Summer plans for back to school

Mr.+Gurgen+anticipates+a+successful+school+year.

David Flores

Mr. Gurgen anticipates a successful school year.

Lizeth Sanchez, Staff Reporter

Over the summer, Mr.Gurgen and the staff worked really hard to help prepare campus for teachers and students.

LBHS started smoothly in August.  Mr. Gurgen prepared  over the summer for the school year, addressing many areas needed to have a successful year. One area was the campus itself.  “We had a couple projects we started last year to beautify the campus.  We were trying to bring in some things the students needed for a long time. I spent my summer trying to coordinate the purchases of benches, so we bought 10 benches.   We got six more cafeteria tables. We are replacing the garbage cans in the quad, so we ordered 10 nice-looking garbage cans.  We hope to order another 20 to be placed around school.”

Another area Mr. Gurgen addressed in his preparation was the needs of the students and staff.  “We basically spent the summer reflecting on what our students needed last year so we can make changes. For example, we knew that students wanted access to the library during lunchtime and the other parts of the school.  So this year, we will allow students access through the gates to use the library and classrooms.”  

In addition, Gurgen said a one area needed for students was the bathroom upgrades.  “We’re continuing to work on upgrading the bathrooms.   Obviously, that’s something more than I can pay for from the schools budget, so I’m working with the district office.”

Other areas involved hiring new teachers and providing workshops for mentoring and counseling workshops for staff.

This is Mr. Gurgen’s third year as principal.  “It’s an honor; let’s put it that way. Maybe not fun, but it’s honor. I love working with the current teachers; I love adding new teachers; I love Los Banos High: the environment, the atmosphere, we are like a family. The teachers are very close to each other and we are in constant communication, so it’s a pleasure coming here to work with the staff every day.”