May 2, 2005

Dear Friends,

May Day, from my earliest childhood, symbolized the real beginning of spring. My mother put away her winter woolens and was resplendent in her spring dresses, often braving British weather which still felt like March—cold and rainy. The drawing room furniture would get new, brighter slipcovers. At Oxford, we would rise at dawn, hear the singing from the top of Magdalen College tower, and take to the river in punts, with only mild guilt at the lectures we were missing. We all seemed alive in a new way.

As a school head, I get to feel this every year. Parents, students, teachers are increasingly focused on mid-June and the end of the school year; they tend to show signs of fatigue, of anxiety to get everything done, to get organized for the long summer. In my office, however, 2004-05 finished months ago. Even 2005-06 is pretty well done, such necessary matters as fund-raising aside. I get to start work on 2006-2008, close enough to be important, but far enough away to dream ambitious dreams and hope barely realistic hopes.

You have all heard from me about some of the directions we are considering for the academic program. I believe that we can create a judicious mix of the traditional comprehensive high school program on the one hand, and the intellectual passions of the students and faculty on the other. The conversation is off to an excellent start, I believe, and I encourage all to take part.

On the co-curricular side, I am becoming increasingly interested in the challenge of intelligent citizenship in a complex world, one of our key areas of concern in the junior year. Understanding the broad strokes of the system is of course important, and virtually every high school graduate learns these. As a nation, however, we have not been successful in creating a passion for the democratic process which leads to active and intelligent participation, including, but not limited to, regular voting. The more the system at large is weakened by the power of money and of the more simplistic media, the more our future citizens and leaders need to be led to make it their own.

In addition, Moneeka Settles has been working with me and the teachers to develop a service learning sequence which is grounded in the curriculum as well as the needs of society and the environment. We will be sharing the details as they fall into place.

Spring! Spring in the air and spring at The Bay School! I am so fortunate to be sharing this adventure with you.

Yours very sincerely,
Father Malcolm

Instructional Excellence - 2005/2006 New Faculty Members

Clearly, one of my most important responsibilities as academic dean is the inspiring and challenging task of recruiting new members of our faculty. It is with great enthusiasm (and considerable pride), that we introduce an outstanding group of six educators who will be joining The Bay School faculty in the upcoming 2005-2006 academic year.

While the caliber of faculty plays a significant role in defining all educational institutions, the abilities and personalities of teachers at a new school are even more crucial because our teachers play such a central role in building the foundation of both the academic program and in establishing the character of our school community. As our committee began this year's recruitment process we first sought educators who had proven expertise in their fields and a clear commitment to excellence, who are open and diverse in mind, body, and spirit; teachers who truly enjoy teaching and relating to high school freshmen and sophomores - possessing an understanding of unique teenage strengths and foibles, and, most of all, people who are more than great teachers - individuals who are conscious and involved community members, dynamic personalities, strong mentors, and mature adults.

In reviewing the bios below, you will begin to get to know people who are all first class educators, and who also are talented musicians, athletes, parents, environmentalists, researchers, and very importantly, committed life-long learners.

Lori Cohen, Humanities. Lori has been teaching in an Honors Humanities and International Studies Program, a magnet program in the Sacramento Unified School District, for the last five years. The areas of the program she develops and teaches are Middle Eastern, Asian, African, and Latin American literature and world religions. She earned her B.A. in English and her M.A. in Education from the University of California, Davis, where she was a member of the Women's All-American 1st Team in Rowing. Later, while teaching in Sacramento, she was the assistant coach for Davis' Women's Rowing Team during their NCAA Championship seasons in 2002 and 2003. Lori is also an amateur film maker.

Matthew Eddy, Biology and Chemistry. Matt comes to Bay from The Menlo School, where he has been teaching Biology, AP Biology, Environmental Science, and Chemistry. He graduated cum laude from Yale with a B.A. in Molecular Biophysics, Biochemistry, and Organismal Biology. Matt also earned his Masters in Forest Science from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Before teaching at Menlo he taught at Potomac School in McLean, VA. Matt is an experienced outdoor educator and enjoys sharing this passion with students.

Peter Olrich, College Counseling. Peter has been the Associate Director of College Counseling at Brooks School in North Andover, Massachusetts for the past five years, forging relationships with colleges and universities across the country. He graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. in English and American Literature. In addition to teaching courses in ethics, writing, and literature, Peter has also been head coach for the boys' crew team at Brooks. As a competitive rower, Peter was three-time New England scholastic single champion, senior national champion, national team medalist, and placed seventh in the 1996 Olympic Trials. He has competed in fifteen Head of the Charles Regattas, and won two Canadian Henley Gold Medals.

Andy Shaw, Mathematics. Andy has been teaching mathematics at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts where he designed a new discovery based curriculum for Multivariable Calculus. He has been the head coach of the boys' swimming team and the boys' water polo team, as well an assistant coach for the girls' swimming team. Andy graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Bowdoin College as a math major with a minor in chemistry. His interests outside of the classroom include backpacking and hiking, bicycling, snowboarding, and playing the French horn.

Spencer Stevens, Biology and Chemistry. Spencer comes from The Thacher School in Ojai, California where he has been teaching Honors Chemistry and AP Biology, as well as elective courses in biochemistry and neurobiology. He has coached the boys' varsity football team and the boys' junior varsity lacrosse team, and led many outdoor education trips (backpacking, whitewater kayaking, and skiing). Spencer graduated from Dartmouth College with a B.A. in Biology and has done graduate work in biochemistry at Harvard. Before joining the teaching profession, he worked in labs at Tufts University and Phenogenex, LLC, where he was responsible for lab work including sub cloning, fluorescent automated DNA sequencing, radio labeling, and cDNA and genomic library construction. Spencer was a member of the men's heavyweight crew at Dartmouth and is an avid kayaker, rafter, climber, and backcountry skier.

Julie Taufa'asau, Spanish. Julie is a native of Hawaii and earned B.A. degrees in Spanish and International Studies from the University of Washington. She also did undergraduate work at the Universidad de Salamanca and the Universidad de Cadiz. Julie began her work in schools as a member of the development team at the American School of Madrid before moving back to Hawaii to teach Spanish and History at St. Francis School in Honolulu. Julie has experience as an interpreter and translator, plays soccer, and is a marathon runner.

The Family Photo Project - Bringing Our Whole Selves to School

"My grandmother, her mother and her siblings, made it to America safely. Most everyone else in this picture and in my grandmother's family was killed by the Nazis." Sarah Baron	"This is of my Great-Great Uncle Tom and my Great Grandfather on their bikes preparing for an epic journey. My great grandfather was quite a character from what I hear, always parking his Harley, as pictured, at the Chicago Stock Exchange, back in 1907." Erik Isaacson

This past month, students, faculty members, and staff at The Bay School all brought a little bit more of themselves to school than they normally might. Each brought in a family photo that had special meaning to them and then shared the story behind it. Our hallways are now adorned with colorful images of multiple aspects of students' lives. The family photo project is one of several projects that Bay School students are undertaking in exploring the questions: What does it mean to build a truly multicultural school community? What does it mean to fully and honestly honor diversity?

The family photos and their histories are a departure from the confines of categorizing each other or taking a brochure picture approach that superficially captures a particular slice of school life. At The Bay School, we are grappling with how to truly recognize and honor the multiple identities that walk through our school door each and every day. Our goal is to get to know and embrace social, ethnic, political and economic diversity - to encourage every student and staff member to bring their "whole self" to school every day without checking any piece of themselves at the door. These photos are a glimpse into our fuller identities that we may not see as we scan across the room at the faces of our students in morning meeting.

The Family Photo Project Slideshow

Click on the image to advance the slideshow

Slide 1: Millie Harris This picture was taken when my great-grandfather was about 20 years old. (He is seated on the far left). He grew up in Texas with his four other brothers. By the time he married and moved away from home it was 1928. A year later, the Great Depression hit the country. The farmland that he and his family owned had to be sold because they did not have enough money to pay for it. For work, he decided to help out at a nearby gas station. When the owner passed away my great-grandfather inherited the station and kept the business running. This allowed him to pull his family through the Depression. When he was about ready to retire from work in the 1940's, the gas station was bought by Phillips Petroleum Company. It was one of the first stations and oil supplies that the company owned. Without the gas station the petroleum company could, most likely, have still grown into the company that it was, but if the little station in the middle of Texas had not been part of my family, my life would have been drastically different from what it is today. Millie Harris

Photojournalist Siamack Sioshansi Shares His Photographic Passion

Students in Gregory Fleisher's Digital Imaging I class had an exceptional opportunity and true photographic treat on Friday, April 15th when Siamack Sioshansi, photo journalist and father of Bay School freshman Cameron, visited their class. Siamack shared his personal experiences growing up in rural Iran where he developed a fascination with cameras by the age of 10 and landed his first job working in a darkroom where he taught himself photographic technique at the age of 16 in Tehran. Since then the combination of travel and photography has been his passion.

During his visit, Siamack presented his oeuvre to the class and then shot Polaroids of each student as part of an explanation and demonstration of "ice breaking" techniques to prepare students to work with photographic subjects. He also discussed several specific aspects of the photo software program PhotoShop, working with the example of a close-up shot of a flower projected on screen.

Our photography students were not only incredibly impressed by the range and quality of Siamack's work but equally intrigued by the exotic travel opportunities that photographic careers can offer. As Siamack emphasizes: "Perhaps the most important lesson that I learned from my early years with a camera is that photography, like so many endeavors, is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." A lesson to be remembered.

View Siamack Sioshansi's portfolio.

From The Bay School Admissions Office

One of our favorite Bay School rites of spring is the new student and family welcome picnic that was held this year on Saturday, April 16th here on campus. Our new students and their families had the opportunity to meet each other and the many faculty members, staff, current students and parents who attended the fun event. Many current members of the school community sought us out afterwards - to praise the great talents, interests, and warm personalities of our new students.

As we reflect upon this founding year of The Bay School in 2004-2005, we recognize and appreciate the many benefits of having an inaugural class of just over sixty students, as we work closely together to establish a thoughtful and supportive school community. We are pleased that the Class of 2009 is of a size comparable to that of our founding class.

The Class of 2009 is comprised of a talented mix of diverse students from across the Bay Area - representing 31 different schools, 66% of which are independent schools and the other 34% being public and parochial middle schools. A quarter of our students identify themselves as students of color. Geographically, 62% of the incoming class lives in San Francisco, 30% reside in Marin, 5% on the Peninsula, and 3% in the East Bay. The class is remarkably evenly balanced between males and females. Similarly, the 4 students joining the Class of 2008 as sophomores are equally balanced.

New Bay School students 2005-2006

Our next year's freshman and sophomore classes will continue to grow a bit further, as we move forward with rolling admissions throughout the spring and into the summer. Interested students and their families are encouraged to contact us in the Admissions Office with any questions regarding the application process.

It is with great pride (and a fair bit of reluctance) that we formally hand over our new students to our two very able deans - Ryn Blecke and Moneeka Settles. Once again, congratulations for surviving and triumphing in this rite of passage into high school. Have a great summer - we look forward to seeing you in late August.

Nancy Wheeler
Matt Hannibal
Admissions Directors

p.s. Don't forget to stop by and visit us in our new office next year!

Each month as we begin the process of selecting a list of books to offer students, faculty, and staff as community book group choices our first consideration is the combination of quality and variety. This month's selection offers a broad range of subjects - including two "classics", a work of science fiction, a fantasy story, and a new teen novel titled Rainbow Boys that has recently been awarded an American Library Association prize. We encourage you to make your selection and read along with us.

On campus we will be gathering in discussion groups on Thursdays April 21, 28, and on May 5th to share our thoughts and reactions to the following selection of books:

Rendering of the new library at 35 Keys Ave. campus

Dune, by Frank Herbert - the most read science fiction novel of all time. A classic.

Forever, by Judy Blume - a young adult "classic" (1975). About first love and first heartbreak.

I Can't Tell You, by Hillary Frank - a college freshman gets into an argument with his best friend and decides to only communicate in writing. The story is told through writings on all kinds of materials: napkins, post-it notes, white boards...

Lord of the Flies, by William Golding - a frightening story of the dark side of human behavior. Another classic.

Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez - An American Library Association "Best Book for Young Adults" selection about three teenage boys and their sexuality.

Sabriel, by Garth Nix - fantasy fiction about a daughter's quest to save her father's kingdom.

Slam! by Walter Dean Myers - realistic look at the ups and downs of a star high school basketball player's life in Harlem.

Library Volunteers Needed! I would greatly appreciate the support of parent and community volunteers to help out in the library beginning in August to assist during and after our move into the beautiful new library space at 35 Keyes Avenue. We will spend the month of August entering books into the new automated library catalog, shelving books, and processing books and magazines. During the 2005-2006 school year, I will need parents to continue these tasks as well as to help with other fun library related activities. From one hour to once or twice a week: any and all help will be appreciated. Please contact me via email at: rshaw@bayschoolsf.org.

Thank you!

"RIDE THE WAVE"

The thunderous roar could be heard clear across the city last week as The Bay School community cast its final ballots electing THE BREAKERS as the school's athletic mascot.

THE BREAKERS ARE ROLLIN' IN - GO BAY!

Every day recently there seem to be hundreds of workers scurrying all over 35 Keyes Avenue during the exciting final months of our renovation project. Some are water blasting the exterior of the building to prepare it for a fresh new coat of paint, inside workers are busy mudding new dry wall in preparation for painting, some are installing glass in refinished doors, and some are hanging sections of cable tray from hallway ceilings decoratively hiding miles of electrical and electronic cables throughout the building. Simultaneously, groups of construction workers weld railing supports onto staircases, and others work to finish the concrete work in the new patio area outside the dining room and student commons. What can appear to be chaos is actually very carefully choreographed by our faithful onsite construction manager - Paul Santen of Oliver and Company, the general contractor. His command post remains a trailer jam packed with drawings, hard hats, and all of the paraphernalia that is necessary for a complex 15 month project.

The 'guts' of the building are in place - air ducts, heating system, most of the electrical system, new walls, ceiling replacements, etc. - and now comes the fun part! Members of the school community are intricately involved with the final finishes in the building. The matter of signs - how many, color, and placement mean hours of meetings. Final choice of particular colors on walls, floors, and carpeting mean continual trips back and forth to the building to judge subtle differences.

One of the most exciting design features has taken months of decision making. Due to the historic designation of Building 35 we are not allowed to install a dropped ceiling in the large public spaces on the ground floor to hide mechanical systems. To hide heating ducts and a plethora of metal tubes which carry services to the upper floors, a series of hanging fabric 'waves' will be installed between the pillars. The design committee has looked at several previously completed projects using the concept, rejected many, and refined the design to what we think will perfectly suit our unique Bay School space. In April a sample was fabricated and installed on site, followed by several days of observation and consideration. It will be a spectacular feature of an outstanding building.

As we take groups of school supporters, new students and their families, on weekly hard hat tours and see the awe on visitor's faces, our admiration for chief architect, Bill Leddy grows exponentially. He and the rest of his team at Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects have preserved the best of the old and added tasteful modern design to create a campus for The Bay School that will also be considered as a showcase building at the Presidio. The campus project is currently on schedule for its planned opening at the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year beginning in late August. Our great gratitude goes to Equity Community Builders (ECB), construction managers for the project and to ECB principal, John Clawson, who also serves as Vice President of The Bay School Board of Trustees.

Joan Jordan
Director of Finance and Operations

May Events Calendar