Kathyrn Byers
Wednesday, /August 6, 2008
My name is Kathryn Byers, and I am the principal of Florence Nightingale Elementary School, within the Stockton Unified School District. This school year, 2008 – 2009 will be my third year as Nightingale’s principal, and my seventh year as a school administrator.
| Three years ago when I interviewed for this position with Acting Superintendent Mr. Carl Toliver, he asked in which school I would like to be placed. I immediately asked for Nightingale. Nightingale had gone through several principals and the studentsneeded stability; in my heart, I knew I could provide stability and leadership. The question was, how did I know? There were several principal positions open, so I took the time to drive to each school, drive through the neighborhoods, and get a feel for the area. Nightingale truly called me. Perhaps womens’ intuition, perhaps blind faith, but I knew to ask for this school. |
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Our children here at Nightingale are minority, low income children many of whom live in poverty. Many have families who work more than one job or have no job at all. Unemployment and crime are high in the neighborhoods and this has a significant impact on their education. One of the first things I wanted to do was make the campus a safe and fun place to be. I wanted our children to want to go to school. We put dances back in place, we started movie nights with popcorn and punch, and we invited the younger students to have celebrations and be involved. Over the past two years Nightingale’s attendance has risen dramatically. The first few months I took a lot of time getting to know my children. I was in the cafeteria, out on the playgrounds, and I was often seen in the classrooms. I wanted my children to know they had a principal who wanted to get to know them, and a principal who truly cared for them. |
Increasing student attendance, which will ultimately increase student academic achievement, is not easy, and it is not cheap. The first Christmas I had a drawing for a free bicycle for those students with perfect attendance. We had 29 bicycles donated, but had 125 students qualify. It was so disappointing for those students who did not win. The second year, CornProducts, here in Stockton, generously donated $5,000 to support our programs. Last Christmas we had 142 students with perfect attendance and every student received a bicycle! At the end of this school year, 52 students had maintained perfect attendance, and we were able to give away $3,000 in computers! Five students won a new computer and printer for their studies. There are many other small activities throughout the year for attendance and academic achievement that are funded through business and personal donations.
I invite everyone who is interested in being involved with students to my school (TB testing and fingerprinting may be required). Through the generosity of Leadership Stockton, Class of 2007, we have a new baseball field. Now we need a volunteer coach. Anyone interested? Without the love and support of the public, Nightingale could not do the many things we do for our children. We gladly accept new backpacks, new tennis shoes, new socks, uniforms (new or gently used), and plain blue jeans (new or gently used). During Thanksgiving and Christmas, we gladly accept food to provide families with a food basket. Thanks to our many supporters we received 63 turkeys for Christmas dinners, and everyone found a family of need. We also gave away over 100 coats to children of all ages who desperately needed one this past Christmas.
Bottom line, I am a crusader for my students. I beg, borrow and plead. If you could take the time to get to know our students, and know their needs, you would help for the love in their eyes says it all.
Please join me in my journey and adventure to meet the needs of these beautiful children. If you have something extra to give, we could probably find it a new home.
I am truly blessed to do the work I do, and these children are truly blessed to have the love and support from individuals and business owners like you. Thank you for reading our story.