Seacliff school celebrates with dedication ceremony

Andrew Wainer

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- About 200 students, educators and parents flocked to

Huntington Seacliff Elementary School last week for a dedication

ceremony, celebrating Huntington Beach City School District’s newest

campus in 25 years.

“This school is the flowering of an ideal,” Supt. Duane Dishno said.

Dishno thanked parents, district staff and the city for coming together

to build the state-of-the-art school, which opened in September. Even

with city and district cooperation, it took a long time to build.

The district proposed building the new school about a decade ago, but the

process was slowed by the recession of the early 1990s.

The ceremony included dance and music performances by Huntington Seacliff

students, which were captured on video by excited parents.

Parents and school staff said the first semester has been intense but

rewarding.

“It’s been tough to start from scratch, but it’s exciting because

everything is new,” PTA member Laura Syzdek said.

Principal Ann Sullivan echoed her thoughts.

“It’s a tremendous amount of work,” Sullivan said. “We are establishing

routines and procedures from nothing.”

Sullivan added that support from parents and the district has made the

task of launching the school significantly easier.

Likewise, teachers had high praise for Sullivan’s efforts.

“She’s been an extraordinary principal,” first-grade teacher Sharyn

Baldoni said. “She drives us and keeps us going.”

Baldoni relished the opportunity to teach at a new school.

“I’m lucky to be here,” she said. “Being a new teacher, I never thought

I’d be part of a new staff.”