guess I'm lucky -- I teach high school and can wear jeans any day I feel like it. never thought about it only being alllowed on certain days

I've only worked in one district with a dress code and I remember looking at what I was not allowed to wear and running next door and asking my friend "Is this for real?"

I'm working in a really liberal area and I'll probably wear jeans once or twice a week. I'll rarely wear a suit :-)

Hijack explanation.....

Yes, that is what it is! Our district also will do fundraisers and let us wear jeans for $1 a day.....we raise money for kids to go to summer school, families in need, and breast cancer.

So--that's what we do!

Ginger

Can you come to FL and be MY PRINCIPAL? 8)

I have a man principal-- and he is...ahem...not very creative or into goodies!

Kim in FL

I've had a male principal for 11 years. Now, throughout that time he was open/willing to do whatever for us--oh, and he had "help" from his assistants! So, we got goodies, but most of the time it was food. Which in my building is no small feat! I work in a building that is 1-3 with 1300 kids and 125 staff--and our partner building also is 1-3 with another 1300 kids. That building has it's own administration.

So--there may be hope, but give him some suggestions-hints-clues....

Ginger

It's so wonderful that you are thinking of your staff like that.

I agree that jeans passes, leave at 3 passes, etc. are great, too.

One thing i suggest--after a few weeks into the year, begin writing personal notes of praise to each person on staff. We get "you're important" stuff sometimes, but it is all the same and not individualized at all--so we don't end up feeling all that important as individuals! I know that, right now, you don't know your staff much if at all, but with time this can be a real boost.

I would echo that, but some people are diabetic, like me. Be careful with the candy.;)

I second both of these! I have taught for the past 10 years and always at the early childhood level. Sometimes I have to send a kid to hunt for the ta so that I can run to the office or use the bathroom!

Seriously though- we have a new principal and it is going to shake things up this year but I doubt she'll be making us little goodies! Where do you live- maybe I can move??? :)

I'm a middle school teacher:

Jeans passes (I can only where them on Fridays)
Altered clipboards (I use a clipboard almost daily)
Little plants to liven up classrooms