On Tuesday night, the Italy High School cafeteria was filled with parents, faculty and school board members to meet the new principal, Tanya Parker.

Superintendent, Jimmy Malone, introduced the newest member of the administration to the crowd. “We are fortunate to have her. Ms. Parker comes highly recommended. She is excited about Italy High School and thought it was a worthwhile opportunity to meet and greet the parents tonight. Her track record speaks for itself. Ms. Parker is passionate about what she does and loves to help the kids. Our students and staff are in good hands.”

Ms. Parker spoke to the crowd abut her personal life, stating she was a single mom of a six year old daughter, Haley, who will attend Stafford this school year. “She calls herself a Tiger but is ready to be a Gladiator,” Parker explained. The new principal is looking for a home locally and said with a smile, “If you know of anyone wanting to buy a house in Mansfield, I have one for sale.”

Parker was quick to explain her goals, expectations and strategies to the parents attending. “I would like to see academic excellence, athletic excellence, student accountability and responsibility and a learning community. I want parents involved with their students and teachers. Move our school level to exemplary and become a Blue Ribbon School. I want this to the best little school in Texas and it is possible. There are good things here.”

According to the US Department of Education, a Blue Ribbon School is academically superior or demonstrates dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. A Blue Ribbon School serves as a model for other schools throughout the nation.

Ms. Parker introduced a video to the members of the audience called Did You Know.

Video was removed.

“We are preparing kids for jobs that don’t exist yet. We can’t en-visualize what technology is coming. The amount of new technology is doubling every year,” Parker explained. She also wants to work with the students on time management, organization and life skills in a job by using an agenda, which is a daily planner/organizer.

The teachers will model how the students will use the new systems. “We can’t expect a certain behavior before we teach it. We are a family and need to act that way.” Italy ISD is enforcing dress code for the whole year. “If you worked at specific job, they would require a certain standard of dress and we are trying to teach the kids about life as an adult.”

Parker explained that she would address the tardy situation and keep discipline consistent and fair. “I also would like for everyone to know how to communicate. Please use the chain of command. If you would like to talk about a situation concerning your student, I am going to ask if you have talked to the teacher involved first,” Parker said.

Another change for the junior high and high school students will be the Flex Schedule. “The new bell schedule works out very well and makes 8 periods at 50 minutes each. The first bell will be at 7:50 am and we will go to 3:35 pm.” This new schedule has graduation placed on May 21. “If each student passes all sections of the TAKS, no absence fail-which is 90% attendance, no DAEP placement, the last of school for that student will May 18th.”

Parker explained her expectations from all the students. She has a “full value contract” teachers and students will sign. “This is a contract explaining loyalty to each other and the community. It asks for excellence,” Parker explained.

Parker was the Assistant Principal at Timberview High School in Mansfield. She also worked for Burleson, Weatherford and Maypearl ISD’s. Parker received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history and M.Ed. in Education Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. She currently is working toward a Ph. D in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of North Texas.

The new principal ended her talk on a positive note, “If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.”