With the first change in leadership of Communications High School’s (CHS) 24-year lifespan, Principal Emily Bonilla has the opportunity to elicit serious improvement. From including new courses in the curriculum to suggesting methods for aiding clubs, Bonilla is anything but short of ideas to enhance the school.
Senior Kelly O’Toole of Manasquan believes that to govern a school like CHS, a principal must lead with creativity and have a vast knowledge of the skills taught at the school.
“I see that a lot with Mrs. Bonilla,” O’Toole said. “I think she’s very personable, and she fits a lot of the characteristics of CHS.”
Having built a foundation in the radio and film industries before pursuing a career in education, Bonilla has firsthand experience working in the communications field and strives to help others succeed in their paths outside of school. From involving senior Mentorship students in the newly-built Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth to adjusting the school’s interior design, she hopes to do everything she can to improve morale, broaden opportunities and advance student resumes.
Furbishing and class schedules are not the only things that may change at CHS. While the student handbook has remained generally consistent for the past two decades, many students, including Skylar Conner-Bennett of Ocean Township, wonder if the historically lenient dress code will become more strict under new leadership.
“Our schools relaxed attitude towards the dress code allows me to be comfortable to explore my personal style during the school year,” Conner-Bennett said.
Having previously worked at a school with a mandated uniform, Bonilla is excited to be rid of enforcing strict clothing regulations and hopes to avoid having the dress code be a concern.
“I didn’t like that my time was taken away from what I could be doing to help the students because I had to monitor a strict dress code,” Bonilla said. “I’m excited to be in a school where I don’t have to do that.”
Mere days into her career as CHS’ principal, Bonilla is taking tangible initiative in governing a multi-media school environment she’s wanted to be a part of for years. While looking forward into the future of CHS, she wants to make sure that everything runs just as smoothly in the here and now, or there will be no foundation to build on.
“I want to do all this because previous years of CHS have been successful,” Bonilla said. “I just want to keep this trajectory going and make sure the whole of Monmouth County knows this is a great school and knows the great work our students do.”
