Palo Alto High School's News and Features Publication

Verde Magazine

Verde Magazine

Verde Magazine

Editorial: Recognizing Berkson’s campus contributions

LONGTIME+LEGACY+%E2%80%94+Assistant+Principal+Jerry+Berkson+stands+in+front+of+the+construction+site+of+the+Palo+Alto+High+School+Tower+Building.+Berkson+commented+on+his+involvement+in+the+renovation%2C+%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99m+mostly+the+liaison+between+construction+people+and+district+people%2C%E2%80%9D+Berkson+said.+
Kensie Pao
LONGTIME LEGACY — Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson stands in front of the construction site of the Palo Alto High School Tower Building. Berkson commented on his involvement in the renovation, “I’m mostly the liaison between construction people and district people,” Berkson said.

For over 16 years, Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson has overseen almost every renovation and construction project on Palo Alto High School’s campus.

Under Berkson’s supervision, the Media Arts Center, 800 building, the Performing Arts Center and the 1700 building (and the science building extension) all rose from the ground up.

Additionally, the Library, Haymarket Theater, 200, 300, 400, 700 buildings, Viking Stadium, lacrosse field, main parking lot, and baseball field all underwent significant renovations.

Now, the crown jewel of the renewed Paly campus — the renovation of Paly’s landmark Tower Building — is nearing its completion. It seemed an appropriate time to recognize someone who has been integral to campus construction.

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In a district where administrators often come and go after just a few years, Paly has been lucky to have an assistant principal who has stuck around managing facilities for so long.”

While Berkson didn’t do any sawing or bricklaying, we appreciate the myriad odd jobs he took care of, such as communicating with contractors.

Berkson has had a hand in creating the Paly campus as we know it today, and for that, we thank him.