Against the backdrop of the “Choices at Paly” event which began at 7 p.m. on Jan. 26 in the Palo Alto High School library, Principal Scott Laurence, in a "State of the School" speech to over 100 student and parent attendees, addressed the numerous positive outcomes from the Measure A parcel tax passed earlier this year.

“There is a real change in feel on our campus,” Laurence said.

In particular, Laurence said that the passing of the parcel tax enabled the school to add staff. More campus supervisors, and staff working in the attendance office and with Special Education have been added, according to Laurence. Additionally, more classes, including AP Physics and upper level language courses, have been added this year, Laurence said.

The "State of the School" speech addressed a wider range of major accomplishments and challenges that the school has faced this year as well

Laurence began by talking about the California High School Exit Exam which sophomores are required to take each spring.

“We are not concerned about our students passing the California High School Exit Exam,” Laurence said. “That is a wonderful statement for our staff and support services.”

Next Laurence discussed campus facilities. Construction on the new pool is moving ahead as planned. Also, construction of the 100 building is moving along and should be ready in June in time for the new school year, according to Laurence.

“We’re not going to be see the band playing in the food area or the choir in a portable anymore,” Laurence said.

Laurence also discussed measures the school has taken to deal with stress reduction. In particular, Laurence talked about the language department experimenting with moving finals before winter break.

“Most students enjoyed it [having finals before winter break],” Laurence said.

According to Laurence, about 500 students out of 700 who took a survey about how they felt about having their finals before winter break did enjoy taking finals before the two-week vacation.

“We’re taking student stress seriously,” Laurence said. “Is this something we want to try again? It went well, now we’re trying to do it better.”

In terms of some of the challenges Palo Alto High School has encountered this year, Laurence spoke about how the year started off with sexual harassment cases, one involving a Jordan teacher and another with a Paly soccer coach.

Laurence moved on to talk about some of the challenges the school has encountered in its College and Career Center.

“There are about 2,000 applications to be processed on site,” Laurence said.

According to Laurence, the school is hoping to attract applicants for a full-time college advisor position by increasing the pay range. Also, Laurence thanked the College and Career Center volunteers and Guidance staff for all the work they had done thus far this year in keeping up with the volume of applications and students to advise.

Laurence wrapped up his address by introducing the “Choices at Paly” event.

“There are a large number of positive things and some we need to work on,” Laurence said. “This is the start of the second semester. It is a time where students live in the present, but are planning for the future.”

The goal of the “Choices at Paly” event was to highlight different course options and after-school activities for students.

After concluding the “State of the School” address, Laurence fielded questions from the audience after which students and parents got up to help themselves to refreshments provided by the PTSA and to visit the stations in the library where students and teachers gave presentations and answered questions about different courses, electives and activities. Over 15 courses and activities were featured, including computer science, choir, robotics, Youth Community Service and journalism programs such as The Campanile, Verde and The Paly Voice.

“You’ll see students presenting tonight,” Laurence said. “This [the different activities and elective courses featured in the library] is a major part of what our students do.”