As Eisenhower Elementary School opened in August at the start of its second decade in existence, a new individual occupied the principal's office -- Craig Marshall.

Marshall and his family moved from Smith Center, where he was principal of the elementary school, serving Pre-K to 6th-grade students. His wife, Diane, is employed at the McPherson High School media center; son, Aaron, is a 7th-grader at McPherson Middle School and daughter, Hannah, is a 4th-grader at EES.

The time for the move was right, according to Marshall, even though it was difficult to leave Smith Center, which he described as a very nice place with good people.

The Marshall family has been welcomed to the area.

"This community is very accepting and friendly," Marshall said. "McPherson also has many opportunities for our kids, for the family and for us professionally."

Marshall's wife and daughter moved here June 10, a little earlier than Marshall and his son. Marshall still had contract duties to fill at Smith Center and his son played baseball there.

Marshall reported to EES four to five days ahead of his contract time to meet with the secretarial and other staff who were working in the building.

"I wanted some time on my own with the staff that was here," Marshall said. "I wanted to get a feel for the building."

Marshall said his job as the building principal is to make the jobs of his staff easier. If he does that, he said he is doing the job for which he was hired.

Describing the opening of the school year and the first quarter as “tremendous,” Marshall credits the staff and the previous principal, Becky Greer, for the smooth transition.

According to Marshall, the day-to-day activities at EES have remained much the same, but he has introduced two changes that he believes have had a positive impact in the school.

The first is the focus on a class of the month, whose students and teachers set an academic goal for the month. Their progress is charted on a poster for the entire school to follow, providing opportunities for other students and staff to offer encouragement. At the end of the month, if the goal has been reached, the class is treated to a pizza party.

The second change is the creation of a positive contact program. Marshall asked his staff to make at least one positive contact with a parent through a phone call or e-mail message each week.

Marshall said the staff has been receptive to the changes.

One change at EES that has involved some adjustments by the students and staff is the departure of Willow, the school's therapy dog. When the former principal retired and moved to a new school district, Willow also left EES.

"I may visit the therapy dog concept some time in the future," Marshall said.

Marshall said he believes in developing and maintaining a good atmosphere in the school. Part of that is cultivated by living and operating within the structure of a specific mantra, “It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.”

Marshall, a Garden City native, said McPherson feels like home to him and his family.

"This felt like home in a very short time," Marshall said. "This is a progressive community where education is valued and where the priority extends to the family. McPherson offers everything to the Marshalls."