Assistant Principal Phil Winston sits in his Gunn High School office, working with administrative issues on his computer. Recently appointed as the principal of Paly, he introduced himself to Site Council and said he was excited to get to know the Paly community. – Rachel HarrusIncoming Palo Alto High School principal Phil Winston introduced himself to Site Council Monday during its second-to-last meeting of the year.

In the meeting, Winston restated his ideas of getting to know and understand the Paly community.

“My number one goal and priority is just to get to know the community,” Winston said while addressing the council. “It doesn’t matter that I’ve worked at Gunn, this is a different community… I have that experience [of working at Gunn], [and] it think it would be helpful, but it’s not the same experience as being here,” said Winston while addressing the council.

The council responded positively to Winston. Cathy Fitzgerald, the Parent Teacher Student Association representative to the council, described how the PTSA board wishes to include Winston in its activities next year.

“Everybody wants to reach out, and get [Winston] included as quickly as possible,” Fitzgerald said during the PTSA report to the Board.

Current principal Jacqueline McEvoy, who did not attend the meeting, offered her thoughts describing her experience with Winston in a statement read aloud by Chairman Kelli Hagen.

“[Winston is] straightforward, compassionate and cares deeply about doing what is in the best interest of students,” McEvoy said. “You know there will always be a place in my heart for Paly, and I am truly excited about this opportunity as its next principal.”

The final Site Council meeting of the year will be held on June 7, from 3:30-6:00 in the Palo Alto High School English Resource Center.