how can i as a new principal in a secondary school motivate students?

Question

Students and teachers should feel that they are part of the school. How to create an attachment?

Answer 1

When a teacher or child does something nice for some one else take notice and let others know, have a rewards board where you get points for being nice, sharing, helping others ( without being asked to) different rewards for points example
50 points free pizza on pizza day
100 free lunch at a take out like Wendy's . you pick up the lunch they get to eat at school
2000 class pizza day or 15000 first class to receive the pizza day. giving away your 50 points gets you 10 points something along that lines.
Make it fun and rewarding , you are teaching responsibility to the students without then knowing it.
Announce the students name when they do something nice.
Help raise money for a free pizza day for the school by charging a dollar a student to wear whatever they want to wear to school . do the twice a month after a couple of months supply the free pizza to the school. Show them if they work together they get rewards because the get recognized.
Have a hat day or funny shirt day and give small prizes to the top three...... we use to love those days at school. Each month we had a different day like hat day or backwards day. We would pick out the best 3 in every class go to the gym and have the students parade the hats for us and have 5 teachers judge for the top three. Lets the kids also help by their applause.

Answer 2

During my freshman year, we had a New Principal due to the retirement of the former. Mr B greeted every student as he/she came in the door. There were about 170 students in the freshman class and he greeted EVERY STUDENT in our High School. He said hello And then your first name. I remember him finding a student that he did not know and introducing himself with a handshake and welcomed the student to "our school". He gave out Frischs Coupons when he saw a student do anything positive for another student or for our school. He always spoke of the school as being "OURS". The senior class was always allowed to exit every assembly first and they had a special section that everyone knew was for "Senior's Only". He was always in the hallways during class change, attended every ballgame that he could possibly be at, promoted athletics, band, class plays, and any other event that students were involved in. He was never negative about anything and his door was always open for students to see him. I believe that Teachers should be a part of this process. Each and every employee can make a positive difference in the lives of "Our Children". You have the opportunity to help mold the lives of young people and change a community for the better! I hope that you are successful in this! Have a great Holiday Season.
Former Instructor,
Eds

Answer 3

With all of the state testing stuff going on, today's students have been totally stressed out!

Our middle school used to hold "test pep rallies". The purpose was to motivate students to perform their very best. Teachers allowed students to create banners and posters to hang up all around the school. The result?

My school's rating became "Acceptable" after 2 years.

Answer 4

Set high standards and demand them.
Require respect and dignity from all and to all.
dont be scared to sack or expell if you really need to.
Use the carrot rather than the stick whenever possible.
Listen extensively to everyone, and let the staff know you are there for them. You are now at the stage where they do the teaching not you. dont be pushed or psychologically bullied, do what you think is right without fear or favour. If you have any probs contact me, I will come and work for you. :o)

Answer 5

get a harley and put a baseball bat harness on it.
or find a project the whole school can contribute to and see develop, like a penny drive for charity where the kids can see the pennies accumulate.

Answer 6

Notice individual students' strengths and compliment them personally and candidly. My principle in sixth grade said something encouraging to me just once, and I never forgot it.

Answer 7

Be a friend, solve their problems, act friendly yet firm and strict when needed.

Answer 8

if you dont want to piss them off dont give them crap about minor dress code violations.