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Close up of principal dave mckay

David McKay

Principal

Bidwell Junior High School

As a 20-year educator in Chico Unified, I’m proud to call Chico my home. My wife, Jill, who teaches Art at PV, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the education our three children have received in Chico Schools. Our oldest promoted from Bidwell last year, and our middle child will begin 6th grade here in the 2019-20 school year. With our youngest close behind, I will have at least one of my own children here at Bidwell for the next five years. With such close ties to the school community, I am particularly passionate about Bidwell culture. I have less-than-fond memories of my own middle school experience growing up in the Bar Area and I wake up every day striving to make the Bidwell experience totally different for each student that walks through our gates. Our school culture has a name: The Bidwell Way. The Bidwell Way is how we ALL treat each other in order to bring out the best in everyone--Safe, Responsible, Respectful. While we are the biggest junior high north of Sacramento with 1,000 energetic kiddos, our Bidwell Team excels at connecting with students to create a personalized learning environment. Junior high can be a particularly stressful time for families. As a parent myself, I can tell you that your child IS physically and emotionally safe at Bidwell. If you ever feel like they are not safe, I need you to contact me right away. Call, text, email, come down in person,--whatever is best for you--and we will develop a plan together to address your concerns. That’s my personal guarantee and commitment to you.

 
 

Laurie DeBock

Assistant Principal

Bidwell Junior High School


I love being a part of a school that really wants to do what is best for kids at a time in their lives when they are starting to make decisions that will define who they are as people. With 30 years of teaching and administrative experience in Chico, I can confidently state that Bidwell is truly a school family. We look out for each other like a family--staff and students alike. Within that family culture, we can work with parents to help shape kids who value personal integrity--being the best “You” that you can be, even when you think nobody’s looking. The Bidwell Way isn't just a slogan, it really is our code, it’s the essence of what we want to accomplish at Bidwell. If we’re not striving to bring out the best in each other as people, then our educational experience will be hollow. 

When I’m not at Bidwell, I enjoy spending time with my family--especially with our young grandkids or at our peaceful cabin in Butte Meadows. Snowmobiling and quad rides are also on the list of recreational activities in our family. From my family to yours, welcome to Bidwell!

 

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