During this time of uncertainty and challenges related to the rapid spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), NAESP is committed to supporting you and your school community with the latest guidance, best practices, and professional resources. NAESP’s coronavirus response is guided by the NAESP National Coronavirus Task Force, which is a principal-led advisory board formed to advise NAESP on the state of affairs in school communities and reveal common challenges and solutions. These resources are also informed by a nationwide survey of principals conducted by NAESP in conjunction with AASA, the School Superintendents Association.
Webinars
NAESP is providing opportunities for principals to connect and learn online with COVID-19 focused webinar series.
Leading Virtual Learning Communities: Facing the Challenges of COVID-19
Great learning communities are places where instruction and learning continuously improve, so how as a principal can you ensure that this occurs virtually? Join us as administrators from across the nation share their best practices and resources for you, the principal, who is working to have the necessary systems in place to support learning, care for the well-being of everyone in the school community and conduct school virtually.
Archive:
A Princpal's Guide to Leading During a Pandemic: Family Engagement Strategies and Resources
Watch Video Recording | Resources | Download Slides
CDC Virtual Forum: Recommendations on Safe School Reopenings, COVID Testing in Schools, and In-School Mitigation Strategies
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides
Leading For Literacy: Building an Effective Schoolwide Multi-Tiered System of Support
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides | Resources
The Future of Learning: Emerging From The Pandemic Better Than Normal
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides
Building Campus Relationships > From The Inside Out
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides
Leading in Uncertain Times: How School Leaders are Meeting Students' Academic and Social Needs
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides
Elevating Our Thinking and Practice: A K-8 Discussion on Race and Equity
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides | Resources
When The Halls Are Silent: Assistant Principals RISE Above COVID-19
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides
Leveraging SEL to Reopen and Renew Your School Community During COVID-19
Watch Video Recording
Data + Relationships Can Strengthen Your School’s Response to COVID-19
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides
The Top 10 Ways for Leaders to Stay Connected
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides | Resources
Managing Mental Health Issues
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides
"At-Home" Teaching and Learning in Pre-K–3rd Grade
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides | Resources
Essential Skills to Prepare For School Leadership: Aspiring Principals Webinar
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides
The ‘To Do List’ Begins With YOU!: Finding Work-Life Balance During & After COVID-19
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides
Navigating Special Education During COVID-19
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides
Live at 5 ET: You Ask, We Answer!
Every school and district leader is challenged to develop immediate and longer term strategic solutions to serve children in these remarkable times. Our goal is to support you in determining what is working, what the next set of effective practices may be and to connect you with colleagues from across the country. NAESP and AASA are here to help! Please join us each Tuesday, with moderators Eric Cardwell and Dr. Gail Pletnick, along with representatives from NAESP and AASA when we go Live at 5 ET to help get your questions answered. #NextBestTogether
Archive:
- Video Recording (May 5 Live at 5)
- Video Recording (May 19 Live at 5)
- Video Recording (May 26 Live at 5)
- Video Recording (June 2 Live at 5)
- Video Recording (June 9 Live at 5)
- Video Recording (June 16 Live at 5)
- Video Recording (June 23 Live at 5)
- Video Recording (June 30 Live at 5)
Principal(ing) in Place: An Evening to Connect, Learn, and Laugh
Are you overwhelmed, stressed, and struggling to navigate all of the Zoom meetings, emails, planning, and connecting on the job with the demands at home as well? Join principals Jessica Cabeen, Rachael George, and Andy Jacks every Thursday, as they address topics relevant to leading schools during COVID-19.
Archive:
Creating an Ideal Week: Building a Schedule That You Run, Not One That Runs You
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides | Resource List | Dwight Cooper's Resource
Making Virtual Meetings Meaningful
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides | Resource List
Creative Ways to Connect Through Video
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides | Resource List
Motivate, Energize and Appreciate Your Staff Through COVID-19
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides | Resource List
Parenting Through a Pandemic
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides | Resource List
Tales From a Leader: Ways to Infuse Literacy Into Your Virtual Leading
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides | Resource List
PPE: Parental Participation and Engagement
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides | Resource List
Connecting in Isolation: Ways to Build Your PLN
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides | Resource List
Springing Into Fall: Building a Better Next Year
Watch Video Recording | Download Slides | Resource List
Other Webinars
Financial Turmoil for Public Education: Projections, stimulus, and what superintendents and principals can expect
Tuesday, April 21 | 12 – 1 p.m. ET
Watch Video Recording
Advocacy
With at least 124,000 K-12 schools closed across the country, affecting more than 55 million students, America’s public schools find themselves in a perilous position. Principals need to make their voices heard and ensure the needs of schools are met. Use NAESP's Advocacy Action Center to contact your lawmakers and emphasize the need for strong school support in these difficult times.
Federal Action
Advocate for Robust Funding for Schools During Coronavirus Crisis
As K-12 education systems face an uncertain path ahead, the past can provide a roadmap for the future: During economic turmoil, districts and schools need robust resources to ensure students receive high-quality instruction and services to support their social, emotional, and mental health needs. Please make your voice heard and tell Congress to step up and ensure our nation’s public schools have the necessary resources to support their students during this time of crisis.
Take Action
Key Resources:
State Action
Prioritize PreK-12 schools with Governor's Emergency Education Relief
Recent legislation provides states with emergency education relief funding administered by governors. As governors decide how to distribute these emergency funds, principals can make their voice heard and push for preK-12 education to be prioritized. Principals are uniquely positioned to highlight why schools need additional support for remote learning, for providing student meals during the crisis, and for staving off layoffs of teachers and other school staff. With a looming economic downturn, which will likely result in declines in state and local aid for school districts, these needs will only grow.
Take Action
Guidance
- Guidance for Schools and Child Care Programs
Includes school closure decision tree, tips for parents, and cleaning and disinfection recommendations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel
Includes federal guidance from the Office of Civil Rights and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services addressing concerns about delivering special education services, especially with regard to online and distance learning. U.S. Department of Education - COVID-19 and State Education Policies
This archived webinar discusses the latest COVID-19 updates regarding state policy, executive actions to COVID-19 in public schools, and the implications of COVID-19 on future state education budgets. NAESP and the Education Commission of the States - Leveraging Principals to Ensure Safe and Successful School Reopenings
Document focusing on four key ways state and district leaders can engage principals to help ensure safe and successful school reopenings. NAESP
Resources
- 4 Points about Delivering Special Education Instruction
This guidance grounded in the law will help you address the needs of students with disabilities during the coronavirus pandemic. - Making Virtual Learning Easier
NAESP Strategic Partners offer trusted resources to help principals navigate a new world of digital learning. - 4 Ways to Support Students in Crisis
Hint: It starts with creating a nurturing, supportive environment for teachers. - COVID-19: Preparing For Widespread Illness in Your School Community
A brief legal guide for school leaders developed by the National School Boards Association. - Supporting Middle-Level Educators Through COVID-19
Explore and add to AMLE’s crowdsourced and curated resources for advisory and online learning.
Parent Engagement
- Helping Children Cope With Emergencies
The guide provides tips for use with children before, during, and after a disaster. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, available in English and Spanish. - Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus) A Parent Resource
Advice for families on how to help children understand Coronavirus and deal with associated anxiety, developed by the National Association of School Psychologists and National Association of School Nurses. Available in both English and Spanish.
Sharable Media
Social Media Graphics:
Facts About COVID-19
Stop the Spread of Germs
Talking With Kids About Covid-19
Videos
Crisis Communication Tips
This video highlights key principles of Crisis & Emergency Risk Communication Guidance (CERC) as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A Message of Support from NAESP's President
NAESP President Dave Wick: NAESP stands behind you in every way during unprecedented school closures due to COVID19. We’ll get through this together.
A Message of Support From NAESP's Executive Director
NAESP Executive Director Dr. L. Earl Franks, CAE delivers a message of support to members and principals facing the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
A Message from NAESP Past Presidents
For 99 years, NAESP has proudly supported elementary and middle school principals. And though not currently serving, this group of past NAESP presidents is honored to be a part of this legacy and wishes to offer their own support to members and principals everywhere.
Emerge: Grateful. Confident. Determined.
NAESP has worked with speaker Steve Gilliand to share a timely message to help principals, teachers, and staff endure and emerge from this difficult time. While we continue to face many unknowns, it is crucial that we develop the right mindset to persist and emerge strong-minded.
NAESP Jammypack Challenge
When times are tough, the tough get dancing. Join us for the NAESP #JammypackChallenge as we bring a little light into the world in a time of challenge.
NAESP HQ: CARES Act
In this episode of NAESP HQ, NAESP Executive Director L. Earl Franks, Ed.D., CAE, speaks with NAESP Associate Executive Director of Advocacy and Policy Danny Carlson about the impact of the CARES Act on K-12 schools, and how principals can use their voices to guide funding decisions.