Wilde Lake Middle School principal completes first year

By John-John Williams IV, The Baltimore Sun
June 24, 2010

Wilde Lake Middle School Principal Tom Saunders stood with his hand extended, welcoming the 161 eighth-graders to give him a high-five on the final day of their middle school career.

Many students slapped his palm with an enthusiastic crack. Others opted for a hug. And there were a number who were so overcome with emotion that they headed to the nearest adult to console them as they cried at the thought of leaving their beloved school.

Saunders was joined by the entire staff of the school Wednesday for its annual "clap out" ceremony, in which the adults line the halls leading to the school entrance to give the eighth-graders a final sendoff.

Leading into the school year, Saunders was slightly apprehensive about how he would be received by the school — especially by the eighth-grade class. He knew he was inheriting a school that was in turmoil after a 13-year-old student said she was sexually assaulted by two other students in a bathroom. The school's principal, Scott Conroy, was reassigned to another school, a move planned before the incident.

"I didn't know what my return would bring," said Saunders, who had worked as an assistant principal at the school eight years earlier. "But I was surprised by my welcome. The eighth-graders only had a year left. I was pleasantly surprised by their openness and willingness to accept the new rules."

Saunders came to the school and instituted a new set of rules and expectations he coined "The Wilde Lake Way." Hats and gum were no longer permitted on school grounds. He changed the design of the lockers in hallways, which also affected the flow of traffic between classes. He moved the bathroom where the assault took place so that it could be better monitored.

Saunders was also instrumental in getting the school two pilot programs that resulted in wireless Internet access and 180 new netbook computers. The additional computers mean that at any given time, almost every one of the school's 480 students has access to a computer. The influx of technology helped re-energize students and staff.

"I am leaving with a really positive attitude," said Jessica Wilson, a 15-year-old. "We've grown up a lot. We are ready to be in high school."

Adam Glass, a 14-year-old eighth-grader, said he and his mother have been pleased with the changes at the school.

"She's happy about the new principal," Adam said, adding that his older two siblings attended the school when Saunders worked there as an assistant principal. "She knew he was going to do a good job. I love this school. I'm sad to leave. All the staff has been really encouraging."

The staff morale is much better this year, according to Tricia Stewart, a special-education and science teacher.

"Tom really worked hard to foster positive relationships with each other," Stewart said. "The school as a whole has made a positive change in the right direction. I'm very pleased to be a part of this."

Alia N. Thomas, who teaches special education and reading, has worked at Wilde Lake Middle for the past 10 years, including when Saunders was an assistant principal.

"There's a more positive energy," she said. "He's very fair. I love the fact that he knows the kids by name. He talks to them. He has a big heart."

Saunders knows there is still much more work to be done.

"I would love to have more collaboration with parents," he said. "I would love to have more students getting on our honor roll. I want more students being recognized for academic excellence, and more staff being recognized for excellent ability to teach. And when Wilde Lake is mentioned, people feel positively about the brand."

Saunders' positive outlook was on full display as he boarded all the school buses just before they departed.

"Have a great summer everybody," he said repeatedly to the busloads of giddy, summer-bound students.

Then, Saunders gathered his staff in front of the school for a few last words.

"Thank you for an awesome year," he said.

john-john.williams@baltsun.com