New principals celebrate first day of school
Incoming leaders speak on their new roles, reactions and plans
As students in the William S. Hart Union High School District returned to school Thursday, three new principals also began their first official days at the helm of the district’s junior high and high schools.
The district welcomed Saugus High School Principal Vince Ferry, Arroyo Seco Junior High School Principal Andy Keyne and Rio Norte Junior High School Principal Audrey Asplund, who all got to their schools early to welcome new students and greet eager parents.
“It was nice being out front and meeting some parents and seeing them interact with their kids,” Asplund said.
Vince Ferry
“It’s exciting, especially seeing the freshman come in. You know they’re nervous and they look at you like you’re the principal and you have this all down,” Ferry said, who arrived on his first day of school at school at 6 a.m. “If they only knew that inside I’m
just as nervous and just as anxious.”
During the morning, Ferry was standing outside campus, saying hello to students he met over the summer and helping new students navigate the campus.
“It’s a very pleasant student body. The number of kids that have broken away from their circle to walk over to me and say hello is pretty cool,” he said. “I appreciate them taking that time to do it.”
Throughout the first day Ferry planned to visit teachers’ classrooms and interact with students during brunch and lunch.
“We have five new teachers so I’m looking forward to getting into those classrooms and seeing how they’re doing today,” Ferry said.
As principal he is looking forward to continuing the success of Saugus and becoming part of the school community.
Andy Keyne
For Keyne, the first day of school felt like a homecoming to Arroyo Seco junior high school where he worked as an assistant principal for three years, from 2003 to 2007.
“It’s a nice balance so I get to meet some new teachers and get to reconnect with some familiar faces,” Keyne said.
On Thursday, Keyne also arrived early, ready to greet parents and students as they walked into their first day of classes.
“The anticipation builds all summer as we’re getting ready for the start of school, so it’s exciting to finally have the kids here and get classes started,” Keyne said.
Greeting students and parents gave Keyne the opportunity to ease the nervousness of incoming seventh grade students and their parents.
“Most of the kids were very excited to be back at school, see their friends and start the new year,” he said.
During the first day, Keyne said he was most looking forward to being in the classroom and interacting with the students.
“The most exciting thing for me is being in the classroom and seeing the teachers connect and interact with the kids and seeing the instruction that goes on,” he said. “We’ve got such a great school. I think the number one priority for me is to get to know the school culture and build relationships with the staff, students and the community at large.”
Audrey Asplund
On the first day of school at Rio Norte Junior High, Asplund’s number one priority was making personal connections with students and making them feel welcomed on campus.
“It’s the first day in junior high school for a lot of them,” Asplund said. “I want them to feel comfortable, I want them to feel like this is going to be a good year and that this is going to be a safe place for them.”
Early Thursday morning, Asplund was outside Rio Norte greeting students, speaking with parents and saying hello to those she met at registration.
“It’s exciting to be a part of it,” Asplund said. “It’s exciting to know that, as a team, we’re working together to make sure our students have a positive experience at Rio Norte, that they feel excited about the year and feel ready for new beginnings and new challenges.”
During the school day, Asplund visited all of the teachers’ classrooms and interacted with students during the school’s brunch and lunch.
“I wanted to create a relaxed, comfortable, inviting environment so the kids feel like they can come up to me any time and talk to me,” she said. “I want to make a personal connection so the kids feel that I’m not a scary person, that I’m approachable.”