London High School will have a new assistant principal next school year. On March 17, the London Board of Education accepted Michael D. Wilson’s resignation, which will become effective July 31.
Wilson has served as assistant principal since the spring of 2002. This year marks his 12th year in a teaching capacity with the district. He also has coached at London for over 14 years.
“There are some other opportunities out there that I want to explore,” said Wilson of his reason for leaving. “I appreciate the time I’ve spent here. It’s a good community and these are good kids. It’s been a good run.”
Superintendent Steve Allen said the district will post the vacancy right away with the intent of hiring a replacement by the board’s June meeting.
The board also accepted the resignation of Mary E. Dietz, who has taught English at the high school for 35 years. She has been an educator for a total of 38 years. Her last day will be June 6.
“We certainly wish her well in her retirement,” Allen said.
In other personnel matters, the board approved three-year administrative contracts for Education Management Information System coordinator Kim Burgert, transportation supervisor Pam Wilson, London Elementary assistant principal Tony Brake, and psychologist Mindy Jennings. The board also approved one-year administrative contracts for London Academy director Pete Bartkowiak and London High School athletic director Terry Nance.
Breakfast Club
Time is set aside at every regular board meeting for a teacher or principal in the district to talk about student achievement. At the March 17 meeting, teacher Kathryn Adorno told board members about the “Breakfast Club” at London Elementary.
The club meets before school Tuesday through Friday and is open to any fifth-grader. The purpose, Adorno said, is to provide students with time to catch up on homework, get extra help in certain subject areas, or explore an area of study more deeply. Five to seven students regularly attend the Breakfast Club.
“We can help them with math, reading fluency, whatever their need is,” Adorno said. “Also, we want to get kids excited about the other kids in the class,” the goal being to create connections for students not only with teachers but with their peers.
Adorno said the Breakfast Club puts the focus on students, rather than on staff meetings and endless to-do lists for teachers and students alike.
The club’s theme song is “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by the band Simple Minds. Adorno summed up her philosophy by saying, “It’s not the ‘what’ that’s important; it’s the ‘who’ that’s important.”
Award
Through the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the Madison County Chamber of Commerce recently recognized the London City School District for operating without incident for 1,446,157 consecutive hours, from Jan. 31, 2005, to Dec. 12, 2007. The award celebrates employee safety.
The next board meeting is April 14.
