(This profile is the second in a series that will highlight school principals in the Mission Bay Cluster.)
Jennifer Grondek is in her third year as principal of Pacific Beach Elementary School. Born in New York, Grondek had the opportunity to attend schools in several states, including Michigan, Illinois, and Virginia. She has lived in San Diego for more than 20 years and says, “I cannot imagine living anywhere else.”
Grondek is married to a scientist working at UC San Diego and has a son in fifth grade. She adds: “As a family, we enjoy traveling together within the United States and around the world. Our favorite San Diego activities include hiking, camping, the ocean, and taking care of our pets. We have a dog, two cats, and a crested gecko.”
As a child, Grondek enjoyed reading, playing outdoors, and just learning new things. She always loved the poetry written by Shel Silverstein and remembers reading all of Carolyn Keene’s Nancy Drew books. In sixth grade, she was her elementary school’s spelling bee champion. In high school, Grondek was active in various clubs and organizations, played field hockey, and participated in many volunteer activities. “Each year, along with my friends, we coordinated food drives to feed those in need in our community,” she said. Grondek also played the viola in high school, community, and regional orchestras.
Grondek earned her bachelor’s degree from State University of New York at Geneseo and her master’s degree from National University. Before PBES, Grondek enjoyed assignments in the Cajon Valley School District and the Mountain Empire School District.
When asked about her “soon to be three years” at PBES, a wide smile crosses her face. “I am so very fortunate to be the principal of PBES. Our school is the kindest school in the world! This is in large part to our amazing students, their supportive families, and our expert and caring educators.”
She adds: “At PBES, we are fortunate to have an active and engaged family community who provide tremendous support for our school. Our school community also enjoys and supports events sponsored by our foundation, The Friends of Pacific Beach Elementary.”
Grondek explains that she is proud to work with such a talented group of educators who are experts in their practice, and who always remain focused on ensuring that each individual receives just exactly what they need to maximize their personal growth and development. “I want our students and staff to take risks and seek opportunities to be inquisitive problem solvers, empathetic leaders, and positive change agents.”
When asked why she loves being a principal she doesn’t hesitate. “I love the opportunity to make the world a better place. I enjoy the opportunity to do this each day to support children, families, and our school educators.”
Three fun facts about Grondek: 1.) As a child, she attended a week-long Space Camp experience in Huntsville, Ala. One of her favorite experiences was assembling structures underwater as part of the camp activities. 2.) In sixth grade she won her championship spelling bee while on live TV. 3.) Grondek is an accomplished musician. She has played the viola in regional orchestras and sat as the first chair.
MBHS/CPJMA
JP Balmat, music director at Mission Bay High School, recently inquired about giving a “shout out” to a group of his music students holding an after-school music camp for Crown Point Junior Music Academy. Publicizing high school students giving back to their community is to be celebrated. I met with senior violinist Stephanie Zavala-Lemorray. She and fellow violinists organized the after-school violin camp at CPJMA from Sept. 12-16.
What motivated Stephanie to make this after-school experience for younger music students happen? In April, Stephen Mitchell Luchs, veteran violin teacher at CPJMA died after two years of cancer. Back in the spring of 2008, Crown Point Elementary School was scheduled to be closed because of low enrollment. The district proposed creating a music magnet school to increase enrollment and avoid closure. In August of 2008, Luchs arrived at the school with the Suzuki Violin Program.
Cathy Valenzuela, former elementary school assistant, also started working at Crown Point in the fall of 2008. She credits Luchs with saving Crown Point from closure. Her voice becoming emotional she said, “I knew Mr. Luchs and worked with him every day from 2008 until his passing. I knew him as a colleague and a friend. When my daughter enrolled at Crown Point she and I participated in his Suzuki instruction. He is the reason that Crown Point is open today. Mr. Luchs constantly recruited students and families for CPJMA. He developed community partnerships to support and further music instruction at Crown Point.”
Stephanie and her fellow violinists, all alumni of Luchs and CPJMA, structured the week-long violin camp as a “tribute to Mr. Luchs and to honor his legacy.” Running five days from 2:10-4:30 p.m. 30 elementary violin students, grades 2-5, at all different skill levels, enrolled in the camp. Stephanie and her fellow violinists divided the students into advanced, intermediate, and beginning skill levels and provided 45 minutes of violin instruction each day. The camp days were also filled with music/rhythm games, crafts, talent shows, and a special concert by San Diego Symphony Concert violinist Julia Pautz (sandiegosymphony.org).
When asked how Stephanie decided on students to cohost the violin camp with her she said, “I wanted students who were respectful, gentle, and had leadership skills. Organizing this camp was to honor Mr. Luchs and his legacy at Crown Point. It’s not about us. By being our first music teacher, he impacted all of our lives. Mr. Luchs was extremely kind and funny, he guided us through our six years with him to become better musicians and better people. He taught us to be patient with the violin, to be disciplined, and to have an excitement about learning music. These qualities can be taken into the real world, not just music, and have helped us as we’ve grown up.”
What is also clear is that eight high school violinists with a deep appreciation and deep gratitude for their music education at CPJMA, continue in Pacific Beach schools today.
– Cyril A. Reinicke
TRUNK OR TREAT
Join Friends of CPJMA and Pacific Life Church at their annual Trunk or Treat on Oct. 28 from 5-8 p.m. on campus. Enjoy free trunk or treating, vote on your favorite trunk, take a picture in the photo booth, get your face painted, be a part of the glow stick dance party, play and win carnival games and much more. Food sales include Carmen’s Tacos, Mahalo Shave Ice, pizza by the slice, hot dogs, chips, and beverages.
