Hyattsville Middle Principal Leaving Post After One Year

After 33 years working in the Prince George's County School system,

At the end of the school year, Long will retire from PGCPS to work with young men and women at her church.

"This school year has been an absolute joy and exciting challenge for me as a new principal," Long stated in a letter dated May 6 to the school's PTA . "Helping to develop a culture of academic and creative excellence cannot be done without a wonderful staff, energetic, stimulating and complex teenagers, and a great and supportive PTA.

"Although, we have not completed and achieved all of our goals, we have certainly seen the progression toward excellence."

Long started her work at HMS just last year, as a first-time principal. Controversy over a principal appointed to the school last year led to his reassignment. Principal Gail Golden retired before that.

"I've done everything from being a specialist to teaching to working as a paraprofessional," the Shreveport, La., native told Patch then. "Coming back to the school building made sense to me because I had all of this knowledge in all of these areas, but I wanted the opportunity to see how I could [share that with teachers and students]."

Long earned a masters degree in school administration and supervision in 1997 and then her education doctorate in special education and student preparation in 2007 from George Washington University.

During the past year, Long stated in her letter, the school has tried to address issues that have prevented the school from meeting Adequate Yearly Progress. The staff has received professional development for improving instructional practices and strategies for meeting the specific needs of our most struggling students, the letter states.

She gives most credit, however, to the students. Here are some of the highlights:

1. HMS students have won theScience Bowl Championship;
2. Creative Writing students placed first, second and third in the county-wide Write-A-Book competition;
3. Students won first, second, third and fourth place in the Martin Luther King Essay Contest;
4. Students won first and third place in the Destination Imagination competition;
5. CPA Orchestra received all superiors for their outstanding performance at the Orchestra Festival;
6. CPA Band and Wind Ensemble received an Excellent Performance Rating for their performance at the Prince George's County Festival;
7. CPA students also won the Chorus, Jazz Band, Orchestra, and Band competitions in Atlanta April 29-30; and
8. CPA Chorus all returned with Superior ratings for their performance at the State on May 6, 2011.

"I am so proud of our children, teachers, counselors, support staff, CPA coordinator, and the administrators who served so closely with me this year," Long stated in her letter to the PTA. "I am honored to have known you all and experienced what it means to be a true principal. 

"There will always be a place in my heart for Hyattsville Middle and what this community has contributed to my life as a professional.