Tool:
Creating an orientation handbook for beginning teachers
Purpose of
this tool: This tool is designed to help you create an
orientation handbook for beginning teachers. The handbook centralizes
important information on procedures, policies, important dates and people
to know.
How to use
this tool: Design your own handbook using the following
format as a guide and providing information pertinent to your school or
district. Adapt and add to the content as you see fit.
Download
document for revising
| Important people |
Name |
Contact information |
| Principal |
|
|
| Secretary |
|
|
| Nurse |
|
|
| Custodial
staff |
|
|
| Librarian |
|
|
| Curriculum
specialist |
|
|
| Technology
support |
|
|
| District
office support |
|
|
| Personnel
director |
|
|
| Resource |
|
|
| Counselor |
|
|
| Psychologist |
|
|
| Speech
therapist |
|
|
| EEL
teacher |
|
|
| Reading
specialist |
|
|
| Physical
therapist |
|
|
| Occupational
therapist |
|
|
| Music
teacher |
|
|
| P.E.
teacher |
|
|
| Art
teacher |
|
|
| Career
center |
|
|
| Permanent
substitute |
|
|
| Cafeteria
staff |
|
|
| Important tools |
Location and usage information |
| Phone
system |
|
| Substitute
system |
|
| Copy
machine |
|
| Laminating
machine |
|
| Die
cut machine |
|
| Mail
system |
|
| Intercom |
|
| TV/VCR/DVD |
|
| Other
technologies |
|
Important dates
Use a monthly calendar
to indicate important dates and deadlines. Be sure to include important
information concerning the dates. Suggested events to include:
- First day of school
- Holidays and breaks
- Open House
- Conference days
- In-service days
- Student count days
- Early release days
- Faculty meetings
- Testing days
- Marking period
or term dates
- Grades due date
- Plays, concerts
and productions
- Special events
- Graduation
- Last day of school
- Deadlines for orders
- District dates
Important policies and procedures
| Resources |
Information
(include location) |
| Available
supplies |
|
| Budget |
|
| Ordering
supplies |
|
| Available
teacher resources |
|
| Library
books |
|
| Video
resources |
|
| Other
technology resources |
|
| Planning and assessment |
Information |
| Lesson
plans |
|
| Grade
books |
|
| Report
cards/progress reports |
|
| Conferences |
|
| Student
files |
|
| Special
services/child study referrals |
|
| Management |
Information |
| Discipline |
|
| Attendance |
|
| Lunch
orders |
|
| Hall
passes |
|
| Health
office |
|
| Sign-out |
|
| Recess |
|
| Assemblies |
|
| Early
release schedule |
|
| Professional responsibilities |
Information |
| Teacher
duties |
|
| Committees |
|
| Professional
development |
|
| Attire |
|
| Facilities
usage |
|
| Emergencies |
Information |
| Fire
drills |
|
| Tornado
drills |
|
| Evacuations |
|
| Other
emergencies |
|
| Forms |
Information
(include location) |
| Work
orders |
|
| Field
trip orders and permission forms |
|
| Transportation
order forms |
|
Standards, curriculum and assessment
Include or direct
to the location of information on the following:
- School/district
mission statement
- Grade-level content
expectations
- Clarifying
language in Michigan benchmarks (MiCLIMB)
- Michigan curriculum
framework
- Curriculum guides
- Assessment instruments
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