Bernstein High Copes with Staff Cuts, Adds New Programs

Bernstein High School's 1,500 students returned to school today marking the start of a school year with new programs and fewer teachers.

It is Principal Angela Hewlett-Bloch’s second year leading the Hollywood school and she hopes to make significant strides in increasing educational opportunities for the students despite the fiscal setbacks.

“We have fewer staff members and teachers, but we have been able to maintain our [Advanced Placement] classes,” Hewlett-Bloch said.

There will be approximately eight fewer teachers at the school this year and fewer clerical support and maintenance employees, she said. However, Hewlett-Bloch doesn’t anticipate students will suffer. She hopes to continue the same successful momentum from last year.

“We shot up 23 points in the [Academic Performance Index],” Hewlett-Bloch said. “We doubled what we were supposed to do. Hats off to the staff.”

There are also some additions to the athletic department that have Athletic Director Chad Finch excited. A new volleyball coach, a girls’ basketball coach and a wrestling program are new to the school's sports offerings. Water polo is a future goal, but Finch said it will take some time to develop that program.

“I wanted really to look at trying to get a swim program started before water polo,” Finch said. “With the swimming program being so small, it’s tough to get kids out. Most have never seen it or played it.”

However, students will have plenty of other activities to choose from, including getting involved in the school’s new broadcasting studio. It should be completed within the next couple of months, Hewlett-Bloch said. A full film production class is another new offering this school year.

Hewlett-Bloch aims to get the school’s two security officers more integrated within the school. She plans to have them interact with counselors and get involved in daily activities which will, hopefully, help students view them in a more positive light, she said. Her goal is to overhaul the entire culture of the school.

“I really want to continue to move on building what the Bernstein culture is,” she said. “How we can strive to build what Bernstein is all about, building a school community and mark who we are as a school. I want to develop the look of the school and establish it as the 'Home of the Dragons.' ”

Painting and adding banners this year will be one step in the right direction, she said. She also hopes seniors will take their work more seriously.

“Some seniors had horrific attendance last year,” she said. “I want them to be much more on top of things from the beginning.”

No more than 10 combined tardies and absences per semester will be allowed for seniors, she said.

Finch hopes all the students, athletes and non-athletes alike, will learn to strike a balance this school year.

“You win some games, you lose some games,” Finch said. “As long as you see a progression, that’s all I can ask of you.”