I really don't like being the clothes police

After 12 years of public education, four years as an undergraduate at Springfield College, three years of night school for my masters, and three years  at UNH to get my CAGS, who would have thought my job would be defined by yoga pants in a thumbs down in the HLN.

One of the things I really don't like about my job is dealing with the dress code.  The way I think of this is that any school is a place of business.  It is the business of education.  While it is really great to find ways to express yourself, there are times when things are appropriate and when they are not.  Clothes that reveal too much of anything, whether it is undergarments or a person's form, is not appropriate in this business environment.  It is a distraction for some and has led to some really ugly comments and potential bullying between students. 

I also realize that not all yoga pants are created equally.  If these garments are loose at the knee and on the thigh they are fine. 

I know that dealing with these rules is a hassle for many students as well as parents but my real concern is creating an environment that is appropriate for this environment.  If students want to have changes considered, the Student Council is the place to start.  They meet every Thursday in room 315.

Enjoy the snow day.

Mr. L

Greetings from a first time blogger

Greetings to all in the Alvirne Community,

I am a first time blogger and we will see how this works  out.  I will try to use this as a vehicle to let people know how things are going, what I think of some things that are going on (if you are interested) and in general to let you know more about Alvirne and about me. 

For those of you who don't know a lot about me, I have been here as the Principal of Alvirne High School for the  past 13 years.  This is the seventh school that I have worked in.  I started my teaching career in Houston, Texas  in 1980 and spent 11 years in Texas as a science teacher, coach, and assistant principal.  Most of the time, eight years, was spent at Kingwood High School in Kingwood, TX.     I, at one time or another, have coached soccer, football, swimming, spring board diving, baseball and track. ( Baseball was the only thing I was  unsuccessful at. I love the sport but don't know enough to teach it to others.)

My wife, two children and I moved to New Hampshire in 1991 and we have been living in Derry since then. 

I have an undergraduate degree from Springfield College, a Masters in Education from Stephen F. Austin State University, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from The University of New Hampshire and I am currently taking courses that will hopefully lead to my doctorate in Educational Administration.  I have a long term goal of retiring in the next ten years and teaching at the graduate level working with people who want to become school administrators. 

Enough for the first time and I don't want to bore you with too much. 

Mr. L