In this issue

STOP #1: GRANBY ELEMENTARY Worthington City Schools Principal Patti Schlaegel

School of the 2019 Ohio NAESP National Distinguished Principal and an OAESA Hall of Fame School

Granby Elementary School is one of 11 elementary schools within the Worthington School District and is home to nearly 500 kindergarten through sixth grade Gators. As a 2014 OAESA Hall of Fame Award winner, Granby prides itself on “going the extra mile” to educate the whole child, working diligently to meet the academic, physical, and social-emotional needs of their students. Granby “Edugators” consistently go above and beyond to create a culture where students, staff, and families feel connected and valued, students are at the center of everything they do, all are encouraged to be creative and take risks, and school is a fun place to learn.

EVENT PREVIEW Join fellow administrators October 29 to tour three awardwinning Central Ohio schools in this full day of inspiration, dedication, and celebration of all that’s right with public education! The cost includes tour bus transportation and lunch.

Granby is honored to be a stop on the “Get on the Bus” School Tour as the staff, students, and administration are proud to share what makes their school special. They invite you to come see some of the ways they meet students’ social-emotional needs throughout the school day, connect with trusted adults and other students, and provide unique learning spaces and opportunities to maximize student engagement to make learning FUN! They hope you will “Get on the Bus” and join them on October 29 and leave with some inspiration and ideas to implement at your own school.

STOP #2: TOLL GATE MIDDLE Pickerington Local Schools Principal Kara Jackson

A National Blue Ribbon School and OAESA Hall of Fame School

Toll Gate Middle School is home to approximately 600 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. Toll Gate is located in the Pickerington Local School District, which is located about 30 minutes east of Columbus. Since 2009, the school has been recognized as a 2014 OAESA Hall of Fame School Award Winner, 2017 National Blue Ribbon School Award Winner, 2017 Ohio School Counselor Association Award Winner, 2018 Ohio Department of Education Overall A Award Winner, and 2016, 2017, and 2018 Ohio Department of Education Momentum Award Winner.

Granby Elementary in Worthington. Toll Gate Middle in Pickerington. J.W. Reason Elementary in Hilliard.

Toll Gate is unique because of the amazing students, staff, and school community. First and foremost, the school has a kind and welcoming environment that puts kids first. At Toll Gate, students experience personalized learning through the grid method, blended learning stations, and virtual reality. Additionally, students learn through movement with a sensory walk and a Lu Interactive Playground. Finally, Toll Gate has implemented a school-withina-school model to meet the needs of our most cognitively gifted students. We would love to see you October 29!

STOP #3: J.W. REASON ELEMENTARY Hilliard City Schools Principal Jacki Prati

A 2019 OAESA Hall of Fame School

J.W. Reason Elementary School is a K-5 building that is home to 500 children. With a focus on academics, interests and mindset, we have created programming to ensure that all of our children are “Ready for Tomorrow.” At our school we “count the skippers” as we look for happy children skipping from place to place, and we believe that love is an intervention. We also have created J.W. YOUniversity, time in which children spend an hour per week exploring potential interests. With a strong focus on culture, we implement R Factor as our staff and students work to win the moment by choosing “above the line” responses to events.

Our student population is diverse, and we strive to meet the needs of our 100 EL students in our co-taught classrooms, we serve our gifted population in gifted cluster classrooms, and use our One2One iPads as tools to redefine learning and help students create digital portfolios. J.W. Reason is an exciting place with staff and students who are proud of the work they do each day! We hope you will “get on the bus” October 29 and join us for a wonderful day of learning, inspiration, and fun!

It’s back to school, so you’ve got to be ready to

COLLABORATE (DON’T TRY THIS ALONE!)

Even though sometimes it can feel like you’re alone on Principal Island, it doesn’t have to be that way. You owe it to yourself—and your students—to seek out, forge, cultivate, and maintain collaborative relationships that enrich your life and your school community. In the articles that follow, you’ll see that there are a myriad of options when it comes to collaborative partners in your administrative role. Whether it is with your closest colleagues in the office or around the state, your staff or your school families, your community or your elected representatives, find a way to intentionally connect with others who also want to make a difference in the lives of students. It’s the start of the new year, and now is the perfect time to establish your team, put your heads together, and work to do the best you can for your students.