In the first week of the new school year, The Connection has asked the area school principals to respond to three questions:
1 - What are the most exciting developments in your school in the new school year?
2 - What would be your, one-sentence, message to parents, community?
3 - Any upcoming events, activities?
Here are their responses:
Liz Noto, Ed.D., Principal, Herndon High School
1 - Our full-scale renovation is well underway. A new parking lot and bus lane was created over the summer and work is now beginning on the new main entrance and main office. The new wing in the back of the building looks amazing! It will hold our new and improved science labs as well as several additional classrooms. We will have access to these new additions in the next school year.
2 - Thank you to our Herndon Community for their continued support! We hope to see all of our Herndon parents for Back to School Night on Sept. 5. Be sure to join the PTSA while you’re there! For those who want a glimpse into school life, the Hornet Highlights have been revived by popular demand this year. Be sure you enroll in the system so you receive our News You Choose messages. This can be done on the FCPS homepage (www.fcps.edu). Scroll all the way to the bottom and click on the “Sign Up Now” button in the yellow banner that states “Stay updated with what's happening at FCPS with News You Choose.”
3 - Our Homecoming celebration is scheduled for Sept. 22. It all starts with the Town of Herndon Parade at 9 a.m. For those who haven’t taken part in the past, this is an fantastic community-wide event! Come out and see!
Kim Retzer, Principal, South Lakes High School:
1 - We are super excited to expand our student leadership program this year with a second section. The new section will be focusing on school climate through enhanced visuals around the building, more engaging morning announcements and giving an increased student voice to our SOAR (Scholarship, Ownership, Awareness and Respect) program.
2 - I encourage parents and community members to stay connected through News You Choose, Twitter and other social media and get involved!
3 - We have a Parent Orientation on Monday, Sept. 17, Back to School Night on Wednesday, Sept. 26 and lots of athletic events that can be found at https://southlakesathletics.org
Jesse Kraft, Proud Principal, Coates ES:
1 - The staff and community at Coates are very excited to celebrate our tenth anniversary! We’re happy with our continued rising test scores and our new focus on empathy and other character strengths as we begin The Positivity Project. Our staff is skilled, caring, and passionate, which just is what our kids deserve.
2 - Coates is a place where your child can feel safe, will be challenged to grow academically, and will develop great character, and we’re going to have a great time making all of this happen!
3 - The Coates PTA Annual Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, October 6 from 10-2. Join us for the fun, games, and food!