ABRHS Principal Alixe Callen Introduces New Initiatives

Like most principals, Dr. Alixe Callen keeps her finger on the pulse of just about everything that goes on inside the walls of her school. She strives to be aware of the staff’s concerns and students’ struggles. She’s the first to hear about accolades that are conferred upon both groups, be it with awards or high placement in rankings.

In addition, Callen spends time learning about challenges facing the high schools in surrounding towns as well as those schools’ successes. Comparisons often influence her opinions about what actions she should take. A recent example: abolishing the publication of the honor roll.

In a meeting held at the ABRHS library on January 11, 2012, Callen enthusiastically presented a long list of improvements she plans to implement. Those that fall under her discretion are already in the works; proposals that require approval by the School Committee or dedicated funding will be voted on in future months.

Here are the highlights, many of which are outgrowths of the school system’s Long Range Strategic Plan:

Identification of Learning Goals for each Course

• Faculty members are working on developing goals for each course taught at the high school. While mastery of required facts is fairly objective, Callen wants the question, “What are the big skills?” answered by the crafting of rubrics that outline what is expected.

• Stating that the development of common assessments is the next step, Callen said, “The biggest obstacle is time.”

• Callen is pleased with the work that’s been accomplished by teams of same-subject instructors thus far. “The level of conversation, I have to tell you, has been fascinating,” she said.

Addition of Arts Requirement for All Students

• Although 91% of ABRHS students voluntarily take a course in the arts, doing so is not mandatory. “We are one of the few schools in the area that don’t have an arts requirement,” said Callen.

• The plan is to require that all students, beginning with next year’s freshman class, take at least one arts elective. Adding teachers or sections will not be required as the additional students will be absorbed into existing classes that are not at full capacity.

Expansion of English Electives for Seniors

• While maintaining Advance Placement and Senior Seminar classes, the English department will be adding new courses for seniors.

• Starting this fall, students will be able to choose Psychology and Literature, Science Fiction, Literature and Sports, Contemporary Nonfiction, and others. 

Global Studies International Trips

• The goal of this initiative, said Callen, “is to recognize that students are citizens in a global society” and “incorporate learning into the curriculum. We want students to immerse themselves in the culture.”

• Social Studies teacher David Green has proposed a trip to Peru which would take place over April vacation in 2013. The school committee will need to approve it.

Continuation of Saturday Night Activities

• Citing numbers—120 kids joining the basketball league and 175 participating in the Amazing Race competition—Callen declared the first series of Saturday evening programs a success. If funding and volunteers are secured, it will continue.

• “We want to use the high school as a community center,” said Callen. “The goal is to increase substance-free activities.”

Teacher Seminar Groups

• Callen has worked to free up time for the high school teachers to meet, at least once a month, in small groups. Each group’s goal: Study an issue and report back on it.

• “We want teachers getting together and talking about their work,” said Callen, who added that the response from teachers has been positive.

Advisory Program for Students

• Each ABRHS counselor is assigned 244 students.  “This number is the  highest in the region,” said Callen. “It far exceeds that of other schools.” 

• While the needs of students continue to grow and the demands of post-secondary planning increase, the counselors’ ability to connect to each student becomes increasingly difficult.

• “In addition to meeting mental health needs, they have to get one-fourth of their kids into college,” Callen said.

• Citing a recent poll which found that 62% of ABRHS students feel that they have a second adult in the building to whom they could go with problems, Callen expressed concern.

• “I don’t think that’s anywhere close enough,” Callen said, clearly worried about the other 38% of students.

• A remedy to the situation has already begun. Every student has been placed in a group and assigned to an advisor.  The adults’ role is to touch base with the students, offer support and identify any issues that need addressing.

Parents in the audience seemed pleased with the proposed initiatives. The advisory program appealed to Shelley Sherman, who noted that, in the past, “Students have not had anyone checking in with them.”

“They’re always getting evaluated,” said Sandy Roschelle, acknowledging the stress that students often feel to perform and cope well. “This is someone who doesn’t evaluate them,” she said of a student’s advisor.

Callen encouraged parents in the audience to support the initiatives she outlined. Specifically, she suggested that they show enthusiasm, which she predicted would encourage their sons and daughters to do the same. She also asked parents to take on volunteer roles and to support the school budget.

The latter, Callen said, “will improve things for our teachers.” Citing their dedication, she said, “The halls and parking lots are not empty at 4:00 like they are in other schools.”

Callen closed the meeting by expressing her zeal for positive change. “The world is our oyster,” she said.