6 Quick Tips to make an IMPACT in the Second Half of the School Year
Congratulations—you’ve made it halfway to the end of the school year! Now, as we kick off the second semester, it’s a great time to celebrate past successes, re-focus on future goals, and take proactive actions to make a difference in 2025. Whether you’re a Principal, Federal Programs Director or other administrator, remember that even monitoring compliance requirements makes an IMPACT on student success and growth. With that in mind, we developed these 6 tips to end the school year even stronger than you started.
I: Identify first-semester successes.
January marks the midpoint of the school year, making it a good month for reflection and review. Take a few moments to look back on the goals you set at the start of the year and note the progress you’ve made. Now is also a good time to consider any adjustments you might need to achieve your goals. Even if you have had a setback or disappointment, it may be an opportunity to learn something new, course-correct, and keep moving forward. Ask yourself the following questions:
What were our goals at the start of the year?
Where are we now?
What accomplishments have we made?
What have we learned that we didn’t know at the start of the year?
Where do we want to be at the end of the year?
M: Monitor current systems of collecting compliance documentation.
When it comes to federal and state compliance, accurate and comprehensive documentation is essential. What systems are you currently using to collect information? Are those systems working well for you? If not, what enhancements or tweaks could be made to support success in the second semester?
P: Promote positivity by celebrating work and progress.
As a leader, you are a role model in your school or district—and whether you notice it or not, people are watching you. By celebrating your team’s work and progress, you will promote a positive mindset. Recognize individuals who are doing outstanding work and contributing to school or district success. For example, thank stakeholders who have collected all required documentation and submitted it in a timely manner.
If you are using an online document management tool, such as Title1Crate/Crate, you can quickly check the status of all documents, and easily message stakeholders within the platform. Why recognize employees for doing their daily work? Because affirmation has the power to inspire, encourage, and influence others in a positive way. It’s OK to be proud of your work, and it’s OK to say it. After all, it costs nothing to thank someone—yet the impact is priceless.
A: Adjust processes or systems for continued success.
While reflecting on growth and success is important, it’s also critical to create change when it is needed. Consider any new information you have received since the start of the year that requires action. Are there upcoming amendments or updated requirements to consider? Is additional funding expected? What planned expenditures are coming up in 2025? Is there anything else you know now that you may not have known at the start of the year? Now is the time to make adjustments to ensure you’re on track for the second half of the year.
C: Communicate dates, assignments and requirements to your team.
If you’re a Federal Programs Director or other leader, you have the responsibility to ensure your team understands what is required of them in the second half of the school year. Be sure to clearly communicate important due dates, responsibility assignments and the number of files that must be completed by each team member. Doing so will help you continue to make progress and achieve goals.
T: Tackle any outstanding documents from the first semester.
Are there missing documents that were due in October? Don’t let them wait any longer. Title1Crate makes it easy to identify past-due documents and contact the responsible person to expedite the process. Take time after the holidays to tackle anything outstanding—so you can get ready for an amazing second semester!
You’ve got this!
As you start 2025, remember to keep learning, and keep the momentum going. You’re already making an IMPACT—and with your leadership, the school year will end even better than it started.
Tip: If you are a Title1Crate user, don’t forget to use the many reports available to make federal compliance easier. For example:
- Items By Due Date Report
- Responsibility Report
- Personnel Overdue Report
- Master Crate Report
- Days Overdue Report
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