Last modified: Sunday, August 24, 2008 2:03 AM EDT Ex-KP High principal made mark in tenure BY STEPHEN PETERSON SUN CHRONICLE STAFF WRENTHAM Former King Philip Regional High School Principal Elaine Hanson wished to go out quietly, but she made her mark in her nine years here, school officials say. After three years overseeing the high school, playing a key role in the school addition/renovation project, Hanson left the end of June to seek other educational opportunities and challenges. Hanson had been the school's associate principal four years ago and assistant principal the previous five years. "She made changes in curriculum, changes in scheduling and discipline procedures. They were all instrumental in getting the school to reach new heights of excellence," Superintendent Richard Robbat said. "The thing that really sticks out was her ability to work under pressure and make decisions, juggling a lot of things, making appropriate decisions under stress that are part of being a modern day high school principal." Hanson, who had taught in Cambridge and Easton before coming to King Philip, also worked to add staff positions to lower class sizes at King Philip High. Former Assistant Principal Jamie Vitonis also left, wishing to return to the classroom. Improving retention About 20 percent of eighth-graders who attended King Philip Middle School last school year are not scheduled to attend King Philip Regional High School for the new school year. The usual rate is about 25 percent, Superintendent Richard Robbat reported. The freshmen class is estimated to run about 335 students. Class of 1961 to reunite The King Philip Regional High School Class of 1961 is looking toward 2011 for its 50th class reunion. The class is looking for any classmates or information that will lead to former classmates. Tentative plans are for June of 2011 at Lakeville Ballroom. An informal meeting is planned for Monday, Sept 29. Contact Camille Khoury Johnson at camillejohnson@msn.net or Martie Reynolds Cunningham at merg53@aol.com regarding the meeting. Current e-mails or phone numbers of classmates are needed. On MCAS committee King Philip High School science teacher Kathy Elich had been selected to serve on the high school biology assessment committee for MCAS. She attended several meetings as a member of the committee. This column is compiled by staff writer Stephen Peterson. Peterson can be reached at 508-236-0377 or via e-mail at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.