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 already know, 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 well underway; students are applying to be outdoor education leaders; our 3rd annual 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

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. I feel 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 hospitality committee 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 which supports 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.