A school’s principal is often a force of either discipline or laxity and the principal’s behavior often sets a standard for the rigor of teaching, education standards and overall culture within a school.
When Lisa Love arrived at Harrisburg High School, John Harris campus, as a new principal, she firmly established herself as someone not to be trifled with. The no-nonsense principal issued a huge number of suspension notices to students upon arrival at the school. It is believed that 500 suspension notices were delivered at the start of the week after Principal Love looked at truancy records.
For a school of only 1100 students, almost half the students have now been suspended for several days. A local radio station has asserted that the suspension notices were delivered to students at the school who had skipped a week’s worth of school across a 45-day-period.
Principal Love worked with other school officials and teachers to form a program aimed at reducing the numbers of truants along with improving lethargic academic performance and low numbers of graduating students. The stern principal also worked with parents, informing them that many children flock to the school halls, gym or cafeteria in allotted class times, saying: “If you’re not in class, all you’re here to do then is to wreak havoc upon the school and disrupt the work that we are trying to do here. And that’s to focus on student achievement.”
Principal Love has taken her new job seriously and by all accounts, parents and fellow staff members are impressed with her work ethic, attention to detail and accountability when it comes to getting the job done. Many parents have praised Ms. Love for taking such a strong stance so soon after settling into the new job.
The problem of student attendance and deceit between students and parents can be framed as a part of a wider issue of truancy and lack of engagement within many American schools. Overall, it is believed that Principal Love’s commitment to her new role will prove to be a beneficial change for the struggling Pennsylvanian school.
Source: Fox News Insider
Photo: Fox News Insider
