Q&A: Principal Reflects on First Year at Maple Grove Senior High

As the 2010-2011 school year is close to ending, new Principal Sara Vernig shares with Maple Grove Patch her insights on her first year at the high school. Vernig is principal to approximately 1,700 students, 100 licensed and 100 non-licensed staff members. Prior to Maple Grove Senior High, Vernig was an assistant principal at Fridley High School.

Maple Grove Patch: Are you ready for the school year to end?               

Principal Sara Vernig: Oh, not really. The kids have been great, the parents are supportive and it’s been a really nice year. During the summer, I just miss the kids and miss seeing them in the hallways.

Maple Grove Patch: What drew you to Maple Grove Senior High?             

Vernig: What drew me here, is that when you look at the district's vision (our mission) and beliefs about preparing all students to be successful with confidence and courage, it fits my education philosophy and experience with non-profit organizations. 

Maple Grove Patch: How would you describe your first year as Maple Grove Senior High Principal?                                                                                               

Vernig: It’s been fantastic. Every time someone asks me, “How’s it going?” I tell them I feel blessed to be working with such a wonderful staff and group of students and such a fantastic community. 

Maple Grove Patch: What were some of the challenges you encountered throughout the school year that you hadn't anticipated?                                  

Vernig: When you’ve been in administration, you always anticipate a few challenges, but there wasn’t anything I didn’t anticipate. The challenge that concerned me the most was walking into a new staff, walking into a new building with 1,700 kids who didn’t know me. I knew I had to foster trust and building sense of community. I didn’t have any hiring to be done, I didn’t have any employee issues and everything was pretty well established. We did have to hire a new football coach. Our former coach who had been here for 15 years decided to retire. 

Maple Grove Patch: What were the three highlights of the school year for you?

Vernig: We had several, but there are three that stand out. First, we unveiled at the beginning of the year the Crimson way. It’s based upon the six core values of District 279, students and staff created it. We have been incorporating that in the classroom to build a sense of community and build school spirit. Second, students did outstanding in performance. We had two national finalists and the average ACT score is 24. It’s really nice to see how well students have performed. Third, I would say we are celebrating what the previous [football] coach had given us and looking forward to improve upon it with the new coach. We also had several of our athletic teams go to state competitions. 

Maple Grove Patch: Changes to the Thursday Foundations schedule and suggesting more student artwork in the building were just two of the noticeable differences this year at the school. What were some of the other changes you implemented that weren't so readily noticed?

Vernig:  Those two were the big ones that I am hoping to continue to improve upon next year. Thursday’s Foundations is still in transition, the schedule changed to the beginning of the day. We are talking about moving it to after first hour. We have a phenomenal art teacher. The students felt there was not enough art being displayed in the building, so they have been working to display more through out the school, more murals, more pictures and artwork. And we are going to continue to look for ways to display our students’ talents and artistic work. 

Maple Grove Patch: Do you have any reflections/thoughts on graduating your first class for Maple Grove Senior High seniors?                                                

Vernig:  The senior class has been wonderful. They are a phenomenal class of students that are going to do well after high school. I am honored to be a part and hand them off to the next phase of their lives.

Maple Grove Patch: What can parents of students attending the school in the 2011-2012 school years expect? Will there be any significant changes?          

Vernig:  Yes, we will be incorporating the . It’s a big change, the district has been talking about it for a long time. They adopted a three year plan, next year will be year one of a three year plan.

Maple Grove Patch: Any last thoughts?                                                           

Vernig: I truly have been blessed to be in such a great community leading by best practice and be in a community that cares about their kids. I hope everyone has a fantastic and safe summer. I am looking forward to doing it again next year.