First impressions of the new the job

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.

* PATRICK AZADIAN works and lives in Glendale. He may be reached

at padania@

earthlink.net