February 1, 2007

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

Castillero students spend ‘Winter in Waikiki’ at 1st annual Student Appreciation Day

By Shana Moore
Special to the Times

Project Cornerstone added another pillar of support in establishing itself as the foundation of our local school communities last week. With the help of 60 parents and the backing of the entire teaching and support staff of Castillero Middle School, the school’s Project Cornerstone group honored students at Castillero’s first annual Student Appreciation Day.

The “Aloha Spirit” of Castillero is evident at Student Appreciation Day.

True to the event’s sunny name of “Winter in Waikiki,” the day got off to a festive start. Students arrived through the indoor commons and were met with a row of inflatable palm trees that lined the velvet curtain of the stage, grass garlands that looked like hula skirts adorned with colorful flowers, and a rainbow of parrots hung from the ceiling above.

The scenery was enhanced by the fact that students were encouraged to leave their school uniforms aside for the day. The daily sea of grey and green was replaced by colorful board shorts, sarongs, grass skirts and Aloha shirts. Even the kids who came in uniform got a flavor for the day when all 1,260 students were given a colorful plastic lei to help them get into the island spirit.

Though the parents and Cornerstone teachers, Gwen Anderson and Jean Hendrickson, were happy to provide the students with a fun time, they didn’t want the real meaning of the day to go unnoticed. So they spelled it out in a letter that was both read aloud and handed to each student in print. In addition to reminding them that adults are counting on them to take over the leadership of our government, businesses and schools in the years ahead, the letter also emphasized that the kids are so much more than a future promise.

“Whether you’re telling us about your first school dance, your first nomination for Academic Expedition, your first flag football game, or your first theater performance—you’re experiencing so many things for the first time. Things we forgot we ever did ourselves until we see the look on your face, hear the excitement in your voice,” it reads. The letter ends by reminding the kids that the life they add to those adults they come into contact with cannot be measured, and thanking them for all they add to the community, to the school, and to others lives.

Parents Geri Germaine, Amy Richardson, Dawn Heiszmann, and Maya Gio show their Hawaiian spirit.

Besides being a genuine reflection of the parent group’s feelings, the letter also alludes to some of the 41developmental assets focused on by the organization. Project Cornerstone is the Santa Clara County-wide collaborative working to mobilize our entire community to shift from reacting to children and youth as problems to connecting with them so they thrive. Cornerstone aims to ensure that every aspect of our diverse community—individuals, businesses, community organizations, schools and government—understand and embrace the fact that interacting with young people is important...and that every interaction makes a difference.

It was on to fun and games as the fourth period bell rang and the students were treated to a free lunch of pineapple pizza and fruit punch. With a background of Hawaiian and surf music, the entertainment was provided by way of spirited hula-hoop contests. Groups of students warmed up the crowd with effortless “hooping” until it was time for the much anticipated teacher competition. Word has it that the competitive spirit runs high among the staff, leading some teachers to practice during the lunch break in the weeks leading up to the event.

In the end, it was Mr. Angelo, Mrs. Linehan and Principal Sue Walker who walked away with victories in the sixth grade area, while prizes were awarded to Ms. Shulko and Ms. Denice Walker in the seventh and eighth grade eating areas.

When the bell rang, it was back to the business of learning. As the last of the decorations were packed away until next year, the only talk was of how wonderful it was to see the parents, teachers, administrators and students relaxed and smiling and laughing together on campus, reinforcing the importance of community in our very busy world.

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