Jeremy Hritz to greets students this fall
By Kim Chiomento, Correspondent, The Times
Jeremy Hritz is the new assistant principal at Kennett Middle School.
LANDENBERG – This year’s back to school buzz, –texts, tweets and social media posts, is certain to be filled with extra curiosity for Kennett Middle School (KMS) students who, in just a few weeks, will meet their new Assistant Principal, Jeremy Hritz.
For KMS students, the relationship with their AP and Principal is special. Each Principal serves as a mentor, disciplinarian, liaison and “travels” with their assigned class for the duration of their academic journey through KMS. And, each makes a conscious effort to personally know their students; providing a tangible connection to school leadership while also fostering a strong sense of belonging to the KMS community.
Hritz is replacing former KMS -Assistant Principal, Karen Gerlach, who has retired; and he will be assigned to the eighth grade class. Hritz has an accomplished academic and professional profile; he holds a Bachelor’s Degree (English) – Penn State University, Master’s Degree (Liberal Arts) – Lock Haven University, Master’s Degree (School Leadership) – Wilmington University, and most recently defended and completed a Doctorate in Educational Leadership-Wilmington University. This fall, Hritz will begin working on his third Master’s Degree focusing on Special Education.
A native of Pittsburgh, Hritz travelled east and served as a Cecil County, MD high school Assistant Principal for 4 1/2 years. He also taught high school English for 5 ½ years.
“I love the Kennett area,” says Hritz, “The community is incredibly special; very welcoming and involved. I am honored to have the privilege to serve them as a KMS Assistant Principal.”
When asked about working with KMS students, he was passionate, “My priority at KMS is the safety, growth, and success of students. I am excited to meet them and to do everything I can to support and motivate them to have an outstanding learning experience. I am also committed to working closely with parents to ensure they are involved in the process here at KMS.”
In his free time, Hritz enjoys spending time with his wife, Andrea, and training for marathons. Hritz can be found going for long runs in Anson B. Nixon Park Saturday mornings. He also loves to read and write, and his Pittsburgh roots still run deep; he remains a loyal Steelers fan.
KMS received the 2014 Governor’s Award for Academic Excellence, was recently honored nationally as a “School to Watch,” and has received additional accolades from Newsweek and the Pittsburgh Business Times. Approximately 1,000 Kennett area students, in grades 6-8, attend KMS. For more information, visit www.kcsd.org
