These are trying times. Somewhere in Baghdad, a family is
digging a bomb shelter.
These are trying times. Somewhere in Baghdad, a family is digging a bomb shelter. In New York, United Nations delegates are trying to figure out if it’s possible to stop a cowboy on a mission. The troops are ready to go; to war or home, whichever comes first. I will support our troops, but I will also protest. Another day; another petition; another prayer for peace.
Here at home, we are still waiting for an end to the “economic downturn which shall remain nameless.” We are wistful for the salad days of not so long ago when we knew where we left our economy; now we don’t remember losing it, but we know it is gone. These are surely trying times for the Gilroy Unified School District. Faced with the budget realities of our present economy, cuts have started already. I find myself dreaming that I’m explaining the situation to a kindergarten class.
“The economy has gone and left us, and taken a big bunch of jobs with it! That makes us sad. We hope that our president will be able to find our economy, and maybe find some of those lost jobs, too. If that happens, everyone will be happy again. If that doesn’t happen, we will get a new president next year. I bet the new president will be a better finder.”
Morale is low on the campuses around town as pink slips get handed out. The feeling is palpable over at Brownell Middle School. The year at Brownell has been a roller coaster. Faced with the prospect of state sanctions due to lack of growth in API scores, the year started off under a cloud. Armed with this knowledge that the state could step in at any time and pretty much take over the campus, life went on as best it could.
The district language program was implemented, and kids whose reading skills were very low started on the High Point Program. Through it all, Brownell Principal Suzanne Damm has taken it in stride. She has pushed forward with a site plan to address the academic needs of students. With a campus of more than 900 students – only slightly smaller than next year’s projected population – she manages to hold it together. It’s not perfect, but it’s a work in progress, and under Suzanne’s able guidance, Brownell is headed in the right direction. (I digress a moment: If we will have three middle schools operating next year, why will Brownell have a nearly 1,000 students? Where will they house that many students?)
It is proving to be a good year at Brownell after all. More than 800 of those 900 students made improvements on their MAP scores. On Valentines Day, a MAPFEST was held as a celebration for the hard work of the students. There were games, rock climbing walls, music, food and prizes for the students. The principal was instrumental in letting the students know that their hard work is appreciated.
Now it is time for the Brownell community to show that we appreciate Suzanne Damm. It is not easy to be a middle school principal, but she does an admirable job. She loves the students, works with the parents, and supports her staff.
To honor her, the Brownell Parent Club and the Brownell ELAC committee will jointly host a “Principal Appreciation Day” at the Brownell Gym on Wednesday, April 9, starting at 6 p.m. We will have a potluck dinner and a DJ to keep the party hopping. All past and present Brownell staff, students and parents are invited to attend. Cynics among you might ask “Is this a retirement party?” No – quite the contrary. Suzanne Damm is not retiring, she is just getting started. The task for the year ahead is formidable, but she is up to the task. This special day is just our way of thanking the principal for the hard work this year, and to commit our support for the future.
If you are interested in further information, please email me for details. A flyer will go home to all current students, but this is a general invitation. Hope to see all you Bruin families on April 9.
