Today I met with the Pencil team and Principal William Frackelton to begin my partnership with Soundview Academy for Culture and Scholarship. Over the next year, Principal Frackelton and have set a goal to improve the social environment of the school in order to improve issues of bullying, parent involvement, and public image.
Here is the best part of this experience: there is no outline or rules on how we are to accomplish our goal. The entire experience is experimental, meaning we will get to design our own plans and see how they do. This school has previously been listed as one of the twenty 'persistently dangerous schools' in the state. This was hard to believe as I walked the hallways with Frack (the nickname staff and students so adoringly bestowed upon him.) Everything looked positive. Art was hanging everywhere and decorated signs with words like 'respect' and 'dignity' were pasted on every wall. Apparently some bad press has left the community with a sour taste in their mouth. No problem. The PR background in me is squealing with joy at the chance to help this school spread its positive image to community members. The performer in me is thrilled at the chance to work with one of the only middle schools with such a comprehensive arts program (everything from theater to graphic design is included in student curriculum.) The Kaitlin in me cannot wait to help these students find a renewed sense of school identity and decrease student aggression through positive programs and opportunities.
I look forward to the coming year and will certainly keep you updated on our work to bring Soundview to the top. Now, it's time to get my hands dirty...
In the meantime, check out this video made by the 6th grade class. Time to brush up my dance moves.
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