With August fast-approaching, the flurry of schedules, staffing, and system checks fills your days. The start of a new school year is an incredible opportunity to align your team, create welcoming conditions for students, and set a positive tone for the year ahead. Thoughtful preparation now can reduce stress later and help you focus on instructional leadership once the school year begins.
Below is a concise, high-impact checklist to guide your preparations.
1. Review and Update School Safety Plans
- Conduct facility walkthroughs to check for repairs, safety hazards, or outdated signage.
- Coordinate safety drills and procedures for fire, lockdowns, severe weather, and reunification plans with local authorities.
- Ensure communication plans with staff, students, and families are clear and ready for emergencies.
- Review discipline and safety protocols for equity and bias, ensuring fair treatment across all student groups.
2. Finalize Staffing and Onboarding
- Confirm all staffing assignments are finalized, and adjust roles where needed to cover enrollment shifts.
- Welcome new staff with a structured orientation and mentoring plan.
- Review coverage plans for substitute needs and contingency staffing.
- Collaborate with district HR and leadership to align staffing decisions with school improvement goals.
3. Set Instructional Priorities
- Review your school improvement plan and share key instructional goals with staff.
- Align professional development days with instructional priorities and staff needs.
- Consider brief staff pulse checks to identify areas where teachers need additional support to implement priorities effectively.
- Include early conversations around curriculum alignment and any planned teacher evaluation systems to ensure transparency and growth-focused implementation.
4. Plan for Student and Family Engagement
- Organize back-to-school events that foster belonging and provide families with essential information.
- Prepare clear, welcoming communications for families outlining expectations, updates, and how to get involved.
- Create opportunities for student voice early (e.g., advisory group sign-ups, surveys, or “Someday” boards) to set the tone for a year of engagement.
- Ensure communications and outreach strategies are inclusive of marginalized student populations and their families.
5. Conduct Data Reviews
- Review attendance, behavior, and academic data from the previous year to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities.
- Meet with key staff (counselors, MTSS teams, department heads) to discuss targeted support for high-need students.
- Use data to prioritize early interventions and monitor progress from day one.
- Involve district data teams or external supports when appropriate to strengthen early-year planning.
6. Audit Systems and Operations
- Test technology systems (devices, Wi-Fi, learning management systems) to ensure readiness for staff and students.
- Review transportation, cafeteria operations, and front office procedures for efficiency and accessibility.
- Ensure all compliance documentation and reporting requirements are up-to-date.
- Use this time to review whether operational practices are equitable and accessible to all families and staff.
7. Revisit Your Leadership Plan
- Block time on your calendar now for instructional walkthroughs, coaching, and student interaction in the first weeks of school.
- Plan intentional check-ins with staff, prioritizing relationship-building and trust.
- Reflect on your leadership goals: What do you want your team to say about your leadership by December?
- Coordinate with district leaders and school improvement teams to ensure shared goals and mutual support.
