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Waynesburg principal seeks parents' support

July 31, 2008|MICHAEL BROIHIER

Fist bumps are in at Waynesburg Elementary School, said new principal Mark Upchurch; that's the way he wants to greet the kids every day.

"Starting the first day, I want them to come up to me, give me a fist bump and tell me their name."

Hired two weeks ago, Upchurch said he was "thrilled to accept the position" and is eager to begin his tenure as an administrator after almost 18 years as a teacher. When asked what he thought the challenges would be making the transition to the principal's seat, he said, "It's all basically leadership, and that doesn't change." Upchurch has leadership experience ranging from the military and coaching to subbing for principals.

While Upchurch is eager to get started, he doesn't plan on making major changes right away.

"I have to get a feel for what's going on before I make any changes. I want to make sure we have a good foundation. It's like a house; if you don't have a good foundation it will fall."

He does, however, have some ideas to greet the children with on their first day, one of which is "The Tiger Way." The Tiger is the mascot of Waynesburg Elementary, and faculty and staff at the school are going to be encouraged to nominate student tigers who are respectful, help other students and behave kindly to one another. Upchurch hopes that positively reinforcing good behavior will lay the basis for children who "grow up to be someone."

Tigers will have their picture on the wall and their names announced in The Interior Journal. He hopes that with an emphasis on good behavior, discipline will usually take only the expression of disappointment to correct a child.

As far as interacting with the faculty, staff and parents, Upchurch intends to be visible.

"As long as the parents understand that we have their kid's best interest in mind, they will be with us all of the way."

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