Bonnet Jones will resign as guidance counselor to preside over the Adult Education program at American Adult Educational and Community Center as of Nov. 1.

As head of night school education, Jones’s responsibilities will consist of guidance counseling, testing and registration duties for American, Barbara Goleman, and Carol City high schools. These responsibilities include helping students who have failed and are utilizing the extra classes to clean up their negative academic records. The program also serves adults who have dropped out of school and are returning to get their General Education Diploma (G.E.D.).

In addition to counseling students, Jones will attend a month-long real estate course to get certification in property appraisal.

Having worked at Krop since its opening in 1998, Jones feels it is time to leave but looks back on her tenure as something she will never forget.

“I exist under the belief that ‘People, places, and situations come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime,’” Jones said. “My reason has been clearly revealed and the season is nearing its end. I’m grateful for the experience and the interaction between some students, parents and faculty which has enhanced my life.”

“I initially came into this school because the business world lacked heart and revolved around money leaving me feeling spiritually and emotionally void,” Jones said. “But I have learned first hand that large school systems aren’t authentically child-centered.”

Seniors who have Jones as a counselor worry about their college applications and recommendation letters, which she would have been responsible to write.

“Dr. Jones has been my counselor since I started at Krop in 9th grade, but now that she’s leaving I’m going to have to rely on someone who is new to me and the school,” said senior Diana Peron.

According to Principal Matthew Welker, once Jones’s position is vacated the staffing director will look for a person to fill her role and during the intermediate time someone will be reassigned her students.

Amidst fears of a new counselor unfamiliar with procedures at Krop, other students are just upset to see Jones leave.

“Dr. Jones isn’t even my counselor, but that never stopped her from helping me,” Junior Brian Prigoshin said, “When I was almost suspended in 9th grade, she pushed me to get back on track, and I could never thank her enough.”

Parents are also disappointed, but support Jones in her decision to change schools.

“I feel her absence will be a great loss to Krop,” Esther Mantel, mother of graduate David and junior Elysa Mantel said. “She has been a mentor to both of my children here, and there are not many counselors who keep in correspondence with graduates like she has.”

Now as she prepares to leave, Jones looks back on her tenure as an experience that has influenced her life and one she will never forget. “I’m going to miss my special students that have warmed and stolen my heart and given me a new direction,” Jones said.