Assistant Principal

JOB TITLE: ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

REPORTS TO: The President and Principal

SUPERVISES: Students and staff as assigned by the Principal

START DATE: JULY 1, 2021

SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT:

Notre Dame School of Manhattan offers a Catholic education for young women in the tradition of Anne de Xainctonge. Inspired by this 16th century pioneer in women’s education, Notre Dame promotes academic excellence for girls, an awareness of God in their lives, and engagement in the world around them. At Notre Dame in the 21st century, the school’s small, nurturing environment encourages each student to be open to personal and intellectual growth. The rich cultural, racial, and ethnic mosaic of Notre Dame’s community and its urban location enhance global awareness. A challenging curriculum prepares talented young women for college and for lives of leadership and service.

SCHOOL SETTING:

Notre Dame School of Manhattan is a small, independent Catholic school for young women, located in the vibrant West Village of Manhattan.  The school boasts motivated, engaged students from exceptionally diverse backgrounds.  Faculty and staff create and maintain a warm, supportive environment for their students and for one another.  The school is affectionately referred to as Chez Nous and aims to create a second home for students and staff.  

Notre Dame fosters an environment where young women will become spiritually and emotionally mature, using Ignatian discernment as a tool for decision-making and participating in prayer experiences, liturgies, service projects, and Ignatian retreats.  With this formation, the students will grow to become women for and with others.  

NATURE AND SCOPE OF JOB:

Assumes responsibility for supervising the students and staff, assisting the Principal with implementing and managing the school’s policies, regulations, and procedures.  Achieving academic excellence requires that the Assistant Principal works collaboratively to lead and nurture members of the school staff and to communicate effectively with parents and members of the community.  Inherent in the position are the responsibilities for discipline of students, supervision of staff, curriculum development, program evaluation, and supervision of extracurricular activities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Minimum three years experience in teaching and/or secondary school administration.
2. Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and ability to motivate adolescents and adults.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of effective discipline strategies, curriculum development, and program evaluation, adolescent development, effective instructional strategies, classroom management, learning assessment and diagnosis, and research related to learning.
4. Technological literacy.
5. Demonstrate enthusiasm and interpersonal skills to relate well with students, staff, administration, parents, and the community.
6. Master’s degree.

JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Anne’s Values and Mission of Education

The Assistant Principal upholds Anne’s values and the school’s mission by ensuring students and staff are living the school’s values.  The Assistant Principal will do so by establishing and promoting high standards and expectations for all students and staff.  The Assistant Principal is a presence throughout the building at various times during the day.  The Assistant Principal supervises in a fair and consistent manner effective discipline and attendance policies with high standards, consistent with the philosophy, values, and mission of the school.

Administrative Leadership

The Assistant Principal acts as the administrator in charge in the absence of the President and Principal. The Assistant Principal assists the Principal with administrative functions of the school as assigned by the Principal, including facilities management and scheduling, student activities, school safety and security, emergency procedures, instructional field trips, assemblies, and other areas.  The Assistant Principal displays the highest ethical and professional behavior and standards when working with students, parents, school staff, local community, and agencies associated with the school. 

The Assistant Principal works closely with club moderators and homeroom teachers to coordinate activities of the class and extracurricular activities.  The Assistant Principal collaborates and assists the Principal with faculty meetings, shares in the supervision of school-wide events, school arrival, and dismissal. The Assistant Principal meets regularly with the administrative team to discuss the operation of the school, identify needs and report on successes.  The Assistant Principal collaborates with the Principal to keep the staff informed and seeks ideas for the improvement of the school.  

The Assistant Principal completes in a timely fashion all records and reports as required by NYS or requested by the Principal in collaboration with the Principal and other staff members.  The Assistant Principal orders and maintains the necessary school equipment and materials for learning.  The Assistant Principal coordinates ordering, testing, and proctoring schedules for semester exams and the Advanced Placement Program and exams.  

The Assistant Principal assists the President, Principal, and the staff to create and maintain attractive, organized, functional, healthy, clean, and safe facilities.  The Assistant Principal assumes responsibility for the health, safety, and welfare of students, staff, and visitors, and follows procedures for emergencies and disasters, following state and local guidelines.  The Assistant Principal will collect, review and update student records and protect confidentiality of records.

Academic Development

The Assistant Principal assists the Principal with curriculum development, program and extra-curricular evaluation, allocation of instructional materials and resources, and coordination of activities of departments assigned, ensuring that the curriculum has high standards and remains current.  The Assistant Principal establishes a schedule of classes, supervises the scheduling process with the scheduling team, and approves changes in a student’s or teacher’s schedules in consultation with the Principal. 

Faculty Instructional Leadership

The Assistant Principal establishes a professional rapport with staff that earns respect.  The Assistant Principal supervises staff attendance and reviews appropriate staff coverage.  The Assistant Principal consults with the Principal on teacher observations and evaluations.  The Assistant Principal observes teachers and school office staff, holds follow-up conferences and maintains records on suggestions for needed improvement.  The Assistant Principal recommends opportunities for effective staff development that address the needs of the instructional program and needs of the staff, including workshops, conferences, visitations, and sessions in which the staff shares successful practices and strategies.

Student Focused

 The Assistant Principal will establish a professional rapport with students that earns their respect.  The Assistant Principal will serve as a role model for students, dressing professionally, demonstrating the importance and relevance of learning, accepting responsibility, and demonstrating pride in the education profession. The Assistant Principal ensures a safe and orderly environment that encourages students to take responsibility for behavior and creates high morale among staff and students.  The Assistant Principal notifies school counselors and agencies immediately and follows established procedures when there is evidence of abuse, neglect, severe medical or social conditions, potential suicide or individuals appearing to be under the influence of alcohol and controlled substances.

The Assistant Principal adjudicates disciplinary procedures for students in communication with their families.  The Assistant Principal supervises and enforces attendance expectations in collaboration with the administrative assistant/s, and notifies the Principal of any concerns. The Assistant Principal prepares all required reports and letters regarding attendance and discipline matters.  The Assistant Principal counsels students and works closely with parents to help students to assume responsibility for behavior and understand the consequences of their decision.  The Assistant Principal conducts discipline and suspension meetings with established school procedures.