Handbook Analysis
River Bend Middle School created their own faculty handbook, which is reviewed every year. The principal created it, but over the summer, the administrative team is tasked with reviewing it and suggesting edits or changes. Given that RBMS is still a relatively new school, procedures are continuing to be ironed out to make sure the school flows seamlessly and areas of weakness are being addressed.
RMBS calls the handbook the Staff ABC’s. Topics are organized alphabetically. Items are highlighted to indicate new information (highlighted in green), important information (highlighted in yellow), and due dates (highlighted in red). This way when any faculty member is reviewing the information, they know what a new expectation is or if there have been any changes with expectations from the previous year. Also, when accessing the handbook digitally, topics are hyperlinked to similar topics, so information is not redundant and makes for easier navigation and less pages if one is to print it out.
The handbook is thorough and is aligned with the district’s employee handbook regarding dress code, harassment, Employee Assistance Program, etc., as well as having a direct link to the WCPSS Employee Handbook. The faculty handbook is also clearly aligned to the beliefs and vision of the school. On the cover is the school motto, One School…One Heartbeat, and topics throughout the handbook are not only geared towards procedures but to maintaining a positive school culture that Mrs. Weddle the RBMS staff has worked hard to create. The last topic in the handbook is “You” and it states, "It is the responsibility of each staff member to take care of themselves. You are important to our Tiger Family. Please make sure you are doing all the things we tell students to do for them to do their best! Celebrate your accomplishments with us! We love to know about them. It’s okay to share your struggles, too. As a family of educators, we are here to support each other (p. 37)." This quote exemplifies what RBMS values most: family. Another topic that demonstrates this value is “Fun”. Mrs. Weddle made sure to include topics throughout the handbook to emphasize family and relationships, but she clarifies that instructional time is important, too.
RMBS calls the handbook the Staff ABC’s. Topics are organized alphabetically. Items are highlighted to indicate new information (highlighted in green), important information (highlighted in yellow), and due dates (highlighted in red). This way when any faculty member is reviewing the information, they know what a new expectation is or if there have been any changes with expectations from the previous year. Also, when accessing the handbook digitally, topics are hyperlinked to similar topics, so information is not redundant and makes for easier navigation and less pages if one is to print it out.
The handbook is thorough and is aligned with the district’s employee handbook regarding dress code, harassment, Employee Assistance Program, etc., as well as having a direct link to the WCPSS Employee Handbook. The faculty handbook is also clearly aligned to the beliefs and vision of the school. On the cover is the school motto, One School…One Heartbeat, and topics throughout the handbook are not only geared towards procedures but to maintaining a positive school culture that Mrs. Weddle the RBMS staff has worked hard to create. The last topic in the handbook is “You” and it states, "It is the responsibility of each staff member to take care of themselves. You are important to our Tiger Family. Please make sure you are doing all the things we tell students to do for them to do their best! Celebrate your accomplishments with us! We love to know about them. It’s okay to share your struggles, too. As a family of educators, we are here to support each other (p. 37)." This quote exemplifies what RBMS values most: family. Another topic that demonstrates this value is “Fun”. Mrs. Weddle made sure to include topics throughout the handbook to emphasize family and relationships, but she clarifies that instructional time is important, too.