Challenges:
Asking a parent to move her car, getting yelled at, apologizing after she explained her son was walking across the street to her (I didn't see him) but not succeeding in making amends
Inspecting all fire doors. 75% are blocked with extra storage of teacher stuff that won't fit in the classrooms. Mind you, they're not COMPLETELY blocked--just too blocked to pass inspection.
No time for lunch until 3 again.
Surprises:
Dead mouse in my office
A 1st grader calls me "Cookie" something my 6th graders used to call me...but as a vice principal--wasn't quite expecting that from a first grader.
A teacher left a mug filled with Hershey's kisses on my desk.
Lots of kids say goodbye to me by name when they leave for the day. I feel so popular! Now, I just need to learn THEIR names....
Random:
Hung out with some triplets after school while they waited for a pickup. It's really odd--looking at all three at once...
Wondered why the bus was parked near the school, but not coming up to the circle to pick kids up. Walked down to check it out--bus driver had taken the mirror off of a parked car. Tight squeeze on that street.
Successes:
Conversation with kids at each lunch time about playing safe at recess, followed by intense policing of violators pays off. By the end of each lunch time, kids are using "light touches" almost 90% of the time rather than shoving the heck out of each other.
Put an evacuation plan in place for a complicated student who needs extra assistance. Safety first.
Pulled off the new morning routine, with good results.
Introduced some new recess equipment which made kids very happy
New Projects:
Finding someone to run a program similar to Sports4Kids at our school. They teach conflict resolution and help organize/coach recess play. This is a major need at our school and has proven successful elsewhere--including the school I used to work at. They worked wonders....THIS IS AN UNTAPPED MARKET, for someone who wants to make some cash!!!! Start a business. We don't qualify for Sports4Kids because it's not in our district and we are less than 50% low income.
Figuring out how a before/after school homework center can be staffed with no additional resources
Creating indoor recess boxes before it rains on Friday
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You go Cookie!!!
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