Article Link: http://www.exchangepress.com/article/sanchez-school-san-francisco-california/5018480/
based on a visit and interviews by Bonnie NeugebauerSometimes we forget about the importance of vision in guiding our work, but the big dream plays a powerful role in what happens for children, staff, and families at Sanchez Elementary School, located in the Mission District in San Francisco. Dr. Raymond R. Isola, Principal at Sanchez School for 10 years, sees his role as the social architect that nurtures a school community vision rooted in research-based practices and theories.
“This belief in possibility acknowledges the potential of every child to learn, every teacher to teach, and every family member to partner willingly and authentically in a child’s learning. If a school community embraces this belief in possibility, there emerges an opportunity to create an environment where children, staff, and families may succeed beyond initial predictions or goals.”
Sanchez Elementary serves 321 children from preschool through fifth grade. The two early childhood classes offer educational, school-readiness opportunities for three and four year olds, part of San Francisco’s Preschool for All program, funded by Proposition H and other state and federal monies. Mayor Gavin Newsom visited the school recently:
“This city gets it. But it not only gets it, it funds it.” San Francisco ...