principal at Greenbrier Elementary, has incorporated one of the suggestions from the PLC training during the summer concerning “A Call from the Principal”.  This program incorporates a good news referral that teachers fill out, letting the principal know when a child has done exceptionally well in the classroom through academics, behavior, attendance, or whatever they are trying to stress.  It is also used to let administration know if a child has shown improvement, been honored in some way outside of school, done a good deed, etc. 

Teachers fill out the form and turn it in to Mrs. Grogan.  Mrs. Grogan then calls the parent and “brags” about the wonderful things their child is doing and she makes a point of personally seeing that child during the school day.  Mrs. Grogan usually gives them a certificate to pick out a snack or ice cream in the cafeteria during lunch as well as a special pencil or something from her treat sack.  Mrs. Grogan also announces their name over the intercom so the entire school can hear the good things students are doing everyday. 

Teachers are encouraged to make this a special honor and to make sure students are deserving of the special treatment.  Mrs. Grogan says that she has been able to meet a lot of the students this way, and it has also given her a chance to have positive communication with many parents.  The parents seem very appreciative and almost stunned at first that they have received a positive call from the principal.  Parents often send Mrs. Grogan a thank you note to let her know how much they appreciated the phone call and extra time spent acknowledging the good things their child is doing.  Mrs. Grogan believes this is helping to establish a positive culture with students and staff. 

Way to go GES and keep the celebrations going!