Interview with Beechwood Principal David Laurance
David Laurance, Principal of Beechwood School, was interviewed in February of 2010 by Kathy Connolly, Graduate Coordinator. Listen by clicking the play button below (approx. 11 minutes).
Beechwood School
MISSION STATEMENT
We believe that all our students have within them the power to succeed.
The mission of Beechwood School is to teach students to take personal responsibility to:
- Find their strength and build upon it.
- Prepare to establish strong families.
- Serve in their communities.
BEECHWOOD HISTORY
As a scoutmaster of some boys from East Palo Alto, Dick Jacobsen discovered that some of the middle school boys in his troop could barely read at a first grade level. This experience planted a seed in his mind that someday he would do something about the educational need that he saw.
In 1984 the partners of WSJ Properties and their wives formed the California Family Foundation to assist families with education, housing, and jobs. The founders were Jack and Mary Lois Wheatley, Boyd and Jill Smith, and Richard and Sue Jacobsen. Marilyn Anderson was hired as director of the California Family Foundation.
Beechwood School opened its doors in 1986 to 15 kindergarteners and 15 first graders. The two classes met in a portable building on a site next to the railroad tracks near the Onetta Harris Community Center.
California Family Foundation formed
1984
California Family Foundation opens Beechwood School with kindergarten and 1st grade
1986
Summer school begins
2nd grade added
1987
First parent education classes offered
3rd grade added
1988
School site doubled
Music and fine arts program introduced
4th grade added
1989
Stanford student volunteer program starts
Library collection and program begin
5th grade added
1990
Kinder Prep program begins in new Beechwood Annex
After-school special interest clubs begin
Program for assistance to students with learning difficulties begins
6th grade added
1991
Reading buddies community volunteer program starts
School site expanded and 7th grade added
1992
School garden and science programs begin
8th grade added
1993
First 8th grade class graduates
Outdoor education program begins
1994
Beechwood Weekly newsletter begins
1995
Music program incorporates drama - each class presents a play
First Beechwood alumni barbecue held
1996
First Beechwood graduates finish high school and start college
Beginning of year-round program for grades K through 4
1998
New science and computer labs added
2001
First performance of school-wide musical (The Music Man)
Construction of new kindergarten classroom building
2002
Middle school Extended Day program begins for grades 6 through 8
2004
Beechwood School celebrates its 20th Anniversary
2006
Beechwood enters into negotiations with City of Menlo Park to purchase the school site
2008
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