This week has three big pieces of news: Alameda High School will have a new principal starting next year; the Woodstock Child Development Center has a new coordinator as of this spring; and Lincoln Middle School has been named a California Distinguished School.
First, the new site leaders. Robert Ithurburn, who has led Alameda High School as its principal for the last 10 years, is retiring at the end of this school year. In a special meeting last week, the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) Board of Education approved veteran administrator Angela Barrett as the new principal.
Ms. Barrett currently serves as Piedmont Middle School’s assistant principal. Before that, she worked as assistant principal for Nea Community Learning Center’s program for grades six through 12 here in Alameda and as a vice principal at Oakland’s Envision Academy High School. She also taught English at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton and City Arts and Technology High School in Oakland.
Barrett received bachelor of arts degrees in English literature and creative writing from Cal State San Bernadino. She also holds two master’s degrees — one in education from Cal State East Bay and one in educational leadership from Mills College, where she received her administrative credential. Barrett will start her new job this summer.
Our youngest learners also have a new leader. Last month, the AUSD board approved the hiring of Jill Hunter as the school district’s new coordinator of early childhood education for the Woodstock Child Development Center, a role that Ms. Hunter has already stepped into.
Hunter previously served as the AUSD’s program manager for preschool and elementary special education. She received her bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University, her credentials in general education from Notre Dame de Namur (in Belmont on the Peninsula), her credentials in special education from San Francisco State University and her administrative credential and master’s degree in education leadership from Touro University.
In her new role, Hunter will oversee the childcare center and the Ardella Dailey Special Education Preschool. The establishment of the position “heralds a new era and approach to our early childhood education program that is more inclusive, more community-based and more aligned with state standards,” says Tanya Harris, the AUSD’s director of elementary programs.
A ceremony to welcome Hunter and officially launch the new “Alameda Child Development Center” will take place at 5:30 p.m. April 19 at the preschool. The AUSD board approved the school’s new name last year, but for the change to be registered took some time with appropriate local and state authorities.
Finally, we’re delighted to announce that Lincoln Middle School has been named a California Distinguished School.
This awards program, which is run by the California Education Department, recognizes two categories of exceptional schools: those closing the achievement gap and those demonstrating exceptional student performance.
Lincoln was selected for the latter distinction based on measures related to academic excellence and positive school climate (such as reduced suspensions and programs to promote inclusion).
The state Education Department names Distinguished Schools annually, but because it alternates between elementary and secondary schools, awardees hold the title for two years. This year’s winners will be recognized May 3 at Anaheim’s Disneyland Hotel.
Reach Susan Davis, the Alameda Unified School District’s senior manager for community affairs, at 510-337-7175 or SDavis@alamedaunified.org.
