At Calabasas High ‘It takes a village’

All four of my children graduated from Calabasas High.

We have some excellent teachers in our school district, but the system itself is rife with problems. By the time a child gets to high school the environment can seem almost hostile. It is amazing the number of people (teachers and staff) who so obviously dislike and disrespect teens, yet continue to work in a teen-rich environment. Getting through high school then becomes about running the gauntlet, enduring and getting out.

Calabasas High was one of the worst school situations until J. Guidetti became principal. With Mr. Guidetti parents felt like they were part of a team in educating their children. I felt that he actually knew who my children were and cared about them—not just about their academic successes but also about their overall growth as individuals.

Under Mr. Guidetti’s leadership, I saw the philosophical environment at Calabasas change to something more along the lines of "it takes a village." My children were safer, and I don’t mean physically. I cheer the statements from The Acorn article about Mr. Guidetti’s "incredible rapport with parents" and "J. is there for the kids" and that the students feel he is "a friend." It’s about time that school was about the kids. That’s what it is there for and that’s what my tax dollars pay for.

Yes, I support the teachers, but the focus should be on the kids. J. Guidetti gets it. And the kids thrive.

Debi Onken

Calabasas