Granite Oaks welcomes new falcon principal

Granite Oaks Middle School students are now led by a new principal. Former assistant principal at Granite Oaks, Jay Holmes, now takes on the position of principal. Holmes will oversee hundreds of seventh and eighth-grade students this year. But he's no stranger to leading. "I've always found myself drawn to leadership roles," Holmes said. He's been a curriculum leader and has coached softball and flag football previously, he said. Before becoming assistant principal, a position he held for three years, Holmes was a history teacher, shifting from Granite Oaks and Spring View middle schools during a school revamp, he said. His teaching career began in Redwood City in the late 90s where he taught opportunity classes of students struggling with school, students in gangs, emotionally disturbed children and special education students for two years. From there he assumed a position within Rocklin Unified School District. "My goal was to teach," Holmes said. "I've always wanted to be a teacher."Teaching is a path that runs in Holmes' family. Both his parents were teachers and his wife teaches psychology. Holmes lives in Granite Oaks with his wife and two children ages 8 and 5.Leading the school for the 2009-10 school year, Holmes follows former principal Mike Melton, who moved to the Bay Area for another principal position. Holmes said students, parents and staff shouldn't expect to see dramatic changes at Granite Oaks, partially because Holmes is a familiar face at the school and knows how things are run. "Mr. Melton and I had the same vision," he said. "He was a great mentor for me. His vision for Granite Oaks has really shaped the school."RUSD Superintendent Kevin Brown said Holmes' roles have helped prepare him for becoming a principal. "Jay Holmes has served as a classroom teacher, student activities director, coach and an assistant principal," Brown said. "His leadership style is inclusive and he actively seeks the input of staff, parents and students."Brown added that Holmes' knowledge made him an ideal candidate to continue growing the success of Granite Oaks. The middle school has been named a California Distinguished School and a National Blue Ribbon School. But in addition to increasing the school's achievement, what Holmes said he's most looking forward to is "putting my personality and flare" into the Granite Oaks falcons. Lauren Weber can be reached at laurenw@goldcountrymedia.com.