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Principal Silvestri

Back to School Night Speech

9/11/13

Good Evening students, parents, faculty, staff, coastside community members, distinguished

board members, Associate Superintendent Corry, and Superintendent Roerick and welcome to

our 2013-2014 Back-to-school night. My name is Allison Silvestri and as many of you alreadyknow, I am the very proud Principal of Half Moon Bay High School. It is an honor to be here this

evening and to kick off this event. In preparing for this introduction, I reflected upon all that

has taken place so far this year. In mid August we welcomed students and parents of the class

of 2017. The leadership students hosted a great Freshman orientation and parents survived the

daunting registration process. I was most excited and pleased to see the very parents we

welcomed to campus working along side our experienced volunteers at various membership

and registration tables the day after their orientation. Since our first day of school, we have

had our traditional opening day rally on Lewis Foster Drive; the flip classroom model has moved

beyond the pilot phase; classroom designs are bringing collaborative learning to life with

students having 1-1 devices at their finger tips; athletic and music competitions are wellunderway; students are applying to be outdoor education leaders; our 3

rdannual Challenge Day

is two weeks away; college applications are being gathered and recommendations requested

via our new online program called Naviance; clubs are meeting at lunch and after school; the

Homecoming themes have been announced; our first assembly was a deafening, spirited

experience; campus beautification projects are ongoing; and Booster, parent, and staff

meetings have been held. What an amazing year we are having and we are only in week three!

As a faculty and staff, we are committed to continuing the culture of excellence that defines

Half Moon Bay High School. Our dedication to providing a high quality education for your

children was acknowledged last spring with the assignment of a 6-year accreditation term from

WASC, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. This was no easy feat and a

recognition not often given to similar college preparatory, comprehensive high schools. Now

we have until 2019, to work on an action plan that will address our critical areas of need while

continuing all that we do well in terms of teaching and learning and school climate and culture.

Check out the full Self-study and visitation committee report on our website and be sure to

stop by the main office where our certificate is displayed in our newly redesigned recognition

hallway.

We are committed to engaging your sons and daughters in learning experiences both in and

outside of the classroom. So much of our excellence in education is due to a dedicated and

enthusiastic faculty. So that they can head off to their classrooms and put the final touches on

their presentations, I would like to introduce the teachers by department name and

department chair.

Please give a warm welcome to our English department chairs and literature enthusiasts led by

Andy Boysen and Bryce Hadley, our math department lead by Jennie Walton, science is

represented by Barbara Lohman and Javier Gutierrez for Ag., social studies and the head

historian, James Barnes, go no further for a world language experience than the C-wing where

Jill Lusear is chair, Special Education is led by Keith Holden, the visual and performing arts

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department is chaired by Larkin Evans with John Evans overseeing music and Anthony Agundes

for Industrial Arts, the PE department led by Christina Yeakley, and last but certainly not least

our mighty counseling department lead by Kira Gangsei. Thanks everyone. We will see you all

soon.

I have recently spent time speaking to students and parents about the profound culture and

climate change that has taken place since I arrived on the coast and to HMBHS 5 years ago. Ifeel badly for the person who simply asks me, So, how do you like working at HMBHS and on

the coast? No answer is ever shorter than the length of a dissertation. It is a privilege to work

in this close-knit, coastside community and to those who stick around long enough to listen to

all that I love and admire about this college preparatory high school, I remind them that this is

not a job and this is not work but rather a vocation that I honor each day that I step foot on this

beautifully evolving campus.

All of my good fortune and that of your families is made possible because we chose to be

members of this Cougar community. In addition, it is because of the funding by our Athletic

Booster organization and the HMBHS Foundation, formerly known as PAC, that our campus

looks amazing. On that note, I want to take a moment to thank our Foundations hospitalitycommittee for providing the refreshments this evening. I do not know what we would do

without their support and treats. They keep us all well fed and teachers well supplied with

classroom needs, School Loop, Naviance, field trips, extra sections that allow us to have desired

elective courses, smaller class sizes, and professional development opportunities for teachers

throughout the year. Our Athletic Boosters are working on a track and field project while

continuing to fund the athletic trainer and supplement team needs such as referees and league

fees while annually partnering with the Foundation to provide after school tutoring which

keeps the library open for all students to use. ELAC provides parent education nights and

partners with local community organizations in addition to awarding annual scholarships for

Latino students heading to college. Last but not least is our FOCIC parent organization whichsupports all of the arts, especially our incredible student groups who you enjoyed listening to.

They will be at many of our home games and will be hosting a big holiday concert event this

winter. I encourage each and every one of you to get involved in an aspect of our school

community. I believe this is the best way to support your child. Without your financial support

and generous gift of time, I cannot imagine receiving such high honors granted by WASC. Their

term accreditation is a testament to our commitment to academic excellence and to promoting

a culture that values and fosters social responsibility.

There is much more to present to you this evening so without further adieu, it is my pleasure to

introduce Jarrett Dooley, the assistant principal of curriculum and instruction. He has the

privilege this year of presenting data and technology updates to you.