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:: monthly news from The Bay School of San Francisco - December 2009 | ||||||||
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In this issue: Letter from Head of School The Bay School Community Academics News & Events December 2009 - January 2010 Events Calendar Print Version (PDF) |
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Letter from Head of School 
Timothy W. Johnson |
December 15, 2009 Dear Friends, It strikes me that there is remarkable alignment around the school's mission. A focus on developing skills, habits and values that prepare students for the future is at the center of this distinctive school community. Students and teachers truly "bring their whole selves to school." Therefore, all forms of discussion and animated conversation, whether at the lunch table, in the classroom, or at morning meetings, are respectfully enlivened by diverse perspectives. Bay students also participate with gusto outside the walls of their classrooms and campus. Teachers take advantage of the abundant opportunities to extend the curriculum into the Presidio, and into San Francisco and other neighboring communities. On any given day Bay students are to be found drawing at Crissy Field, tending the school's organic garden at Ft. Mason, or working in collaboration with non-profits and companies as part of the Senior Projects Program and sophomore research class. These types of real-life experiences bring great energy and meaning to what our students learn. The Bay School has matured against important school measures, while our continuing emphasis on improvement propels us forward. We benefit from an ongoing cycle of reflection and advancement. I am grateful to be a part of it all. Sincerely, |
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The Bay School Community
 Julie Taufa'asau Dean of Students |
Fall Gatherings Focus on Activism
In closing, Matt called Bay School students to action saying: "your generation is the first to know so much about climate science and solutions—and you're hyper-connected like no other in history to do something about it!" He proposed a number of solutions to create a cleaner and brighter future beginning with each of us acting as individuals to reduce energy consumption through changing to CFL light bulbs, buying reusable items, taking public transport and driving low-emission fuel efficient vehicles, lowering electrical use, and eating locally grown foods, among others. He also encouraged students to raise their voices in joining the movement to spread the word to others through music, art, on Facebook and Flickr. For more information about ACE and their programs visit: Do the Easy Stuff: http://ace.dev.echoditto.com/act-now/easy-stuff Declaration of Independence from Fossil Fuels: http://ace.dev.echoditto.com/declaration
 Canadian Robert Bryan, 21, led a successful campaign to preserve the world's largest boreal forest in the East Coast Wilderness area in Manitoba, Canada from logging and development, as well as put an end to logging activity within the boundaries of provincial parks in Manitoba. Sierra Crane-Murdoch, 21, from Vermont, founded and leads the grassroots organization Power Past Coal that lobbied President Obama, the EPA, and Congress to enact policies to accelerate the transition away from coal in the production of electricity. Alec Loorz, 15, who first saw Al Gore's documentary film An Inconvenient Truth at age 12, was inspired to become the youngest presenter with The Climate Project and went on in 2008 to found his own organization Kids vs. Global Warming to educate young people about the science of climate change. Diana Lopez, 20, organizes with the Southwest Workers Union for workers' rights, environmental justice and community empowerment in San Antonio, Texas. In 2007 she and fellow community members founded the Roots of Change Community Garden to provide healthy, organic produce at no cost to local residents, as well as educational programs about nutrition and community services. The Bay Area's Adarsha Shivakumar, 16, founded Project Jatropha, which is dedicated to promoting the plant Jatropha curcas as an environmentally friendly and economically profitable crop amongst the peasant farmers of India for use as a biofuel. Hai Vo, 22, while a student at UC Irvine, founded the Real Food Challenge, now involving more than 300 colleges and universities throughout the country, to focus attention on the importance of allocating institutional resources to procure and provide nutritious, locally grown, environmentally friendly food on college campuses.Following their presentations, all 6 award winners answered questions from Bay School students and members of the faculty and staff. Clearly, hearing these passionate young people speak about their involvements and what they had accomplished in their individual realms left all of us with a powerful sense of what can be achieved to better the lives of people and our planet. Read more on the 2009 Brower Award Winner Profiles At the final gathering of the trimester on November 10th, retired East Bay attorney Budd MacKenzie shared his amazing story about founding Trust in Education (TIE), a nonprofit that provides education, economic development and health care in Afghanistan. In 2003, Mr. MacKenzie and friends began by raising $60,000 to build a school in Lalander, a rural village in the Char Asiab Valley 15 miles south of Kabul, through the Central Asia Institute founded by Greg Mortenson. Wanting to learn more, he researched Afghanistan and then traveled there. Through his first-hand experiences visiting poor rural villages, witnessing the need for schools and economic assistance, he became passionately committed to helping Afghans build a better future. Thus, over the past 6 years he has done remarkable work both in Afghanistan and here in the US helping his neighbors in the Bay Area connect to and help change a community across the world. TIE is now providing education, health care, reconstruction and economic programs to several Afghan villages as well as providing food and clothing to refugee camps in Kabul. Working in conjunction with the nonprofit NGO, Aschiana, sponsors are being found for street children, enabling them to leave begging on the streets long enough to attend school. As Budd says: "It is imperative now that 'we the people' become engaged. The war on poverty and the wars being waged for the most fundamental of freedoms will not be won by informed observers sitting in the bleachers. 'Come on down.' It's infinitely more rewarding to be on the field."
Trust in Education: http://www.trustineducation.org/ Bay students left each gathering feeling both the weight of responsibility and the inspiration to become involved. During weekly advisory group meetings students have considered many different ways in which they can participate in addressing issues and needs both close to home and far away. As a result, a new club has formed to provide aid to people in developing nations and our Eco Club has given a series of awareness talks at morning meetings to propose ways each of us can lower our carbon footprint. Much more to come! |
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Academics Craig Butz Humanities and Research in the Community Teacher |
Trimester 1 Research in the Community Projects
Students chose the following topics for their research projects during the fall trimester: In addition to reading books, journals, and electronic sources in the process of their research, students also conducted interviews and participated in hands-on activities such as community service, all the while, learning to manage and organize their time so they can turn what they've found into a formal thesis-driven research paper. Finally, students prepare presentations that they give to their class and to the all-school community at an evening exhibition. At the beginning, the task seemed daunting, but when students reflected back on their projects, almost universally, Bay sophomores expressed increased confidence in themselves as researchers and writers. Below are snapshots of a few of the many research projects that impressed me this term. |
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 Karen Hellyer Digital Arts Teacher |
Digital Imaging Class - Portrait Service Project
My students and I arrived at Moore's Pumpkin Patch in Castro Valley on a crisp fall morning in October bathed in warm light. As the toddlers trickled in, many dressed in costume, they were paired up with a Bay School student, and headed off to explore the pumpkin patch together. Our students spontaneously reached out to the little ones with great warmth and engaged them in play. One of the teachers in the Infant and Family Support Program commented "the pictures were amazing and will be cherished by the families, but the attention and respect given to each family by Bay students is also to be remembered."
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News & Events
Stephanie Hamilton Assistant Athletic Director |
Athletics - Celebrating the Fall Season The 2009 girls' JV volleyball team this year was comprised of 14 Bay freshmen and sophomores whose willingness to learn and enthusiasm for the game made for a fun and competitive season. Lead by head coach and Bay volleyball alum Cecily Scherschligt (Class of 2008), 11 of the JV players were new to the program and they worked hard. The girls completed their season admirably with an impressive home win against a major competitor in our league.
Girls' Varsity Tennis Girls' Golf Boys' Soccer Fall 2009 was the fourth season for the boys' JV soccer program at Bay and we reached new heights. Our overall record was 3W-4T-8L, which does not accurately reflect the high quality level of play. This season, for the first time, Bay tied or won against several of our arch-rival schools. Momentum was built. Most importantly, the team was made up of a great group of kids who created a supportive "esprit de corps" and who are poised to really move forward next year. Cross-Country
Harley is the first Bay School athlete in any sport to compete on the state level. GO BREAKERS! |
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News & Events 
Katherine Riley Drama Teacher |
The Bay School Presents.....Don't Drink the Water
Bravos and thanks go to the superb members of the cast: And, also to the superb crew: |
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Bay's Got Spirit!
Tuesday was Pink Day and had very special meaning to the entire school community. Bay School student Sarah Berkov ('10), as her Senior Project, organized a "Dig Pink" volleyball match between the Bay girls' varsity volleyball team and the Waldorf School Wolverines. Student athletes, coaches, and fans were all decked out in pink in recognition of October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Sarah also organized a successful raffle that raised more than $2,000 to support breast cancer research and awareness. "The Bay Area has the highest rate of breast cancer in the country," she said. "I really wanted to help raise money for such a worthy cause." |
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Grandparents & Friends Day 2009
On Thursday, November 12th more than 60 grandparents, family members and close friends of Bay School freshmen and sophomores were welcomed on campus. They began their visit by attending a student panel discussion moderated by dean of students, Julie Taufa'asau, designed to give them a real feel for the many dimensions of the student experience at Bay. The students spoke about their studies as well as extracurricular activities, and shared personal experiences about what makes the Bay School such a special, closely knit community. After the panel, students joined their guests to enjoy a delicious Bay School organic lunch. Then it was time to move into the Great Room for a student presentation of recent sophomore Research in the Community projects. Sabina Menotti took the audience back to an earlier time with her project titled: 60's San Francisco and Chloe Kissane presented her project titled: Exercise and Academics. They were followed by several seniors who presented overviews of their senior projects that included subjects such as scientific clinical trials at UCSF to teaching dance to children who are part of the Court Appointed Special Advocates program. 
The most commonly heard exclamation was: "I wish Bay was here when I was a teenager!" It was a day truly enjoyed by all. |
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Congratulations to the following members of the Bay School community for their recent achievements and accolades:
Of the 500 student representatives who participated, 4 Bay School students received special mention: Danilo Pascaretta - Verbal Commendation Mary MacLeod - Best Research |
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December 2009 & January 2010 Events Calendar
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| © 2009 The Bay School of San Francisco |
Six recipients of the 2009 Brower Youth Awards spoke to the Bay School community on October 20th and each of their stories was nothing short of inspirational. These annual youth awards honor acclaimed environmental activist David R. Brower. Sponsored by the Earth Island Institute, they manifest the Institute's commitment to growing environmental leadership and each year recognize six young people for their outstanding activism and achievements in the fields of environmental and social justice advocacy.
Special recognition this season goes to senior Harley Grandin, who, in his very first season running and as a new member of the Bay School team, achieved truly unbelievable results. During the regular league season Harley placed first in boys' varsity races at 2 meets and finished in the top 5 in two others. He ran in the North Coast Section cross-country race in Hayward and finished in first place, thus qualifying for the California State Championship meet held in Fresno on November 28th where he placed 22nd in a field of 190 runners, in 16:47 over 3.1 miles for a personal best 5:25 mile pace.
Ellen Greenblatt, Bay School instructor of literature and writing, presented a two-day
workshop titled Literature and Language in October at The Tri-Association: The Association of American Schools of Central America, Colombia-Caribbean and Mexico,
held this year in Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic. Participants in the workshop teach at schools where English is the language of instruction.
Randa Atkins ('10) has been designated as a semifinalist for the 2010 National Achievement Program Award, administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. This award is given to African-American students who score in the top 3% nationwide on the PSAT. Randa will continue in the competition for approximately 800 Achievement Scholarship awards to be offered next spring. The NASP is a privately financed academic competition that was initiated in 1964 to recognize academically promising black students throughout the nation, providing college scholarships. Congratulations Randa!
Naoki O'Bryan ('12) received Honorable Mention for his participation in the Historical India Partition Committee of 1947, representing Muhammad Ali Jinnah, leader of the Muslim League and the father of modern Pakistan at the Model UN Conference held at Stanford University in November. This committee was one with the highest caliber of delegates for the entire conference, as well as one of the smallest ones, making it an interesting yet difficult challenge.
Ana Bayat, Bay School Spanish and French teacher, recently recorded voiceovers in Spanish and European French for the International Olympic Committee Website titled: The Best of Us Challenge. On the site viewers have the opportunity to watch unique challenge videos posted by Olympic athletes and then try to break their records. Listen to Ana's voice at: 
Bay School Model UN Club Members Receive Recognition
Humanities and literature teacher Bill Brown’s recent article titled 
Nora Bales ('11) will make a presentation at the annual American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference to be held in San Francisco on December 14th-18th. The Union advances the Earth and space sciences by supporting the efforts of individual scientists and through encouraging collaboration. The subject of Nora's presentation is snowfall in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains during the past 10 years, and sprang from summer consulting work that she did for her father who is a professor of hydrology and environmental engineering at UC Merced. "The Sierra Nevada Mountains are a special place to me" says Nora. "Climate change and snow cover are two very important linked issues. I took on this project because of my interest in science, climate change, and the Sierra Nevada."
Rebecca Roycroft, Bay School Alumnus, Class of 2009, authored a sample student essay that has been accepted for publication in the upcoming Bedford St. Martin's Press textbook titled Literature and Composition. Bay School literature teacher Ellen Greenblatt, who wrote part of the teacher's guide to the new textbook, invited Rebecca to submit her essay. Not only is Rebecca now a published author, she earned $100 for her effort.