Jonathan Carter comes to the high school from Dean Technical High School in Holyoke and Springfield’s High School of Science and Technology.
WESTFIELD – Aug. 29 was a day of firsts, not just for city students returning to school, but also for new Westfield High School Principal Jonathan Carter, whose goal is to make WHS the best school in Western Massachusetts.
Carter said he is confident that goal is attainable with the help of a faculty and staff that he called second to none.
“Today was amazing,” Carter said. “It was the best opening day in my years as an educator. The faculty is amazing. We’re on our way to a tremendous school year.”
Carter was selected for the post in May from among four candidates seeking to fill the position left vacant by retiring Principal Raymond K. Broderick.
“I feel honored and privileged to take over from Mr. Broderick,” Carter said.
Carter, who currently lives in West Springfield and is buying a home in Westfield, comes to the high school from Dean Technical High School in Holyoke where he worked to improve academic performance, increase attendance and graduation rates and decrease suspensions.
Before that, he was principal of Springfield’s High School of Science and Technology.
“I was fortunate to work with some tremendous people in Springfield and Holyoke who day in and day out work in challenging situations,” he said.
The first day of school at WHS ended on a light note, with motivational speaker and comedian Michael Pritchard addressing a student assembly where he presented strategies on managing the stresses of being a teen in a challenging world.
Pritchard covered a range of topics including bullying prevention, healthy boundaries, using humor in stressful situations, cyber safety and dealing with change.
Carter said the response, both from from students who have been bullied and those who have bullied others, was courageous and honest, making him proud to be their principal.
“The speaker’s message was about compassion, helping others and standing-up for what’s right,” he said. “We had kids stand in front of 1,600 people and share their experiences. I saw the best of Westfield today. I’m really proud of our kids.”
To keep the message as fresh the entire year as it was the first day of school requires a commitment by the faculty, staff, administration and school system, Carter said.
“As a school, we have to reinforce that lesson every day by creating a school climate that is safe for everyone,” he said. “We want kids to be tolerant, and we don’t just need to protect those who could be bullied, but those who do the bullying, too.”
The key to a harmonious high school environment, Carter said, is for all parties to listen to one another and respect each other, thereby creating a climate where tolerance will prevail and staff and students can work together to solve problems.
An opportunity to create a respectful environment arose this week when Carter, with the support of Superintendent of Schools Suzanne Scallion, decided to enforce a dress code that has been outlined in the school district handbook but had been loosely applied.
Carter said his decision to enforce a dress policy banning short-shorts and skirts, yoga pants, leggings and skinny jeans for girls, came after reviewing staff and faculty concerns about the distracting manner in which girls dress for school.
He stressed, though, that male students are also being held to the same standard and are prohibited from wearing hats or low-riding pants to school.
“It’s a tough process, but we have a great administrative team and support outside the building from the district,” he said.
In preparation for the start of school, Carter said he met with administrators and class officers, as well as with Broderick.
“I have great respect for Ray Broderick and his legacy,” he said. “Being the principal in a school that offers so much is a blessing. There is a place for every student that attends this school.”
Carter’s strong work ethic, he said, has taught him an important lesson that he wants to instill in the WHS population: “It’s not about how smart you are, but how hard you work. I will work hard for these kids.”