Lifetouch and the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) encourage all communities in Illinois to celebrate Principal Appreciation Week October 16-22, 2022, and Principal Appreciation Day on Friday, October 21, 2022. This state-endorsed recognition was first approved by the Governor of Illinois in 1990 and is celebrated annually. The IPA also joins the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) to recognize October as National Principals Month.

Principal Appreciation Day provides learning communities an opportunity to publicly recognize the work, commitment and importance of principals, assistant principals, and deans throughout the state. Lifetouch and the IPA invite all teachers, students, parents, and community members to perform some act of appreciation on Friday, October 21st to acknowledge the leadership of building administrators in Illinois’ public and private schools.

Raúl Gastón, IPA President and principal of Jefferson Middle School in Villa Park, shared, “John C. Maxwell once wrote, ‘A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.’ For Principal Appreciation, it goes without saying that Principals work intensely to learn the skills necessary to do their work, lead their staff through the work, and model what matters most for the betterment of the staff and students they serve daily. Principals aspire to be humble, influential, inspirational, motivating, results-oriented, trustworthy, visionary, and much more while creatively serving their respective communities. We all know we never precisely get there, but the determination and passion for aspiring to be their best is contagious and immensely appreciated by all. The IPA is here to support principals throughout the State in their journey towards excellence. Happy Principal Appreciation Day!”

“This year, we celebrate our state’s school leaders for what they are – Leaders of Hope,” said Dr. Jason Leahy, IPA Executive Director. “These courageous individuals lead their learning organizations with optimism, humility, vision, perseverance, and a deep commitment to do what is best for their students. Both research and common sense tell us how critical these servants are to positively influence young people, teachers, and communities. For this, they deserve our respect and gratitude.”

Below are a number of ideas or good acts that can be performed for your principal.

Write to Your Principal

Write poems, letters or notes of appreciation and leave them on the desk of your principal.

Prepare Souvenirs and Specialty Items

Print your principal’s name on coffee mugs, t-shirts, schoolbags etc. to advertise the efforts of your Principal.

Make Notes

Have your students write notes like “Well Done!” “Thank You” and “You’re Appreciated” and put them on the desk of your principal before he/she arrives at work.

Decorations

Decorate the office and hallways of the school showing your appreciation for your principal.

E-mail

Teachers can have their students send their principal thank you notes via email during computer class.

A Day to Reflect

Principals have little time for themselves while dealing with the immediate and urgent details of their job. Give them a day to unplug, get away from the building, and take time to recharge and reflect on how they can be better leaders.

Be creative and have fun!

Lifetouch School Portraits is celebrating over 80 years of photographic memories. The school “Picture Day” has become a tradition that provides a photographic record of growth and maturity for millions of children each year. Lifetouch is proud to be the official school photographer for the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Lifetouch is honored to support local members of the Illinois Principals Association in recognition of Principal’s Appreciation Day. Learn more about Lifetouch at http://schools.lifetouch.com.