Marvelous, " "Fantastic," "the dawn of a new day"
were the exclamations heard from all over G.H.S. when Mr. Adger was named
principal April 20, 1981.
Mr. Miller, Grady's former principal, asked for reassignment February of
this year because of his health. When the staff, student body, and parents
heard of this, letters were sent immediately to Area Three asking that Mr.
Adger be given the position of principal.
Mr. Adger is initiating a major over-haul of all the aspects that affect Grady High School. "I will provide a more conductive atmosphere for teaching and learning, " stated Mr. Adger in a firm determined voice. Already the counseling office is being monitored. and is extremely hard to use as a "class cutter hangout." Hall passes are required at all times and students caught without one had better have a good explanation or else . . . "Students that come to school will be in class."
"I want input," exclaimed Mr. Adger when asked about his plans for next year. Mr. Adger would like to see a closely knit network of faculty, student body; and parents working to make Grady the best yet. "Many decisions that directly affect our school should be made on a committee basis and will be, henceforth . Mr. Adger declared.
Plans for the near future include: fewer study halls, teacher aides under strict supervision, a stronger PTSO, no schedule changes when no selection sheet has been turned in, and schedule changes will be granted for a legitimate reason only.
Mr. Adger plans on selecting a new assistant principal over the summer. "It takes a special type of person, " Mr. Adger remarked. The assistant principal will not only be. involved in disciplinary actions but will have a hand in curriculum and every other facet of Grady High School.
Very rarely can a school be entirely supportive of one individual as Grady is of Mr. Adger, His honesty, straight- forward manner, and individuality has made him the best vice-principal in recent years and will make him one of the best principals Grady has ever had.
In April, Mr. Thomas Adger was chosen to replace Mr. Harold Miller as principal of Grady. Mr. Adger was very good as an assistant principal taking on the responsibility 'of disciplining the student. It was a logical choice to select Mr. Adger to succeed Mr. Miller since Mr. Adger has been at Grady any years. Mr. Adger has already established a good repore with the faculty and staff at Grady as well as knowing all the students at Grady.
It seemed to be a smooth transition for Mr. Adger from assistant principal to principal. A new assistant principal has yet to be selected so, this leaves both positions for Mr. Adger to fill. He is responsible for the administration work that has to be done as well as the disciplining of the students. He seems to have had enough experience to be able to handle both duties.
Mr. Adger is in charge. There seems to be less roaming the halls by students who are cutting classes. Mr. Adger has also enforced the need for a pass when out of a classroom. Teachers are required to not let any student out of their class without a permit. This rule was always around, however, rarely enforced. This is evidence of the new reign of power which will hopefully eliminate hall roamers.
Another plus, Mr. Adger has is that he is well. liked and respected by the faculty, parents, and students. Everyone was glad to hear of the appointment of Mr. Adger to principal.
One thing Mr. Adger was famous for was telling students to get out of their lockers and get into class. This has not changed even though he is now principal he can still tell you to get to class, the same as all ways.
Mr. Adger has the capability as well as the desire to make Grady a better school. Mr. Adger has all the qualities of making an excellent principal along with the support from the faculty, parents, and student body. On the basis of these first few weeks Mr. Adger will surely succeed in his new position as principal. Good Luck, Principal Adger!!!
Most students are happy with Mr. Adger as new principal of Grady, he is deserving of the job. However, people have their doubts. Some feel that because he has moved into a more officelike situation, the general understanding between Mr. Adger and students will be lost.
He has promised to be aware and open minded, but surrounded by walls in a tiny airconditioned office is not the way. There will be time for him to walk the halls and see students. I must admit, but will the time spent talking and helping be enough? I wonder, although discipline is getting better, if there will be a break down in communication between the students and the administration and faculty. For the most part of this year Mr. Adger was that cose, irreplaceable, vital link.
By now, people are able to see a definite change in the atmosphere at Grady due to Mr. Adger's new position. The rules have become somewhat strict. Some of them, however, are a bit overbearing, a little short of ridiculous. Recall the new rule that states: one must have a pass signed by a teacher to be admitted into the counselor's office. Ile purpose of a school counselor is to help students with various problems and conflicts. They are put in the schools primarily for the students! A lot of teachers will not oblige a students request to go to the counseling office for whatever reasons. They say you can see them on your lunch time - but guess who's out to lunch? I don't blame not being there on the counselors, they have to eat too. Or the teachers say: see them after school. This quite hard for those students that ride buses and work, which is at least, if not more, 50% of the school.
Teachers and students alike understand his reasoning, the counselor's office was always a place, rather, 'hang-out" for class cutters. There are several other solutions to his dilemma, rather than totally banning the students freedom from seeing his or her counselor at whim. Perhaps when things get out of hand in there, Mr. Bridges or Ms. Rheiny could take some initiative and call for discipline (call for Mr. Adger or the new vice-principal).
The counseling problem is one of the many changes at Grady, for better or worse. Mr. Adger is successful, closing the loopholes in the system. Hopefully all this strict rule will be semi-temporary until things shape up. Let's hope so!