August 24, 2006

Stop, look and learn

New staff and upgraded sites greet students at local schools

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

As students arrived for their first day of school, wearing specially chosen outfits and hairstyles, they may have been amazed to find that their schools had been working equally hard to prepare for their return.

Brendon, Kyle and Megan Arnold were ready to start school. Photo by Lorraine Gabbert

Reaping the rewards of local bond measures, from classrooms to landscaping, many sites were upgraded during the summer, making their staff as eager to show them off as students were to meet their new teachers and classmates.

Elementary schools
Graystone Elementary School welcomed its 806 students with three new teachers and upgraded American Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant restrooms. The new teachers include third grade teacher Jen Tolizzotto, third/fourth grade combo teacher Emily Lauer and fifth grade teacher Nancy Tate.

Guadalupe Elementary School’s 530 students found a fully renovated school and three new teachers. The remodel for the entire school, which was completed last year, included creating new classrooms from scratch and adding new technology, electricity, tiles, carpeting, walls and offices. In all, 18 classrooms and an office were redone. During the summer months, two new portables were added to the school, as well as a blacktop for the upper-grade playground. Looking ahead, the principal would like to see improved writing and ELL programs provided for Guadalupe’s students. New teachers at the school include second grade teacher Leslie Ceigler, fourth grade teacher Kim Dinsdale and fifth grade teacher Jeremy Wilson.

With the growth of Los Alamitos Elementary School’s student body from 600 to 645 students, an additional kindergarten class was added (bringing the number to six kindergarten classes), as well as an additional first grade class. The school site underwent a number of construction projects including two new portables, concrete walkways by the science garden and Greek Theatre, ADA-compliant renovated bathrooms, spongy flooring by the playground equipment and efforts to eradicate the pooling of water by the school sign. The PTA was also busy with beautification projects, adding their special touches to the garden. The principal is working with the district to coordinate the release of fourth and fifth graders for physical education (P.E.). Toni Finch is a new first grade teacher at the school this year and interviews are underway to find a new kindergarten teacher. A new fifth grade teacher is slated to join the staff, as well as a new technology and accelerated math teacher.

Maria McPhail—pictured here with daughter Celina—appreciated Nancy Pyle’s support. “It’s great to see her here,” she says. “It shows she cares about our schools and our community.”

Simonds Elementary School’s 632 students were joined by a flurry of new teachers including first grade teachers Jane Garrett, Erin Hannon and Gwen Jones, second grade teachers Nancey Crowley and Kim Earshaw, fourth grade teacher Allison Long, fifth grade teacher Becky Allen and Primary Special Ed teacher Chris Boles.

Williams Elementary School did not respond to the Times by press time.

Middle schools
Bret Harte Middle School’s 1,250 students were greeted by new assistant principals and major renovations. Along with several renovated classrooms in the “L” wing, the “M” wing was totally remodeled. ADA-compliant science labs, library counters, bathrooms and water fountains were created, along with a dramatic new gymnasium sporting new flooring, bleachers and air conditioning. The cafeteria stage and kitchen were redone as well as the sports fields. New cabinetry also graced the “C” and “D” wings and drama department. Except for the new student bathroom, gym bleachers and fields, which are slated to be finished by October, everything was completed in time for the new school year.

Two new school administrators at the school include Assistant Principal of Discipline Amy Yorkey (replacing Addison Jones) and Integration, Motivation and Attendance (IMA) Margarita Quevas (replacing Melani Hiles). Hiles, in turn, replaced Norma Murakami as assistant principal of instruction (API). They are currently interviewing to replace math teacher Nancy Petty and seventh grade language art and social studies teacher Nell Kelley.

Castillero Middle School’s 1,252 students include about 400 sixth graders. The principal was pleased with the tremendous turnout of students and parents at their school’s “Cobra Connection” introduction for new students, as well as their coffee for parents.

In addition to school renovation, the school’s exterior underwent a long-awaited renovation. Structurally, the school’s “F” wing was remodeled to include its new Black Box Theatre. The cafeteria was also reconfigured to include a food court (one of four in the district), which will serve a variety of four entrees, each with its own line. In addition, a “speed line” will be available enabling students to use the bar codes on their IDs. A fruit smoothie line, as well as a speed cart with an array of delicacies, will also add tasty options for students. With these changes, the administration hopes to be able to cater to everyone’s needs while cutting down the amount of time students have to stand in line. The students were also kept in mind with the addition of two new restrooms on the outdoor commons. Repaving also made things easier for all concerned on the basketball courts, commons and both front and back parking lots. A retaining wall was also added. Concrete pads were poured in front of the portables and sixth grade area, the latter providing a place for picnic tables. To the delight of students and the local community, new sod graces Castillero’s fields, which will be available for students in October and the general public in February for soccer and baseball. As the school was skipped over five years ago, when other schools enjoyed new landscaping, they are happy to have it done now.

Castillero’s staff includes six new teachers: P.E. teacher Erin Shulko, RSP teacher Bruce Siegel, sixth grade teachers Johanna Appel, Julie Ersdp, Elaine Haggerty and John Schneider and administrator and literacy coach Katrina Johnson.

High schools
Leland High School’s staff was eager to welcome their 1,800 students and have another great year. The school boasts a renovated “J” wing, which includes the remodeling of five classrooms. Students will also enjoy their new auditorium and updated mini gym, weight room and locker rooms. In addition, the old English office in the “H” wing was transformed into a space for Leland’s celebrated debate team, complete with mini rooms. Three new teachers join the school: math teacher Angela Depa, Spanish teacher Roberto Gutierrez and physics teacher Leigh Houston.

Pioneer High School’s 1,540 students have a lot to be thankful for. Their school’s reconstruction includes brand new state-of-the-art science rooms, considered by some to be the flagship of the district. New soccer, softball and baseball fields are in the works, joining their new football fields and track, which were completed two years ago. The school’s cafeteria was also transformed into a food court, offering an array of food and beverages for students.

Students are excited about their first day of school.

Working with the Almaden Nursery, leadership students headed a beautification project on the grounds, coordinating colorful plantings with the landscaping and adding planter boxes to the quad. As Pioneer’s new Performing Arts Center (PAC) rose like a phoenix from the ashes, it also impacted the front of school, which has since been replanted with trees, and landscaped with lawn, cement and fencing. A student drop-off area was also created for good measure and the parking lot redone.

About 10 new staff members joined Pioneer’s family, including math teacher Stephen McMahon—a former Pioneer graduate and the District Teacher of the Year. John Muir Middle School Teacher of Year Laurie Kirk teaches drawing and painting at Pioneer. Other returning Pioneer graduates include Kyle Murdock, who teaches science, Brian Thompson for social studies and Joe Zaccheo for math. Other teachers include Kristen Garcia, who teaches social studies and Peter Margolis, who teaches English class. Debi Richardson, who hails from Castillero, will now serve as Pioneer’s assistant principal of discipline. Lori Ventura, a previous Pioneer math teacher, is the new assistant principal of instruction. Adam Spickles steps up as activities director. Filling out the administration is Maria Villanueva as Hispanic guidance counselor and Steve Schlink for independent studies.

In addition to the structural changes, which welcomed the students, their new teachers and staff looked forward to their arrival, excited to start the new school year together.