Top Five Priorities for Secondary Principals: The Final Month of School

(Content generated by ChatGPT)

As we approach the end of the school year, staying focused on what matters most ensures a strong finish and a smooth start to next year. Here are the five key priorities every secondary principal should keep front and center:

1. Finish Strong and Safe

   1. Stay visible and present in classrooms and common spaces.

   2. Reinforce consistent behavior expectations through the last day.

   3. Monitor safety plans for events like prom, graduation, and end-of-year activities.

2. Celebrate and Recognize

   1. Honor students at awards nights, graduation, and through personal notes.

   2. Recognize teachers and staff for their impact—formally and informally.

   3. Acknowledge all roles: support staff, custodians, secretaries, and paras.

3. Support Academic Closure

   1. Confirm grading deadlines and policies are clear and followed.

   2. Ensure students—especially seniors—are on track to finish strong.

   3. Support final exams, projects, and credit recovery efforts.

4. Plan for Summer and the Year Ahead

   1. Finalize the master schedule and staffing assignments.

   2. Launch or confirm summer PD and onboarding plans.

   3. Begin mentoring support for new staff hires.

5. Reflect and Gather Input

   1. Use surveys or focus groups to gather staff and student feedback.

   2. Hold reflection meetings with leadership teams or teacher leaders.

   3. Journal or document key lessons to improve your leadership next year.
      
      

Let this final month be purposeful, positive, and anchored in what’s best for students and staff. You've almost made it—finish strong!