by Dominic Gideon ‘14 & Jack Eckman ‘15
At the beginning of this school year, after inheriting the power of principal from current theology teacher Mr. Peter Corrigan, Mr. Bradesca was overflowing with exciting, innovative ideas to improve the school. From the new salad bar to the finals dress down to the new summer reading program, Mr. Bradesca’s presence has most certainly been felt throughout the year. Looking back, he definitely hasn’t disappointed, and next year looks equally optimistic.
What he has in the works currently is the new technology policy (BYOD) to be implemented next school year, as well as a modernized cell phone policy. With technology manifesting so many areas of a young person’s life, the school is taking much needed steps to have the classroom keep up with the current technology. “You are going to see more teachers using technology now that they know that students are allowed and encouraged to bring them into class,” Mr. Bradesca said. “And as Mr. Jarc gets more and more advanced with Haiku being interactive with mobile devices, we will see more and more use of devices on campus.”
Mobile devices, which have been previously banned from use during the school day, are going to be much less restricted next year. With the outdated handbook guidelines, the rules are widely disregarded and certainly need reform. “I don’t think the way to go is to say ‘no’ you can’t have it. Because in all honesty, you guys already have them,” said Bradesca. “So if you already have them, lets make them useful as opposed to contraband being held in seclusion or secret.” That’s why the school is working on making certain areas phone friendly, like the library, and some areas phone prohibited, such as the hallways between classes.
While the technology policies will be implemented immediately next school year, Mr. Bradesca, has some longer term plans in mind, one of which is adding service to each school year, not just for sophomores. “One of the things we have gotten from the past five years or so from the senior exit interviews is that guys are consistently telling us they wish they did more service,” Mr. Bradesca said. Yet the possibility of some sort of four year required service is not likely. It is, however, much more possible for future seniors
Mr. Bradesca sees that by the time most students become seniors, they fully understand the value and joy of service; and so that’s why he is more focused on getting end of the year service projects for the seniors. This will be different than the senior year internships that many high schools do; this will be a student crafted service project to ensure that the senior gets as much enjoyment and learning out of the experience as he can.
This project ties very well into what the school tries to stress throughout a student’s high school career, and it will help seniors to be able to apply those lessons in the real world through these service projects. “It’s like what Fr. Welsh says in his quote on the mall, ‘What does God want of me?’” Mr. Bradesca explained. “Its not just to go out and make money: What am I going to do for the greater glory of God? It’s a way of finding out what am I interested in and how is that going to serve God?”
Among the things he’s done this year and the plans he has for next year, Mr. Bradesca takes pride and satisfaction with his communication and visibility among student and faculty. From having “principal lunches” to simply getting out of his office, Mr. Bradesca has been able to lessen the disconnect between principal and the people he is serving. “Visibility brings with it the opportunity for discussion and for communication,” he said, explaining his stress on communication.
To improve on his already solid communication, next year principal Bradesca will compose newsletters to staff, students, parents, and the community. This will further keep everyone aware of what’s going on around the school as well as informed about the principal’s many ideas and initiatives.
