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Los Angeles Times Valley Edition | Glendale News-Press | 2005 July 30
First impressions of the new the job
BY PATRICK AZADIAN
If one believes all the hype about the degenerate state of urban youth today, one would assume a gathering of more than 3,000 or so on a hot summer day would yield some kind of drama, unruliness or maybe even a physical altercation that would make the evening news.
And, if one was to add to the equation the fact that the youngsters were actually standing in close quarters and represented over a dozen or so groups covering the American ethnic, racial and religious spectrum, the potential for conflict or disagreement would seem even higher.
That's not what Kathy Fundukian, the new principal of Glendale High, discovered on her first week during lunch break.
"I was pleasantly surprised at the level of unspoken respect students had for each other as well as for the staff," she said. "After lunch there were hardly any plastic bottles on the floor, virtually no trays stranded on the tables, and certainly no significant amount of litter in the cafeteria."
First impressions may not be everything, but they can be a good beginning.
I've known Kathy for just about a quarter century. I remember her from the early 1980s at UCLA. On the even days of the week, when I was on my routine walk from Calculus 2 to Physics 1, I'd run into her on the west side of the Powell Library. She was a fellow Bruin who'd give me a genuine 'hello' every single time.
As a freshman at UCLA, the campus felt like an impregnable fortress of inhospitality, rather than an educational institution with a human touch.
I was new to the Los Angeles area and had only been in California for three years. Yet, Kathy's small gesture of acknowledgement went a long way in making me feel I belonged. Recently, I heard she had been appointed the new principal at Glendale High School. I wasted no time in ringing her up to get her first impressions of the new job.
I wanted to get a little insight on how it felt going from being a Bruin to a Dynamiter (the official Glendale High mascot).
Fundukian had done her homework before accepting the position, and her initial impressions matched her expectations.
"From what I've seen, I can comfortably say there is a genuine commitment toward the students on behalf of our staff," she said.
It was one of the first things she had noticed about the school.
I wondered how that translated into numbers. According to Fundukian, test scores for Glendale High students have been steadily rising in the past few years. In addition, Glendale High School has been the recipient of the 2001 Bravo School Award, from the Music Center Education Division of the L.A. County Performing Art Center.
Since winning the award, Glendale High has expanded its programs, has been awarded the 2003 Creative Ticket -- Schools of Excellence Award from the California Alliance for Arts Education, and has been nominated for the National Schools of Distinction Award given by the Kennedy Center.
"Good things have been achieved here before my arrival," she said. "But what's important now is to strive to do better. I see a dedication to improve among our staff members; there is a positive energy here."
Fundukian was also excited about the school's new artificial turf for field sports.
"Participation in sports can help youngsters ride through the turbulent years of teenage-hood," she said. "It's a way to shield our human capital from adversity. The turf felt real nice to the touch."
For those who don't know, artificial turf is not what it used to be.
The most recent artificial turf mimics natural grass quite well. Yet, there is a big difference. Artificial turf is not as affected by the change in weather. Thus, field sports can enjoy activity year-around with less interruptions. Good news for football and soccer players.
Since her appointment, many students have come up to Fundukian and introduced themselves.
"I want the students to know there is always a open communication channel between them and the staff," she said.
Her final words echoed a desire to improve.
"We need to build on our predecessors' achievements, emphasize the positives, and keep our momentum," she said. "The students also need to know whether they are doing well in their studies, that there are always staff members watching out for them. This may not be as straightforward as it sounds, but we want them to internalize the fact that we are all working for their success."
Good thoughts. Once Fundukian has had time to settle in her new job, perhaps I'll make an attempt to get second impressions.
Copyright 2005 Glendale News Press
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