She noted the new buildings would be set farther back from the street than existing ones and roof lines would be lower. If Casti were to apply today to locate in a residential neighborhood it wouldnt be permitted. TheSixFifty.com Castelleja has been over their enrollment limit for just under twenty years, they shouldnt be allowed to expand as a reward for not holding up their end of the bargain. With sixty girls in one grade, it would seem that competition would be prevalent, especially during the college process. [13][14] One concern has been traffic impact. Sign up for our. Dear Castilleja Community, Many of you remember that each year at Castilleja, we explore a guiding theme to frame our social and emotional learning as we . This project has been under consideration SINCE 2016 - likely the longest project in Palo Alto history - because the demands keep shifting. Castilleja is the only non-sectarian all-girls middle and high school in the San Francisco Bay Area. "Staff conceptually supports a parking adjustment for the project given the Council's direction to reduce the size of the garage and Castilleja's robust TDM plan," Lait wrote. After four years, I have found that the academic rigor has only improved my experience and has never lead to competition between classmates. Nanci Kauffman is Castilleja's sixth Head of School. "We take cars off the street, we save additional trees, we reduce our footprint, we exceed Palo Alto's sustainability goals and we educate more girls.". Likely that is why Planning chose not to include the actual report only a link ARB's or PTC's packet. The school's "transportation management plan" includes, among other features, shuttles, carpool programs and a 2015 policy that requires staff to rely on alternative modes of transportation at least three times per week. "They must take into account the impact they make in the health, welfare and quiet enjoyment of their neighbors.". Casti should sell the property to a developer and put in low income housing then watch neighbors scream "NOOOO, We were only kidding! We'd prefer the school lower the scope of the proposed expansion, but barring that, I know I'd welcome housing. Why should Casti think it is entitled to continue to increase its impact in a residential neighborhood? A veteran teacher and administrator, Nanci has worked almost exclusively at all-girls schools. Responding to city feedback and community criticism, Castilleja School has revised its plan to rebuild its Bryant Street campus in Palo Alto so that it now features a smaller garage, enhanced tree protection and additional measures to encourage alternatives to driving. Terms of Use The 42-year-old was a teacher and the head wrestling coach at J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson. These including new shuttle and bus routes, a bike-share program, a "guaranteed ride home" program for employees who don't drive but who need may need to leave the school for an emergency (they would be reimbursed for the cost of transportation) and a new Castilleja Lyft program that will provide free midday rides for faculty and staff, according to the plan that the school released last month.If the school fails to meet its trip cap numbers, it would also establish a "Kiss n' Ride" program that allows parents to drop off and pick up their children at an off-site location about 15 minutes before school starts. The school's new plans include five garage designs, though only three comply with the council's request that underground parking make up no more than 50% of the total spaces on campus. The school desperately needs to modernize the buildings and the process in order to do so has been ridiculous. Other duties as assigned by either the Head of School, Head of Middle School, or Director of Athletics. "I feel strongly that no modifications or adjustments are needed," Lee said. I think you misunderstand my above post. Follow Palo Alto Online and the Palo Alto Weekly on Twitter @paloaltoweekly, Facebook and on Instagram @paloaltoonline for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more. Castilleja School's polarizing bid to rebuild its Bryant Street campus and construct an underground garage will return to the spotlight this week, when Palo Alto's two main land-use bodies start reviewing the school's plans. Become a Member The school has been allowed to grow over the past many decades without going through the normal processes (some buildings were built pre-code, some built after code, but apparently not reviewed for GFA). No objective person can buy the "no new car trips" and "no new traffic" claims. Just think about what that means. In 2019, the school submitted plans to rebuild most of its campus, which calls for demolishing and rebuilding three buildings on its campus, relocating the swimming pool and adding an underground parking structure. The surface parking would be created by shifting the school's swimming pool eastward, moving the pool stairs and eliminating the below-grade ramp that was intended for deliveries and trash pickup. "We think a 30% increase in enrollment excessive," Reed said in an interview. Time to read: about 5 minutes. It would occupy about 24,294 square feet, which is 8,186 square feet less than in the original proposal. St. Paul's seeks applications from candidates who will promote the School's commitment to attracting and retaining a highly talented and diverse faculty. of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic. Why provide Castilleja. Embarcadero Media file photo by Magali Gauthier. Funny how they could do that when, as Rita Vrhel noted in her speech, they were working with incomplete information since various critical reports were never forwarded to the decision-makers A shameful waste of taxpayers money!! 1310 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301. Castilleja was asked by City Council to suggest alternatives to the phasing of construction. "It's ridiculous. Based on recent reviews by an independent consultant, the city determined that Castilleja has an existing gross floor area of 138,345 square feet. Castilleja has demonstrated that they are consistent and responsible with traffic management. Elizabeth Hughes, a consultant who developed the transportation-demand-management plan for Castilleja, assured the commission and the public that the programs in the plan will keep traffic levels steady. It may be limited to public school teachers. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Climate change. Thanks for posting the specifics about the missing data. Prior to becoming Head on July 1, 2010, Nanci served as Associate Head of School and Dean of Faculty. Uploaded: Wed, Dec 1, 2021, 3:03 pm @Staying Home - In PA, housing is effectively a finite resource. @Rita Vrhel, Mobile site. Founded in 1907 by educator Mary Lockey, Castilleja is the only HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Castilleja Community, This summer, I reignited my fascination with a remarkable womanEleanor Roosevelta true woman learning, woman leading. This has taken way too long to resolve, and has cost the school way too much money. I am sure Casti supporters are tired of speakers against the proposal coming up with new arguments (ground water?) However, if you tackle it methodically, you will get good results. The Casti supporters who spoke about the benefits of having an all-girls education were addressing the value that Castilleja provides to the community. Thanksfor the article on Castilleja'sexpansion. "Staff conceptually supports a parking adjustment for the project given the Council's direction to reduce the size of the garage and Castilleja's robust TDM plan," Lait wrote. "The length and complexity of the approval process has not discouraged the school, Kauffman said, given the improvements in the project. Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: I don't want the neighbor's kids at my house, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Ask Amy: I'm your cabin housekeeper, and you apparently have no idea what I do. Uploaded: Thu, Dec 9, 2021, 9:43 am Special Pubs Thank you Castilleja! Mayor Tom DuBois agreed, saying in an interview Tuesday that there have been severe contortions to make this comply with zoning and get the yes vote from the council. A smaller footprint. One, known as Scheme B, would create a total of 83 spaces and, as such, require a 20% parking reduction, the maximum allowed under the zoning code. It's a shame the city never bothered to update the traffic numbers so they could really determine the amount of increased traffic. Surely the large contingent of supporters of Castilleja could pitch in to help them find an alternate location for a temporary campus in existing buildings or in temporary mobile classrooms (ie as now planned on their athletic field) . Everyone in Palo Alto will be affected, including emergency responders. "If Castilleja really wants 500 to 600 students, it's time to move or open another campus like so many others do. St. Paul's is a completely residential, co-educational, Episcopal, secondary school in Concord, NH, welcoming to all faiths. Castilleja School would see its floor area reduce to 128,687 square feet under its revised modernization plan at its Palo Alto campus. We are proud and humbled to bring together highly-motivated, intellectually curious young women from diverse backgrounds to collaborate within our community. We were glad to see city council land on a 450 max enrollment to start, which most neighbors would support, and then entertain further requests down the road. OOPS! While emphasis is The City Council concurred with some of the arguments from the project's critics in March, when it reviewed Castilleja's plans and directed it to reduce its proposed underground garage a target for project opponents and to further refine the design of its buildings to make it more compatible with the residential areas that abut its campus at 1310 Bryant St. ""It's doing something that is really powerful and I want to emphasize that," Thompson said. "Does it seem to you that this is going to bite us in the rear when we look at this project in the future and ask, 'Why did we make a big deal out of this minor difference in underground parking?'" Many of these community complaints would be solved if the community wasn't also so opposed to building more (and denser) housing in Palo Alto. Plain and simple. Process, finger-pointing and arcane arguments should never be allowed to obsucre common sense. Its on Casti to prove its case. Education changes. Castelleja has not keep faith with this community by expanding their student body over many years in violation of the rules. Tuition Insurance (optional): $325 I invite you to subdivide your lot and build a low income unit. If Casti supporters and parents really wanted to end the discrimination, sexism and misogyny their daughters -- and all women -- face here, they could eradicate it at the companies, law firms, vc firms etc. Why can't the students park in the Baylands and shuttle in just like their teachers rather than inflicting all the construction disruption and what will be ongoing traffic problems on Palo Alto? "If they were to request a 10% enrollment increase, we'd be looking at about 450 students and there's there's sufficient parking on-site for 450. contributing global citizens. I had an amazing experience in middle school at Casti. Nanci Kauffman, Castilleja's head of school, told this news of organization that the school believes its new plans "check all the boxes" when it comes to addressing concerns from residents, city commissioners and the council. And what's the obligation of the parents and their hometowns? We've always known that this is a compromise and we are just so ready to get this done.". In all the years this has been on the table, we see the same cycle repeat. And Online Name is right to be skeptical about the no new trips claim. If traffic increases, they will not be allowed to increase enrollment. 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