There is an old saying,
”
Nothing is as constant as change,
”
and as I have often stated, the only ones who like change are
wet babies. Change can present new opportunities and challenges,
require courage and evoke sadness, excitement, frustration,
happiness, or a combination of emotions. The one thing that we know
for certain is that as long as we have life, we have change.
There is an old saying, “Nothing is as constant as change,” and as I have often stated, the only ones who like change are wet babies. Change can present new opportunities and challenges, require courage and evoke sadness, excitement, frustration, happiness, or a combination of emotions. The one thing that we know for certain is that as long as we have life, we have change. As we end our 2008-09 school year, there is definitely change occurring in the Morgan Hill Unified School District.
Burnett Elementary School will close its doors after 153 years serving students in Morgan Hill, and 48 years at its current location. As difficult as it is to make a decision such as closing a school, the current economic crisis made it necessary. Staff is evaluating different options for the use of the Burnett site to best meet the needs of the district and community and to maintain the economic savings. Burnett students and staff will join the P.A. Walsh Elementary School community in the fall. Natalie Gioco, Principal at P.A. Walsh, is working with our Facilities Department to prepare the campus so that everything is ready before the first day of school in August.
The Walsh community hosted Burnett students and staff to a play day during the last month of school, giving the students an opportunity to become acquainted and to see the school site while having a great time. I am confident that there will be benefits that come out of this change for our community, our teachers and our students. I congratulate both communities for working together to make this transition a positive experience for students and commend Burnett Principal Barbara Neal for her successful leadership of Burnett Elementary for the last five years.
I am pleased to announce that Neal will be the principal of San Martin/Gwinn Elementary effective this coming school year. Current San Martin/Gwinn Principal P.J. Foehr is moving his family to Hawaii to continue his career in education. We will definitely miss him and congratulate him for seven years of strong leadership of San Martin/Gwinn. We wish him and his family well in their new home. Neal will continue the many fine traditions and academic rigor for which San Martin/Gwinn is known.
The Class of 2009 graduated from our three high schools last Thursday and Friday. They are certainly in for a change in their lives, as they move on to colleges and universities, the military, or the workforce. During this year’s graduation, many of our students told me they will attend prestigious schools of higher education such as Stanford, U.C. Berkeley, United States Air Force Academy, U.C. Davis, U.C. Irvine, Santa Clara University, San Jose State, MIT, UCLA, and USC, among others.
Another change that we have had in the district that has opened doors of opportunity for students is our support of English language learners. This spring, we reclassified 174 English language learners to the status of English Proficient. That was a 70 percent increase from last year when 104 students were reclassified. These students will now have the opportunity to progress in their education without the barrier of language.
I, too, am experiencing a significant change this year, as I retire from education. I have announced my retirement effective June 30 with mixed emotions. While I look forward to having more time with my family, I know that there is so much more yet to do for students.
As I look back over my four years in Morgan Hill, there have been numerous accomplishments that have resulted in progress for students.
I pass the baton with confidence to a new superintendent who can take the district to the next level of excellence. The board will begin the process of a superintendent search immediately, and I will stay on at least through the end of August for a smooth transition.
To each and every one of our students, congratulations on passing to the next phase of your education! I encourage you to take full advantage of all that is offered in this supportive community. As I said in my address to graduates this year, success in life is not only measured by what we do and what we know, but by how we respect and interact with each other.
Education opens doors of opportunity; treating each other respectfully opens possibilities for all and makes our world a better place. My father passed down to me a keepsake that he had kept on his desk throughout his adult life. I now keep it on my desk as a daily reminder of my father and his wisdom. The top of the hinged box is labeled “Secret to Success.” When the lid is lifted, the words “hard work” are printed in the empty box. Opportunity, respect for others, hard work – our standard and expectation for every student who passes through our doors.
Dr. Alan Nishino is the Superintendent of Morgan Hill Schools. He recently announced his retirement.
