The AP began the day on morning bus duty. She monitors the students as they exit busses and enter the school. 

When bus duty is complete, the AP moves to the cafeteria to breakfast duty. She greets all of the students as they enter the cafeteria.

During breakfast duty, she notices a student who is upset. She leaves the cafeteria to talk with the student. The student had an incident on the bus where someone was picking on her. The AP took the student’s name and the name of the student who was picking on her. She then returned to breakfast duty.

Upon returning to the office, the AP called the student who had been reported for inappropriate behavior on the bus to the office. She talked with the student and had the student tell her version of the story. The student admitted picking on the other student. The AP discussed consequences which could be used with the student. This student had never been in trouble before. So, the AP decided to use the “time machine” from Conscious Discipline for conflict resolution. She called both students to the office and completed the time machine activity. The student apologized and also recognized that she had hurt the other student’s feelings. Since this was a first offense, the AP did not administer any other consequences at the time. The student’s returned to class.

The AP then the teacher sign in to determine who was present, absent and/or           tardy. The AP has the responsibility of keeping up with faculty attendance. She reports this information to the principal weekly. 

The AP continued the morning by attending a Response to Intervention meeting. In the meeting, she offered strategies on instruction and behavior to the parent and teachers on the committee. 

After the RTI meeting, the AP began to complete “out and abouts” in classrooms. She picks five classes a day to walk through and observe. She targets teaching strategies and behavior management. She also leaves the teacher a copy of the out and about which includes strengths and suggestions for improvement. 

After completing three out and abouts, the AP reported to cafeteria duty. The AP completes 40 minutes duty in the cafeteria daily. She is on duty when the 4^th and 5^th grade students are eating lunch. The students respond well to her behavior intervention strategies implemented in the cafeteria. “Golden Spoons” are awarded to classes exhibiting good behavior. Rewards are given by the classroom teacher if the class receives a golden spoon. 

Following cafeteria duty, the AP returned to her office to check email and touch base with the principal and office staff. She also ate her lunch at this time.

The AP then had two students brought to her office from the playground. The two students were fighting. It was obvious when the students arrived that talking to either of them would have to wait. Both of the students needed to cool off. The AP separated the two students and allowed time for cooling off. She then conferenced with each student about what happened on the playground. The students were blaming each other on the incident. The AP completed the time machine activity with the students. The students came to an agreement to “disagree”.   The AP then explained to each student that fighting was against school rules and that a punishment had to be administered. The boys were assigned three days after-school detention. The AP then called both parents to inform them of the situation and consequences. 

The AP then continued to complete the two out and abouts for the day. 

The AP returned to the bus ramp at the end of the school day to monitor bus dismissal. The students boarded buses with no incidences. 

The AP then returned to her office to check email and prepare for the following school day. 

Greeting students is important for building relationships. 

Conscious Discipline provides a concrete tool for students to use in conflict resolution.                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Attendance information is part of the teachers’ end of the year observation.

The AP began her day greeting students getting off busses. She also boarded one bus to give a talk about bus behavior and expectations. 

After bus duty the AP returned to the office to check the SubFinder report to make certain that all classrooms had coverage for the school day. One position “failed to fill”. This meant the AP had to call substitutes from a list to find someone to come in for the absent teacher. She found a sub and called a paraprofessional to fill in until the substitute could arrive. 

After making sure all positions were filled, the AP went to complete a “welcome walk through” around the school. The AP, Principal and Instructional Coach select a hallway to visit each morning. The AP visited in each classroom to say good morning and have a great day. 

The AP then reported to the morning news show to recap cafeteria rules and expectations. Behavior in the cafeteria had been off this week. The AP reviewed the expectations with the students in an interactive way. She made them act out the expectations as she stated each of them on the news show. 

After the morning news, the AP returned to her office to input discipline data on the computer. She has a file for each child who visits her office. She keeps running records of notes as she sees students for discipline reasons. This documentation helps the AP remember previous infractions and punishment. The AP tries to enter information at least 3 times a week. 

The AP then reported to the book room where she began to gather math workbooks for two new students who had moved to the school. The AP is responsible for textbooks and room furniture.

After delivering the workbooks the AP met with the Principal and Instructional Coach for a CORE meeting. Once a week the administrative team (CORE team) meets to discuss issues which may have come up during the week or other pertinent topics. 

The AP then reported to the cafeteria for duty. The AP completed duty and ate her own lunch, checked email and returned a phone call to the county testing coordinator. The CRCT tests, which were the responsibility of the AP, were to be picked up today but the van was running late and the tests would be picked up the following day. The AP has to make certain that the tests stay locked up another day. 

At this time, the AP observation was complete for the day.

Do you have trouble with the students on the bus? Why did you select the one bus to board and talk with students?

Great idea for making connections with students and teachers!

This documentation would be great for the RTI process. 

Administrators squeeze in lunch whenever they are able….

Shadowing Field Notes Assistant Principal #1

Practicum in Leadership

Date:      5-12-09           Time:      7:30 am -_2:25 pm__

Duration:    6    Hrs.   55   Min.

Notes                                                                 Reflections

          (Descriptive, non-evaluative)                                    (Insights, questions)