Sweating through a longer school year?
I was part of a group that visited Smith High School yesterday. We were very impressed with the orderly atmosphere there and with energetic principal Noah Rogers.
I asked Rogers whether he supports the idea of extending the school day and school year for students who need additional instruction.
Absolutely, he said.
He also offered a suggestion for covering some of the costs: Charge the students for the extra time in school.
"They'll pay," he said.
Elma is looking into the merits of this proposal, which Superintendent Terry Grier floated a few days ago. Grier hasn't said anything about charging students, though.
What do you think about the idea and how to pay for it?
By the way, Rogers obviously is a very hardworking principal whose territory covers not just school grounds but much of the community around Smith. If you're a student there, don't let him spot you off campus during the school day.
In just his second full year at Smith, he said he's engaged in a rebuilding project. It requires both demolition and construction. Smith is on Judge Howard Manning's list of poor-performing schools, but Rogers promises much better results. It's clear he's already established an orderly learning environment.
He has a tough job, but he noted some advice from an older principal once: "Never let them see you sweat."
That's meant figuratively. Rogers keeps up a fast pace -- so much so that his shaven head was glistening with perspiration yesterday.