The school year has officially kicked off and we are now in full swing. Our new principal, Mr. Arms, is here to help make our school the best it can be this year.
In order to make our school better, many changes have to be made. One change you may have noticed is our new motto; All 1N.
“It’s just a reminder that we are one,” Arms said. “We’ve all got to be together with the same vision, same mission, and striving for the same goal.”
One way Arms aims to achieve this goal is by improving communication with staff, students, and the community.
“I’m a full believer in clear and transparent communication,” he said. “The moment we can’t be transparent, we lose trust.”
Being a former teacher, Arms understands the importance of keeping students and staff informed of everything going on in our school.
“The quickest way to generate divisiveness or dissension is to create a culture in which people believe there may be ulterior motives when they’re not being told the whole truth,” he said. ”Making sure everyone is aware of what’s going on at all times, that way they aren’t caught off guard or blindsided and they can prepare.”
Another way Arms plans on uniting our school further is by establishing healthy and strong relationships.
“We’re working on building those relationships,” Arms said. “Professional relationships, but also personal relationships outside in which you can depend on one another. Having the ability to build a relationship and try to put people that may have never experienced success in a position to be successful.”
An engaged and dedicated staff is very important when running a school. Arms said their support is what really stood out to him.
“We have a fantastic staff here,” he said. “I’ve seen the way they go out and make connections with the students and be supportive of them. Everybody comes from vastly different backgrounds, but I really do believe we have a collection of wonderful educators, more especially wonderful people, that are trying to do whatever it takes to ensure the success of all.”
The community has been very helpful as well. Arms says the community involvement is what distinguishes our town.
“The support that they provide for the school has been tremendous,” Arms said. Always willing, they want to be involved. I want them to be involved because at the end of the day, we are all striving to try to make this school the very best version of itself. That’s what really sets Winchester, Clark County, GRC, and Clark County Public Schools apart from many other districts in Kentucky.”
To better understand our student’s academic levels and needs, Arms plans to implement some diagnostic testing.
“If we know what each individual’s needs are, then we can work with them collectively through our staff and our support system here to meet those needs, to better prepare them for the outside world,” he said. “We have four years to make them independent, resilient, to teach them to be grateful for opportunities and be willing to take chances. Teaching those small attributes, a lot of character building, but more importantly, providing them with the resources necessary to be successful academically, athletically, and beyond.”
Mr. Arms is prepared to stay All 1n and make our school the best it can be.
“Everyday, we are chasing greatness,” he said. “We are chasing that standard, it’s not a moving target. We’ve got to work hard to get there.”
