Cashmere High School is facing some major staffing changes this year, and none more notable than the replacement of Mr. Brown by Mrs. Carlson and Mr. Groce. Carlson and Groce were chosen as Dean of Students rather than hiring a vice principal because having a Dean of Students whose primary focus is student life versus an assistant principal whose job is to enforce rules. To make more sense, the difference between an assistant principal and a dean of students is that a vice principal’s duties include enforcing school policies, handling discipline, etc. While a Dean of students focuses on connecting with students through examples such as student life, behavior, and well-being.
To answer my first question, one of the new Deans of Students, Mrs. Carlson, shared that one of her main goals is to create a space where students genuinely choose to stay on campus during lunch. She explains that she hopes to make lunchtime more enjoyable by suggesting new activities that bring students together. In fact, she even mentioned some fun ideas, such as hosting Clash Royale tournaments to spark interest. Carlson believes that adding such activities will make school feel like a more exciting place for students. To get the other Dean’s opinion on hopefully future accomplishments and changes, Mr. Groce hopes to connect deeper with students and build relationships with those whom he wouldn’t have had before. And now, in his words, “with the job comes more discipline, and I would like to build that relationship with them so I can guide them easier.”
However, he would like to keep the high standard for the school. And our new dean of students can do that. Our deans can make this school great. They can make school an exciting place. That is their goal.
To answer my second question, Mr. MacKenzie, explained why the board decided on two deans instead of one vice principal. His response was simple in that there were three candidates, and unfortunately, two couldn’t make it. The administrators came up with the idea of having two deans of students to focus on student life, and they really looked at who had been the most involved.
I interviewed a sophomore at Cashmere High School, Harper Nelson, and she gave me her hopes for change at CHS with this new leadership. Mrs. Carlson and Mr. Groce both claimed that they try to be lenient in dress-coding their students, but at the same time need to keep order and the standard that is set at the beginning of every school year. Students can’t expect change immediately.