By Lora Oehlberg

Photo by Sara Ballenger, Town Crier

Town Crier Editorial Intern

Although Almond School’s principal Jeff Baier is brand new this year, Los Altos is old hat to him. Baier moved to Los Altos when he was age 2, and attended St. Simon and St. Francis High schools. Now, he lives in Los Altos with his wife and three sons who attend Oak School.

“I had always thought about working in the district where I live,” Baier said.

Baier attended San Diego State and Santa Clara universities. Before coming to Almond, he was the principal for three years at Landels Elementary School in Mountain View. Prior to that, he worked as an assistant principal at Graham Middle School, also in Mountain View, where he also taught sixth grade.

One of Baier’s main goals for this first year is to get to know the kids. In addition, he hopes to ensure that the school maintains its academic excellence.

“Almond has a tremendous reputation and the district has the faith of the community,” Baier said. “I want to keep looking at kids that are high-achieving and expect achievement at their level. Then, I want to look at the kids who are struggling and make sure that they get what they need.”

Baier’s favorite aspect of Almond is its enrichment program provided through music and art docents, physical education classes and the Limited Pull Out Program (L-POP), a music program for fifth- and sixth-graders that includes a band, orchestra and music appreciation class.

“It’s great to see that academics are valued, but so are nonacademics and experiences. Those are critical in developing the complete student,” Baier said.

When it comes to teaching students to be well rounded, Baier should have no problem; the supportive staff at Almond already impresses the new principal.

“The staff is outstanding, from kindergarten to sixth grade. They are extremely hardworking, knowledgeable and committed to the kids,” Baier said. “They care for them as students and as people. They have the ‘whatever it takes’ attitude: ‘whatever it takes to get the job done,’ and that’s what we need to do,” Baier said.

To Baier, a good elementary school education is a strong foundation for future years of study.

“What you have afterwards is a solid basic education for a solid high school career and then onward to college. Students learn study skills and self-discipline, in addition to the solid academic program,” Baier said.

Due to the upcoming renovations, Almond is scheduled to move to Egan’s camp school next year, while facilities renovations take place at Almond. Baier sees this as a challenge, yet also a benefit to the school.

“Our next big improvement will be the renovation. We will have to ensure the smooth move to ‘Camp Almond,’ and maintain excellence there for a year. We’ll be assuring parents and the community of outstanding education from there and then moving back to a new school - that will be thrilling,” Baier said.