Principal Greg Camacho-Light said Brownell is proud to be
recognized this year as a Gold Ribbon School with an emphasis on
“whole child”education.
“There are plenty of factory schools that focus on data and
ignore the human spirit. We’ve put in place initiatives like the
Bear Den, which helps students who are falling behind. We won
a school district award for our PE Department’s Conditioning
and Fitness Program, which focuses on developing habits to
stay fit for life. And several years ago we launched a Bullying
Prevention Program. The entire school read a book entitled
The Revealers as part of curriculum. We brought in guest speakers
and provided opportunities for all of our students to be part of
the conversation.”
South County schools are seeing positive results through anti-
bullying efforts that include peer mediators, restorative justice
programs, integration of civic duty into history classes, promoting
open discussion among students, and giving positive rewards for
positive behavior.
“Bridget has been a great representative of our school,”
Winslow said.
Two schools that provide a faith-based component as part of
the educational experience include Crossroads Christian School
(K through 5th Grade as of 2015-16) and St. Catherine Catholic
School (K through 8th Grade). A new Catholic High School,
Saint John XXIII College Preparatory, is now in planning and
development stages and is slated to open in Morgan Hill in the
fall of 2018 (see separate story).
At Crossroads Christian School, monthly “Fruit of the Spirit”
awards recognize students who exhibit strength of character in
core values. As Dr. Lynn Willis, the school’s principal, explained,
“We find that children flourish when they can learn in a nurturing
environment where we guide them holistically.”
When Crossroads took an all-school field trip to spend the
day with the San Francisco 49ers, it wasn’t all about athleticism.
Students went on a tour of the new Levi’s Stadium and learned
about its eco-friendly features. They got a first-hand look at the
changing world of broadcast journalism, and exercised their math
skills by studying the use of statistics in sports. And they learned
about “design thinking” that goes into protective helmets and
other professional sports gear.
Looking Ahead
Bridget Brown with her father
Randy, Susan Valenta, and
her mother, Stephanie. Inset:
Bridget competing in track
and field.
Christopher High School Principal Paul Winslow said he is
heartened by the recognition being given to well-rounded students
who not only excel in their studies and extra-curriculars but dem-
onstrate commitment to their school. He said graduating senior
Bridget Brown is a good example. Brown served as the school’s
ASB President and won the Susan Valenta Youth Leadership Award
from the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce. During her four years
at Christopher High she promoted ASB’s support of U.S. troops
with care packages and letters from home as part of Operation
Interdependence. She also competed on the track and field team.
Brown plans to pursue a Biology degree at UCLA this coming fall
and hopes to work in the non-profit sector providing healthcare
services to people in need.
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
Principal Winslow said that, looking ahead, he wants to see
Christopher High School continue on its trajectory, excelling in
technology and the arts.
“We want to solidify who we are as a school. We are working
to meld the qualities of a 21st century school with a celebration of
the arts. Our hope is that our students can go into industry, and
change industry, by bringing technology skills as well as creative,
inventive thinking.”
Superintendent Flores said that next year Gilroy High will
graduate its first seniors from its Biomedical Academy, which is
part of America’s Project Lead the Way, a rigorous program of
advanced science and math classes preparing students for medical,
biomedical and biotech college studies and careers of the future.
“Colleges are actively seeking out qualified high school students for
their new degree programs.”
Principal Camacho-Light echoed the sentiment of South
County educators and educational leaders throughout history
when he said, “We’ve come a long way, and there’s still a lot of
work to do.”
Superintendent Betando sees continued progress and bright
days ahead, summing it up with the lyrics from a popular Louis
Armstrong tune…
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow.
They’ll learn much more, than I’ll ever know.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
JULY/ AUGUST 2015
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