“I come to my room and hear wailing and screaming. They had been wrestling, and one of the boys had dislocated his knee.”

So recounts assistant principal Karen Hyde as she reflects on one of the many memories that have occurred in her small office over more than three decades as the school’s assistant principal.

Hyde’s office, while it may be small, is home to the ASB, leadership class, various commissions and other groups. The ever-popular room is the center of much of the school’s activities.

While most classrooms do not give off the vibe of being ideal hangouts for students, Hyde’s office always seems to be bustling with activity as students are often happily chatting on the couch, writing announcements or stopping by for a quick hello. Students can distinguish the popular room courtesy of the “Hyde’s Street” sign placed above the door.

“I would like to have my room clean and orderly, but with a plethora of kiddies living here, I am lucky if they save me a seat,” Hyde said.

Clearly past students have also appreciated all those days spent in the quaint office, for tokens of appreciation from alumni are ubiquitous in the office.

“There are gifts from kids: a giant fortune cookie [from] Jason Chou, Class of 2006, a bunch [of photos] of Falcons football players] and the pictures of the the LG-Saratoga football game last year, a gift from Tina Contini Johnson, a former cheerleader at SHS,” Hyde said, pointing out each item’s location in her room.

With the assortment of sentimental mementos her room can be described as a mirror reflection of the school.

“The colors of the room are that of the school: red, white, blue. It reflects all of us,” Hyde said.
The assortment of pictures from school spirit events, dances and football games are Hyde’s favorite items in her room.

“Most of the stuff here are pictures from kids or pictures of kids,” Hyde said. “The oldest thing here, other than me, are the pictures of old leadership kids: ASB, senior class, rally, etc. “
Although her room may seem cluttered to the random passerby, Hyde’s room never fails to exude a feeling of welcome to all students.

“I love [visiting Hyde’s office] because it’s a warm, welcoming environment where you can just relax and use the computer and get work done or just talk,” said head commissioner senior Varsha Ramesh.

Because Hyde’s room is so heavily decorated, Hyde has other places where she stores all of her possessions that have accumulated over the years that Hyde has been at the school.

“I have this box, which I call a ‘rest home box,’” Hyde said. “I haven’t kept all the stuff since I started teaching, but I’ve kept things in [a couple folders] and in a box at home.”

With Hyde’s upcoming retirement at the end of the school year, the idea of having to completely clean out the office of its pictures and memories is bittersweet.

“I don’t even want to think about cleaning out this room,” Hyde said. “The memories that I’ve had with everyone and these kids in here have been amazing. You live here long enough and [the room is] just all the souls who lived in here as well.”