July 2004 News Archive
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Susan Salcido to Lead Santa Barbara Junior High School
Last night, the Santa Barbara School Districts’ Board of Education appointed Susan Salcido, assistant principal at San Marcos High School, to the position of interim principal at Santa Barbara Junior High School. This decision follows the recent appointment of Santa Barbara Junior High’s principal, Gerrie Fausett, as the district’s interim assistant superintendent of elementary education. Ms. Salcido’s appointment is effective immediately. Her annual salary will be $92,455.
"I am very eager to step into this new professional opportunity. Gerrie Fausett has done an incredible job at Santa Barbara Junior High and it will be a challenge to try and fill her shoes. The school’s rich tradition, dedicated staff, involved parents, and engaged students are every principal’s dream," stated Ms. Salcido. She continued, "I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working in partnership with the Santa Barbara Junior High community."
In a period of eight years, Susan Chang Salcido has worked as a teacher, assistant principal, and will now lead one of the oldest schools in the Santa Barbara High School District. In July 1996, following graduation from U.C. Santa Barbara, where she earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in English, as well as a single subject teaching credential, she joined the Santa Barbara High School District. She taught English at Dos Pueblos High School until July 2000. During that period, she participated in the Santa Barbara School Districts’ and California Lutheran University’s administrative credentialing program. In July 2000, she was appointed assistant principal at San Marcos High School. Ms. Salcido is conversant in Korean.
Constructed in 1932, Santa Barbara Junior High School is located on a 16.44-acre site at 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA. The school serves approximately 1,000 students in grades seven and eight.
La Cumbre Junior High School’s New Summer Enrichment Program Addresses Strategic Plan
At 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 16, 2004, students in the unique new La Cumbre Junior High School summer enrichment program will showcase activities and projects that are part of summer session 2004. The public is invited to this free event, which will be in the school’s auditorium. Among the evening’s highlights will be La Cumbre Summer Theater’s light-hearted, talent-laden vaudeville jamboree, "A ‘Fun’anza"; a 15-minute video film fest; and an African drumming performance. Masks, paintings, and other demonstrations of student talent will be on display.
The summer enrichment program is an integral component of the school’s strategic plan to maintain and attract students. Last fall, with an enrollment of approximately 500, La Cumbre Junior High School had about half of the student population of its three sister schools in the Santa Barbara High School District. La Cumbre Junior High’s summer enrichment program was fashioned to draw community attention to the school’s efforts to redefine itself as a center of academic and artistic innovation. The summer enrichment program, which is but one component of the strategic plan, began on June 21 and ends on July 16, 2004.
According to summer school organizer Assistant Principal Jorge Fulco, "Parent and student response has been enthusiastic! We have125 seventh- and eighth-grade students engaged in a wide variety of activities, including: musical theater, taught by Radu and Marian Azdril; martial arts; art; mountain biking; robotics; video production; soccer; Academic Foundations For Success; Adventures in Reading; and the Junior Academy of Math and Science."
"This enrichment program has accomplished what we set out to do," stated Principal Eugenia Walters. She continued, "We have offered, at no cost to participating students, a great lineup of exceptional summer opportunities. This commitment to high calibre academic instruction will continue in the fall, when regular classes begin. We will offer the district’s only junior high level pre-Advanced Placement Academy as well as a stellar GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program. I’m very excited about the rigorous, and fun, educational program that exists at La Cumbre."
La Cumbre Junior High School is located at 2255 Modoc Road. Phone: (805) 687-0761.
Nan Verkaik Selected to Serve as Athletic Director at Santa Barbara High School
It was announced today that educator and coach Nan Verkaik was selected as the athletic director at Santa Barbara High School. She is the fourth person to hold the title at that campus, and the first female athletic director in the school’s history. Her coaching experience includes boys varsity volleyball, girls varsity volleyball, boys and girls varsity swimming, age-group swimming, Special Olympics, softball, men’s basketball and collegiate track. Ms. Verkaik’s coaching accomplishments include boys volleyball, CIF finalist, 2004; girls volleyball, CIF champions, 2000; Athletic Round Table "Coach of the Year," 2000; and girls swimming, CIF finalist, 1994.
"Parents and staff who were on the selection committee felt that Nan was the best applicant for this position. She brings to this assignment a wealth of experience, knowledge of the community, and some outstanding technology skills that will be an asset to the program," stated Dr. Kristine Robertson. Principal Robertson continued, "Nan graduated from Santa Barbara High School and she’s a dedicated, highly respected Don. I am really looking forward to working with her as she assumes this new leadership role."
Ms. Verkaik received a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Puget Sound and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction (with an emphasis in technology) from Cal Lutheran University.
Most recently, from 2000-2004, Ms. Verkaik has filled many roles at Santa Barbara High School: television production teacher, varsity boys volleyball coach, varsity girls volleyball coach, Reconnecting Youth teacher for at-risk students, and physical education teacher. She co-authored and published "Judicious Discipline."
From 1997-2000, Ms. Verkaik served as a special education teacher, coached varsity boys volleyball as well as junior varsity girls volleyball.
From 1977-1997, Ms. Verkaik was a Special Olympics coach, special education aide, varsity boys and girls swim coach at Santa Barbara High, and pool manager and swim instructor at the Tennis Club of Santa Barbara.
In recent years, Ms. Verkaik’s professional responsibilities have included the following: CIF advisory board; board member, Coaches Association; California Beach Volleyball Association tournament director for the city of Santa Barbara; chair of the Physical Education Department; Channel League coordinator with the CIF.
Ms. Verkaik’s contract is effective immediately. Her contract period is 195 days.