What did he say?

Posted on 03. Feb, 2010 by joannagreer in News Around School

Mr Anderson answers questions

By Michael Changwe, Staff Writer

February 2

As students gathered in their homeroom classes early last Tuesday morning awaiting their course schedules for the new semester, many were greeted with an unexpected message during the daily morning announcements.

“At this time I would like to announce that I will be leaving John F. Kennedy High School to embark on a new opportunity that was presented to me. As you can imagine, it is every principal’s dream to open up their own school and I felt that I could not pass up  an opportunity to open a new grade 6-12 charter school in Chicago, Illinois.” Mr. Anderson dropped this on the staff and students over the PA.

Silence fell upon the rooms as every student’s ears eagerly anticipated hearing the rest of his message.

“Whoa. That was so unexpected,” said senior Michael Castillo. “When did this happen?”

Indeed, the announcement took many students by surprise as the abruptness and impact took Kennedy by storm. Throughout the hallways, cafeteria, and classrooms there was a buzz about the recent news. As expected, gossip and rumors spread.

“Is he coming back for our graduation? Who is his replacement going to be?” These questions were raised during a discussion at a lunch table occupied primarily by seniors. “I just hope things don’t change too much in the future.”  Mr. Anderson is the only principal the seniors have ever known.

Mr. Anderson answered many of the rumors during an interview with Kennedy’s student journalists.

Students question Mr. Anderson

“Well, I was originally presented with this opportunity in February (2009) to take over at a high school in Chicago. A few months after declining the original offer, they came back to me to sweeten the deal, so to say. This time they came to me offering the chance to open a charter school on the south side of the city. Coincidentally, it just so happened that my wife was offered a position in  the area around the same time that she was very interested in taking.” At that time Mr. Anderson never even been to Chicago.

Mr. Anderson talked about his Kennedy experience over the last four years and when asked what he felt was his greatest accomplishment during his tenure he said,  “I can’t pinpoint one specific accomplishment, but many different ones. Whether it was meeting the AYP every year, or dramatically improving the school SAT scores,  I count those little victories as my greatest accomplishments,” he said.  (Since this interview Kennedy High School  has risen from #119 to #59 in the Washington Post Challenge Index.)

Unfortunately, due to the need for staffing and other administrative planning, Mr. Anderson will be leaving Kennedy on February 26 for the urban, mid-western city just shy of 3 million people.

When asked about who his replacement will be, he smiled. “I can’t tell you. We’re not going to know for a little while.  I have nominated someone (in the building) who I think will do an excellent job as a replacement,” he said, “but for now, all I can say is you will have to wait and see.”

Mr. Anderson’s advice to students after four years at Kennedy is to “Keep it real, be honest with people and people will be honest with you. Be straightforward, to the point, and honest.”

But will he attend graduation?  Seniors will have to wait and see.