Pomperaug High School Principal (PHS), James Agostine, will be hosting a “Coffee with the Principal”, for parents and guardians of PHS students, Thursday, April 28^th at 10:00 a.m.  Guests are asked to sign in at the main office before proceeding to Room 645 for the coffee.  This is one of several coffees hosted by Mr. Agostine throughout the year.

   According to Mr. Agostine, his desire to host coffees for parents began when he was Principal of Memorial Middle School in 1997.  Due to the recent high school construction project and his involvement in the New England Association of Schools & Colleges accreditation process, Mr. Agostine has been unable to hold the coffees during the past two years.

   “This year, I have been pleased to once again open the doors to these coffees,” said Mr. Agostine.   They provide a forum for parents to ask questions and discuss issues related to their child and school.”

   This will be the third coffee Mr. Agostine has hosted this year, and he reports parent feedback has been very positive.  Diane Sanicola, the mother of PHS 9^th and 11^th grade students and a guest at Mr. Agostine’s March coffee said, “Now that my children are in high school, they are more independent and there is less communication between school and home.  Attending these coffees is a great way to ask questions and gain information,” she said.

   During the coffees, Mr. Agostine creates a welcoming setting by providing light

breakfast foods along with coffee and beverages.  He is quick to welcome guests and

pull up a chair for a one to one conversation.  Mr. Agostine says he will often

prepare a topic such as discipline procedures, substance abuse, or academic achievements to fill any voids or to initiate conversation.  “The sessions are very helpful for me to gauge the questions parents have and their level of understanding of our programs,” he said.  “Frequently, I walk away from the session with insight as to how we can improve in the future.”

   Mr. Agostine says questions are often related to processes such as college applications or about course selection and course levels.  “Parents generally want to know about the school culture and safety issues,” he said.  “It is my hope that more and more parents take advantage of this opportunity, by joining me in April and at future coffees.”

   Information about “Coffee with the Principal” at PHS can be found on the school’s web site, Region 15’s cable access channel 17 and in the PHS school newsletter, “Panther News”.