Fleet Elementary School (pre-K through grade 5) is part of Arlington Public Schools (APS), a diverse, dynamic, and professional community located across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.  APS is the 13^th largest among Virginia’s 132 school divisions with a population of over 27,500 students from 146 nations who speak 107 languages.  The school system is financially strong, with wonderful teachers and staff, and a high level of community support. The system is noted for its high academic standards and its many programs to meet individual student needs.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES – FLEET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Fleet Elementary School offers a wide variety of opportunities to ensure the social, emotional, physical and academic development of pre-K through fifth-grade students. The program is designed to meet the educational needs of a diverse student population.  Fleet’s exemplary project, Helping Hands: Creating Community Connections, integrates service learning into the curriculum through an engaging and interactive teaching and learning approach. Fleet offers students in kindergarten through fifth-grade a proficiency-oriented foreign language program focusing on: Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. Due to the elimination of early release on Wednesdays, students are able to receive Spanish instruction as part of the academic program and enjoy a full day of school every day of the week. Extracurricular enrichment activities are vast and encompass athletics as well as social and educational clubs.

Fleet possesses an enthusiastic and highly-motivated staff who work together to maintain an environment conducive to academic excellence. Parents are an integral part of the educational process,  Staff is committed to working in partnership with them to provide the best possible education for each child.  Every day staff and students are guided by the school motto, “Do Your Personal Best All Day Long.” Daily commitment to this principle creates a positive and supportive learning environment.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK

The principal is responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating and directing the instructional program.  The principal supervises a staff of more than 150 employees, including teachers, an assistant principal, guidance counselors, librarians, instructional technology coordinator, office personnel, Extended Day staff, custodians and para-professionals.  Considerable emphasis is given to systematic planning for instructional improvement and maintaining effective relations with the local community. 

Within the limits of prescribed programs and policies, the principal has wide latitude in the exercise of independent judgment in conducting the daily operations of the school.  The principal is expected to work collaboratively with staff and community in preparing performance goals for the work of the school, in developing strategies to achieve them, and in assessing the extent to which the goals are being met.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK

• Provides instructional leadership that promotes positive student achievement.
• Challenges all students in a positive manner to achieve their highest potential.
• Supports and capitalizes on teachers' strengths as they implement the instructional program.
• Interacts in a positive manner with students, staff and parents on a daily basis, and sets a positive tone for the school.
• Accepts the uniqueness of individuals that make up the community, allowing for diversity in learning styles and personal expression.
• Works collaboratively with students, staff and parents in the process of discipline, decision-making, and addressing school issues.
• Helps facilitate communication among staff, students, parents, the school system and the greater community.
• Establishes policies and procedures for the administration of the school and develops the annual plan for school improvement.
• Participates in the selection of teaching staff, supervises classroom teaching techniques, coordinates efforts of teaching staff, and arranges and conducts programs of staff development.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of staff, the instructional program, and instructional arrangements.
• Plans, assigns, and inspects the use of building space and equipment for teaching purposes.
• Authorizes the use of school facilities for civic activities related to the school program and other rentals.
• Recommends changes in curriculum and changes in personnel, space, and equipment requirements.
• Collaborates with central office staff to promote ongoing improvement in the curriculum and the instructional program.
• Arranges meetings and conferences with parents, plans recreational activities related to the elementary program, and addresses community groups on problems; authorizes the use of school facilities for civic activities related to the school program.
• Participates in county school meetings and in local, state and national conferences on education; keeps informed on current teaching methods and techniques.
• Maintains sound public relations by cooperating and consulting with officials of various groups and organizations.
• Coordinates with the PTA, confers with parents, directs student activities related to the school program, and addresses community groups on school problems.
• Approves the expenditure of school funds and funds allocated to the school from the School Board budget.
• Performs related duties as required.