Overview of the Forestdale School Community:

The Forestdale School’s goal is to be a model of continuous growth. We want our students to show growth in the mandated state testing, MCAS, MCAS Alt, ACCESS. We will continue to be able to grow support for our students, their families, socially, emotionally, and academically. We will continue to foster a caring, nurturing learning community where all students and their families feel safe, welcome and will participate in all school activities. Presently we are a PBIS school, we are part of a three year cohort with MTSS where our teachers are being trained in the foundations of Social and Emotional Learning. We have implemented Caring School Communities across all grade levels as our social, emotional curriculum. Our teachers are trained in the principles of Universal Design for learning which embeds inclusive practices into lesson plans. Our teachers plan their lessons to be inclusive and for all learning styles. Students and families are asked to embrace the Forestdale School’s acronym PRIDE that our student and staff will model Positivity, Respect, Indepence, Determination and Excellence. The Forestdale School Community will embrace the student authored poem.

Forestdale School

PRIDE

“We, the students of the Forestdale School, promise to have P.R.I.D.E.

We will have a positive attitude and will take responsibility for our work and actions.

We will respect our teachers, our school, ourselves and others,

As a team and as individuals, we are determined to achieve excellence; socially, emotionally and academically.”

Forestdale K-8 School Principal

The K-8 School Principal is hired by the Superintendent of Schools as the educational leader and education resource person. The Principal is thoroughly familiar with principles of child, early adolescent, and educational psychology; with the content, scope and sequence of the several disciplines taught in the elementary schools, with the instructional materials that are available; and with promising, as well as the proven instructional methods. The Superintendent of Schools may, on occasion call upon the principal to give wider scope to their professional competencies, experience and judgment by serving on a curriculum or other committee. The principal evaluates the performance of teachers and advises the Superintendent with reference to recommendations for employment and reappointment.

Responsibilities:

The K-8 School Principal is responsible to the Superintendent for the organization, administration, and supervision of instruction and discipline of the school.

The K-8 School Principal, with commensurate authority, is responsible for the fulfillment of the duties set forth below. The Principal may delegate to members of their staff appropriate portions of Principal’s responsibilities together with appropriate authority for their fulfillment; however, the Principal may not delegate or relinquish the overall responsibility or any portion of their accountability.

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  Implements the policies of the school committee and the directives of the Superintendent of Schools;
• Exerts leadership in the adaptation of the general program of education approve for the city schools to meet the particular needs of the community served;
• Maintain an effective learning climate within a safe and secure environment;
• Provide instructional leadership that includes initiating, designing, and implementing programs to meet specific needs of school;
• Supervise and evaluate all assigned professional and support staff;
• Assist in recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and assigning school staff;
• Coordinate, attend, and supervise school-sponsored activities and events;
• Prepare and oversee school budget, and state testing;
• Ensure compliance with and adhere to all federal and state laws and administrative regulations;
• Oversee, supervises and certifies the preparation, accuracy and maintenance of a wide variety of records and reports;
• Is responsible for all moneys collected on the operation of the school and the keeping of accurate records of these funds;
• Participates in the yearly determination of textbook – reviewing, evaluation and recommending preferred and optional texts, and also recommends the discarding of certain texts;
• Reports to the Superintendent of schools, regarding the needs of the school with respect to personnel, equipment and curriculum;
• Furnished the necessary supplies and instructional aides to staff for the improvement of instruction;
• Supervised the maintenance, cleanliness and security of the building and its contents;
• Promote good health practices, and enforces the rules regarding immunizations and Communicable diseases;
• Promotes safety in the school by having a systematic program of fire drills, pedestrian traffic control and periodic inspection of buildings and grounds; conferring with teachers, giving leadership in curriculum improvement and assisting in the selection and use of instructional materials;
• Supervises the instructional staff to the end that the purposes of the educations program may be attained;
• Directs the activities of all members of the staff assigned to the school in the performance of their duties;
• Aids teachers in the interpretation of the courses of study and other instructional supplies and materials;
• Stimulates professional improvement through a well-planned in-service training program for the faculty;
• Aids teachers with their daily programs and lesson plans when needed;
• Shares in the development of curricular programs for the district and assumes the responsibility for the implementation of such programs when approved;
• Consults regularly with and coordinates the services of subject specialists so that all classroom teachers may receive effective assistance;
• Motivates faculty personnel; encourages professional development; recognizes efficiency and accomplishments of non-certified personnel; encourage development of student boy spirit through rewards, privileges, recognition and disciplinary measures;
• Utilizes to the fullest, all resources of the school system and the community in developing the most effective educational program;
• Personally, controls activities involving pupil/parent contacts such as dealing with suspensions, expulsions, student progress and adjustment, placement of students, guidance and counseling matters and other pupil/parent relationships that are delicate in nature;
• Provides for individual differences and tries to place each student in an atmosphere which will stimulate learning and progress;
• Is available at all times to consult with parents and teachers concerning the welfare of any student;
• Promotes good public relations at all times in the school and community by the proper interpretation of the educational program;
• Promotes his/her professional growth through reading, attending conferences and workshops in order to provide professional leadership of the highest type;
• Submits written reports upon request to the Superintendent;
• Serve on committees and attend meetings as directed by the Superintendent;
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Superintendent

Qualifications:

• A Massachusetts Department of Education licensure as a principal and SEI Admin Endorsement;
• A Master’s degree or higher in educational administration or related field;
• A minimum of five years’ experience as an education administrator;
• Strong background in elementary and/or middle school education (both preferred);
  • Experience in a diverse urban community;
  • Strong background in instructional support and supervision;
• High expectations for all students and staff members;
• Experience managing professional staff in some administrative capacity;
• Experience working as a member of a school team responsible for the organization and operation of the school’s instructional and student support/discipline programs;
• Deep commitment to promoting and advocating for the educational opportunities for all students, regardless of program or background;
• Experience with a range of services including English Language Learners and students with disabilities;
• Excellent organizational and management skills;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills;
• Deep commitment to building a collaborative learning community among the school’s administrators, teachers, and staff.

Reports To: Superintendent of Schools

Terms:

• Twelve-month (12) work year. Principal annual salary is $150,522.61. Benefits as established for all administrative positions.
• Performance-based evaluation and compensation in accordance with School Committee policy.

To Apply: Submit your application by clicking here: TalentEd.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Malden Public Schools is committed to cultivating an ethnically, racially, and linguistically diverse and inclusive environment where different backgrounds and perspectives are celebrated. We believe the differences within our environment will positively impact student outcomes and benefit our employees and community. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.