Schools

Retzer Ready to Lead South Lakes High School

It's been a busy summer for SLHS' new principal.

The 2012-13 school year begins for students on Sept. 4. For Kim Retzer, it began on July 2, when she took over as principal of her alma mater.

was an assistant principal at Westfield High School for one year before being named to the post last spring after Bruce Butler announced his retirement. 

Retzer has been busy hiring staff members, buying more green and blue spiritwear and getting organized for the new school year.

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She talked with Reston Patch about some things in store for 2012-13.

Retzer is looking forward to the The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. with a meet-and-greet, and she says she is eager to meet new SLHS families. The block party is from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by the Seahawks football team's scrimmage with Falls Church. Admission is free.

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"I am very excited about my first opportunity to interact with the community, the kids and the parents," she said.

Will she take a turn in the dunk tank? She says she is not on the schedule, but you never know.

A couple of key administration spots have been filled. Peter Kownaski, a former social studies teacher at Robinson Secondary School, will be the assistant principal for the Class of 2015. That spot is open because as principal of Terraset Elementary.

AP Kim Greer moved to Marshall High. The new AP for the Class of 2013 is Jeneane Sims, a former Spanish teacher and AP at Marshall.

Retzer says about 25 new staff members have been hired, but there are still two vacancies that need to be filled.

There are some changes to Seahawk Seminar. 

"The kids are going back to a two-period rotation," says Retzer. "There will be some opportunity for kids to move around later in the year."

There will also be an additional counseling time every two to three weeks, she said.

"This is not an extra class," said Retzer. "It is an '11th period' that we will do in a rotation during Seahawk Seminar. It will be an opportunity to do some student-student advising and some faculty-student advising."

* The new IB Career Certificate will be available to students.

* Retzer's mom, Sharon Brophy, has retired from SLHS. Brophy was the administrative assistant for the Class of 2014.

* A new testing assessment coach has been hired. Colleen Robson comes to SLHS from Centreville High School. She will be in charge of tracking and administrating tests such as SOLs and PSATs.

* A later start on Wednesdays is still being talked about and may go into effect later in the year, says Retzer.

* The school and the PTSA are organizing a book drive to get gently used books into homes that could use them. Start organizing some of your books and watch for information soon.


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