Annapolis High's New Principal Issues First Letter to Parents

Annapolis High School's newest principal, Sue Chittim, recently drafted her first letter to the parents of students at the school, addressing upcoming issues as the start of the school year rears its head.

Among her focuses is addressing "academic inequities" at the school.

The following is Chittim's complete letter, with no changes:

Parents and Families –

I am very excited that the teachers report tomorrow! The administrative and office staffs have been working diligently in preparation for a great start to the school year.

For my own preparation I have been reviewing academic data. We have many successes to report:

• 130 4’s and 5’s earned on AP tests given in May!
• Many 6’s and 7’s earned on IB tests (will supply exact values next week – did not bring the data home with me this weekend – my apologies)
• 696 students passed at least one HSA test
• Incoming 9th graders: 276 Proficient and Advanced on Math MSA
• Incoming 9th graders: 366 Proficient and Advanced on Reading MSA 

This is inspiring to me as success breeds success. This information will be shared with teachers and students to be used as fuel for their academic fire. When I construct a letter at this time next year I am hopeful that the above data will improve and the data that is troubling will begin to dissipate.

I am going to work with the leadership team to put structures and supports in place to address academic inequities. I am hopeful that as we collaboratively create a plan all students will be exposed to the finest of instruction and where gaps exist they will close quickly.

I have received a few questions about the tardy policy addressed in last week’s note (and repeated below). Tardies will be recorded before 1st period and between all classes. Tardies will re-set every quarter (start back at zero).

Another change to the structure of the day is that students will have 5 minutes to get to class on time and there will be no warning bell one minute prior. I am used to this set up from other schools that I have worked in and am comfortable that we will all get adjusted quickly.

I am requesting that parents address the Anne Arundel County dress code with their children prior to the start of the school year. The dress code has been put into place, as have most regulations, for the health and safety of all. The policy can be reached by clicking on the link. This policy will be modeled by AHS faculty and staff and will be fully enforced. Thank you for your support!

PLEASE NOTE – DUE TO CONSTRUCTION, AHS WILL OPEN ON A DELAYED SCHEDULE. FRESHMAN WILL START ON 8/27 AND ALL GRADES WILL REPORT ON 8/28.

Tardy Policy:

Consequences

• 1st Tardy – Warning
• 2nd Tardy – Warning
• 3rd Tardy – Administrative Detention (with a phone call home)
• 4th Tardy – Friday Detention (with a phone call home)
• 5th Tardy – In-School Intervention Suspension (ISI)
• 6th Tardy – In-School Suspension (ISS)
• Additional Tardiness – Administrative Intervention

I look forward to seeing you all soon. There are a few important dates to remember - Open House is 8/22 and Back To School Night is 9/3!

All the best!

Sue Chittim
Acting Principal
Annapolis High School