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Texting Principal-Cindy Carter
Students at Hunter's Lane High School literally have their principal's number- her cell phone number.
And as long as it's not during school hours, Principal Susan Kessler is glad to respond to hundreds of text messages.
The students frequently send messages to Dr. Kessler.
Student Andrew Russell says, "Whenever I have any questions, she's always there and it's amazing how fast she actually gets back because I"m sure she has a lot of people texting her."
Dr. Kessler says she gets several hundred text messages from students
a week, sometimes hundreds in a single day.
Dr. Kessler says, "For the most part, my language back to them is standard language with a couple of exceptions. I'll do an LOL but that's about it."
When Dr. Kessler first became principal at Hunter's lane in 2008, she gave all 1,800 students her cell number and assured them they could text her anytime between 2:05pm, when school lets out, and 7am, the next morning before school starts.
An idea she came up with after realizing how efficiently she could communicate with her own children via text message.
Dr. Kessler says, "So they text me on a variety of issues. Sometimes its related to standard school attire. sometimes it's related to the football game that's coming."
Dr. Kessler says, "Then occasionally you also get some really serious things that happen too where kids are reaching out and saying you know, I need someone to talk to."
And no text message goes unanswered.
Dr. Kessler says they've had 50% fewer kids in trouble this year over last year and 84% fewer disciplinary problems.
She doesn't attribute all of that to the texting but it certainly helps.
Dr. Kessler admits, at first her students weren't sure about the idea.
But now they trust the method, and her.
Student George Wade says, "It just makes me feel more comfortable around her most of the time. I"d be scared to pull my phone out in front of the principal and ask questions. It makes me feel more of a, more of a bond."
Texting Principal-Cindy Carter
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