Irish welcomes new principal

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

Brenda Gifford, the new principal at Irish Elementary, sees her primary job as helping classroom teachers keep their focus on academics and the classroom environment.

"I can help get other things off their plates," she said.

She has a pretty full plate herself, working on a doctorate degree while manning the helm at Irish. "I love to learn," she said, adding that the interaction with other professionals at the university enhances her work as a principal.

Gifford is beginning her 21st year with Poudre School District, and after 10 years in administration, she is loving the opportunity to work directly with children and teachers again.

"This is absolutely a dream job for me," Gifford said. "I wanted to work in a school that has diverse student and staff populations." She added that the Irish teachers are "unbelievable" in their dedication to the school and its students.

This year's focus at Irish is reading comprehension, Gifford noted. "Being a good reader impacts all the other content areas," she pointed out, and good readers also tend to have high self-esteem and confidence in themselves.

Overall goals for the year are to continue to enhance student proficiency in reading, writing and math. Gifford also wants to increase community and parent involvement with the school. Her mother, Belle Benzel, has already organized a group calling themselves "Friends of Irish" to support the school. Anyone interested in volunteering at the school may call 484-8300.

Challenges at Irish include students with limited English and limited educational skills, as well as a high level of poverty. "You have to start where they're at, and you see big growth," Gifford said.

To help children maintain that growth, summer school classes were held at Irish this year, with more than 100 children attending.

Student turnover rate at Irish is 40 percent during the school year, another big challenge. "You look at things you can control, which is what we do in six and one-half hours a day," Gifford commented.

Gifford wants parents of English-speaking students to know that their children will also receive the attention they need at Irish. For example, fourth grade English-speaking readers at Irish scored 90 percent proficient last year. Also, low class sizes at the school benefit everyone.

A Fort Collins native, Gifford and her husband, Tim, have one daughter, Megan. Gifford replaces Lynette Salzman, and she said she is building on Salzman's work at Irish. "She put in place so many of the programs we're building on," the new principal said. "She is a wonderful educator and person."