The Special Education Department made three significant changes to grow the program this year: a second Bay Academy class, a new Unified Physical Education (PE) course, and access to the leadership elective.
In total, 12 new students, along with a few teachers and several instructional aides, joined the program, all of whom relocated to Burlingame from Aragon High School due to a lack of resources.
A second new Bay Academy class allows students to receive additional attention and support. With more available space, underclassmen and upperclassmen can now be divided into separate classes to promote guided and interpersonal learning.
In addition to the second class, students can now enroll in Unified PE, which pairs students with peer buddies and an adaptive PE teacher to mentor and practice social skills.
The leadership class serves a similar purpose. Four Bay Academy students joined the class, one of them being senior Yzadora Kyger.
“My favorite part [of] leadership is definitely meeting new friends and getting to hang out, [participating] in setting up [and] cleaning up the rally afterwards, and being there in general has been a really fun time,” Kyger said. “I’m really glad to be a part of the leadership class.”
Associated Student Body President Zoe Browdy said Bay Academy students contribute valuable and diverse perspectives to the leadership class.
“My favorite part is just having new perspectives and getting to hear new information from students that we wouldn’t normally,” Browdy said. “It’s interesting to … [have] them bring that experience into leadership.”
According to Bay Academy teacher Patrick Myers, Principal Jen Fong was instrumental in coordinating the department changes and equipment orders to prepare for the increased number of students. She said that class integration has also helped all students recognize the diverse makeup of the student body.
“Having [Bay Academy] students finding ways for meaningful interaction for everyone in our community, such as through leadership, is really important,” Fong said. “It was great to have the Bay Academy at the rally … so that was important. It’s really valuable for each of us to see the diversity within our community.”
So far, Myers said he appreciates other students who have actively included the Bay Academy students.
“I appreciate all the students here, embracing our students in our classes,” Myers said. “Everybody has a lot going on. [Even with] that amount of pressure [everyone] is on, to also embrace our students, it really means a lot.”
Myers believes the leadership class has helped many Bay Academy students learn valuable skills while contributing to school spirit.
“They’re proud of being in the class, like they’re a part of leadership and that community,” Myers said. “It’s only been a couple weeks so far, but I’m noticing them taking a little more ownership of their day, and they’re so excited about it. We have a check-in [every day] asking ‘What are you excited about today?’ [and] when there’s leadership it’s always leadership.”
