Graham Elementary Principal To Shave Head

Graham Elementary School Principal Terrance Dunn will be shaving his head on Friday in Newark, California, fulfilling his end of a bargain with students. 

“I’m going to be walking around with a bald head and a beard,” Dunn told Patch on Tuesday with a laugh.

“It was a two part bet,” he explained.  If the school reached test score growth targets, he would shave his head.

If the school also reached the state-set API target of 800, he would shave his beard. That was last spring. 

On August 29, 2013 California released the Academic Performance Index scores for schools in Newark.

James A. Graham Elementary was the most improved school in town, with an API score of 786 for the 2012-13 school year. The school's score increased by 45 points from its 2012 Base API score.

This achievement indicator also earned the school bragging rights for being the most improved public elementary school in Alameda County. It is in the top 50 growth achievements in California’s 6,219 elementary schools, according to a report given during the Newark Unified School District Board meeting Tuesday night. 

To celebrate this accomplishment, the school will be hosting a ceremony to shave Principal Dunn’s head.

No stranger to a smooth scalp, Charlie Mensinger, NUSD School Board Member said, “And he’ll look good with a shaved head.”

Dunn credits the school’s performance to the people who invested time into teaching and learning.

“Here's our secret: We succeeded together,” he said.

“We have skilled, veteran teachers who are open to new ideas. We have caring parents who want the best for their children. We have students who do their best. We have support from the district and from community groups including the Rotary Club of Newark, the Rotaract Club of Greater Fremont, and Avanzando. And we have a staff full of people who love the school and the children. It takes all of us to make a difference.”

The celebration will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, September 6.  The location is to be determined.