News from the President
09-13-2008
WELCOME to the SECOND year at WCCHS. Proud and excited, we welcome all students and families to our community with open arms! 2008/2009 promises more success and more fun fun fun!
We are one of five charter schools in the Bay Area. As most of you may know, Charter schools are governed by a document known as “The Charter.” What’s important to remember is that Charter Schools are a Public school. The difference being we are under the umbrella of the school district through the State of California.
Another huge difference is the parents’ participation! Well, there are a few more differences, but this is the one we need to focus on now.
Parent participation is big at WCCHS. Without this, our school cannot thrive. Liken this to a plant; without water, the plant becomes a dried up weed, and eventually blows away. However, with water, the plant thrives and continues to grow into a big bush, plant, tree – something huge! We can do that for our children if we participate in staying involved with their work/teacher and keeping our school looking good (easy with parent volunteers). We need to maintain the grounds and the inside of the facility enabling our children to attend a clean and well-kept environment. The child’s ability to perform increases when placed in an environment that is well kempt and taken care of with love and care.
When you volunteer remember this becomes hours earned, which also means no drama about whether your family has enough hours to keep your child in this awesome school….! There is always something you can do, whether it is at the school or from your home. For instance, when you pick up your child from school, run in and ask Brenda if there is some task you can do – anything counts – anything. Phone Katie Hoekstra (our Volunteer board member) if you can help with any phone calls – anything counts! Call Kevin Purdy, our Facility board member and offer to mow the lawn or wash windows, pull weeds, etc.), remember – anything counts.
Finally, we have a stellar teaching staff helping to enrich the minds of our children. They are available (thanks to technology) 24/7. Meaning, please e-mail anytime, call during normal business hours and/or drop by the school anytime to discuss your student’s needs: A call the previous day helps the teacher prepare for your visit. Please, take the time to contact your child’s teacher often - this is proven to ensure educational success. The success of your child’s education begins with you, the parent, in your home - make it count.
2-23-08
Welcome to the second semester at WCCHS!
The first semester went so quickly,before we knew it, time passed and we said goodbye to Fall 2007. So many good things happened during that first semester. One thing in particular to note; things really started to change and for the better!
Every student has found their way within the school splendidly. Also, each student’s education at WCCHS is successful and Semester No. 2 continues to be filled with inspiration and growth, even more so than Semester No. 1. Simply put, we have had a chance to hone all the nuances that make our school special.
With change at hand, we have hired more brilliant teachers. Our teachers have proven they are hard-working and dedicated to ensuring our students have a successful first year. Come by and meet our new teachers: Randal Sokoloff, Creative Writing/Humanities Teacher Assistant; Marcus Hayes, Art/JC and LC teacher; Joschelle Perena, Drama/Dance/Math Teacher Aide; Karen Brown Collier, Learning-to-Learn Teacher; Melissa Einhorn, Be the Change Teacher; Lorena Archila, Spanish Teacher; Eliyahu Sills; Basketball Coach and Mensa Training Teacher; and Jeanette Casarez, Community Space Teacher and Girl’s Gym Teacher; and give them a big WCCHS welcome.
Also, please give Charlotte Smith Griffith, Maffi Gueye and Adam Lieb a real big hug for remaining true blue teachers our children can count on. They offer so much stability and support and they deserve a big hug and thank you.
Turning our thoughts to spring, we have seen the advent of many clubs. There are the gardening, art, music, drama, basketball league, Anime clubs, as well as many other student-fueled activities.
We are now accepting applications for Fall 2008-2009. If you need more information or would like a tour of our school, we will be having an open house on March 15th from 11:00a.m. to 1:00p.m, or you can contact us at (510) 898-1495 and speak to Brenda Santos. She can answer any and all questions that you may have. You can also come to the school and pick up an application packet.
As my predecessor and outgoing president of the board Barbara Large mentioned in her outgoing message, “Everyone needs to pitch in to keep our school clean and safe.” That is precisely the spirit that keeps WCCHS continuing to grow. Our parents are putting in hours and helping this first year get started with a positive push in the right direction. I am happy to report that all the students, teachers and parents are taking ownership and making sure we have a school that thrives both educationally and emotionally. ItÃs especially rewarding watching the students grow while the parents/families support our school.
Particularly thrilling to point out, is the absence of gang activities, gang-related fights, or any disruptive activities that has shadowed our schoolÃs path of success. We are adhering to a safe and nurturing path for our students.
Warm Regards,
Victoria Purdy
11-1-2007
Message from
Barbara Large, Outgoing President of the Interim Governing Board of WCCHS
As the outgoing President of the (interim) governing board and one of the
founders of WCCHS, I can't express enough how much WCCHS means to me. My
children (currently 8th grade student) will be entering this school next year,
and they can't wait.
I have recently passed on the torch of President of WCCHS to an amazing woman,
Victoria Purdy, who has been serving as co-chair of the facility committee on
the interim board. Victoria ("Vic") has a tremendous amount of passion and
energy for the school. The school will be in great hands under Victoria's
leadership.
I will continue
to help out and volunteer during this critical first year and of course the
years later when my sons will be attending. Exploring clubs and activities for
the students to choose from, helping on committees and student outreach are
among the volunteer opportunities that are of particular interest to me. I urge
all parents to take an interest in helping to build our school to be the best it
can be! We truly need your creativity, passion, drive and interests. If you
enjoy art, music, drama, gardening, books, chess, etc. all of these can be
incorporated into clubs and activities. Everyone needs to pitch in to keep our
school clean and safe. Helping to supervise the Community Learning Center,
tutoring, helping with classwork and cleanings/maintanence help is needed.
Taking ownership of the school- treating the school as your home and the
students as members of your family-is what parent cooperatives are all about.
Please join me and the rest of the parents, staff and community leaders, in
supporting our school and building a nurturing and safe place for our students
to learn and grow.
Stop by a board meeting and meet the new board. They are a fantastic group of
parents who will work hard for the school. I am so grateful that they have
offered to run the governing board.
I want to thank all the members of the interim board and *founders: *Katie
Hoekstra, *Maria Torres, *Jill Perry, *Linda Asher, *Gary Einhorn, Danielle
Asher, Mike Bloxham, Victoria and Kevin Purdy. I also wish to thank past board
members and *founders, *Wendy Kerr, *Roberto Torres, *Melissa Einhorn, *Gretchen
Wegner, *Barbara Luna and *Michael Curran for all of the hard work that they put
into the creation of this school. I also want to thank Donna Ivery for serving
as the Robert's Rule of Order consultant. Thanks for all the support and
encouragement that you have personally brought to WCCHS. To all the new parents,
board members and students, Let's keep things moving forward and remain strong!
Warm Regards,
Barbara Large