AHS Media Center To Be Renamed After Retiring Principal

's media center will receive a new name next fall: The Charles Arlington Skidmore Learning Commons, a tribute to the high school's outgoing principal.

Principal Charles Skidmore—whose middle name is in fact "Arlington"—announced in January . The renaming of the media center honors the seven-year principal who has captured the respect and affection of most in the Arlington community.

Donna Eidson, director of the Community Education Programs for Arlington Public Schools, said the idea came from thinking about what Skidmore has given the Arlington community during his years.

"He’s really given this school heart," said Eidson, who is spearheading the renaming efforts. "We started to think about what is the heart of the school. And literally, it’s the existing media center, right in the middle of the school."

The media center is going to be renovated and brought up to the 21st century, Eidson said. The core collection of books there needs to be updated, the media center needs some newer research databases and the physical space needs a face lift, she said.

"Some of these physical spaces could include performance spaces so kids can do poetry jams, or small gathering spaces so kids working on projects can be there together," Eidson added.

Eidson said a final estimate has not been calculated yet, but she hopes the learning commons will cost about $50,000. So she's starting to raise funds.

Funding for the creation of the Charles Arlington Skidmore Learning Commons will come from donations and the sale of a collection of essays by the retiring principal. To make a donation, visit Arlingtoneducationfoundationma.org, and click on Skidmore Fundraiser. The Arlington Education Foundation is acting as fiscal agent for this fundraising project.