news-record.com

GREENSBORO ­— As a high school student, Anna Brady felt more comfortable on the basketball court than cheering on the sidelines. But the Grimsley High principal has found herself trying to raise school spirit in recent days, hitting a few three-pointers in the process.

A small group of parents and students turned out to meet Brady Thursday night at the Warnersville Community Center. The event was the third Brady has held this week to reach out to the various communities her students are coming from. Brady says the events are an effort to make parents and students feel more in touch with the school.

“It’s really an effort to communicate with the community,” she said. “I really need to know where my kids live.”

This is Brady’s second year at the school. If she stays, it will be a longer run at the school than most of her predecessors; Grimsley had four principals in three years before she arrived.

Brady is attempting to steer Grimsley, a school known for excellence, away from rough waters.  The school has failed to meet federal testing goals for two years in a row now, and it’s seen its fair share of fights, including one near riot. The fights are down — Brady estimates by about half last year — but she agrees there is plenty of work to do.

The recent past didn’t bother any of the parents or students who turned out for the meeting.

Ollie Franklin brought her grandson Marcus Woods to the meeting. Woods will be a freshman at Grimsley in two weeks and that’s a point of pride for his grandmother; her three children, including Woods’ mother went to Grimsley.

“My three (children) ended up graduating and going on to college. He shouldn’t have a problem doing well,” she said.

Ed Sharp’s son Ben also will start at Grimsley this fall. Sharp said test scores aren’t proof of a good school. It’s the quality of the teachers and administration and what he’s seen at Grimsley that has impressed him.

“That sort of information is more valuable than whether a school meets (test goals),” Sharp said.

Roberta Rohan thinks Brady’s outreach efforts will pay off at school. Rohan teaches math at Grimsley and attended the meeting. She said Grimsley’s troubles are common ones. It’s the solutions that mean something.

“The problems Grimsley faces, that every school faces, are social changes and not easy to solve,” she said.

Outside the community center, Brady challenged a few girls to a game of Horse. The former North Moore High point guard hadn’t lost her touch, sinking a few shots and giving pointers to her students.

India Matier, a Grimsley junior, couldn’t help but giggle as Brady lined up her shot. Matier said she never spoke to Brady last year but she thinks she will this year.

“She seems like a cool person,” Matier said. “She seems like she’ll actually talk to you.”

Brady hopes with a little conversation, a lot of work — and maybe a layup or two — she can put Grimsley’s rough waters behind.
 

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com