April Wuest recently joined Glenn Gualtieri as assistant principal of Sashabaw Middle School.
With the recent changes in the Clarkston School district, all sixth and seventh grade students now attend SMS. To better handle the increase in numbers, district officials created the second assistant principal position.
Wuest, an Oxford resident, is starting her eighth year with the district, having previously worked as a second grade teacher at Springfield Plains Elementary, a fifth grade teacher at Independence Elementary and five years as a talent development specialist.
Wuest said she was looking to for an assistant principal position and was happy and relieved to find an opening in the district.
‘I let the district know early on that I didn’t want to leave Clarkston. I’m such a ‘Clarkstonite? now, so I was really hoping for something to open up here and I was holding my breath for that,? she explained.
A month into the school year, Wuest said the experience has is great so far.
‘I’m really amazed at the kinds of programs and things that are available for kids in Clarkston in their middle school years. I’m very impressed, and the more I get to know the people that work here and the kind of thought and energy and time that goes into doing our best to meet kids? needs, I’m really very happy to be part of this team, honored really,? Wuest said.
Wuest said she and Gualtieri divided the responsibilities, with Gualtieri focusing on the seventh grade and Wuest on the sixth.
Besides overseeing disciplinary issues, Wuest said her major responsibility managing the new Recreational Enrichment Arts and Life skills (REAL) Time pilot project for students.
? REAL Time is an opportunity for students… during their lunch period, where they have 30 minutes to choose an activity that they want to do,? Wuest said. According to Wuest, the types of activities vary and encompass a broad range of athletic, educational, and entertaining programs.
Wuest said the students? choices vary depending on what they want to do. Some can use the time to join remedial support groups for difficult subjects, while others can use the time to burn some extra energy.
‘Sometimes it’s just a quiet study hall where kids can get work done because they’re so busy after school that they don’t have time. They have that support here, with teachers helping with homework and getting things completed,? said Wuest.
‘It’s an opportunity for kids to connect with each other,? said Wuest. ‘It’s our answer to recess. Kids need time together, especially getting into the middle school years. Their shift to peers and their focus on peers becomes more and more important, so they need that time during the day to connect with each other and to connect with staff members on a more real level.?
Wuest said the students pick two activities, one for odd days and one for even days, and they have the opportunity to change those activities every six weeks. Wuest also said every counselor and support staff member in the building helps with the program with at least one class.
‘It’s been great,? Wuest said about responses to the new program. ‘The feedback from the teachers has been really good.?