THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 23, 1996 TAG: 9605230333
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALETA PAYNE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 120 lines
If you ask her, Pat Griffin will tell you about the call that snatched her from sleep in the early hours of Sept. 1.
She'll describe standing in the glare of the emergency trucks' red lights watching fire devour the front hall of her school. She'll recall firefighters discussing the intense heat and their trouble controlling the flames.
But what Griffin, the principal of Princess Anne High School, would rather tell you about is the tremendous year her students and staff have had in spite of a start that could have crippled or embittered other communities. And for that, she'll give credit to practically everyone but herself.
``I think it's a strong vote for public education to see how this city has helped out,'' Griffin said recently.
Others are more eager to acknowledge what Griffin has done as principal at PA: She was recently selected the city's Secondary School Principal of the Year, which qualifies her forthe statewide competition.
Jerry F. Deviney, president of the Virginia Beach Association of Secondary School Principals, calls Griffin ``an innovative and creative young principal who, through her exemplary leadership qualities, has led Princess Anne High School through a very difficult year.''
Griffin, a graduate of Kellam High School, was a teacher and coach at Bayside High School before becoming an adminstrator.
``As a teacher, you help students grow,'' she said. ``As an administrator, you help adults grow to help students grow. I felt perhaps I could make a bigger difference.''
She was an assistant principal at Kempsville High School for almost six years before becoming principal at Princess Anne in the spring of 1994.
Some teachers and students say they were nervous about the arrival of a novice principal so late in the year, but Griffin has proven she's capable.
``She's done an incredible job,'' said senior Jamie Alexander. ``She's given a 200 percent commitment to the school. She's given a smile to everyone. Just an incredible, incredible job.''
``She's enthusiastic and she's really supportive of the staff,'' said Spanish teacher Claudia Cosimano. ``She makes an effort to make everyone feel good about their accomplishments.''
One such effort is Griffin's ``Shining Stars'' program, which recognizes students for achievements in and out of school. Metallic paper stars, inscribed with students' names, are posted along a wall in the shopping mall turned high school. That's where about 1,500 students have had most of their classes since the fire, Celebration Station. The students also receive a gold star pin to wear and they are honored at a year-end reception.
The students and staff of Princess Anne have had their share of successes in a year that could have easily been lost to chaos.
``This has been the most challenging year I've ever spent. But I guess with the challenges come many rewards,'' Griffin said.
Measures of student achievement - from attendance to disciplinary referrals to grades - have all improved.
Griffin inherited the beginnings of block scheduling and the International Baccalaureate program, and has shepherded both of those efforts to the next phase.
Block scheduling, now in its second year, leaves students in classes for longer periods of time on alternate days. School leaders hope Princess Anne will be officially sanctioned in the International Baccalaureate program by July. It's a rigorous two-year international diploma program that almost guarantees acceptance in college and universities throughout the world.
``The staff has been very forward-thinking, and we're seeing the results of their efforts,'' Griffin said. ``Academically we're increasing. Our achievement scores are increasing.''
She has also supervised students who are shuttled between two different campuses - Celebration Station and undamaged portions of Princess Anne. She is responsible for students in citywide special education and pregnant teen programs housed at Princess Anne.
``It's one of the things that makes PA such a neat school,'' she said. ``We have so many things going on.''
Assistant Principal Nell Richardson is impressed by Griffin's daily leadership while also dealing with insurance representatives, fire officials and architects. Richardson's own credentials may help her recognize excellence - she's been named the city's secondary schools assistant principal of the year.
``(Griffin) certainly deserves this in every sense of the word,'' Richardson said.
Princess Anne burned just four days before the start of classes. School official's delayed the school's opening for a week while they found a new location, gathered equipment, and figured out just how to run a high school without basics likecafeterias or lockers .
Even Griffin said she's amazed that things have gone so smoothly.
``It's almost like a miracle was created overnight,'' she said. ``If someone had told me that instruction will go on, you won't miss a beat, things will be better than ever, I wouldn't have believed it.''
Griffin is praised for her efforts with Operation Phoenix, the grass-roots initiative to reconstruct the school with improvements that have been needed for years. While Griffin is not a member of the group, she has provided encouragement and advice, according to teacher Tina P. Lenhart.
``The open exchange of ideas and clear goal-setting made participation in Operation Phoenix a positive example of how all levels of a community can work together if the principal sets an example of professionalism with the end result always to improve learning for our students,'' Lenhart wrote in her letter recommending Griffin for the secondary principal's award.
For all the praise directed her way, the most meaningful success for Griffin may be in the fine memories that will linger for many students whose hopes and expectations for the coming year lay in ashes nine months ago.
Britney Ewers, a junior, will always remember her principal playing in the student-faculty basketball game and performing in the Faculty Follies.
``The more I get to know her, the more I see how dedicated she is,'' Ewers said. ``She's a good woman.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
CHARLIE MEADS/The Virginian-Pilot
Principal Pat Griffin has helped lead Princess Anne High School
through a difficult year. ``As a teacher, you help students grow,''
she said. ``As an administrator, you help adults grow to help
students grow.''
DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH/The Virginian-Pilot file
At 3 a.m. Sept. 1, fire plagues the west end of Princess Anne High
School. The fire, just before the Virginia Beach school opened,
meant a tough year for students, but also one fondly remembered,
thanks in part to Griffin's efforts.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE BIOGRAPHY PRINCESS ANNE HIGH
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL by CNB