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Uploaded: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 8:18 AM

Longtime Ohlone teacher named principal
Palo Alto school board extends superintendent's contract, appoints other managers

by Chris Kenrick
Palo Alto Online Staff

Posted by Jamie Schiessler, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Jun 24, 2009 at 8:54 am

This is such wonderful news!!! Bill will be a wonderful principal. I couldn't think of anyone better for the job. I miss my days at Ohlone School while Bill was teaching us Jimmy Buffet songs as he played his guitar. He also taught the importance of friendship, sharing, equality and so many more life lessons that I still carry with me today. These were all taught to me without even having him as my teacher. I never had Bill as my official teacher (I had June) but they all worked together and collaborated a great team of cross learning. Ohlone always had a great community feeling. I wish Bill all the luck and hope that the school continues to be a special place for many children.

Posted by congrats, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Jun 24, 2009 at 11:44 am

this is AWESOME. bill is the best! i had june also, but i knew bill (since the ohlone community is so close knit). i look forward to students enjoying his presence as the principal of their school. :)

Posted by Alice Zelkha, a resident of the Charleston Meadows neighborhood, on Jun 24, 2009 at 11:59 am

You have our sincere and heartfelt congratulations. I hope this move enables you to help even more kids than you have already done over the years. You are definitely an "Ohlone" teacher in all the very important ways: creative, unique, completely for the children, able to adapt the curriculum for each child, spanning curriculum borders, generating independence and responsibility for each learner, non-judgemental, absorbed in creating a community of learners and thinkers, with kindness, inclusiveness and participation by everyone. You are not afraid to think outside the box.

I will miss you from the classroom. You are so exceptional in the classroom for so many kids. You transformed each one of my children's lives and you are "THE TEACHER" that is the example of how all teachers could/should be.

I am grateful to the district for honoring the preciousness and uniqueness of Ohlone by appointing you the principal. It gives me faith that they do believe in the opportunity for alternative education and choices - that one style does not fit all -- that in a district with success so narrowly defined they continue to support those of us that want more for our children than simply academic accolades.

Good luck Bill. You have our love.

Posted by Jessica, a resident of the Community Center neighborhood, on Jun 24, 2009 at 3:14 pm

Yea, Bill! I had Bill for a summer school PE class once a million years ago, although I had Jana and then Rick at Ohlone, so wasn't one of his regular students. I can't speak to him as a principal, but I can only imagine he will do wonderfully.

Posted by Steve Bengston, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Jun 24, 2009 at 4:40 pm

Congrats to Bill for being named Ohlone principal. He is a great choice. Our daughter just graduated from Ohlone, she never had Bill as teacher but we certainly saw him a lot at school and on field trips. He embodies all the special Ohlone qualities and will carry on the wonderful tradition Susan has fostered.

Posted by OhlonePar, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Jun 24, 2009 at 4:55 pm

Yay!!! I'm so relieved, frankly.

Though I know some kids who are going to be disappointed about not getting Bill in the classroom.

Posted by Barbara Slone, a resident of the Leland Manor/Garland Drive neighborhood, on Jun 24, 2009 at 5:19 pm

As a parent of former Ohlone students, Josiah (Joe) and Lee, I have to say that I can't think of anyone more deserving of promotion to principal. Bill truly personifies "the Ohlone Way" and I feel confident that all of those wonderful traditions that he was instrumental in starting (ie the farm) will continue on. We feel so lucky to have had Bill as a big part of our boys lives. I hope that there will still be times for Bill to strum his guitar and teach "Cheeseburger in Paradise" to many more of his students. I wish every child could have a teacher so giving and interested in the growth and welfare of all of his students. Thank you Bill!

Posted by Mary Hansen, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Jun 24, 2009 at 9:00 pm

What a fabulous piece of news! Bill, congratulations - you will be an absolutely wonderful principal; there is no one who could represent Ohlone better than you! You listen, you are kind, you are a wonderful role model, and you really understand and deliver developmental education. I am thrilled. I wish you many more successful years at the best place for kids that the PAUSD has - Ohlone. Our best to you as you start this "new" endeavor!

Mary & John Hansen, Kimberly and Christopher

Posted by Johannes Ziegler, a resident of another community, on Jun 24, 2009 at 9:56 pm

Wow - great news and congrats to you, Bill!

Our oldest child finished Ohlone three years ago with Bill as his teacher in 4th and 5th grade. Our son really enjoyed having Bill as teacher during these years and at the same time learned so much, both in terms of academic and social skills.

Bill, you definitely represent the Ohlone Way!

Posted by Cara, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Jun 25, 2009 at 5:52 pm

Thank you to Dr. Skelly and the District for promoting someone who embodies the essence of Ohlone. Bill is a legend at Ohlone and it will be exciting to see him transition into this new leadership role. I'm confident he will be an effective advocate/mentor for the Ohlone principles and for the rest of the school's wonderful staff. Congratulations, Bill!

Posted by steve san jule, a resident of the Fairmeadow neighborhood, on Jun 26, 2009 at 8:40 am

hey, not the same little billy overton that played little league baseball back in the 60s!!!!! we almost drafted you for palo alto savings....only because your sister was so cute!!!!!! well, congrats. as a 1958 graduate of ohlones...yes, it had a s at the end....i wish you the best. dick empey and gene tankersly would be pleased....

Posted by Jason, a member of the Ohlone School community, on Jun 30, 2009 at 4:09 am

Way to go Bill...now you can have your cheeseburger in paradise and eat it too! Some of my fondest memories from childhood was in your classroom. Congrats!

Posted by Winston & Cynthia LORA, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Jul 12, 2009 at 3:44 pm

We send hearty congradulations to BILL OVERTON on his appointment as Principal of Ohlone School - this is such great news for ths students and faculty of Dear Ohlone.

Winston Lora is retired from 25 years teaching 5th-6th grade at Ohlone Schools. Cynthia Lora's son, Ian Armstrong, was in Bills' 3rd/4th grade class many years ago; having had TWO faovirte "Bill' teachers at Ohlone: Thompson in kindergarten and Overton for 3-4.

We heard the Wonderful Ohlone/Overton news today - July 12 - at our home in Oregon during a telephone call with another former Ohlone teacher.

Best Wishes to the Ohlone Community and the new principal of Ohlone School !

Posted by sarah golden, a resident of the Fairmeadow neighborhood, on Oct 13, 2009 at 9:11 am

I dreamt last nice about my wonderful days at Ohlone, circa 1970-1973-- To date, the best teacher I ever had was Winston Lora. Today I asked my 9th grade English students what qualities their favorite teachers had. I got: kind, passionate, funny. Mr. Lora was all these. I'm the teacher I am because of him, and was so happy a google search led me to know that he's achieved a well-deserved retirement. I love you Mr. Lora!