Greetings! I hope your summer is going well. The DeFrang’s had a great summer. We spent some time at the coast, went camping and had lots family time. Priceless.
Each August brings the energy and anticipation of a new school year. I’m excited for what I believe can be one of our best years ever. Regardless of how long we have worked together, before we launch into the school year it is important for you to understand what you can expect from me as principal. What follows is a lengthy and important description of who I am as a leader and some of my beliefs. Please take a minute to read through what I like to refer to it as leading from a place of “Warm Demand”.
On the warm side, I am relentlessly positive (or at least try to see the opportunity in the challenges and changes that are inherent during school year), believe people have the best intentions, and believe in the importance of relationships. Trust is crucial in these relationships.
During my 18 years as a building principal I have experienced actions that build trust and others that wreck it. As examples, making a mistake, disagreeing with me or a decision we make, rooting for the Ducks, and forgetting duty, are examples of things that will not damage trust or our relationship (Yes, even the Duck thing). On the other hand, gossiping, talking behind other people’s backs, and not respecting colleagues are not ok with me as they do not support a positive culture.
I operate with the golden rule. I’m going to do my best to treat you how you like to be treated and my hope is that you will reciprocate. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, please come and talk with me. I will always listen. I may not change anything, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t listen or you don’t have my support. It just means I felt there was a more compelling reason to do it differently. I’ll do the same for you. I’m not a fan of, “Well, I’ve been talking to people and lots of them are very…” or “At lunch today, staff were saying…” Encourage those people you have been talking to to talk or meet with me. It’s similar to when a parent shares a concern with me about a teacher, I will direct them to the teacher to discuss the issue.
I ask for your support and grace. All of us have very difficult jobs when things are going well. I trust you to do your job and will not micromanage. Please do the same with me. Working together and trusting each other is imperative.
On the demand side, I have high professional expectations for myself, for you, and Lava Ridge. I believe that it is our job and responsibility to give our students our best each day and that every day is an opportunity to make a difference. Working in a school is the most important work there is and I believe every day is an opportunity to make a difference. We must have strong relationships with our students and their families, use the best instructional strategies and district adopted curriculum, and be open to learning new ideas that can help us to grow, whatever our role is at Lava Ridge. We are all here to serve our students and families and have each made the choice to do this in the Bend-La Pine Schools at Lava Ridge.
There are days when each of us (me included) would rather be somewhere else. I get it. On these days, I fake it. I made the choice to be here and serve in this position and owe it to our students to be the best principal I can be every day (even when I might rather be skiing).
This professional “Demand” is typically left at school when I leave at the end of the day. Having a healthy work/life balance is important to me. Time for me as a dad is going way too quick and away from school my job is being a dad (i.e. taxi for my Matthew and Jon at this stage in their life) and a husband. You will most likely not see my car in the parking lot on the weekends or receive emails from me at 9:00 at night. When I’m here, I work hard, move fast and try to be as efficient as possible. My goal when I leave Lava is to spend as much time with my family as I can, navigate the grocery store with ease, and do things I like to do (ie. Lap swimming, skiing, watching college football). Time is precious and I encourage each of you to also have a healthy work/life balance.
I am really looking forward to this year and working with each of you!
Elementary start and end times for 2022-23: Regular Schedule: 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.; School Improvement Wednesday 7:45-12:45 (beginning September 14)
Certified Work Hours for 2022-23: 7:15-3:15
Pre-School (i.e. before school starts) Calendar
Details below for August 29th-September 9th Note: This is the same information that we discussed at the June Staff Meeting; more specifics will post in the blog next week)
Monday, August 29th
- New Teacher Day at Summit
- Option for flexible work day for certified staff
Tuesday, August 30th
- Foundational Skills Training for certified staff that have not taken it
- Option for flexible work day for certified staff who attended the Foundational Skills Training prior to inservice week
Wednesday, August 31st
- First day for educational assistants
- Inservice and meeting day at Lava
- Lunch provided
Thursday, September 1st
- Inservice 9:00-12:00
- Open House 3:00-5:00
Friday, September 2nd
- Work in Classrooms
Tuesday, September 6th
- Option for flexible work day for certified staff
Wednesday, September 7th
First Day of School! Half of our kindergarteners will attend on the 7th, the other half on September 8th, with all here on the 9th.