New principal Charles Blanchard—darting through the hallways and glancing into classrooms— has become a common sight at Chapel Hill High School.
“I don’t want to drive teachers and students crazy with it, but I like to go by and stick my head in classes and see the teachers, and I think that’s a good way to get engaged on campus,” Blanchard said.
Blanchard wants to be deeply involved in the school. Even before the school year started, he made an effort to meet with as many of the faculty as possible, asking them about themselves and discussing the school.
Blanchard has also attended numerous student games, and he held a meet-and-greet in the media center for students and parents just before the school year started.
“It’s important for me to be visible and to speak to as many students as possible because I feel like that’s what makes [students] feel more comfortable at school,” Blanchard said.
Senior Amanda Zhu has met Blanchard in the hallways several times.
“The first time I met him I was filling up my water bottle, and he walked up to me and said, ‘We must stay hydrated,’” Zhu said. “He seems nice and eager to get to know the students and is definitely showing that he cares about our well-being.”
Chapel Hill High School students have made a strong impression on Blanchard.
“[Chapel Hill High School] has got extremely well behaved, intelligent students who care a lot about their education and want to be involved and campus life,” Blanchard said.
As the son of a teacher and a principal, Blanchard has a unique insight into the leadership styles of a good principal.
“You always want to try to treat people with respect,” Blanchard said. “Sometimes you have to be stern, but with respect, and I think ultimately they remember that.”
One of Blanchard’s goals is to increase school spirit at Chapel Hill High School. He is currently looking into what the administration can do to “make sure everyone feels ownership of Chapel Hill High School.”
Student Government and Blanchard have discussed reviving TigerFest, a day-long festival Chapel Hill High School used to hold annually.
Sophomore representative Emma Thomas has spent time getting to know Blanchard through Student Government meetings.
“His main focus is pointed towards the students, and he has the most school spirit I’ve ever seen here, which is awesome,” Thomas said. “He is always walking around and checking up on students.”
Blanchard began his position as school construction started, and he wanted to ensure that the school year started with as few problems as possible.
“I feel like there was so much potential anxiety, and I got lots of questions, and I was coming in new and knowing nothing about it,” Blanchard said. “We just want to make sure that folks feel like we are on top of things, and that when those issues come up, we address them as quickly as possible.”
Blanchard has served as principal at several schools in eastern North Carolina, including Grimsley High School and Southeast Guilford High School. Most recently, he worked in Guilford County Schools as the executive director of Career and Technical Education.
Blanchard attended Wallace Rose-Hill High School and has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Carolina University. His three children are now in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools district, the oldest of whom is a freshman at Chapel Hill High School.
