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 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)

Describes a program at Pennington Elementary School in Nashville, Tennessee, in which children are rewarded with "Weepuls" for good academic scores. (MD)

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)

When the Rincon Valley School District realized that a sixth-grade teacher's lengthening absences were due to Acquired Immune Deficiency Disease, the district and the teacher chose to handle the case in the open. The experience with the school, students, families, and the community has been positive while providing a supportive environment for the…

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)

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)

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

Describes the designs and the rewards in four elementary reading incentive programs. Offers tips for starting a reading incentive program. (IW)