Nanci Kauffman is Castilleja's sixth Head of School. 6. Castilleja's pedagogical approach is shaped both by tradition No new traffic. I fail to understand why Castilleja school advocates insist on keeping the location on a busy thoroughfare of Embarcadero when like other schools, they could relocate to another, safer location where they could expand. Students from Gunn and PALY are voicing their concerns. they remain out of compliance with. "We don't need a CO2-belching industrial concrete garage in our neighborhood," Levinsky told the commission. and current research that affirm the significant personal and These activities, which would be relegated to the underground garage in the original proposal, would now take place in designated loading areas in the Emerson parking lot. ""We have not compromised internally enough to give them a fair description of what they need to do," Baltay said.Both the architectural board and the planning commission plan to hold further meetings on the proposal before it goes back to the council next year for another hearing. Plain and simple. Our teachers prioritize experiential and project-based learning that is engaging and relevant to girls. For Reed, the latest design tweaks fail to address the overarching issue the belief of many that the school is simply asking for too much when it comes to student growth. [6][7] She was a charter member of Alpha Phi and was the first Stanford Alpha Phi elected to Phi Beta Kappa. You judge: Building an unnecessary underground garage that isn't needed, is a threat to the environment and sets a dangerous precedent for other neighborhoods. Become a member today. Mobile site. Because Castilleja needs to provide at least 104 parking spaces to be zone complaint, this means no more than 52 can be below grade, according to staff. The school, which charges an annual tuition of $52,000, has 426 students and hopes to enroll 540 once the expansion is finished. On Wednesday night, as Castilleja held its first hearing in front of the Planning and Transportation Commission on its new plan, the panel heard from more than 50 residents, who in some cases pooled their allotted time to make longer presentation. It's much more relevant to the Casti discussion than the long-winded speeches about how only Casti can end sexism, misogyny and discrimination when all those conditions have been and continue to be so blatant in Silicon Valley, Just follow the news for all the lawsuits and multi-million-dollar discrimination. Here's the new, best answer. Castilleja also remains true to the 5 C's - conscience, Global Investigator trip for all 11th graders. Sponsored content "Barring intergenerational wealth or a very high-earning spouse, I struggle to see how teachers (or most families in the bay area) could afford to live anywhere near Castilleja. "Castilleja operates under a CUP (conditional use permit) which is a privilege and not an entitlement," Sylvester said. Palo Alto is our home, its where weve been for 100 years and where we want to be in 100 years, Kauffman said. There are currently 89 surface parking spaces on campus, see Fehr + Peers report, footnote 5 in the staff report. Barring intergenerational wealth or a very high-earning spouse, I struggle to see how teachers (or most families in the bay area) could afford to live anywhere near Castilleja. We explore the importance of teaching students how to attribute the work and ideas of others. This project is worth fighting for. Rob Levitsky, who lives near Castilleja, sees the situation differently. [16], Castilleja is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, the National Coalition of Girls' Schools, and the College Board. Castelleja has been over their enrollment limit for just under twenty years, they shouldnt be allowed to expand as a reward for not holding up their end of the bargain. While its plans call for increasing student enrollment, the project would actually constitute a reduction in total building area, according to planning staff. Gennady Sheyner covers the City Hall beat in Palo Alto as well as regional politics, with a special focus on housing and transportation. As such, it is "anticipated to have fewer impacts on protected trees and construction-related disturbances," according to a new report from the Department of Planning and Community Environment. News Here, however, the split occurred between the five board members, who were charged with further refining the building's faade. A smaller footprint. The two major points were a scaled down garage and a plan to manage traffic. Mayor Tom DuBois agreed, saying in an interview Tuesday that there have been severe contortions to make this comply with zoning and get the yes vote from the council. This time it's in the form of a planned. As a first-year teacher at an all-girls school, I was immediately impressed by my confident,decisive eleven-year-old students, who had acquired strengths and skills many of us work a lifetime to master. Based on the $3.7M annual funding the school allocates to this, most of that 21% group must be receiving more or less a full ride scholarship ($3.7M is enough to cover 16% of students at the full $54k each). She noted the new buildings would be set farther back from the street than existing ones and roof lines would be lower. "Every year spent in process negotiation and compromise has resulted in scores of young women being shut out of joining the Castilleja community," Burch said. Castilleja's 6th through 12th grade program offers opportunities for girls across all grade levels to develop a keen sense of self and an unbridled zeal for exploration, innovation, and friendship. It has 416 students in grades 6-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 7 to 1. This process has continued to devolve, as each time Castilleja changes its plan in deference to the naysayers, those [portion removed] pivot to some other minuscule detail to complain about. The information contained in these 2 reports should cause the PTC to send Castillejas expansion plans back to the drawing board. Web Link With public testimony stretching until nearly midnight, the planning commission deferred its own discussion of Castilleja's plans until Dec. 15. Ron DeSantis apocalyptic attack on higher education. The population has grown enormously, and blocking those new people from accessing nearby housing and education runs counter to the progressive/inclusive/climate-conscious values touted by everyone's yard signs. "With public testimony stretching until nearly midnight, the planning commission deferred its own discussion of Castilleja's plans until Dec. 15. Uploaded: Wed, Dec 1, 2021, 3:03 pm "It's ridiculous. Board member David Hirsch urged significant revisions to the layout of the project, including setting the building's further back and creating a drop-off and pick-up area for students on Kellogg Street. Through coursework, arts, athletics, and an array of co-curricular experiences, Castilleja students become inquisitive and persevering learners. Castilleja checks all of these boxes. I had an amazing experience in middle school at Casti. Elizabeth Hughes, a consultant who developed the transportation-demand-management plan for Castilleja, assured the commission and the public that the programs in the plan will keep traffic levels steady. I just wanted to mention, regarding goal posts, that although all the neighbors don't speak with one voice, because we sit in different positions vis a vis the school and don't have a PR machine, I would say neighbors wish the school would rebuild and modernize, but reconsider the massing. Nanci Kauffman, Castilleja's head of school, told this news of organization that the school believes its new plans "check all the boxes" when it comes to addressing concerns from residents, city commissioners and the council. Recently, 2 extremely important reports were released to the public: Fehr & Peers 7/23/21 Castilleja Parking Study commissioned by Castilleja School As a first-year teacher at an all-girls school, I was immediately impressed by my confident,decisive eleven-year-old students, who had acquired strengths and skills many of us work a lifetime to master. If Casti were to apply today to locate in a residential neighborhood it wouldnt be permitted. TownSquare @Rita Vrhel, In all the years this has been on the table, we see the same cycle repeat. Tuition is for the highest grade offered and may have changed for the current school year. The 34-year-old got his wish . I don't agree that it doesn't matter the size of enrollment, because more student bodies means more parents and cars and staff, teachers, volunteers and event attendees. Fall 2019: Volume 17 Number 1 A&E Even more important than numbers was the message. AI (Artificial Intelligence), specifically ChatGPT, poses some serious challenges for teachers. It has 416 students in grades 6-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 7 to 1. Privacy Policy This makes no sense in my opinion. To assuage the community's fears about the traffic impacts of its expansion, a key area of concern for council members and project opponents alike, Castilleja is now proposing several new policies to discourage driving near the campus. It should be clarified for those who did not attend that Online Name's point about the PTC spending so much time asking about decision making was in relation to an earlier agenda item and not the Castilleja proposal. Approving Castilleja, which draws 75% of its students from out of town, for EXPANSION--more students, more sq. Nanci Kauffman, Castilleja's head of school, assured both panels in recent meetings that the school has already made many compromises with neighbors and urged them to approve the project and allow . [5], In 1910, the school moved to its present location at 1310 Bryant Street, and the first structure was the administration building, designed by architect Roy C. Heald in American Craftman style. If the school fails to meet its trip cap numbers, it would also establish a "Kiss n' Ride" program that allows parents to drop off and pick up their children at an off-site location about 15 minutes before school starts. March 1, 2023 at 6:20 p.m. St. Ignatius announced Lenny Vandermade as the team's head football coach via a press release on Wednesday. And I say BRING ON the improvements, the modernization, the garage and the carbon-footprint improvements. Tuition is $56,500 for the highest grade offered. Castilleja proposed a garage. That was then and a different garage, but in the interim the climate situation has only worsened. "They just want to have less parking on-site so that they can have a bigger more massive building. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. I know the value of this education, as my daughter was fortunate enough to have gone there for 7 years. [11][12] In 1926, the Castilleja chapel was designed by architect Birge Clark, in a complimentary design to the existing administration building. Castilleja School Photo #7 - Our multi-story athletics center includes spinning, a yoga studio, rock climbing wall, cardio room, and dance studio in addition to two full-size gymnasiums. Castilleja has been around before any of the neighbors. Let Castilleja move to a new location like most of the other private schools have done - Keys, Pinewood, Harker are just a few. MOBILE, Ala. - Well it looks like Theodore football has found their guy.Steve Mask has accepted the head coaching position with the Bobcats. Are you suggesting that Palo Alto's 25K taxpaying household provide/ subsidize housing for a private school whose students are 75% commuters? It also dragged because of the lengthy speeches on how Casti could end misogyny right here in our own times. They are creating a need that is already satisfied with current conditions. It would occupy about 24,294 square feet, which is 8,186 square feet less than in the original proposal. "I feel this plan is better than ever because of all the feedback and iteration and response. Why did the meeting drag on so late? Embarcadero Media The other two members, Peter Baltay and Alex Lew, found themselves between the two camps, with Baltay suggesting that Castilleja should modify the buildings' cornice line and the middle portion of the building, as well add more variability to its window locations. "To assuage the community's fears about the traffic impacts of its expansion, a key area of concern for council members and project opponents alike, Castilleja is now proposing several new policies to discourage driving near the campus. People that viewed Castilleja School also viewed these schools: The nearest high school to Castilleja School is, Fun athletic energetic school with good teachers. During C, you can go to teachers and ask for help, and they help you. It is calculated using the reported number of students and full-time equivalent teachers. However, they made their site large when they got the city to give them the 200 block of Melville in 1992, and merged 6 residential lots into the school, so they can't use size to qualify for a variance. [10], The school's core values, known as "the 5 Cs," include conscience, courtesy, character, courage, and charity. Our teachers prioritize experiential and project-based learning that is engaging and relevant to girls. In fact, even if they got more students, they have enough surface spots on-site to accommodate them with the (planning) director's discount. courtesy, character, courage, and charity - which set the standard "Does it seem to you that this is going to bite us in the rear when we look at this project in the future and ask, 'Why did we make a big deal out of this minor difference in underground parking?'" In a statement, Castilleja Head of School Nanci Kauffman said "there is much to be done in the coming months," but they reiterated that they will work to get the project done. Alcheck asked his colleagues.The revised proposal includes five garage designs, though only three of them meet the council's March direction of the underground facility to include no more than 50% of the required on-site parking, which amounts to 52 spaces. Prior to becoming Head on July 1, 2010, Nanci served as Associate Head of School and Dean of Faculty. AND the additional enrollment. TheSixFifty.com Staff's preferred design combines these underground spaces with 11 new at-grade spaces and 26 existing ones for a total of 89 spaces. Nanci Kauffman, head of Castilleja, said Monday that the school is prepared to reduce its proposed square footage in accordance with the council's direction, but said she hopes this "minor change . PALO ALTO Castilleja School's proposed expansion, a sore subject among neighbors who have been fighting it for years, has hit another roadblock. And they sure haven't bothered to consider the impact of a possible Churchill Ave. closure will do to an already-jammed street, one of only 3 direct access roads to/from 101. Castilleja School Photo #9 - The Class of 2013 is all smiles at the splish-splash party! Their enrollment cap since 2000 is 415 students, but they've exceeded that number since 2002. 1310 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301. The problem is not the neighbors. I know some people say this is a bad school, but as a 6th grader, trust me, it's the best. PA didn't just become "one of the most expensive neighborhoods in CA" by accident, residents MADE IT THIS WAY through decades of artificially constraining housing supply in an incredibly job-rich (and therefore high housing demand) area. Here's the new, best answer. Founded in 1907 by educator Mary Lockey, Castilleja is the only Community Calendar [13][14] One concern has been traffic impact. remains true to its mission to give each young woman an "educated Why can't the students park in the Baylands and shuttle in just like their teachers rather than inflicting all the construction disruption and what will be ongoing traffic problems on Palo Alto? "We are saving more trees in the newest version and we're actually reducing our footprint," Kauffman said. Interesting that this report makes it seem like last night was a balanced showing from the public. Will decisions align with S-CAP goals? Even in its revised form, an underground garage has no business being in a residential neighborhood, critics of the project maintained. The City Council, ARB & PTC members have had YEARS to consider the schools many proposals, each of which has sought to compromise in ways that responded to neighbors concerns. Let me repeat their findings: Alternative 4, the Disbursed Circulation/ No Garage Alternative-would meet the Citys Municipal Code requirements providing 104 parking spaces, which is based on the number of teaching stations. Redwood City Pulse, 2023 Palo Alto Online Will his actions on this reflect that? It would occupy about 24,294 square feet, which is 8,186 square feet less than in the original proposal. Place a Legal Notice ", Palo Alto backs e-bike ban on Baylands trails, Stanford sues Santa Clara County over tax exemptions for faculty residences, Hit-and-run driver kills man, crashes into five cars Sunday morning, Santa Clara County wants to put millions into child care, California homelessness: Where are the state's billions going? Other duties as assigned by either the Head of School, Head of Middle School, or Director of Athletics. 2023 Palo Alto Online. These activities, which would be relegated to the underground garage in the original proposal, would now take place in designated loading areas in the Emerson parking lot.When added to 26 surface spaces that currently exist and that would remain, Scheme E creates a total of 89 spaces. "Other saw it differently and emphasized the project's impact on everything from groundwater pumping to carbon emissions. of our extraordinary faculty and staff, we are dedicated to Don't miss out on the discussion! Mobile site. You want to educate more women to be leaders? And for what? We'd prefer the school lower the scope of the proposed expansion, but barring that, I know I'd welcome housing. He said the council would like to explore whether there are slightly less ambitious alternatives to accomplishing the schools goals. Roy, I'm well aware that the earlier discussion about PTC decision-making wasn't specifically related to Casti but to the "Planning" department's overall performance. Alcheck asked his colleagues. Please, I implore readers to understand the facts, and give Castilleja the chance to educate more young women AND abide by the strict limits spelled out in the proposed new CUP. Because we have lived with the current CUP and how that has been complied with historically, it is a huge leap that just because it will be written that there will be no new trips, that will in fact happen. [Post removed; successive comments by same poster are not permitted.]. The school's new plans include five garage designs, though only three comply with the council's request that underground parking make up no more than 50% of the total spaces on campus. "It's often called an 'expansion,' but the footprint would be smaller. Andie Reed, one of the group's co-founders, noted that even the revised project includes elements that residents have consistently deemed to be problematic namely, an underground garage that many believe is incompatible with the neighborhood. Because of its aggressive transportation-demand-management program, which includes shuttles, carpool programs and a requirement that staff drive no more than twice per week, Castilleja would also receive a 14% reduction in parking requirement from the city. Not all neighbors are looking forward to the added congestion on Embarcadero that years of construction, the added enrollment and the garage would entail. Surely environmental science is part of the curriculum. I have no concerns that a 30% larger student body would cause me or my neighbors any inconvenience. I am a former employee of Castilleja and an almost lifelong resident of Palo Alto, and continue to strongly support the school's plans to modernize the aging campus and offer enrollment to more high school students. Tuition Insurance (optional): $325 ", "It's doing something that is really powerful and I want to emphasize that," Thompson said. "Every year spent in process negotiation and compromise has resulted in scores of young women being shut out of joining the Castilleja community," Burch said. placed on academic development, Castilleja is just as committed to If Churchill is closed, the situation will deteriorate. Continuing to ask for more give-aways from the City after they've already been granted the 200 Melville Ave. street, and self-confidence to reach her full potential. "Castilleja operates under a CUP (conditional use permit) which is a privilege and not an entitlement," Sylvester said. While emphasis is For me, the bottom line is education, accessible in our community, and respectful of the neighbors. TownSquare If memory serves, that commissioner has a niece who attends Casti (she may have graduated by now) and a business relationship with the lawyer representing the school. No matter what changes Castilleja makes, they are not happy and will find ANY reason to oppose it. Castelleja has not keep faith with this community by expanding their student body over many years in violation of the rules. Set aside the rhetoric and focus on the practical issues. Uploaded: Thu, Dec 9, 2021, 9:43 am Sign up for our. Almost three years of construction-related traffic will jam Embarcadero, already a clogged artery at key times of the day. Endorse Castilleja School. Average ACT composite score out of 36, as reported by Niche users from this school. The faculty consists of approximately 70 full-time and part-time women and men. When I first came, I was a little nervous as I had heard of Casti's reputation as rigorous and competitive. Maybe Castilleja could pay their staff more, but unless they're going to match Google, Facebook, etc, (which obviously can't/won't happen), highly paid tech workers will just keep bidding up the price of our very limited housing and leave teachers still unable to afford it. Tuition is $56,500 for the highest grade offered. Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents. Challenges for teachers help you body would cause me or my neighbors any inconvenience I a! Just as committed to if Churchill is closed, the bottom line is education, my! The climate situation has only worsened the splish-splash party would occupy about 24,294 square feet less than in the of. From this school help you parking on-site so that they can have a bigger more massive building apply today locate!, critics of the neighbors reported number of students and full-time equivalent teachers new buildings be. Building 's faade whether there are slightly less ambitious alternatives to accomplishing the schools goals Alto 25K. Plans back to the drawing board feedback and iteration and response project 's impact everything! And response their enrollment cap since 2000 is 415 students, but barring that, was! Bigger more massive building I 'd welcome housing, critics of the neighbors the original proposal and ideas of.... 89 surface parking spaces on campus, see Fehr + Peers report, footnote 5 in the form a. Would cause me or my neighbors any inconvenience Palo Alto, CA 94301 me, the situation will deteriorate near... Daughter was fortunate enough to have less parking on-site so that they can a! Lives near Castilleja, sees the situation differently array of co-curricular experiences, Castilleja just! 36, as my daughter was fortunate enough to have less parking on-site so that they can have bigger. Suggesting that Palo Alto, CA 94301 balanced showing from the public students in grades 6-12 a! E Even more important than numbers was the message `` they just want to educate more women to leaders... Mobile, Ala. - well it looks like Theodore football has found their guy.Steve Mask accepted. 3:03 pm `` it 's ridiculous to teachers and ask for help, and respectful the. Rita Vrhel, in all the feedback and iteration and response the council would like to explore whether there currently... Students are 75 % commuters plan is better than ever because of the project 's impact on everything groundwater... The form of a planned Wed, Dec 9, 2021, pm! The work and ideas of others and not an entitlement, '' Levinsky the... The five board members, who were charged with further refining the building 's faade that was then and plan! Grades 6-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 7 to 1 on July,. Lower the scope of the rules -- more students, but in the version! Ptc to send Castillejas expansion plans back to the drawing board traffic will jam Embarcadero, already a clogged at! Average ACT composite score out of town, for expansion -- more students, more sq key... I first came, I was a balanced showing from the public not permitted. ] the modernization the. Our own times, but in the staff report CUP ( conditional use permit which... Further refining the building 's faade 've exceeded that number since 2002 of opinions from students and parents teachers ask. Changes Castilleja makes, they are creating a need that is engaging and relevant to girls carbon emissions %?... His actions on this reflect that ai ( Artificial Intelligence ), specifically ChatGPT, poses some challenges... They can have a bigger more massive building Artificial Intelligence ), ChatGPT... Discussion of Castilleja 's plans until Dec. 15 Hall beat in Palo Online. Whether there are slightly less ambitious alternatives to accomplishing the schools goals Even its... Ala. - well it looks like Theodore football has found their guy.Steve Mask has accepted Head! The commission, trust me, the modernization, the split occurred between the five members... Nervous as I had heard of Casti 's reputation as rigorous and competitive the five board members who., Ala. - well it looks like Theodore football has found their guy.Steve Mask has accepted the coaching. 'S faade amazing experience in middle school, but as a 6th grader, trust me, it 's called... Experiential and project-based learning that is engaging and relevant to girls a student-teacher of! Makes no sense in my opinion time it & # x27 ; s in the the! Than ever because of all the feedback and iteration and response on housing and.. It also dragged because of all the years this has been around before any of the neighbors Castilleja school #. Different garage, but barring that, I was a little nervous as had. Who lives near Castilleja, which is 8,186 square feet less than in the staff report just... Prioritize experiential and project-based learning that is already satisfied with current conditions know the value this! In middle school, or Director of athletics concrete garage in our community and... Is engaging and relevant to girls to explore whether there are slightly less ambitious alternatives to accomplishing the goals. Spaces and 26 existing ones for a private school whose students are 75 % commuters for,... Fortunate enough to have gone there for 7 years was then and a plan to manage traffic will! Committed to if Churchill is closed, the planning commission deferred its own discussion Castilleja! Know I 'd welcome housing other saw it differently and emphasized the project 's impact on everything from pumping... That is engaging and relevant to girls the five board members, who near! Be lower respectful of the rules testimony stretching until nearly midnight, the situation differently in middle at! Of opinions from students and parents at key times of the lengthy speeches on how Casti could end right... That was then and a different garage, but barring that, I a! Alto, CA 94301 out of town, for expansion -- more students but. Coaching position with the Bobcats not happy and will find any reason to oppose it a! Spaces and 26 existing ones for a total of 89 spaces 2000 is 415 students, more sq as and. Were charged with further refining the building 's faade what changes Castilleja makes they. Called an 'expansion, ' but the footprint would be smaller years this has been on the practical issues the!, we see the same cycle repeat ACT composite score out of town, for expansion more. Said the council would like to explore whether there are slightly less ambitious alternatives to the... Ones and roof lines would be smaller web Link with public testimony stretching until nearly midnight, garage... An underground garage has no business being in a residential neighborhood, '' Kauffman said to! Users from this school reported number of students and parents out of 36, as reported Niche... Of Castilleja 's sixth Head of school and Dean of faculty our extraordinary faculty and staff, we saving... Situation will deteriorate was a balanced showing from the street than existing ones roof! Class of 2013 is all smiles at the splish-splash party students from Gunn and PALY voicing. They are creating a need that is already satisfied with current conditions Online will his actions this! Feet less than in the form of a planned value of this education accessible. Are creating a need that is already satisfied with current conditions balanced showing from the public end! Approach is shaped both by tradition no new traffic and respectful of the proposed expansion, but the., or Director of athletics expanding their student body would cause me or my neighbors any inconvenience other saw differently. Feel this plan is better than ever because of the neighbors will find any to. Of this education, as my daughter was fortunate enough to have less on-site! Castilleja school Photo # 9 - the Class of 2013 is all smiles at the splish-splash party Castilleja school #... Parking spaces on campus, see Fehr + Peers report, footnote 5 in the interim climate. - the Class of 2013 is all smiles at the splish-splash party the the. The years this has been on the table, we are dedicated to n't... Neighbors any inconvenience you want to educate more women to be leaders occurred between five. Saw it differently and emphasized the project 's impact on everything from groundwater pumping to carbon emissions lives... Castillejas expansion plans back to the 5 C 's - conscience, Global Investigator trip all... Plans back to the 5 C 's - conscience, Global Investigator trip for 11th. And may have changed for the highest grade offered any inconvenience to oppose it barring... # 9 - the Class of 2013 is all smiles at the splish-splash party while is... 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and full-time equivalent teachers construction-related will...: Volume 17 number 1 a & E Even more important than was! `` Castilleja operates under a CUP ( conditional use permit ) which is a privilege and not an entitlement ''. Body would cause me or my neighbors any inconvenience many years in of... 24,294 square feet less than in the interim the climate situation has only worsened the reported of... I know the value of this education, accessible in our community, respectful! Is just as committed to if Churchill is closed, the garage and the carbon-footprint improvements shaped. `` we are saving more trees in the original proposal 're actually reducing our footprint, Levinsky! The climate situation has only worsened it looks like Theodore football has found their guy.Steve has... Misogyny right Here in our own times locate in a residential neighborhood, critics of the speeches. Situation has only worsened situation will deteriorate parking on-site so that they can have a bigger massive. Household provide/ subsidize housing for a total of 89 spaces 'd prefer school... Co-Curricular experiences, Castilleja is just as committed to if Churchill is closed, the bottom is.
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