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South Shore H.S.: Positive Changes Making An Impact
Beginning the day on a positive note is one of the ways South Shore High School has changed in the past year. Students at South Shore, once listed as one of the Department of Edu-cation’s troubled schools, no longer have to wait in long lines outside the building before classes begin. Officials at the school said doors at the main entrance remain open longer so that there is an easier transition in the morning. Security procedures are now more structured and the environment is more tranquil. Under the administration of Principal Judy Henry, the staff has made significant progress transforming the school and, she said, there are many more changes she looks forward to. “I worked with the Chancellor’s District for 18 years then I was asked to come here and help reform the school since I had experience working with troubled schools,” she said. “So when I started working with the students and staff last April, I immediately identified the need for change. This year we really implemented the changes that were necessary to make this a decent place for the community’s children. We invite parents to come to the school and see how much the tone has changed. There’s a big difference from a few years ago.” Henry attributes the remarkable makeover to the school having been removed from the Impact list last year. The list designates the sixteen most dangerous schools in the city. New staff members, nine assistant principals, and an increase in programs for students also contributed to the changes. “We’ve been circulating surveys for the students and staff to see if we can match their needs,” said Henry. “We haven’t gotten resistance from the students and everyone in my cabinet knows what the other person is doing. In the past, nothing was done to make that major change, so my staff and I pretty much had to start over. There was no question about what had to be done.” One assistant principal working with Henry is Peter Sloman, the school’s dean of security, who said, “In the past, there was gang activity, fires in the school and a lot of chaos. Since Mrs. Henry arrived, there’s more of a team concept here. Deans meet on a regular basis. We’ve improved the technology of the card-swiping machines so they’re more efficient. I truly believe we can become one of the model schools in the area.” Sloman attributes the success and progress to support from the 69th Pre-cinct and Captain Ralph Monteforte, Commanding Officer, who has helped improve dismissal procedures. Sloman also noted that the Parents-Teachers Association has been more involved and a different approach is taken when students need discipline. “We have new rules for proper attire,” said Sloman. “If a student is wearing a hat or has some type of electronic de-vice, we confiscate it and the parent has to come up and get it. “There are also new programs and celebrations as well. There are teacher, resource and media centers. We have Spirit Fridays where we sell tee shirts to raise money for the senior class. There’s also an increase in sports and programs promoting student communication.” “Project Change is another one of the great things for our kids. It gives them a time out to talk to each other with a counselor and work out their problems. And years ago, all the guidance counselors’ offices were on the first floor. Students now have more access to guidance on all floors if they need to turn to someone,” he added. Henry is now trying to implement more clubs in the school and also wants to impose a uniform dress code so there is less competition among students. “We’re going to be having our freshman orientation in June from now on. We hope junior high school students will hear about the changes made at South Shore and next year they’ll choose the school with a high ranking on their high school applications,” she said.
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