National Assistant Principals Week, observed April 7-11, is one of the most important weeks in schools nationwide. This week honors the importance of the individuals in our school systems who lead our school community and support our students to create a successful learning environment.
State High’s approach this week is to honor our assistant principals and let them know that all of their hard work does not go unnoticed.
Senior Maia Barber commented on the importance of the role that assistant principals take on, “They help build the community in our school, and in such a big school that is such a hard job, but they really bring us together,”
Principal Laura Tobias takes the lead in honoring our assistant principals: ninth-grade administrator Danielle Ambrosia; grades 10 (A-Ho) and 11–12 (A-G) Susan Hipp; grades 10 (Hu-P) and 11–12 (H-O) Ryan Walsh; and Associate Principal grades 10 (Q-Z) and 11–12 (P-Z) Brett Wilson. These four individuals take on some of the most important responsibilities in the school–and in our community–which is one of the key reasons that State High is so successful.
State High classes take the honor of having the assistant principals join their classes and lunchroom festivities each day of this week. Tobias elaborated about the powerful impacts of student connection.
“It’s watching the engagement between the assistant principals and students and so that students know that they’re human beings,” Tobias said.
On Monday, the group joined the rock ensemble group to learn more about what music students do and join in on the rockin’ fun. They were also able to enjoy the music played for them in the morning in the CEGL by the rock ensemble students.
Tuesday turned creative; the group joins the ceramics classes in the ceramics room, helping to make clay-crafted memories for all to enjoy. Students were able to actively show off their work to the assistant principals and learn how to make works of art themselves.
Wednesday allowed woodshop students the opportunity to have a “woodshop olympics” with the assistant principals, playing games and bonding with students.
On Thursday, the group joined IB Film students and worked alongside them on various film-related projects. Walsh elaborated on what he is excited about during his visit with IB Film.
“I think just kind of the whole process. Listening to Mr. Van Allen talk and seeing how students collaborate together and work with each piece of film that goes into it. I had no idea all of the things that go into it,” Walsh said.
Wrapping up on Friday, this event gives all students a chance to engage with the assistant principals, as the group participates in tricycle races during lunchtime and in a fun-filled game or truth or dare, where students get candy and can talk with their assistant principals.
“They’re not just this person up in their office as an assistant principal, there’s so much good, so many classes and things that you’re learning as students to actually be able to watch the assistant principals participate in that,” Tobias said. “And then the best part is watching the smiles and laughter from all parties, it’s been wonderful to see.”
The honorable work that the assistant principals do for our school is a crucial part of the gears that keep our high school running. None of the wonderful opportunities, school-sanctioned events, and even lunchtime activities, would be possible without the help of our assistant principals.
Additionally, Tobias’ efforts are to thank for putting all of these celebratory events together to allow us to say thank you to our assistant principals. This week gives us the opportunity to give back to them and let them know what an astounding job they are doing.
