Bridget Doyle/TribLocal reporter

Hinsdale Central Principal Mike McGrory is reaching out to his students using a medium he’s never tried before — Twitter.

McGrory, Hinsdale Central’s new principal as of July 1, said he hopes joining Twitter will help him better communicate with students and the community.

“I hope it will help me keep students updated with what’s going on around school,” said McGrory, who sent his first message this week. “I’m always looking for new ways to connect and communicate with students.”

McGrory said his decision to join Twitter was also sparked by Hinsdale South principal Brian Waterman. Waterman began using Twitter last February, and has since Tweeted reminders, good luck wishes and congratulatory messages to his followers.

His first Tweet thanked assistant principal Bill Walsh for helping him set up his account. McGrory said his next few tweets will likely be wishing everyone a great start to the 2010-11 school year, which kicks off today.

“I think my Tweets will range from congratulating students that have done well on something to sharing information about happenings going on in the school,” McGrory said. “I’m feeling my way through it right now — it will be something that will probably evolve over time.”

As for joining other social networking sites, McGrory said it’s not a path he’s considering at this time.

“I think most principals recognize that interactive social networking sites can be a slippery slope,” McGrory said. “What’s attractive about Twitter is it doesn’t have to be interactive. Most principals, including myself, would have to think long and hard about joining those types of sites.”

To view Principal McGrory’s Twitter account, click here.
To view Prinicpal Waterman’s Twitter account, click here.

bdoyle@tribune.com