Freshman Year Jitters At Franklin High School For Students And Principal

Cheryl Clark, new Franklin High School principal, outside the school Sept. 1 greeting students on the first day of school.

Incoming Franklin High School freshmen weren’t the only ones nervous on the first day of school Sept. 1.

Joining the ranks of having first-day jitters was the school’s new principal, Cheryl Clark.

Clark and other school officials were outside in the light rain, welcoming students as they came off buses and made their way into the building.

“Good morning, welcome!”  Clark said, over and over, along with the occasional reminder that cell phones had to be out of sight and headphones off in the school.

Clark said that she admitted her nervousness to students at the freshman orientation held over the summer.

“A lot of them shared that they were a little nervous,” she said. “I told them, don’t feel bad, this is your principal’s first day too. So if you’re walking down the hallway the first day and you see me, let’s just stop and give each other a hug to get that vibe going because I’m just as nervous.”

Hailing from the Irvington school district, Clark, a 19-year education veteran, said she’s happy with her decision to come to Franklin.

“I love it,” she said. “I have no doubt that this is the place I was supposed to be.”

After freshman orientation, she said, “I walked out of there feeling this is one of the best decisions I ever made.”

Clark said the year will be a time of “continuity, a focused vision and success all around.”

She said administrators will be more strict about enforcing bans on electronic devices in the school, and the school’s dress code.

Cell phones, she said, are “not to be seen or heard.” As far as the dress code goes, it bans such things as ripped jeans, short dresses and halter tops, she said.

Students in violation of the policies will initially be given warnings, she said.

Clark said she’s optimistic about the coming school year.

“My closing with everything I’ve said to them is let’s make this best year ever,” she said. “This year wil be the best year ever, next year will be the best year ever. What I want to do, every year, is just progress.”

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