Back-to-School Q&A with PB’s Six Public School Principals
Principal Aida Hernandez
Barnard Asian Pacific
Language Academy
Contact: 2445 Fogg St.
(858) 800-5700. ahernandez1@sandi.net
Grades: TK-Grade 5; since 2007, offers a Mandarin Chinese immersion program
Enrollment: 492
Mascot: The Panda Bear
Are there any big changes ahead?
We are opening a preschool program.
What do you like best about being a school principal?
That would be the smiles on the students’ faces as they are having fun learning to speak Mandarin. I love the PB school community. The families, local businesses and schools all have a very warm, small-town community feel to them.
What’s usually in YOUR school lunch box?
I don’t really have time to take a lunch break, but you will find protein bars and protein drinks in my refrigerator. I also like to have fruit, and usually tuna with crackers.
Your students might be surprised to know your favorite color is __?
My favorite color is blue. I love all shades of blue, but I have to say my favorite is turquoise.
Principal Kimberly Meng
Pacific Beach Middle School
Contact: 4676 Ingraham St.
(858) 273-9070. kmeng@sandi.net
Grades: 6-8
Enrollment: 770 students; 30 more than last year
Mascot: The Waves
Are there any big changes ahead?
We have a beautiful new parking lot that will help with safe student drop-off and pick-up. It is the first phase of two big projects. The first project is a new school building on the corner of Ingraham and Diamond. The second project is the construction of the Beach & Bay YMCA with a pool on the corner of Ingraham and Felspar. The first project will begin in the late spring and the YMCA has already opened up a storefront on location.
What do you like best about being a school principal?
The job is different every day. Plus it is very rewarding.
What’s usually in YOUR school lunch box?
Leftovers or whatever I get at Trader Joe’s.
Your students might be surprised to know your favorite color is __?
Purple.
Principal Denise Goulart
Pacific Beach Elementary School
Contact: 1234 Tourmaline St.
(858) 488-8316. dgoulart@sandi.net
Grades: TK-5
Enrollment: About 400
Mascot: The Penguins.
Are there any big changes ahead?
Yes indeed! We have some new staff members: science teacher Dr. Susan Weinshanker, primary teachers Pamela Denenberg and Brenda Taylor, custodian Sheri Purry, night custodian Alfonso Gallegos, and a counselor TBD. Through extensive fundraising by our PTO, we welcome both the YMCA playground facilitators and the YMCA coaches. Facilitators will help supervise and set up games for students to encourage active and safe play at recess. Coaches will provide instruction and lead grade levels in structured PE activities.
Our second year of Project Lead the Way is here! This grant provides students with STEM units of study, and introduces them to computer science (coding), biomedical studies, and engineering. Teacher Carolyn Hernandez has devoted the last two years to being trained on Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). She is our trainer of trainers and will help our teachers get students NGSS ready!
Danielle Adler and Stacy Circuit, founders of San Diego Youth Science, will continue to bring interactive science activities to all students. Sponsored by the PTO, this program provides extraordinary science opportunities such as dissections, hands-on physics, marine biology studies and microscopic investigations.
What do you like best about being a school principal?
I am the luckiest lady to have been given the honor of leading our staff and students. I believe my purpose is to help those around me realize their worth and potential. My best moments are when teachers and students are inspired to try something new or to share their unique talents with others.
What’s usually in YOUR school lunch box?
Water, blueberries, Greek yogurt, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I also sneak in M&M’s on most days.
Your students might be surprised to know your favorite color is __?
Blue.
Principal Armando Lopez
Crown Point Elementary School
Contact: 4033 Ingraham St. (858) 273-9830. Alopez11@sandi.net
Grades: K to Grade 5
Enrollment: 360; could be full at 410 early in the school year
Mascot: The Tritons.
Are there any big changes ahead?
I am one of the changes! Being the new principal at Crown Point Junior Music Academy, I look forward to supporting a thriving music program, leading the charge in high student achievement, and continuing to strengthen the bond between the greater Crown Point community and our school.
What do you like best about being a school principal?
Working alongside a diverse group of people allows for great divergent thinking supporting the entire educational and music program at Crown Point Junior Music Academy. The students, staff and parents that make up the unique character of our school make my job truly enjoyable. I look forward to working and learning with our community.
What’s usually in YOUR school lunch box?
A turkey sandwich with bacon and avocado, any kind of cheese and crackers, and Gatorade
Your students might be surprised to know your favorite color is __?
Indigo blue.
Principal Adam Carlin
Kate Sessions Elementary School
Contact: 2150 Beryl St.
(858) 273-3111. acarlin@sandi.net
Grades: TK-5
Enrollment: 530
Mascot: Seahawks
Are there any big changes ahead?
We will continue providing dynamic IB (International Baccalaureate) curriculum and a first-class learning environment for ALL learners.
What do you like best about being
a school principal?
Smiles, hugs and celebrations! I enjoy working with the entire community to create the best educational experience for our students. I love supporting others to succeed!
What’s usually in YOUR school lunch box?
Usually string cheese and almonds ... one of my goals this year is to eat lunch most days.
Your students might be surprised to know your favorite color is __?
Green
Principal Ernest Remillard
Mission Bay High School
Contact: 2475 Grand Ave.
(858) 273-1313. eremillard@sandi.net
Grades: 9-12, A magnet school with emphasis on Academic Studies
Enrollment: 1,110
Mascot: The Buccaneers
Are there any big changes ahead?
We are excited about the growth and success of our IB program in 2016/2017 and are looking forward to the beginning stages of both IB Engineering and IB Mandarin. Our fall athletic teams have been working hard all summer and I believe we have a number of teams advancing to CIF.
What do you like best about being a school principal?
I enjoy seeing the students grow from 9th to 12th grade. Seeing them grow not only academically, but socially is special. I believe we have some amazing young men and woman coming out of Mission Beach High School ready for the next steps in life.
What’s usually in YOUR school
lunch box?
I eat a salad, just about every day. I don’t have a box ... I have a bag.
Your students might be surprised to know your favorite color is __?
Black and Gold. Go BUCS!