This year, York is under new leadership. Jessica Hurt has taken the role of principal and has been working hard to get to know everyone who is part of the York family. From introducing herself at school wide events to visiting tables during lunch periods, she is striving to introduce herself to students and staff alike.
Former assistant principal of Hinsdale Central, Hurt took the opening of principal here at York, due to Shahe Bagdasarian taking a new position at Oak Lawn Community High School as superintendent. One of her top priorities, especially in the beginning of the year, is assuring everyone recognizes her.
“I want to make sure students know who I am,” Hurt said. “Not only so I can help them as a resource but also I’m selfish and want to be able to say hi to students in the hallway and have them know who I am so we can talk.”
When Hurt went around to division meetings towards the end of last year, teachers had the opportunity to meet with her. She seemed to make a good impression showing she was ready to get started.
“She’s definitely different from the principal we had in Dr. Bagdasarian,” social studies teacher Timothy Albert said. “She was full of life and joking around and that’s a good thing because you need somebody in a position of leadership like this that can toe that really fine line between humor, having a good time and it’s a serious job. She seems from my first impression of her to have that ability to be a real person.”
Some students will even admit that getting a new principal wasn’t news they were looking forward to at first, but those who have gotten to know her have changed their minds.
“I was already a little apprehensive about getting a new principal but I like the way things are going,” junior Allison Poku, student council member, said. “Getting to know her a little better gave me a lot more confidence in what’s coming.”
To become an administrator was a difficult ask of her due to Hurt’s love for working with students so closely as a teacher, yet she wanted a new challenge. She believes it’s important to have students know she’s there for them because she is more than qualified to lend a helping hand.
“Academics did not always come easily for me,” Hurt said. “Which I think makes me a better teacher because I know what it’s like to struggle.”
Adding a new member to the administration team could improve the way York operates. Before being granted an administration position, those individuals who were teachers before moving on in their career, bring in a point of view that can be helpful when deciding what students need.
“I think that at heart I am a teacher,” Hurt said. “I always put students first and I think sometimes we miss that when it comes to administration.”
Hurt has contributed to many decisions in York’s policy changes since this past spring, before she even stepped into office at the start of the school year. She is clear that every choice is considered to be in all student’s best interest.
“A lot of it is about making sure we, as adults, have high expectations for students,” Hurt said. “Then also to show a high degree of support for students.”
There are some concerns about these policies and Hurt is aware how students, staff, and community members are reacting. Student council had the chance to meet Hurt last spring before the rest of the student body, getting a sneak peak of what she might’ve had in store.
“I think some of the new policy changes have definitely changed everyone’s perspective,” Poku said. “With her being so friendly and welcoming, people could really change their view of her when she starts to get around the school more.”
Not all community members are on her side with the policies being different. She hopes to come around to students because these changes are for the better, though change can be hard to get used to right away.
“I know it feels like we took something away from students,” Hurt said. “That’s certainly not what makes me popular or what we want students to feel.”
Most teachers on the other hand seem pleased with how the year is starting off when considering how the policies are working. The rules have increased stability and growth in positive outcomes compared to years before.
“I’m happy that she seems to be about enforcing rules,” Albert said. “We’ve had problems with that but it seems to be much better this year so far.”
The differences to York already aren’t all that Hurt is hoping to see for the future. She plans to get input from individuals outside the administration as inspiration for what York can become.
“We want to work together with students to figure out what you all want,” Hurt said. “We have ideas but we want to make sure we are meeting the needs of our students and so if students have new ideas for students to get engaged, we really want to make sure that York Community High School is a place where all students feel like they belong.”
As students get first hand experience of how the policies play out, some are able to open their minds up and see the benefits. Hurt’s objective is trying to make sure students profit from what York has to offer as a high school.
“It’s going to be a struggle but I do see why she made the changes,” Poku said. “I see why those changes were necessary to push students to be more responsible over their academics.”
Hurt mentioned that since the beginning, York has felt like a right fit and how she’s overall thrilled to be the newest part of the community. She has happily changed her color from red at her past school to York’s very own kelly green.
“I’ve learned that there is such a strong sense of pride among the staff and students around the community at York and that to me just solidifies my reason for being here,” Hurt said. “The past couple years have been really hard for students and teachers so if we can make York a place where all students and staff want to be, that’s certainly my goal as principal.”
