Written by Kalvin Payne c/o 2012
I.S.Benefit Showcase
http://is.sdhs.sandi.net/images/2011/IS%20Benefit%20Showcase%203-25-11/IS%20Benefit%20Showcase.htm
http://is.sdhs.sandi.net/images/2011/IS%20Benefit%20Showcase%203-25-11/IS%20Benefit%20Showcase.htm
There is so much to say about the wonderful night we all had at I.S. Benefit Showcase. It was a great turnout and it couldn’t have been done without the amazing students and faculty at I.S.
Everyone who participated on stage performed amazingly. There were such a variety of performances, from dancing and live entertainment to acting and much more, that no one can deny I.S. is a unique school that stands together as a big family. The environment was so rich with students, parents, and teachers who care about our well-being so much so that they all contributed to help us raise this money.
This was the first event of its kind at I.S., but will not be the last. Although there are too many people to thank, I believe Mr. Ankeney should be praised for his huge effort in this event because, without him, none of this would have been possible. He allowed us to enjoy the wonderful talent of our students while in the presence of our family and friends. Words can’t even express the amount of appreciation I feel for Mr. Ankeney’s effort in ensuring that this wonderful event was a success. He has been there every step of the way for our school and gives so much of his time and effort. He leads us all with his unwavering faith and keeps us looking forward. Mr. Ankeney is the foundation for our school and keeps us all together. Whenever we need anything from him, he isn’t far behind to help us achieve it.
Words can’t even express the amount of gratitude our school feels for Mr. Ankeney. He is faithful, caring, hard-working, and responsible. I don’t even believe these words can sum up the amount of how great a leader Mr. Ankeney is to our school. He leads our school like no other principal and to lose Mr. Ankeney would be like losing the heart and soul of our community.
For those of you that came to the event, and even those that didn’t, I’d like to ask that you take a bit of your time and thank Mr. Ankeney for his huge effort, because without him this event and more importantly, our community, would not be possible. Thank you, Mr. Ankeney, for all that you give to your students and faculty, and how much you care about our community.
I would really like to thanks Mr. Amkeney for everything. He truly is the best principal out school has ever had. Yea, maybe some people would think that we've had better principals, but I would have to disagree. He cares so much about everybody to the point that he takes time outside of his work hours to help out the I.S community. I remember the time when he was talking to my mom in his office at the day the woman was on the bridge by our school and he was telling her how he helps the kids that can't even afford clothes. That brought me to tears when my mom told me. It also showed that he does truly cares about the students and he treats us like we are his own children. Im my opinion, he has been the only principal I've had in my entire life that I can walk a conversation with him and talk about something personal and know that he would not tell a soul. The fact that he has been pink slipped is down right insane because obviously they have not seen his work. He's so connected with his students and just having him in our presence makes everybody smile. So far ever since he has gotten here, I have not heard one person say they didn't like Mr. Ankeney. He really is the heart, soul, and foundation of our school. I would really hate to see him go and that's why everybody has to put in a great effort to keep him with us. So don't worry Mr. Ankeney, You are not going ANYWHERE :)
ReplyDeleteI remember the very first time I met Ankeney. It was summer and I was still mourning the loss of Ms. Wrobleski. I had to get his signature to take a City College class. Instead of just signing the paper, he sat me down and took the time to have a real, interesting conversation with me even though it was clear that he was very busy getting ready for September. That really made an impression on me, and since that day I grew fonder and fonder of Ankeney. He truly is a one-of-a-kind principle that doesn't treat students like numbers, but like individuals who all have potential. It is amazing that he is getting pink slipped instead of receiving an award or a raise like he should be. I have already graduated from high school, and I still think of him as a superb human-being.
ReplyDeleteLooking back, I can't believe that Mr. Ankeney has only been at IS for less than two years. He is such an integral part of the IS community, and I can't imagine the school without him. Every morning, he greets me and other students by name. This personal connection is something I never thought possible in a school of over 600 students, let alone one of 3000, and is not something that could simply be replicated with any principal. Mr. Ankeney is truly unique in this respect, as well as in many others. When dealing with the reduced budgets, the first cut backs he made were to his own salary, sacrificing his pay in order to save teachers' jobs and preserve the IS student experience. He is also incredibly involved in all goings-on at IS, and is supportive of all events promoting student life. It was only through his support that such events as the IS benefit showcase, IS rally, juniors' TOK movie fieldtrip, and Seniors' burger day were possible, some of which he funded with his own money. Mr. Ankeney is a truly fabulous principal, and IS would not be the same without him.
ReplyDeleteDuring the organisation of the student-teacher Academic League match last year I had more than one meeting with Mr. Ankeney regarding setting up proper dates for the event, where it would take place, et cetera. I remember that at some point we began talking about what would actually be asked, and I explained that the questions cover all subjects: math, science, literature...and history. I admit, I liked to think that I was well-versed in history, and as luck would have it, this was where Mr. Ankeney told me his strengths were. By the time we had set a date, I left his office not only with a smile on my face but with a friendly challenge from Mr. Ankeney.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that the position of school principal comes with more than a fair amount of work to do, and yet I always saw him out on Park Boulevard after school, standing on the corner making sure that cars would stop to let the mass of students pass. And even then he would never fail to greet students with a smile.
Mr. Ankeney is an upstanding man who always addressed me by name and with a smile without any hesitation, from when we became acquainted up until I shook his hand at graduation, who is passionate about what he does, and truly cares about each and every one of his students.
Thank you so much, Mr. Ankeny, for all you do, but most importantly, for investing a very personal and very real interest in your students as individuals, not just as a group that you lead. I cannot tell you how much it means to Me, (Kai Pedersen) and I know I speak for all I.S. students. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr.Ankeney for all of your contributions to the IS family. I didn't go to the IS benefit showcase, but on many other occasions like help chaperone the college trip and get to know the students and just have fun with us is something not just any principal would do. Coming in only 2 years ago gives him a horrible disadvantage to being pink-slipped, and even though he does not have seniority, he is one of the high-quality staff that we cannot afford to lose. Since Mr. Ankeney has been apart of IS, we have benefited so much more than I could have thought. Once again, thanks so much for everything and I hope your superiors will change their minds about how to balance their budget other than laying off one of my favorite IS family members.
ReplyDeleteOn the first day of school junior year, my textbooks were literally piled over my head, and I was having an impossible time carrying them. I'd never spoken to Mr. Ankeney before, but he took it upon himself to carry my mountain of books to the car. So many principals are only focused on the administration of the school, but Mr. Ankeney makes an effort to establish a personal connection with all I.S. students. He seems appreciative and impressed with the IB students, motivating us to keep trying our hardest. In his short time with us, Mr. Ankeney has heard student voices and worked toward positive change. I cannot say enough great things about our one of a kind principal. Thank you, Mr. Ankeney.
ReplyDeleteI am a Senior at I.S. Mr. Ankeney takes the time to really interact with his students. He does not just fulfill his duties as a principal, but he involved himself in expressing his concerns for the well-being of the individual. He has even substituted for our 11th grade History class once. He displays a youthful and understanding take on events at I.S. and one can tell immediately he cares about his students. Whether treating us to burgers or overseeing our ZAP awards to speaking with us individually or even just saying hello, he is irreplaceable.
ReplyDeleteIn the summer after my Junior year, which I believe is the right date. Since I was unwilling to welt away in my extreme boredom of doing nothing during summer. As, after so many years of intense studying and the like, doing "nothing" was completely impossible for me to do. Thus, taking a class at our local Community College, City, of ASL 115, American Sign Language. Inspired me to major in education within Deaf Studies. Which has proven to have become my life-long goal of either being an educator or interpreter. If it wasn't for the kindness of Mr. Ankeney who was willing, albeit out of his own pocket, to pay for the books which was impossible for either myself or my family to pay. Although, it did not only end with myself, but other students from I.S. who were also taking classes, which he also payed for their textbooks. The experiences which I had gain, would never had been possible. Which not only effected how I view the entire population as a whole, which also includes the deaf community, but effected to the point of wanting to change my major.
ReplyDeleteI only wish for Mr. Ankeney to stay as the principal for I.S., for he surely shows the commitment he has not only for our education, but as seeing us as person's as well. I am leaving as a Senior with great happiness, and sadness. For I will continue on with my dreams, but I also will leave behind all the great friends I had made. It doesn't help that there is going to be a Mandarin class next year.
Mr. Ankeney is one of the most dedicated principals that I know. He works so hard providing the students at I.S. with great opportunities and incentives. Mr. Ankeney is there for all of the students at I.S. As such a new principle, I was surprised when, passing him in the morning one day, he said, "good morning Daniela". This just shows how well he wants to know all of his students and how he is there for each and every one of them. He really understands the difficulties of high school and the IB program. Just when all of us seniors were really stressed and overworked with all of our IB assignments, Mr. Ankeney treated us with In n' Out day. It was a huge treat and a great recognition of all of our hard work. The fact that he went through the trouble to do this shows that he truly cares and appreciates each of his students. Another time that I remember Mr. Ankeney's kindness was during the filming of my IB film movie. My group and I asked if Mr. Ankeney would please appear in our movie as we had a scene in which a student has an interview with a student. Despite his busy schedule and his involvement in the pep rally set to take place shortly after the filming, Mr. Ankeney agreed to help us. He is there any of his students who need help or guidance and is always there for the friendly "hello". As a high school student, it is easy to get caught up in ones own worries about assignments, tests, or college applications, but sometimes we have to switch our attention to the extremely supportive staff at I.S. who are as equally invested in our futures as we are and who are helping us along the way towards our next path in life. Thanks so much to Mr. Ankeney and to the rest of the I.S. staff!
ReplyDeleteThese are absolutely wonderful descriptions of the impact that Mr. Ankeney has made on the I.S. community. I like how each one of you has written a detailed description of a specific incident in which Mr. A reached out to you with kindness and respect, and how the vivid memories of the singular moment shall remain within you indefinitely.
ReplyDeleteI think it's terrible that the budget cuts have resulted in the cutting of Mr Ankeney. He is a great principle who has built a stronger school community. The students know when a principle is genuine, and Mr Ankeney really cared about the school. Mr Ankeney understood the balance between giving the students a voice and running a school, allowing for the needs of the students to be met. As a student at I.S. I could actually tell that being the principle of I.S. wasn't just a job for Mr. Ankeney, but was also something that he actually cared about.
ReplyDeleteWhen I heard the Mr. Ankeney got pink slipped it was completely something that could have never crossed my mind, it could not process in my head and I believe that he will stay at I.S. Amazing, dedicated, caring, responsible, awesome, great, and extraordinary does not even begin to describe Mr. Ankeney. Throughout my educational experience I haven't met a principal that has cared so much for the students as Mr. Ankeney has, I.S. is his life evidently because he knows that a lot of the I.S. students have potential and he pushes it to the maximum. He is incredible and besides from being a splendid principal, he is an amazing human being. He has a strong connection with the students that is just breathtaking and personally I have never seen a principal memorizing all the names of students. Recently I asked for permission to sell candy for a fundraiser and he went out of his way to go to one of my teachers and introduce me to a new program that is more reasonable to me. He saved me from throwing around 3,000 dollars to the trash, for a not as good program. I personally thank him for everything and I know a person like him will not be dismissed and he is for sure staying at I.S. Without him I think the school will just be way different.
ReplyDeleteSince my daughter arrived at IS, I have been unfailingly impressed by all that Kirk Ankenny does for the students, the school, and the parents. In a time of budgetary crisis, he has unfailingly found ways to bring resources to the school that benefit the students and the program, including supplementary textbooks, incredible speakers, the trip to China last summer and more. Last year, when he donned a cowboy hat with the rest of the wranglers, the humor and light touch with which he and the staff enforced a policy that fostered learning, completely amused our entire family and made my daughter feel at home at IS. Ever since we met at an early parent meeting, Kirk has unfailingly greeted me, paused to talk, and engaged with my thoughts and concerns in a way that is both warm and professional. He responds to the students with that kind of warmth and respect,too. Kirk's commitment to the students and IS is nothing short of remarkable. This has been a stressful year, as he's split his time meeting the needs of students in two very different schools, but he's responded with grace under pressure and continues to bring to the students all that time allows. IS is the strong, award-winning program that it is, and IS students emerge with the confidence and poise to succeed in college and beyond in no small part because of the respectful and warm relationship and strong leadership that Mr. Ankenny provides to students, staff, and the wider IS community.
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