What a treat it was to walk through the doors of Beaumont Middle School to meet Principal Dr. Harriette Vimegnon! The last time I had been in Beaumont was as a student in the 80s—with much bigger hair and probably listening to Duran Duran on a boombox.
Dr. Vimegnon has been the principal at Beaumont for seven years and is very appreciative of the support received from parent groups, the Beaumont Middle School Foundation, and the community at large. Now more than ever, that support is needed during these uncertain times, with COVID-19 impacting staff and students. An additional social worker and two more counselors have proven indispensable.
The challenges brought on by the pandemic have also presented opportunities for positive changes. As an example, the biggest concern at the beginning of the school year was the students’ social skills. Over a year behind, many had forgotten how to interact with others (for instance relying on phones instead of friends during lunch). In response, Dr. Vimegnon initiated a strategy prioritizing teamwork to facilitate social interaction. With students divided into “Squads” of sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders, teams compete for points in various disciplines, including math, spelling, and PE. She said that students and staff have had a lot of fun with this and that it’s been a catalyst not only for socialization, but also a springboard for new relationships throughout the school. Another change aimed at prompting social interaction was to encourage eating lunch outside the building, resulting in students working together to set up their new space. Dr. Vimegnon plans to implement the strategy again in 2022 noting that students will remain inside the building during extreme temperatures.
Dr. Vimegnon also lauded the “Infinity” program at the school, providing race/gender/LBGT-oriented groups in which students can gather to support each other and enjoy a sense of belonging. Prior to the pandemic, grants were needed to fund this program, but the district is now providing full support.
It was a real joy talking with Dr. Vimegnon—“One Day at a Time” and “Running Strong” seeming to be her mottos as we spoke—who exuded the kind of positive energy and passion for the job that has been of benefit not only to the school, but to the entire community.