Report of the Findings from Jennifer Prices Entry Survey Newton North High School

1
Report of the Findings from Jennifer Prices
Entry SurveyNewton North High School

• January, 2007

2
Process

• Invitation to participate
• Meetings with individuals groups
• Online survey
• Over 500 people responded
• 359 responses analyzed
• 32 faculty or staff
• 38 parents
• 25 students
• 5 other

3
Process

• Responses coded by a three person team
• It is important to note that the percentages in
  this analysis never add up to 100
• a single response could have addressed more than
  one issue
• only the most common responses are reported

4
Findings

• Question 1
• What do you see as the three most positive
  aspects of Newton North?

5
Findings Question 1
6
Findings Question 1
7
Quotes

• There have been/are some truly wonderful,
  dedicated, lovely and inspiring teachers at
  NNHS!
• Seems to be a place for every type of student.
• The community, consisting of the students,
  faculty and parents. The diversity of students
  attending the school and of course offerings so
  there is something that interests everyone.

8
Findings

• Question 2
• What do you see as the three key issues (in order
  of importance) that we need to work on at Newton
  North?

9
Findings Question 2
10
Findings Question 2
11
Quotes

• I won't include the building in my list--that's
  too obvious!
• Communications could be better I love getting
  messages from the principal, and would appreciate
  getting more of them.
• Many students don't get known as individuals at
  all and many only get known late in their
  experience.
• Decision making in a transparent, collaborative
  manner.
• CONSISTENCY!
• Making a big school seem small and personal for
  each student

12
Findings

• Question 3
• In any large institution there are always
  questions about how decisions are made and
  communicated. Are there mechanisms in place that
  you feel are an important part of the decision
  making process? Do you have any suggestions about
  how I might ensure that this process is as clear
  and as inclusive as possible?

13
Findings Question 3
14
Findings Question 3
15
Quotes

• When decisions are made, it would be great to
  have an understanding as to why the particular
  decision was made. Many times, we are told about
  a decision, but not what went into making the
  decision.
• In recent years the SFA has become kind of a
  joke students on it weren't really looking to
  affect change and the administration didn't take
  the students seriously.
• Communication is the first step toward a clear
  and inclusive decision-making process. Also,
  creating clear goals and priorities each year. We
  always seem to tackle too many issues with few
  results and little change.
• Clarity is more important than false
  inclusivity.

16
Findings

• Question 4
• A sense of community is an important part of any
  school, and we all hold some responsibility to
  develop and strengthen that sense of community.
  What are some ways that you feel connected to our
  Newton North community? What are some ways that
  we can continue to develop and strengthen our
  sense of community?

17
Findings Question 4
18
Findings Question 4
19
Findings Question 4
20
Quotes

• This is one of my favorite aspects of the
  school, and while it is always an admirable goal
  to improve community, the feeling of security and
  homeliness that I get just walking through
  North's doors is enough for me.
• I feel most connected to North through the
  teachers. Whenever I talk to Alumni, it is not
  about events it is usually about the teachers and
  the way there where always there to help us.
• The dynamic student body and faculty have so
  much going on - it's important to try and
  advertise these activities to the community at
  large, and not just within the school.

21
Findings

• Question 5
• Identify what you see as the most important
  aspects of a successful relationship between the
  principal and members of the Newton North
  community?

22
Findings Question 5
23
Findings Question 5
24
Quotes

• One of the most important aspects of a
  successful relationship between the principal and
  members of the NNHS community will be her ability
  to communicate with the staff--to listen to their
  concerns and to make them feel part of the
  process.
• Be visible.
• Inform us as much as possible about the
  process.
• Just be around. Talk to the students, make
  friends, remember names, smile, sit in on
  classes, be friendly, yet strict and serious at
  the same time. It's possible.

25
Findings

• Question 6
• Give me one piece of advice that you think will
  help me as I begin my tenure as principal of
  Newton North High School.

26
Quotes

• Have a conversation with a kid at least once a
  day.
• Listen to everyone, consider all points of view,
  and then make a considered and thoughtful
  decision, knowing full well that you will never
  please everyone
• Tell us truthfully and transparently what you
  believe--what your vision is, what your
  decision-making philosophy is--and try to get to
  know us as individuals and our vision of the
  school.

27
Quotes

• Walk the halls. Stay out of the office as much as
  you can. Talk to students. Talk to teachers.
  Encourage experimentation, new ideas, appropriate
  risk taking. Ask teachers for their opinions
  about issues. Communicate with families often and
  in a human way. Be a cheerleader for the school.
  Be funny. Guess that's more than one piece!.
• Never having been a high school principal, or a
  politician, I am a poor source of advice.
  However, let me say that when I asked the former
  Chairman of Citicorp how he ran such a vast
  company, he gave me the following answer. "The
  Captain is only as good as his lieutenants. It is
  easy if you have good people, you just let them
  do their jobs.

28
Thoughts

• Faculty Staff are the key
• Communication to all constituencies is critical
• Safeguard our diversity
• Making sure we reach all kids
• Including students, parents, and faculty/staff in
  decisions
• Working on developing a greater sense of
  community
• LISTEN
• Be visible