San Francisco Balboa High School Alumni Association

A  Message From the Principal 2009-2010

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PRINCIPAL'S CORNER

Nothing Breeds Success like Success

Balboa High School is currently experiencing a
transformation. Of course, this transformation has been
happening for many years, but this year in particular we
have more students enrolled than we have seen in quite
some time. Much of Balboa's success can be contributed to
many factors, including great students, a caring community,
dedicated staff, and motivated leadership; however,
someone I would personally like to thank for our increased
academic achievement is Dr. Patricia Gray. It was through
her leadership that Balboa truly took flight and, as the new
principal, I will do everything I can to make sure Balboa
remains on this same inspired course.

Based on the data we received at the start of school, Balboa
continues to improve academically. For the fifth straight
year, we have seen increases in all academic indicators and
in all subject areas. It is clear this did not happen by
accident. Based on conversations I have had with many of
you, Balboa's success comes from a profound sense of
confidence and trust in our students, school, and each other.
The entire Balboa community should be very proud of its
accomplishments. If we continue to learn and work
together, then Balboa will certainly achieve any goal we set
for ourselves as a learning institution.

As one of the newest members of the Balboa community, I
want to dedicate myself to the success of all students,
teachers, parents, and community stakeholders so that we
continue to grow and flourish. I want Balboa to be the first
high school in San Francisco to fully realize social justice
and equity for all its students. I want every student who
wants to be a doctor, a lawyer, or a teacher to know they
have every right to such a place in our society. I am truly
humbled to be a part of this wonderful institution and look
forward to growing with you over the coming year. As
Abraham Lincoln once said, "Our cause, then, must be
intrusted to, and conducted by its own undoubted friends—
those whose hands are free, whose hearts are in the work—
who care for the result." If there is anything I can ever do
to help make your experience with Balboa High School
more meaningful, then please do not hesitate to contact me
at (415) 469-4090. Let's have a fantastic school year.

GoBucs!!!

Kevin P. Kerr, Principal

 

 

Past Principal

Dear Balboa Parents and Friends,

Sorry that I am late with this. I thought that I had sent it yesterday. So here goes:

In 1998, after two years at Balboa, I packed my boxes, took down the drapes, and said goodbye to open the San Francisco 49er Academy, a middle school in Hunter's Point. I was hopeful at beginning my career as a principal but there was sadness, knowing that I would miss the Balboa Community. In 1999 when I was appointed to return as the principal, the excitement over the opportunity to work with those who were at Bal made each day an adventure. All of us, parents, teachers, alumni, and administrators were determined to change the culture of Balboa High School from one of negativity to one of teaching and learning, preparing our students (whoever they were) to go to and graduate from college. You know the statistics.

We have worked very hard to move from where we were to where we are now. We have come a long way by striving to be the best teachers, the best paras, the best administrators, the best custodians, the best healthcare providers in our Balboa Teen Clinic, the best security team in the City and County of San Francisco, the most supportive parents, and the best alumni association so that our students can be happy and successful in their classes. The support of the Balboa High School Alumni Association, the Balboa PTSA, and our long-time and more recent partners has been amazing, has contributed significantly to our success. By constantly pushing the envelope in each of our areas, we have sustained a culture of continuous improvement for what will be seven (7) consecutive years in August when we get the Spring STAR Results. You guys rock!

Now, I will leave Balboa after ten years, to work in the District Office as the Executive Director of Leadership and Equity Design. The job description, job responsibilities, and personal competencies are extensive and would take two or more pages to list. Let's just say that I will be using the many years' of experience (and I do mean many), the research and knowledge that I acquired while getting my recently acquired Ed. D. degree in Educational Leadership, and all that we have learned and implemented together at Balboa. I will work with other instructional leaders in the SFUSD to synchronize all departments in designing a plan to bring equity to all students in the district.

I am so excited about this new opportunity. At the same time, I am also very sad to be leaving what is the best job that I could have had for the past ten years. I am certain that with the systems that are in place, with personal accountability, and under the leadership of the new principal, Kevin Kerr, Balboa will reach an API of 800, our latest goal. We will meet our AYP for all subgroups, and continue to sustain the culture that we have created together. Hopefully, this will continue indefinitely.

I will work wit Mr. Kerr to ensure a smooth transition by introducing him to the many stakeholder members of the Balboa family and give him a crash course on Balboa culture and traditions. I do trust Mr. Kerr's ability to move the school forward and I know that each of you will continue to do what you do best. I definitely will not abandon you.

Finally, I would like to thank each of you for your individual and collective efforts that made the past 10 years some of the best years of my life. Although I am looking forward to the next chapter of my career in the central office, you know that I will be a Buccaneer at heart forever.

Go BUCS!

Sincerely,

Patricia Gray