October 7, 2008

Dear Friends,

Transitions

An irreverent story to begin with.

Adam and Eve have been expelled from the Garden of Eden. In front of them is the desert, behind them the beauty of the garden, with an angel with a flaming sword guarding the way in. Eve is heart-broken. Adam consoles her by saying, "Never mind, dear, we're just going through a period of transition."

1. Transitions are exciting. The change of leadership at the Bay School provides a huge opportunity for new and deeper thinking and for fresh initiatives. The change of the school itself from start-up to an adolescent if not a mature institution gives us much to reflect on–as well as to be grateful for. Even this agonizingly long presidential election campaign will end with a time of new hope and optimism.

2. Transitions are inevitable. Whether we know it or not, each of us grows and changes every day. The secret is being aware and present with the change, accepting what we cannot change, managing what we can.

3. Transitions are scary. My favorite metaphor is that of a sailor setting out to a shore he cannot see, losing his nerve, and looking back to find that he cannot see where he came from either. 

4. And there is an element of pain. There is an instinct deep inside us to preserve what we know, even if it is undesirable. Allowing the death of the past involves mourning–a useful if sad process.

5. Managed right, transitions build community. Our shared excitement, anxiety, mourning and hope bring us closer together and closer to the important things in life, personal or institutional.  And this is a good thing.

Speaking of transitions, I cannot lavish enough praise on our students and faculty who have transitioned into a new year. Last year's juniors have miraculously become a mature and responsible senior class, on whom I can count in a myriad ways. The new freshmen are at the same time full of life and energy and also able to take their place in morning meeting as if they had been here for years. 

Finally, clearly I am in transition also. I am delighted with the expertise and love of the Search Committee which is managing this change. For various reasons, however, I am in denial. Personally, I cannot imagine a life more fulfilling and happy than the one I have shared with you these five years. More importantly, however, our mascot is a Breaker, not a lame duck.  For good or ill, my hand is still firmly on the tiller.

God bless you all!

Fr. Malcolm

From the Head of School Search Committee

The members of the Search Committee are well aware of the responsibility we face as we select a new head of school. We have prepared for this transition even as we share in the anxiety and excitement of which Father Malcolm speaks. 

When a person such as Fr. Malcolm who has shaped our institution steps down, it fosters in each of us a feeling of--Yikes! Say it isn't so!  Yet, the Bay School is more than just one person. The Bay School and the Bay School community represent the hopes and hard work of many, many individuals. We know we are ready, if reluctant, to rise to this occasion as we look to the future. 

The Search Committee has invited three finalists from a strong field of applicants to come to Bay in October, each for two-day visits. We are creating schedules for these visits that will involve the entire Bay community in many events. With the help and input of Bay students and their families, faculty and staff, and trustees, we will make this transition one in which all of us can take pride and be confident.

We welcome and encourage your input!

Jody Jahn, Search Committee Chairman,
jjahn@bayschoolsf.org, Tel: 415.561.5800, ext. 180

A Report about the 2008 Summer Faculty Institute at Bay  
By Tony Pickering, Dean of Faculty

As is customary, Bay School teachers engaged in intensive reflection, professional development and planning work this summer. Although in past years we have come together in the middle of the summer for a two-week faculty institute, this year we met for a week in June following graduation and then again for another week in mid-August before the beginning of the new school year. The timing was altered to enable teachers to attend professional development programs, travel, and to fully re-charge for the 2008-2009 school year.

Bay teachers are naturally oriented towards reflection, collaboration, and continuing professional growth in their work, and the summer institute provided a variety of activities in all these areas. We completed our first draft of the WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) self-study, which is an in-depth look at what/how we teach and how we assess student learning that is an important step in the process of full accreditation. We also spent valuable time learning from each other this summer. For instance, a group of teachers led five workshops on the following topics: models of professional collaboration (Bill Brown), enhancing class discussions (Krissa Lebacqz and Katherine Riley), student-centered teaching (Holly Hirshfield), grading policies (Tony Pickering) and assessment practices (Lori Cohen). 

Some of the other topics that we addressed during the course of the summer were:
- Using blog-lines and social book marking to enhance professional development
- Cultivating "presence" in the classroom and managing reactivity
- Learning techniques in how to have difficult conversations
- Enhancing our effectiveness as advisors

We also spent time learning about how the creation of professional learning communities can support our professional development. This year, small groups of teachers will continue to identify shared areas of professional growth and create what are known as "Critical Friends Groups" to orient their own professional development for the year. We heard from several teachers (Bill Brown, Katy Cryer, Katherine Riley, Andy Shaw, and Dave Wang) who worked together last year in a similar fashion and derived many valuable insights into the effectiveness of their teaching practices.

Finally, we also engaged in reflection and sharing about the issue of "sustainability" in our work at Bay, both from the individual perspective of time management and on-going rejuvenation, but also from the perspective of how to sustain Bay's founding vision about teaching, learning, and collaboration as we make the transition from a start-up to a more established school. We are confident that our clear sense of mission will keep us grounded in what is essential as we try new things and continue to grow as teachers and as an institution.

New Faculty and Changing Roles at Bay

We are delighted to welcome a group of six new members to the Bay School faculty for the 2008-2009 academic year. Each is an experienced teacher bringing a breadth of experience, abilities and perspectives that strengthen and broaden us as a community. We feel fortunate that Bay continues to attract such accomplished educators from throughout the country. Please take a moment when you are on campus to introduce yourself and welcome our new teachers.

(left to right)
Richard Piccioni, Science
Shelton Shepherd, Math, Dean of Students
Paul Laurey, Science
Danielle Sensenig, Visual Arts
Sharon Brock, Science
Ana Barrios, Spanish
Craig Butz, Humanities, Writing

Read full biographies at the Bay School Website.

In addition to our new teachers we also welcome Keith Kuwatani who manages IT support and our student laptop program. Krissa Lebacqz, a former member of the science faculty, has taken on a new area of responsibility as the Director of Senior Projects at Bay. Eugene Mizusawa will lead our engineering program this year.

Bay Welcomes New Dean of Students, Shelton Shepherd

Greetings from the Dean of Students!

Foremost, I want to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone for offering me such a warm welcome into the Bay School community. I am very appreciative and look forward to establishing strong and lasting connections with my new colleagues, students, and their families.

Here's a little background information about me. I was born and raised in Selma, North Carolina--a small town about 30 miles east of Raleigh. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Education from North Carolina State University (Go Wolfpack! Go ACC!), and my MAT in Mathematics from the University of Vermont (Go Catamounts!).  My 14-year teaching career has included stints at Clayton Middle School (Clayton, NC), Burlington High School (Burlington, VT), and Cary Academy (Cary, NC). Since my arrival in the Bay Area during the summer, many have asked, "What were your reasons for choosing the Bay School and San Francisco?"  Well, I've had the desire to work and live in a more progressive and socially conscious location for a while. In addition, I've wanted to find a school whose philosophy and way of educating kids truly encouraged physical, emotional, and spiritual growth in addition to the intellectual.  I first visited the Bay School three years ago and just knew that I had stepped into something special. It's a great place, and I am thrilled to be a part of this community. Go Breakers!

At Bay Shelton serves as Dean of Students as well as the senior class dean and freshman advisor. During the winter and spring trimesters he will be teaching Math II.

The 2008-2009 academic year has gotten off to a great start. Each grade began the new year by attending class specific orientation programs during the week prior to the start of classes on August 26th. The activities ranged from an overnight retreat at the Marin Headlands Institute for the senior Class of 2009 to local community service outings for the Classes of 2010, 2011, and 2012.

The members of the Class of 2009 participated in a day and a half retreat at the scenic Marin Headlands Institute. The primary goals were to have the seniors bond as a class and prepare for their important leadership role in the student body. The first day's activities included small group hikes, one-on-one conversations with each student, individual goal setting exercises, and an evening camp fire. The second day included sessions focused on personal awareness and group leadership lead by Teah Strozer and Dennis Hartzell, respectively. Also, the seniors spent a major part of the morning brainstorming and deciding upon their class gift. Customarily, the gift symbolizes a central contribution that members of the senior class hope to make during their last year at the Bay School. This year's senior class gift statement reads as follows:

"We, the Class of 2009, want to inspire and maintain the inclusive cultural identity of the Bay School, where students feel comfortable growing into their own individuality."

Throughout the year, the Class of 2009 will plan and engage in activities and sponsor events to ensure the success of their yearlong goal.

Throughout their junior year, students in the Class of 2010 have chosen to focus on the statement "to encourage compassion, confidence, and intellectual curiosity"–part of the school's mission. The goal of their junior orientation was to build a sense of class unity going into the school year by building collective confidence and compassion through team-building activities. Students learned the importance of the qualities of compassion, confidence, and intellectual curiosity as rising leaders at Bay.

Junior orientation day began with the class meeting as a group to discuss what they perceived to be the upcoming joys as well as challenges of junior year. They read and considered mission statements from two technology companies in an effort to more deeply understand the purpose of mission statements–learning how a mission statement describes the aims, values, and aspirations of an individual or organization. Following this introduction, the juniors focused on the Bay School mission. They explored many reasons as to why the founding board of trustees might have chosen the particular statement "to encourage compassion, confidence, and intellectual curiosity."

During the afternoon portion of the program juniors went to Fort Miley (near Lands' End nearby the Legion of Honor) where they participated in large and small group activities and games. The activities required that the students all worked closely together as a cohesive unit in order to achieve success. The ultimate goal of the activities was for students to consider what the dynamics of successful teams are.

Many sophomores spent their orientation day working hard at The Fort Mason Community Garden. Fort Mason is located nearby the Presidio and is also a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The garden is considered to be the only community garden in a National Park in America! Sophomores witnessed a demonstration illustrating the value and process of composting followed by a tour of the garden's hothouse where seeds are sprouted. The group next took a tour of the "Native Plant Educational Walk" project and then everyone pitched in and worked hard at clearing the area where the Point Lobos display will soon be installed. Our Bay students received rave reviews from the garden's director and as an added bonus, the Bay School has been awarded its own school plot in this wonderful community garden.

Each year the freshmen kick off their new high school adventure with a two-day orientation program. This year, the Class of 2012 spent the first day of orientation at school getting to know each other and their new campus. Throughout the orientation students built appreciation for each other as peers and appreciation for the school as their new shared home. Activities were geared toward building cohesiveness as a class. Students had the opportunity to learn about each other's varied experiences in addition to preparing for the shared experiences that are to come. The freshmen took part in a scavenger hunt throughout the entire building. Each clue along the way taught them a little something about their school, their teachers, and their peers. The kids learned everything from the year #35 Keyes Avenue was built, to how many students in the freshman class have traveled to Kenya, to which member of the faculty spent time in Thailand learning to heal people with his hands, elbows and feet. They then finished their first day in advisory groups writing "Where I am from Poems", which are now displayed at school for the entire community to appreciate.

Making Bay School History - Graduation of the Founding Class of 2008

It was a day long dreamed of–June 6, 2008, and it dawned with all the magnificence that could have been hoped for, a big bright sun in a crystal blue sky. At 3pm sharp at the Herbst Exhibition Hall in the Presidio, the 53 members of the Bay School inaugural Class of 2008 began their procession towards the stage, preceded by all their fellow students, faculty and staff, and the board of trustees. The audience of more than 600 stood clapping and cheering while the SF Symphony brass quintet sounded Pomp and Circumstance. What a celebration!

Following the opening reflection given by chaplain Teah Strozer a photo presentation chronicled the graduates' four action-packed years at Bay from its founding in the "little house in the woods" during their freshman year in 2004-2005, the exciting move into the newly renovated campus at 35 Keyes Avenue in fall 2005 where they were joined by the school's second Class of 2009, and the many other ongoing "firsts" that led up to the school's first graduation day.

Senior Sarah Baron spoke on behalf of the graduating class–beginning by saying, "We came to this school big-eyed and bushytailed ready to start something, full of excitement and expectations. Ready for four years of firsts, four years of new." After recalling and reminiscing about the voyage that she and her classmates had experienced during their four years at Bay she concluded by saying, "We have never followed in anyone's footsteps or had anyone to look up to, yet we have managed to excel and set a high standard for future classes of the Bay School. We, being the first graduating class, have taken a risk that many wouldn't even consider. But I am glad that I took that risk. Because the risk that I and the 52 students sitting behind me have taken has lead to the creation of this unique school and this marvelous and unforgettable community--a community which consists of students who care about their growth and maturity and want their school to be a safe kind and respectful environment, a place where they can make mistakes, learn from them, and grow."

Assistant Head of School, Dennis Hartzell was asked by the senior class to speak representing the Bay School faculty. Dennis' close bond with the founding class began in their freshman year when he taught many of them in Writing Workshop where they shared stories of the Greeks and others from the ancient world. Thus it was very meaningful that Dennis drew on the powerful example of Odysseus' journey from Homer's epic poem The Odyssey in saying "Odysseus knows (and so do we) that to be immortal is to risk nothing, to stand for nothing, to count for nothing. After all, like Odysseus, we are meant to be striving creatures. At our best, we define ourselves by confronting failure and loss and by seeking to shape a better world for ourselves and for our kind... Now, on this day, it is time for you to go forth from this place...and change our world."

Jay Harris, father of graduating senior Amelia Harris, gave an inspiring graduation address that highlighted the many experiences and lessons that the founding class had learned by virtue of being the Bay School pioneers who very literally built their new school from scratch. Looking to the future he said "My hope, my belief, is that the legacy of the Bay School's pioneers, of the path breakers of the Class of '08 will be great. This practical education in the hard knocks of leading has prepared you for a much bigger deal. It turns out that this process of ambitious invention is, more than any lesson in any class, bang-on perfect preparation for the world's great and looming challenges."

Following the awarding of diplomas and a rousing recessional the graduates and their families celebrated along with Bay School teachers and staff at a reception on campus. Hugs and teary farewells were shared all around. Everyone at Bay looks forward to the very first alumni reunion planned for January 7th, 2009.

The Class of 2008 - College Bound

As the Class of 2009 builds momentum in their college process this fall, there are frequent reminders of the successes of our inaugural class in their process. The map of the United States outside my office is savaged by well over 200 pin holes in 23 states, each representing an acceptance for the 53 members of the class of 2008. The much anticipated first college list includes acceptances at 135 institutions all over the United States, and does justice to the extraordinary range of talents, interests, and budding passions of that first class. It also represents thoughtful research and sane choices for our kids; over seventy percent of the Class of 2008's admission decisions were acceptances. At the same time, a new map, fresh and unmarked, is ready to commemorate the efforts of the Class of '09, and we've asked them to take that clean slate as a cue to focus fiercely on what will be the best fit for them, rather than leaning on the choices of the class before them. Meanwhile, well over 100 college and university admission representatives are passing through our halls to visit Bay this fall. These are exciting times in our office, and for our school.

In the past couple of weeks, we've heard reports that our math program was great preparation for a Wellesley student, that Senator Mitchell and Ambassador Pickering inspired a Bowdoin student one week, that USF is awesome, that Lake Forest is a great community, and that waiting for Stanford to start while all of one student's friends began their college careers was almost too much to bear. We've had thanks-and-farewell visits from freshmen at Tufts, St. Olaf, Reed, and Seattle University. We've had second- and third-hand reports that Bates and MIT are great choices for two of our recent graduates. One recent alumna has deferred admission to NYU for a year and is an assistant coach for our varsity volleyball team this fall. As our first graduates settle in to 38 colleges and universities this fall, they've told us they felt well-prepared and eager to tackle advanced work, and they've also been willing to tell us they miss us. The feeling is mutual.

As I got to know the Class of 2008 during my first year, 2005-2006, I began to wonder just what our first list would look like. I never worried that we wouldn't have students gain prestigious or highly selective admits; our program was too strong and our students too talented for that. Our far greater hope was that each student, whatever their talents and abilities, would have ample time, guidance, and confidence to make choices that would honor their strengths that would stretch but also fortify their vision of themselves as students and as people. Really, our hope was that their college process could live up to the intentional and forward-thinking nature of the rest of their experience at the Bay School. 

The pristine map representing our 2008-2009 efforts awaits this year's pins. The 2008 list is now in the archives. We look back with pride, and ahead with confidence and excitement.

A Special Gift Transforms Letterman Gym

Thanks to a very generous contribution by Mac and Leslie McQuown (parents of Morgan, Class of '08), the Bay School is close to completing a dramatic renovation of Letterman Gymnasium. The project has also been made possible by the support and cooperation of the Presidio YMCA, which is the lease-holder on the building and which agreed to suspend its programs in Letterman for the several months required to move the project forward.

With plans drawn by architect Chris Wasney (a member of the Presidio Y's Board of Directors) and with general contracting services provided by Oliver and Co., the work in Letterman is nearly complete. Both the interior and the exterior of the building have been re-painted. New lighting systems provide both a significant increase in illumination and a substantial reduction in energy usage. New team rooms and storage spaces are now available for use by both the Bay School and the Y.  Six new basketball backboards (with motorized adjustable height capabilities) provide welcome new practice options for our girls and boys basketball programs. And most striking of all: the brightness and beauty of a classic maple-wood floor is restored.

With the delivery and installation of four new sets of permanent bleachers in early November, the seating capacity of Letterman Gym for home athletic contests will increase by approximately two hundred.  When Mac and Leslie McQuown chose to transform Letterman Gym, they hoped that the result would celebrate the commitment and the dedication of the original student-athletes who, in 2004-05, began building the culture of competitive integrity that distinguishes the Bay School. If you haven't yet had an opportunity to see the very special result of the McQuown's vision, please take a moment to stop by Letterman Gym.  Better yet, check the girls' varsity and JV volleyball schedules and come by to cheer on the Breakers!

Dennis Hartzell, Assistant Head of School

Bay School fall athletics are in full swing. Join us to cheer the Bay Breakers to victory! View athletic schedules.

On Monday, September 8, during our usual Book Bridge time, all Bay students discussed the book they chose to read from our summer reading lists. Bay students have a variety of interests and our summer reading lists reflected that. We emphasize enjoyment of reading during the school year through the Book Bridge program and during the summer through Summer Reading. That is why our only other requirement for summer reading besides reading a book from the Bay summer reading list is to read more books. Luckily for us, a wildly popular fantasy series about vampires called the Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer, kept many of our kids reading throughout the summer. Though this series is not on our summer reading list, I love that our kids were engaged in a story.  (For information go to:  http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilightseries.html and http://www.nytimes.com.

FUN FACTS
Some of the most read books from our summer reading list for freshmen were: The Life of Pi by Yann Martel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, and And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.

Some of the most read books from our summer reading list for sophomores, juniors, and seniors were: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar, and The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson.

Book Bridge Program 2008-2009

Our Book Bridge program is off to a great start this year. To get acquainted with the program and each other, freshmen and new students are required to sign up for book groups. The student-driven groups choose their own books and create their own reading calendar with a discussion session at the end of 4 weeks. Among the new books that this year's freshmen and new students chose to read are Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Looking for Alaska by John Green, and The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.

Our sophomores, juniors, and seniors can choose to join a book group or read independently each week during Monday's Book Bridge time. When students choose to read a book together, they get so much more out of their reading experience. We are thrilled to have an unprecedented 8 groups of students reading together. The newly created Finance Club is reading The Wall Street Journal's Complete Money and Investing Guidebook by Dave Kansas. Other book groups are Rhymes with Witches by Lauren Myracle, Roadside Picnic by Arkadi Strugatsky, I Love You, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle, Blankets by Craig Thompson, Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke, The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollen, Looking for Class: Days and Nights at Oxford and Cambridge by Bruce Feiler.

Bay Honors

Congratulations to the following members of the Bay School community for their recent
achievements and accolades:

Matt Hannibal, Assistant Director of College Counseling and Freshman Class Dean, was recently appointed to the board of First Graduate, a Presidio based non-profit outreach organization whose mission is to help students complete high school and become the first in their families to attend college.

Jocelyn Recinos, Class of 2009, has been appointed by supervisor Tom Ammiano to serve on the San Francisco Youth Commission where she will be working with city staff members to build youth programs and support her community. The City Charter charges the Youth Commission with representing the needs of San Francisco's youth to policy makers and administrators.

Rose Frazier, Class of 2009, made her San Francisco Opera debut in The Bonesetter's Daughter in September. She has performed several lead roles in operas produced by the Lamplighters workshops at the SF Conservatory of Music and was a regional finalist in the 2008 Classical Singer magazine high school vocal competition. Bravo, Rose!

October 2008 Events Calendar