Principal for a Day - Palisades Elementary Shines

Following a visit as Principal for a Day in 2019, I was delighted to be invited back to this wonderful little ocean view school located in the Palisades area of Capistrano Beach. This 1960’s era school has a calm, happy atmosphere. Smiling kids greeted me and Principal Bailey as we toured the school, charming us with Palisades “waves”, and one-fingered “micro-waves”. Principal Rebecca Bailey, relatively new to the school, has made a significant impact with her “You Belong Here” campaign, aimed at improving post-pandemic attendance records which took a hit at schools both in the district and state-wide. She instituted a back to school celebration and barbecue, and has encouraged parental involvement which was on ample display throughout the tour.

With an enrollment of 325 students, Palisades Elementary is one of the oldest of the 36 schools in the Capistrano Unified School District. The 1961 campus has a distinct “old school” vibe, but the educational standards are anything but. While the student-centered education is achievement oriented, students are treated as individuals and character building and practical life skills are essential parts of the curriculum.

In one classroom, I was immediately welcomed by a child who introduced herself as the “classroom greeter” and was treated to a wonderful preview of an upcoming class play. A chart in the classroom showed that each child had been assigned a role in helping the classroom run smoothly. While each room hummed with activity, it was clear that real learning was taking place - with kids working individually at MacBook's or engaging in small groups, and others receiving direct instruction by teachers.

From parent “paparazzi” photographers celebrating their children’s awards and achievements at the Friday assembly, to Moms and Dads reading to small groups in classrooms and volunteering in one-on-one math or reading sessions, to volunteers in the lush and charming school garden, parental involvement is clearly evident and welcome. Parents have painted many of the colorful murals throughout the campus, volunteer in the intriguing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) Lab, and have transformed the school’s library.

Principal Bailey has encouraged community involvement as well, welcoming neighborhood volunteers and working with the City of Dana Point, which recently funded an after school sports program to keep kids healthfully engaged.

Equally impressive is the obvious efforts of administrators and teachers to recognize each child by “name and need” - a deliberate strategy to tailor instruction to the gifts and challenges of individual children who range from those with moderate to severe learning disabilities and special needs to those who are significantly gifted and talented.

I visited a classroom where teachers were working on sophisticated learning programs targeted to specific individuals. Wall charts revealed statistical information tracking class progress from the beginning of the school year to date along a multitude of learning standards - visual evidence of policies ensuring that each child is seen as an individual with unique attributes and needs, and that each child feels he or she indeed “ belongs here”.

Being Principal for a Day left me feeling both awed and grateful— awed at the exceptional professionals working to meet each child’s needs, in sometimes challenging circumstances, and very grateful that this exceptional little school is an essential part of our local community.