New Annapolis High Principal Talks Crowded Hallway Solutions

The following message from Annapolis High Principal Sue Chittim was posted on the high school's website Sept. 15:

Annapolis Families – Hope that you all are having a wonderful weekend and enjoying the amazing weather!

Another great week at AHS with high-level lessons on display throughout the school.

Great to see that students are arriving to school on time every morning – the number of people late to first period has numbered less than 10 every day – awesome! Please keep up the good work.

We have a few important dates to remember:

• PTSA meeting tomorrow Monday September 16th at 6:30 pm in the media center – please join us!

• Two Hour early dismissal on Wednesday September 18th – students will get out at 12:05 and teachers will participate in Professional Development directed towards Elevating all Students to success!

• Diversity Matters workshop for parents. Two sessions available – Friday September 27, 2013 from 915-230 at Annapolis Middle School or Saturday October 19th from 915-230 at the Carver Staff Development Center. – register online at www.aacps.org/diversitymatters

• PSAT administration on October 16th! This is an important academic opportunity and I would like 100% attendance. We will be sharing the importance of this test, the schedule for the day and reviewing key skills with students over the next few weeks. Here is a link to the required skills for the PSAT http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/PN_skills_list.pdf .

I recently met with my Principal’s Leadership Council; a group of student leaders. They were very animated with me about their concerns and the things that that they feel are going well. We had a lengthy discussion about Pantherama and the crowded hallways.

I shared the reasoning behind all students moving in the same direction and the components that we have added to the transition between classes to assist with movement from class to class. This policy was put into place as a result of the log jam created when students were allowed to move in either direction – the corners upstairs were just too crowded; moving in one direction has diminished this concern. In October when we get the rooms downstairs back we will eliminate the “all move to the left” policy. I will be working on the Pantherama concerns this week and will be seeking solutions to the technical concerns the students raised.

All the best for a great week! Hope to meet many of you on Monday night!