This letter is to all the parents who have embraced o ur schools, those who have not and those considering other options. As the school year comes to a close, we want to share with you exciting news, celebrate successes and acknowledge the work yet to be done. This is news that you may or may not know, or may not understand. Consider this — in the next three years, every school in our community will be touched by some type of renovation, upgrade and enhancement, as well the addition of exciting new educational strategies. This is remarkable. These are our local public schools.
As we enter a week filled with graduations, promotions and summertime pursuits, it is important to consider how truly blessed we are to have five great schools in our community. These schools provide a singularly individualized and expansive educational experience. These schools include dynamic staffs and unique curriculum. These schools have, for the last 15 years, produced graduates who attend the top 10 percent of colleges in the U.S. These schools are consistently ranked amongst the highest in the state and nation. In the case of Malibu Middle and High schools, we will be looking at new buildings, new classrooms, new labs and improved learning environments in less than 18 months. Â
By early 2017, middle school children will be in state-of-the-art portable classrooms while the school undergoes the most ambitious renovation of its storied history. The learning processes in our classrooms are shifting as well, with the implementation of cross-curricular learning plans, teacher led professional learning communities, new language programs and STEM education options. Our robotics club won the top national award for their efforts in only our second year, and we continue to rock the world with amazing performing arts and sporting successes.
And let’s not forget our three great elementary schools, where in the next three years, every window and doorway will be replaced, among other renovations. We will continue to have our marine science programs at Point Dume Marine Science School, special education and reading programs at Juan Cabrillo Elementary School, and computer science and technology programs at Webster Elementary School. Within a year, every school will have a Boys and Girls Club program available to offer tutoring, mentoring and strategies for success.
Unfortunately, over the last couple of years, these remarkable achievements, the greatness within and the changes that are coming, have been drowned out by environmental concerns. We can and are overcoming these challenges and need to look toward a brighter future, where we can celebrate the amazing children in our schools that are being given an amazing education that will prepare them to create, enjoy, evolve and thrive.
Craig Foster, Melanie Goudzwaard, Laurie Principe, Stephanie Mona-Schmelzer, Lauren Polito, Jennifer Johnston-Jones, Stacy Rouse, Doug Masterson, Roui Israel, Kasey Earnest, Suzy Forman and Seth Jacobson
Malibu Schools Leadership Council