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August 8, 2015
Welcome Back!
Take a deep breath… Exhale… Good. You are good. We are good. This school year is going to be a great one. We
are looking forward to advancing the great work for which we have famously earned the reputation as a school that
looks critically and thoughtfully at our community’s needs and addresses them in innovative, student-centered ways.
Our collective action this year will be to dive deep. As you are working in your collaborative teams—curriculum and
content partners, grade level teams, small learning communities, and departments, direct your energy and attention
to how can we do this work better by bringing consistently high expectations to all of our students. This year we will
steer our collaboration by examining student work as the driver to ensure our students are meeting the objectives
that you aim for them.
Below you will find our “End of the Summer Bulletin” with key information that will help you frame your thinking
about the coming school year and the Teachers’ Institute that will begin on Tuesday, August 11th. Please review the
tentative agenda that is enclosed (attached to the e-Bulletin). The primary objective of the Teachers’ Institute is to
continue to implement the schoolwide strategies that we’ve developed to help graduate our students ready for the
world of college and career.
Personnel Changes to Note
 Ms. Wendy Berkelman is returning from her year-long sabbatical. She has traveled many parts of the globe
and is excited to share with her students and colleagues.
 Ms. Katie Hill and Ms. Jeannette Ramos have left SFUSD to pursue employment closer to their homes.
 Ms. Maggie Sullivan will co-chair the mathematics department with Ms. Mary Ann Castro.
 Ms. Laura Godden will co-chair the English department with Mr. Todd Morgan. Additionally, Ms. Godden will
take on the 11th Grade Team and help them come up with a super moniker.
 Ms. Zertuche will lead the 12th Grade Team. Do we have name yet?!
 Ms. Vickie Traverso delivered a beautiful Echo Rose Morgan and will be taking the fall semester to bond with
her. We look forward to her return in January.
 Welcome to Burton!
o Mr. James Stiltner will join the science department.
o Mr. Francis Chung will serve as a case manager and teacher in the mild/moderate program.
o Ms. Alyssa Arney will join the history department.
o Ms. Marie France Ladine will work as a case manager and teacher in the moderate/severe program.
Current Vacancies
We are still interviewing and looking for teachers in the areas of physical education and moderate/severe special
education. Please reach out to your network. Interested candidates may be eligible for an Emergency Credential if
they possess a bachelor’s degree and are willing to return to university to complete the credentialing program.
Individuals interested may reach out directly via email. kappenhagenb@sfusd.edu
Logistics Regarding Room Preparation
Teachers and other staff members may come to school as early as Monday morning to pick their keys and begin to
get their classrooms ready. A few things to note:
 Ms. Nellie Luo, registrar, is located in room 102. You may pick up keys from her.
400 MANSELL STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134
415-469-4550  FAX: 415-239-5221
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Over the summer there was significant flooding on the third floor after much of the floor had been renovated
and furniture and items moved to new classrooms. Though some items were damaged; most things were
saved thanks to the quick action of several folks from the construction company and the school district’s
buildings and grounds department. If any of your items were damaged, please take note of what it is and let
your department head know. Please include estimated value and whether it is personal property or school
property.
Movers will be available on Monday, August 10th and Tuesday, August 11th to assist as necessary to move
furniture and boxes and help unpack.
Please be respectful of the work and materials of your colleagues. Do not drag items on the freshly waxed
floors—neither in the hallway nor in the classrooms.
We are changing our practice of posting fliers and other displays in the hallways. As best we can we will work
to preserve the newly painted hallways. There will be dedicated spaces on the hallway walls for posting of
student work and advertisements for student activities.
Inside of classrooms, teachers are asked to continue to use the blue painters’ tape.
Labor Day, September 7th and Other Holiday Weekends
Teachers and other staff members are advised against making travel plans that require you to be out of the school
building on the Friday or Tuesday attached to a three-day weekend. Please consider the mental health of your
colleagues and the safety of the students before making such plans. The school district often does not have enough
substitute teachers to cover all the schools’ outages on these days.
New-to-Burton Teacher Orientation
All new-to-Burton teachers should plan to report to school at 2:00 pm on Monday, August 10th for a reception and
brief orientation. Ms. Theresa Quindlen, history chair, has agreed to continue to work with Mr. Ron Lee, assistant
principal, on new-to-Burton teacher support. Over the course of the year she will convene the cohort of new-toBurton teachers to help clarify school policies, serve as a sounding board, and design sessions that will help teachers
grow into their roles at Burton. Monday’s session is required of all new-to-Burton teachers, as you will be paid
extended hours for your participation. The orientation will be in room 306.
All Burton Teachers Report on Tuesday, August 11th
As mentioned early, please review the Teachers’ Institute agenda for the coming week. All Burton faculty members
are report to work on Tuesday, August 11th. Breakfast on Tuesday will be served in room 118; on Wednesday it will
be served in grade level team meeting locations. The first session will begin promptly at 8:30 am in the library,
please plan accordingly. Also, note that while water is permitted in the library, food and dark beverages are not.
Lunch will be served Wednesday, August 12th and Friday, August 14th.
Teachers’ Schedules
Attached you will find the final master schedule. As much as we are planning for a very smooth opening, please be
prepared to be patient and flexible with the many changes that will occur with students’ schedules and possibly
teachers’ schedules. The master schedule shows which sections, periods, classroom assignments, and classes that
teachers will teach during the regular day program. Questions can be clarified by having a conversation with your
department head. There will be significant changes made to the schedule over the first week of school. We are
expecting around 1,100 students to arrive on campus on the first day.
Those of you who would like to come in on Saturday, August 15th, the building will be open from 8:00 am until 2:00
pm. The Freshmen Family Orientation will be going on at the same time. Meet some of our newest students as
well!
Please review the following enclosures:
 Master Schedule
 Teachers’ Institute Agenda
400 MANSELL STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134
415-469-4550  FAX: 415-239-5221
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SFUSD Centralized Professional Development Sessions.
I am thrilled at the wonderful opportunities we have to build a school—collectively—of which all of San Francisco can
be proud. Once again, welcome back to school and look forward to the best school year ever!
Warmest regards,
William Kappenhagen
Principal
400 MANSELL STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134
415-469-4550  FAX: 415-239-5221