Erik Burmeister, principal of Hillview Middle School in Menlo Park City School District, has been named one of the finalists in the 2014 MetLife/National Association of Secondary School Principals National Principal of the Year Program.
At Union Middle School, Burmeister instituted one of the first secondary models of Response to Intervention, enabling special education students to have access to a curriculum taught by a highly qualified teacher. After the first year, student test scores soared. As a result, the school’s Academic Performance Index climbed 117 points to 932.
“I am so honored to represent California, ACSA, and all the hardworking individuals who are dedicated to changing the lives of middle school kids throughout the state,” Burmeister said. “I consider this less a recognition of me and more an acknowledgment of the incredible work in which the teachers at Union and Hillview Middle Schools are engaged. I would not be in this position were in not for the support of our parents and the mentorship of my district leadership and ACSA mentors.”
ACSA President Marc Ecker added plaudits for Burmeister’s achievements.
“We at ACSA are so very proud of Erik’s accomplishments and his success in meeting the needs of his students. Erik sets a high bar and he exemplifies the best of our profession,” he said. “On behalf of ACSA, our Board of Directors and entire membership, we wish him the best of luck as he continues progress toward becoming the National Principal of the Year.”
The national middle level and high school winners will be named in September and recognized in Washington, D.C., during the Principals Institute for State Principals of the Year, September 18-21.
Russell Bede School offers tuition grants
Russell Bede School, a private nonprofit school in San Mateo, is celebrating its 30th year of serving children with learning differences. It is doing so by offering tuition grants of up to $10,000 for families. The grants have been generously funded by a bequest from Al Myers, husband of the school’s founder, Helen Myers.
“The Myers family has been so supportive of our school over the years, and we are so grateful for this opportunity for our families,” said Nancy Martin, President of the Board for Russell Bede School. “With a relatively small student body — just 18 students at any given time — we want to be sure we are making space available to those students who will benefit most by what we have to offer.”
Any family that commits to Russell Bede School by July 31st for the coming school year can receive a grant of $10,000 toward tuition for the 2013/2014 school year. Any family committing by August 15th may receive a grant of $7,500; and any family committing by September 15th may receive $5,000, up to the limit of available funds.
Russell Bede School works with children whose learning differences make public schools challenging. With a homelike environment, specially trained teachers, and a six-to-one student-to-teacher ratio, students gain, on average, one and a half years of learning for each year spent at Russell Bede, and many transition back into mainstream schools with the tools to continue on successfully. The school is accepting applications for new students, first through sixth grades. For more information, visit the school’s website at www.russellbedeschool.com or call 650-579-4400.
Contact Margaret Lavin at elementarydays@gmail.com.