Blog and E-mail: A Review of Functions and Features

Some of you have seen a version of this post before, but since I wrote it, we have added approximately 100 new members to the LYS Nation.  Therefore, I thought a refresher might be in order.  The following is my attempt to explain the features that are embedded in the blog site and the e-mail updates.

Note: This section relates to the blog site (not the e-mail updates).

On the left side of the page, E-Mail Updates: If you enter your e-mail address in the subscribe box, you will get a daily e-mail update of all the postings within the last 24 hours, after you respond to the confirmation e-mail (a spam preventative).

On the left side of the page, under the E-Mail Updates area:  UpTweet – If you like a post, click UpTweet and it takes you to your twitter account so you can post a link on your timeline.

On the left side of the page, under the UpTweet area:  Lead Your School Resources and Tools - Links to the Lead Your School Principal Search page; Lead Your School campus support site; PowerWalks site; Amazon.com page for “The Fundamental Five: The Formula for Quality Instruction”; Amazon.com page for “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale”; and the Amazon.com page for “Jump Start Your School”.

On the left side of the page, under the Lead Your School Resources and Tools area: Current School News - Click on any of the four key words and the most current news stories that relate to that key word will be displayed.

On the left side of the page, under the Current School News area: Popular Posts – Shows the three most viewed blog posts from the last thirty days.

On the left side of the page, under the Popular Posts area: RSS Subscriptions

On the left side of the page, under RSS Feeds:  RSS Followers

At the bottom of the blog page, under the last post of the week: Blog Archives - Click on a week, and all the posts from that week will be displayed.

Note: This section relates to the actual posts (on the blog site).
If you click on a post title, it will pull up a comment box at the end of the post. Just type in your comment and click the "post comment" button.

At the bottom of each post, click "comment" and you can leave a comment or read comments others have left. However, the majority of the comments, I post under the heading, "A Reader Writes."

At the bottom of each post, click the envelope if you want to e-mail that post to another person.

At the bottom of each post, if you click a "Label" word, it will pull up all the other posts that have the same label words.

At the bottom of the post, there are reaction boxes. You get to rate the post.

Note: This section relates to the E-mail updates.

If you click on "Lead Your School", it will take you to the blog site.

If you click on a post title, it will take you to the post and there will be a comment box at the bottom of the screen. Just type in your comment and click the "post comment" button.

Note: This section relates to Reader Comments.

This is how all comments are handled:

Your comments, opinions and question are welcomed and encouraged.  Keep them coming.

All comments opinions and questions are reviewed by me.

Comments, opinions and questions, where it is asked that the information not be shared, receive a private response from me.

One liners and comments that do not require a response are just posted as a comment.

Comments, opinions and questions of merit are posted as, “A Reader Writes…”  They are posted in a first come, first serve fashion.  So sometimes it takes a while to get to yours.

I don’t know if it is proper blog etiquette or not, but I spell and grammar check comments before I post them.

Comments are handled with a modified FERPA procedure.  I will and do mask the identities of some writers, their schools and their districts.  I do this to protect the writer and who or what they are writing about.

Post format.

Text in italics is the comment of the reader.

Your turn… This is your invitation to weigh in and join the conversation.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: North Dakota Principals Association Conference (Keynote Speaker), TASSP Assistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

State of the Blog - The Last 100 Posts (1,200 and Counting)

Hello, LYS Nation.  This is the 1,200^th post to the column, so as has become a tradition, we will review our progress. 

First, the review:

The 1^st post was on Monday, February 16, 2009.

The 100^th post was on April 14, 2009.

The 200^th post was on June 10, 2009

The 300^th post was on September 2, 2009

The 400^th post was on December 16, 2009

The 500^th post was on April 7, 2010

The 600^th post was on August 2, 2010

The 700^th post was on December 17, 2010

The 800^th post was on May 17, 2011

The 900^th post was on October 5, 2011

The 1,000^th post was on March 7, 2012

The 1,100^th post was on August 24, 2012

The 1,200^th post is today, February 1, 2013

The 1,200 posts represent more than 1,450 pages of single spaced text.  This is the equivalent of about a 5,800-page book.

The top 10 posts, in terms of distribution, have been:

1. You 6-step STAAR Preparation Strategy (12/14/2012)

2.  Campus Security Checklist (12/18/2012)

3. A New Principal Asks... Student Apathy (3/29/2012)

4. Early Voting – The “Pro School” Litmus Test (10/22/12)

5. A Reader Asks... Administrator Dress Code (8/15/2012)

6. A Reader Writes... Getting Rid of ISS – Part 1 (1/16/2013)

7. A LYSer Submits... The Hidden Agenda of Choice (10/25/12)

8. A Reader Writes... Our Anti-Public School Leaders – Part 1 (9/27/2012)

9. A Reader Asks... Modeling Examples (8/25/11)

10. A Superintendent Submits... The Common Assessment Process (11/9/2012)

There have been over 199,180 page hits.

There are 1,314 e-mail subscribers. Thank you!

There are now international readers and e-mail subscribers, with the following 30 countries represented: Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Japan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, and U.S. Virgin Islands

All of this is incredibly exciting; especially when you consider that not too long ago ago, every number was 0.

A Little Blatant Self Promotion:

First, if you like the blog and you haven’t signed up for the e-mail subscription, please do so.  I find that it’s easier to write to people than it is to write to web hits.

Second, if you like the blog and find it useful, tell three other people.  This blog is a much more powerful resource for school improvement when it is a dialogue.

Third, if you have not sent in a comment yet, please do so.  Education research points out that the act of critical writing actually makes the learner smarter.  Let the blog assist you in sharpening your saw.

Finally,

Thank you so much for reading and responding.  This network, which started out as a way for just a handful of principals to stay connected has turned into a small nation of board members, central office administrators, campus leaders, and teachers who are focused on redefining what students are capable of.  Who knows what we will discuss in the next 100 posts.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: North Dakota Principals Association Conference (Keynote Speaker), TASSP Assistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

A Reader Asks... Post Observation Notes

The following is a question concerning the “Notes” feature in the PowerWalks Observation system.

SC,

Our campus just started using the PowerWalks Classroom Observation System, which in a word is, "Awesome!" What I want to know is there anyway to compile the various comments I send to teachers into one report?

SC Response

This is one feature that we purposefully limit.  I know this sounds crazy, but we want administrative and support staff to actually talk to teachers about instruction. The standard (lazy) practice that we observe at non-LYS campuses is that observers bury teachers with misguided e-mails. Not only is this ineffective but it creates a climate of defensiveness and distrust.  Effective coaching requires context and conversation. And we are all about being effective.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
•  Upcoming Presentations: North Dakota Principals Association Conference (Keynote Speaker), TASSP Assistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

A Reader Writes... Staff Meetings With a Dash of Common Sense - Part 2

In response to the 10/18/12 post, “Staff Meetings With a Dash of Common Sense,” a reader writes:

SC,

Period by period faculty meetings were the norm for me as a principal, including before and after school in case a teacher had an ARD, parent meeting, or some other conflict during the day so they had three chances to make it.  In the event that the meeting was simply info only, it went out in e-mail prior to the meeting and attendance was optional for clarification purposes only.

But even that is now old school.  One of the Principals that I support is trying something different... “The flipped faculty meeting!"  

That's right, modeling the walk the talk philosophy, she is going to digitally record faculty meetings and trainings and have the staff watch on line in a certain time window.  That way when the meeting takes place, staff can go straight to collaboration and check for understanding.  Meetings are quicker, and the original info is on file to review as needed.  It's only a trial right now, but respecting and protecting the time teachers have to work on what is crucial to support students is important as well.

Good ideas are contagious!

SC Response

I really like this idea a lot.  The administrivia can be covered prior to the staff meeting so those at the  meeting can focus on analysis, synthesis and evaluation.  If everyone is professional and comes prepared, this could be a home run. Let us know how this worked over the course of the year.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Upcoming Presentations: North Dakota Principals Association Conference (Keynote Speaker), TASSP Assistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

A Reader Asks... Staff Meetings With a Dash of Common Sense - Part 1

In response to the 10/18/12 post, “Staff Meetings With a Dash of Common Sense,” a reader asks:

SC,

Is it illegal to have "staff meetings" during conference times??

SC Response

Unfortunately, I can’t answer your question directly.  

1. I don’t know what state you work in. 

2. I don’t know the laws that relate to this topic in all 50 states.

However, in general, administration can meet with teachers during planning periods when necessary.  And when this practice is not abused, the meetings are meaningful and the overall purpose is to be respectful of a teacher’s time, it is a viable and effective way to improve campus communication.

It is an organizational truth that administrators and teachers must meet to discuss the business of school.  The more effective and efficient that this can be done, the better it is for everyone.

     

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Upcoming Presentations: North Dakota Principals Association Conference (Keynote Speaker), TASSP Assistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of January 20, 2013

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now Twitter users.  If you haven’t done so yet, we want you to join us.  To let you see what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of January 20, 2013.

1. Ms. Bracken (Hines ES) hit for the cycle when I visited her classroom. All 5 practices of The Fundamental 5 in play. Awesome to watch!

2. The physical environment of the classroom can affect a child’s academic progress by as much as 25%, says new study. (By anniemurphypaul)

3. By end of decade China set to have nearly 195 million community college and university grads, U.S. about 120 million. (By @FareedZakaria)

4. A campus parking space assignment plan. The spaces closest to the campus are for parents. Then those who get to work early get the best spots.

5. My position on arming teachers: Once we implement with perfect fidelity the best practice we've been trained on, then we'll revisit the issue.

6. Newly hired armed guard leaves gun unattended in school bathroom. (By @eschoolnews)

7. Reaffirmed: Great is the enemy of good. (By @txschoolsupe)

8. Without meaningful change in leadership practice there is no school change. Leadership change is the leading indicator.

9. Even the best teachers operating in tough settings without a scope and sequence, relevant data, and support will quickly become struggling teachers.

10. Had school visits at Rugel Elem and Agnew MS. Both implementing framing from Fundamental 5 (Cain & Laird). Looking forward to SC being in MISD soon. (By @LindaHenrie1)

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: North Dakota Principals Association Conference (Keynote Speaker), TASSP Assistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation