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The Purbalite

The student news site of Baldwin High School

The Purbalite

The student news site of Baldwin High School

The Purbalite

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New leaders like school atmosphere

BY EMILY BLYSTONE
Copy Chief

This year two new faces in administration have been introduced to the high school: Principal Walter Graves and Assistant Principal John Saras.

Graves came to Baldwin from South Western High School in Hanover, Pa. Saras taught at Harrison Middle School before becoming Assistant Principal at Whitehall Elementary School.

Q: What was your first impression of the high school?

Graves: “Everyone was very friendly. The kids have gone out of their way to be extra welcoming.”

Saras: “I was very impressed with the people that work here and the students that go here.”

Q: What has the transition from teacher to principal been like for you?

Graves: “It helps me to know what it is like to be a teacher.”

Saras: “When you’re teaching you have a set schedule. Now what I do and who I see varies from day to day.”

Q: How is this job different from being Assistant Principal at Whitehall?

Saras: “The kids there are different sizes and have different problems.”

Q: What past teaching jobs have you had?

Graves: “I taught tech –ed and woodshop for five years, and was part of administration for 19 total years.”

Saras: “I taught 13 years of math at Harrison Middle School. The areas of math I taught were geometry, algebra, and pre- algebra.”

Q: How have your experiences with the students been?

Graves: “Everyone is encouraging and supportive of me. I still get lost in the building, and everyone has been willing to give me directions.”

Saras: “The students have been fantastic, personable, and welcoming.”

Q: Is there a specific experience that is particularly memorable?

Graves: “At open house a girl sought me out to introduce herself to me.”

Saras: “Working with Tony Thorton on the creation of the Highlander Huddle has been memorable. His communication and interaction with administration is impressive. He has been working to keep the pride alive.”

Q: What is your number one goal for this year?

Graves: “I would like to support the district goals, achieve academically, and be fiscally responsible. I hope to lead the high school in a growing direction.”

Saras: “I want to be the best that I can be at this job and to make sure that all students have a memorable and positive experience at Baldwin”

Q: What, in your opinion, is one thing Baldwin needs to improve on?

Graves: “My goal is to keep up with state and federal mandates, and prepare students for after high school.”

Saras: “Getting all students involved in something. Baldwin has so much to offer, and I think that everyone can find their niche.”

Q: What is your principal’s blog about? Why did you create it?

Graves: “It was something that I started at my old school. It keeps people in the know about all the good things that happen at the school. It’s a place to showcase the students.”

Q: Would you ever consider setting up a Twitter account?

Graves: “That’s not a bad idea. I tried that before but wasn’t able to keep up with it. I’d consider doing something like that, if someone would teach me how it works.”

What about unicycles and Jay Z?

Q:  What jobs have you had outside of teaching?

Graves: “I was a carpenter’s apprentice, and a member of the carpenters union.” 

Saras: “I worked in the accounting department at Kennywood and saw a lot of money.

Q: Favorite band, movie, TV show, or book

Graves: “My two favorite movies are Shawshank Redemption, and The Green Mile.”

Saras: “I’m a big Jay Z fan. I saw him in concert this summer with Justin Timberlake.”

Q: What is one thing students would not know about you?

Graves: “I know how to unicycle.”

Saras: “I used to be a rugby player.”

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