A survey of 100 principals known for their successful programs for obtaining community support brought many effective techniques to light. These methods fall into four categories: written and oral communications, community involvement in decision making, use of school volunteers, and encouragement of parent-faculty organizations. (PGD)

Describes an elementary school creative writing program involving lay-readers, which leads to increased creativity, more enthusiasm for writing, and better writing skills. (DCS)

Describes how parents of the Southwest Elementary School (Waterford, Connecticut) were successful in developing relations with local businesses to help raise funds for enrichment programs in their school. Their success led to more involvement on the part of community businesses with the entire school district. (MD)

To respond to anger effectively, all school employees must possess an informed, constructive understanding of this emotion and some personal strategies for managing angry people. This article offers advice concerning appropriate attitudes, calm demeanor, nondefensive listening, problem definition, and correct responses to expressions of anger.…

What began as a community involvement event became a Renaissance Festival to celebrate learning that featured a math arcade, an individual investigation display, a gymnastics and physical fitness demonstration, a minifair for kindergarten and first-grade children, an art show, and a talent show. (MLF)

Improvement of a school's discipline program can begin with the opinion inventories published by the National Study of School Evaluation. Once teachers, students, and parents have assessed strengths and weaknesses, an appropriate plan can be chosen. This article outlines five approaches. (WD)

Outlines the school-business partnership developed by Funkstown Elementary School (Hagerstown, Maryland) with Maryland Ribbon Company. Includes a list of points to consider when developing such a relationship. (MD)

Ordered to desegregate, the Lowell (Massachusetts) Public Schools followed parent wishes and successfully provided a variety of magnet schools to encourage voluntary desegregation. Creation of these schools provided an opportunity for reviewing and improving the educational system as a whole. (PGD)

Suggests several techniques principals can employ to increase media coverage and public knowledge of the positive side of local educational developments. (PGD)

Urban parents, particularly those who are poor and members of a minority group, are intimidated by the schools that serve their children and, therefore, do not participate in school programs. This article suggests steps urban principals can take to establish an effective parent involvement program. (Author/WD)

Documents the rapid expansion of after-school programs and emphasizes the importance of program quality. Identifies the characteristics of quality programs and offers four "principles for principals" for those who wish to introduce or improve after-school programs in their schools. (Author/MLF)

A principal whose school was closed draws from her experience 10 ways to make the school closing experience more successful. (JM)

Reviews the history of citizens' advisory councils and the attitudes toward them, the uses to which they are put, common problems they pose for principals, and their potential for contributing to the schools. Notes that principals usually view such councils negatively, and that principals' attitudes determine council effectiveness. (PGD)

Describes conditions typically facing teachers in the United States's 835 one-teacher schools, reviews drawbacks and advantages of educating children in one-room schools, discusses the dependency of such schools on community support, and assesses briefly the impact on such schools of recent trends in demographics and technology. (PGD)

Several common factors set two New York middle schools apart from less effective schools: pride in the program, optimism concerning its effectiveness, variety in offerings and scheduling, opportunities for professional development, staff loyalty, excellent use of resources, good community leadership, high parent involvement, and healthy…