Contact Nancy Ale, Media Coordinator
James Hubert Blake High School
300 Norwood Road , Silver Spring, MD 20905
301-879-1356, Nancy_E_Ale@mcpsmd.org
Carole Goodman writes article for “Principal Leadership” magazine
Carole Goodman’s article “Let’s Do Lunch – All Together” has been published in the December issue of “Principal Leadership.” Ms. Goodman has been the principal of James Hubert Blake High School since it opened in 1998.
The article describes many of the advantages Blake has gain from having one lunch period for the whole school. Some of the benefits realized by both students and staff include: student participation in voluntary review sessions before tests has increased; tutoring by National Honor Society members is available; students visit with teachers in classrooms which results in informal positive relationships; coaches hold team meetings and both the gym and weight room are open; more students are involved in clubs; and many students take advantage of the 50 minute lunch break to work on projects. Students are able to benefit from many school activities during lunch that they would not participate in if only available after school. For administrators the lunch period is the most productive time of day to be visible and chat with students and staff in a more informal setting. Since Blake has switched to one lunch period student achievement has risen dramatically in every academic indicator.
Principal Leadership is a publication of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, (NASSP), which provides articles on the best practices and experiences of school leaders as well as educational research to strengthen the leadership capability of school principals, assistant principals and other school leaders. NASSP, headquartered in Reston, VA is representative of over 30,000 secondary school administrators.