Date: Fri 06-Dec-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

schools-Hexom-principal

Full Text:

Gary Hexom Takes A Welcome Walk

B Y D OROTHY E VANS

Monday, December 2, was Gary Hexom's first official day as the new principal

of Middle Gate School.

A first day is an important milestone for any person, whether he or she is a

seasoned school administrator like Mr Hexom, or a kindergartner just starting

school.

Knowing this, Middle Gate students, teachers and PTA representatives wanted to

make sure it would be a memorable and happy experience for their new

principal.

Shortly after he gave his first pledge-of-allegiance address over the office

intercom at 8:40 am, Mr Hexom was led on a "tour of the school" by PTA member

Debbie Johnson.

The tour turned into a surprise Welcome Walk past 551 students in grades K-5,

who lined the halls outside their classrooms and sang the following song,

fitting their words to the familiar tune, "Are You Sleeping, Brother John?"

A full chorus of voices followed Mr Hexom's progress around the school.

"Mr Hexom, Mr Hexom,

How Are You? How Are You?

We Welcome You To Middle Gate,

We Welcome You To Middle Gate."

Along the route, the children presented Mr Hexom with posters, greeting cards

and special presents, dropping them into a specially made "survival bag of

tricks" that he was given by the PTA, decorated with students' hand prints.

On the final leg of his hallway journey, Mr Hexom was serenaded by student

musicians from director Dennis Hyde's fifth grade band.

"That was wonderful. Just like Christmas!" Mr Hexom said, after he'd completed

the Welcome Walk and returned to his office.

He was nearly at a loss for words, but remarked enthusiastically, "That was

the first time anything like that ever happened to me."

Then he picked up the intercom and gave an "All Call" Thank You to the

children and teachers in their home rooms.

The Welcome Walk was organized by PTA members, including Mrs Johnson, Margaret

Hull, Susan White and Patti Barrett, who also designed the large gift bag Mr

Hexom carried on his long walk. They had given the home room teachers ideas

for what presents he might like, after calling his wife to find out about his

favorite foods and hobbies.

There were travel brochures for touring Connecticut (The Hexoms have just

moved here from California), there was a gallon jug full of candy (Mr Hexom

has a sweet tooth) and a Middle Gate sweatshirt (extra large size), and there

were several jars of his favorite southwestern hot sauce.

"Oh boy, salsa! That's great," Mr Hexom said with delight when he began

sorting through his presents.

Appropriately, the kindergartners had given him a book to read in his spare

time, All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum.