By:Jacky Gerzema
Parents meet the principals
Susan Knors and James Brown, the new principals of Baldwin Senior High School and Baldwin Middle School, discussed their plans for the upcoming year in an open question and answer session with parents and students on Sunday.
Brown, who replaced Duffy White at the Middle School, said he plans to add more structure to the school. "I have high expectations for these 11 year olds," he said.
When students first come to school, they will probably think there are too many rules and regulations, Brown said, but they will get used to it.
"Structure will assist them in being successful," he said.
Brown also believes honors classes should be available to all students.
"My philosophy behind honors is that any student who wants to go into honors, can," Brown said. "A lot of colleagues don't agree, but if a student is having trouble in an honors course there will be assistance and support available."
Knors, who has settled into the senior position at the high school, said she wants to impose more order as well, including a stricter dress code.
Inappropriate apparel is not conducive to the learning environment, Knors said. Signs were posted last year about the dress code and some students didn't follow it.
"But it is important and we're going to crack down on it," Knors said.
When one parent asked what the biggest problem at BSHS was, Knors said some students get lost along the way and don't make it to graduation. Teachers and administrators have to constantly monitor these kids and get them more involved, said Knors.
She added that the ninth grade is the toughest year of high school for many, and she wants to make sure the youngest high schoolers are better acclimated.
Knors also plans to push the senior class to take internships or research career options.
"I want ninth grade to be more comfortable and twelfth grade to be more meaningful," she said.
As a former special educator, Knors said students should be allowed room for growth, by giving them opportunities to face challenges and to "let them fly."
One concern raised by a parent was the monitoring of material on students' personal web sites and web pages.
Knors said some action may be taken for particularly negative material on web sites, but that overall, she feels they provide a voice for students, even though they may be angry or negative.
Another parent mentioned the police presence at the high school and its reputation of guns and gangs.
While the school and the police department hold monthly meetings to monitor school safety, Knors said that the high school has received an unfair rap.
"The student body here is great," she said and invited the public to visit the school to see for themselves. "I think that bad press needs to be dispelled with good press."
