Superintendent's Update

Dear Members of the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District Community:

I meet regularly with our site and district administrators. Recently I shared the list below with all of our site principals and assistant principals. This list of 13 things outlines what I believe every site administrator should strive to do. This was passed along to me when I first became a principal sixteen years ago. I only tweaked number 12, which formerly read “newsletters” instead of “websites”. In re-reading it, I believe that each item is a gentle reminder for our site administrative staff.

  1. Start each school day in front of the school greeting students, staff and parents.
  2. Throughout the day be visible, visible, visible.
  3. Be seen where you are least expected.
  4. Focus your primary attention on what happens in the classroom.
  5. Challenge yourself to know as many children by their first name.
  6. Nurture parent leaders at your school.
  7. Arrive on time – focus your work time on campus.
  8. Meet deadlines.
  9. Have phone calls answered promptly.
  10. Be sensitive to sending notifications/correspondence in a timely manner.
  11. Walk the fine line between providing effective service to school customers and demanding civility from those customers.
  12. Reinforce your expectations through casual and structured communications.
  13. Publicize your school on the school and district’s websites
  14. Remember always that you are part of a district administrative team.

    It is my hope and my expectation that these items guide the work of our principals with students, staff, parents and members of the school community. As we move through the 2004-2005 school year I hope that you will look for these things and talk with the administrator at your child(ren)’s school(s) about your perception of this list. What does it look like at your school? I encourage you to give your site administrators feedback, both positive and constructive!

We encourage your participation at your child’s school. Please let us know what we are doing well, and areas in which we can improve!

Yours truly,

Michael Watenpaugh
Superintendent

Email: Michael Watenpaugh

superintendent@crpusd.sonoma.edu