As a former elementary principal, I was crazy enough to send weekly staff memos. It was grueling at first to keep up until I developed a few tricks (e.g. Boomerang for Gmail to automatically schedule, jotting down notes or taking pictures as events occurred, etc.). Eventually, it became routine. I also made the rule not to beat myself up if I missed a week!
The staff memo became easier to produce and it did pack a positive punch (usually when I least expected). It was fun watching the staff with their noses in the memo walking down the hall smiling on the mornings it was delivered. Someone in Operations told me they posted my memo on their board when the maintenance staff was mentioned. He stated, “Everyone loved to see if their name was in there.” Maintenance, technology, custodians, central office…anyone that came to our campus was a target for bragging in the next staff memo! I also kept a roster and checked off names that went into the memo. I didn’t want to leave out anyone…or focus on a few too many times.
The memo evolved to include:
- communicating event reminders
- an encouraging story or motivational quote
- a short professional development blurb (a perfect time to teach)
- the all-important genuine brag
I loved taking pictures all over the school so a few also landed in the memo. I sent the staff memo by email, made paper copies to put in their boxes, and posted it in the teacher’s lounge for reference.
Yep, a little crazy and perhaps not for everyone but worth the effort.
Check out the editable stationery, newsletters, and matching note cards in my shop.
Designed to help make a memo and letter writing easier (even if you don’t do a weekly memo!)
Stationery/Notecards/Newsletters
Lead joyfully,
Gail Boulton
Leave a Reply