Sandra Daniels isn’t out to win any popularity contests. If parents and students at Naples High School bristle at her enforcement of stricter rules, well, so be it, said the new principal.
The school has a new, cleaner look — and the student body will follow.
So no spaghetti straps for the young ladies or bare midriffs. No gauze shirts for the young men. And students have to keep their cell phones and iPods tucked away in lockers during the school day.
“I won’t be popular. Not for a while,” Daniels joked. “But this is a place of learning, and we’re going to learn. Every door is open to the students, and as leaders, we have to make sure we provide the best for them.”
Naples students won’t be the only ones with a new sheriff in town.
In fact, of the 99 schools in the Department of Defense Dependents Schools throughout Europe, 40 schools have new principals this year; and there are 23 new assistant principals.
The overseas military school system logged a higher number of leadership retirements this year than in the past — in essence, creating a domino effect that accounts for the number of new faces leading some schools, said Dennis Bohannon, a spokesman for DODDS-Europe.
When a principal retires at one school, for example, an assistant from another might move in and takes his or her place. Five schools within the system still are waiting for new assistant principals.
“Not to worry,” Bohannon said. “The job announcements are out and the hiring process has begun. Assistant principals and/or teachers-in-charge will fill in.”
While the exact number of retirements was not available, Bohannon said more than 200 people retired this year.
The reshuffling too reflects changes brought on by the military’s ongoing transformation process in Europe, which led to some school closings. “With the school closings, there were a lot of relocations,” he said.
Administrators have been given the freedom to transfer to more schools. For example, in years past, a principal in an elementary school could move only to another elementary school. But now, a principal at an elementary school can become principal at a middle school or high school.
“The changes this year may be a little greater because there also is lot more flexibility in movement,” Bohannon said.
What not to wear or bring
Ladies: No spaghetti strap shirts or bare midriffs
Gentlemen: No gauze shirts
Accessories: Cell phones and iPods must stay in lockers
