From the Editors: New Year, New Content

Principal, September/October 2011

Where should we begin?

With the new publication year kicking off, there are a number of new features we’re introducing to Principal readers. Let’s start with the most obvious.

Mailed alongside this issue of the magazine is a 16-page special supplement focused entirely on arts education. Produced in partnership with Crayola, the supplement includes articles about the benefits of arts education as well as best practices for inspiring creativity in your students and infusing the arts into your school’s curriculum. So as you begin the new school year, share the supplement with your faculty and begin a discussion about how your school will contribute to teaching and inspiring students through the arts.

Moving on to this issue of Principal, you’ll find on page 26 the first article of a five-part themed series about autism. Penned as “Unlocking Autism,” the series will present important topics such as effectively addressing behavioral issues and working with parents of students with autism. The first article provides an overview of what principals can do to help effectively educate students with the disorder.

Another feature that we’ve added is online-only articles to continue the learning onto the NAESP website. We receive so many quality articles, but don’t have enough room to print them all throughout the year. Our solution is publishing Web Exclusive articles online, allowing members access to the bonus content, which will be listed in the table of contents of every issue of the magazine. This month, one Web Exclusive article presents promising practices for ensuring that English-language learners succeed in school, while the second article explains how effective dialogue and discussion can contribute to improved teaching and learning.

In addition to the bonus content, this issue features articles on the Healthy Child. When we were planning this issue, we did not want to solely focus on student health in the eat-your-vegetables and run-around-during-recess sense. While providing balanced meals in the school cafeteria and making sure students are allowed time for physical activity during the school day are important factors in keeping students healthy, tending to their mental and emotional health is just as critical. A child who is emotionally and mentally engaged in school—and whose health issues are being properly addressed—will show up every day ready to learn. The four theme articles delve deeper into the topic, each explaining the principal’s role in ensuring that schools are a healthy place to learn.

Your comments are always welcome, so send us an email at publications@naesp.org to let us know what you think about this issue.

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