February 8, 2007

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

Los Alamitos ‘Science-O-Rama’ enjoys huge turnout for 20th anniversary event

School tradition helps introduce students to research in the sciences

By Ali Abdollahi
Staff Writer

Hundreds of students, friends and family members gathered at Los Alamitos Elementary School on Jan. 25 for the 20th annual Science-O-Rama. The event, which has become a Los Alamitos tradition, asks students to pick a topic of interest in the sciences and conduct research projects to be displayed for the school and community.

Students present their projects to family and friends during the 20th annual "Science-O-Rama" at Los Alamitos Elementary School Jan. 25. Photos by Ali Abdollahi

“Our goal is to get 50 percent participation, and we went well past that,” said science teacher Tracey Ananmalay of the voluntary program. Ananmalay said that the more than 250 kindergarten through grade four students participating in this year’s event well exceeded her 50 percent goal, and “smashed the all-time record” for participants.

The young scientists displayed their projects in the school’s library and auditorium throughout the evening, where volunteers asked the students to present and explain their projects. “This turnout is incredible,” said Los Alamitos principal Shyril McGuiness. “It far surpasses all of our expectations.”

McGuiness credited Ananmalay and the other contracted science teachers at Los Alamitos with creating excitement and energy for Science-O-Rama and the school’s larger science program. “The interest in this program is just amazing, and (the science teachers) have done a great job of making it a fun way for the students to increase their science knowledge.”

Hundreds of family and friends gathered at Los Alamitos Elementary School for the 20th annual "Science-O-Rama" on Jan. 25.

While she was praised for her efforts, Ananmalay thanked the Synopsis Outreach Foundation for its support of Science-O-Rama. “They provide all the boards for the students to display their work and underwrite the costs of holding this event. Their support really makes this program possible,” said Ananmalay.

According to McGuiness, high parent participation in this type of event is also nothing new at Los Alamitos. “Our parents are very involved. We have wonderful families and parent volunteers, and it’s because of this that we have accomplished such wonderful test scores and results,” said McGuiness. “Our students learn while taking pride in their work, and that’s largely due to the help they receive from their teachers and parents.”

First grader Harika Janjan may have provided the best summary of the benefits of Science-O-Rama when she said, “It makes us more knowledgeable, and its good because lots of kids can learn from each other.”

Making the grade

Graystone’s Stephanie Menendez achieves National Board Certification

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Graystone Elementary School teacher Stephanie Menendez has a new feather in her cap. The educator just received her National Board Certification.

Most of Stephanie Menendez’s second grade class stayed with her from first grade [called looping], which was a suggestion she made to Principal Dave Beymer. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“I’d really like to get the word out about this,” said the tall, attractive Menendez. “The whole process changes the way you analyze your teaching and how it’s impacting the student learning. I now reflect on everything I do.”

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards [NBPTS] is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan and nongovernmental organization. It was formed in 1987 to advance the quality of teaching and learning by developing professional standards for accomplished teachers who meet those principles and integrating certified teachers into educational reform efforts.

The National Board Certification was developed by, with and for teachers, and is a symbol of professional teaching excellence. Offered on a voluntary basis, it complements, not replaces, state licensing.

More than 55,000 teachers are National Board Certified. Last year, 293 educators were certified in California. The entire state has 3,659 who have received the distinction, a national listing of sixth and has tripled in the past five years. In the San Jose Unified School District, only one achieved the honor in 2006—Menendez—who calls the process the “PhD of teaching.”

Menendez achieved her National Board Certified as a Generalist—Early Childhood, one of 15 fields of certification broken down by subject areas and children’s ages taught. The three basic eligibility requirements are a bachelor’s degree, three years of teaching experience and holding a valid state teaching license.

To become National Board Certified a teacher must meet the above requirements and submit a portfolio of a classroom-based entry with accompanying student work, two classroom-based entries that require
video recordings of interactions between the teacher and the student and one documented entry that provides evidence of accomplishments outside the classroom that impacts student learning. The portfolio must be completed within three years.

“I am very pleased and proud of Stephanie,” said Graystone Elementary School Principal Dave Beymer. “The National Board Certification encompasses a lot of work and dedication. She is really a progressive teacher.”

Beymer said that Menendez approached him about “looping” her first grade class—a process where the children stay the next year with the same teacher. Now Menendez is teaching the second graders while already knowing their study habits—which is considered a benefit to the teacher and the kids.

But a visit to Menendez’s classroom is equally impressive. The children are drawing and writing about a new animal that they each create. Later, their discoveries will be published in book form. The room is colorful and organized with college banners hanging from the ceiling.

“Stephanie is very supportive, open and available to shares ideas with,” said Graystone Elementary School teacher Janet Ghani. “The National Board Certification is a wonderful attribute to improve your craft of teaching. And Stephanie’s dynamite to work with.”

When Menendez isn’t teaching, the Willow Glen resident is busy planning her wedding. She’s excited to earn the title of a National Board Certified educator and would like to mentor any teacher who is interested.

“Dedicated teachers like Stephanie Menendez have made Almaden Valley schools some of the best in California,” said District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle. “Her commitment to academic excellence will provide a wonderful example for Graystone students to follow.”

For more information on National Board Certification, visit www.nbpts.org or e-mail Stephanie Menendez at Stephanie_menendez@sjusd.org.

Mark your calendars: Pioneer Big Band Dessert Dance this Saturday night!

Pioneer High School is holding its 12th annual Big Band Dessert Dance on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the new Performing Arts Center (PAC). This fund-raiser event is for adults who will enjoy an evening of big band music performed by the Pioneer Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble under the direction of Ken Roberts, band director. Participants can dance or just listen to big band era music in a beautiful ballroom setting, enjoy delicious finger food and desserts, and bid for great silent auction items. Tickets are $20 each and are available for advance purchase. All proceeds benefit Pioneer's music/drama booster club. Contact Virginia Itani at 448-3050 for more information.

Bye-bye bullies

Students at Williams Elementary School address bullying concerns on campus

By Eric Zimmerling
Times Intern

The intimidating, browbeating schoolmate has been the bane of schoolchildren’s existence since the beginning of time. To respond to the problem, students at Williams Elementary School were recently given a voice to address bullying concerns at the school’s first ever Kids Speak Out Conference on Jan 31.

The three-hour conference headed by Tracy Cressio, Williams Elementary School’s noon-event coordinator, culminated a week of activities that focused on teaching both students and parents the importance of respect.

Tracy Cressio, left, reads an anti-bullying book to students at the Kids Speak Out Conference on Jan. 31 at Williams Elementary School.

Joseph DiSalvo, a professor at Santa Clara University, opened the week with a presentation for parents of Williams Elementary School on how to deal bullies. The ensuing week, students had in-class discussions about bullying and were given a homework assignment to define the word “respect,” which they shared with the audience at the conference.

The conference packed the cafeteria at Williams Elementary School with a handful of parents and faculty and 78 students chosen by Principal Karen Heverling, Tracy Cressio, and teachers throughout the school.

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade were divided into 12 teams where they acted act out silent skits showing respectful gestures.

Kirsten Schmal, a fifth-grade student, felt the skits were very important in understanding how to avoid confrontations and possible bullies. “The plays were fun and useful because it showed us how to be respectful,” said Schmal. “Seeing respect without words is just as important as talking respectfully. I liked the conference, I think it will really help us in the future.”

In addition to acting out plays, students created anti-bullying team names, were read anti-bullying books by Heverling and were shown video clips on how to deal with bullies.

The importance of having an anti-bullying conference has been even more important this year due to the closed field at Williams, which has been off limits for students due to flooding.

“This has been a different year because all of the kids have had to play on the blacktop during breaks,” said Heverling. “We want to do everything we can do to cut down on conflicts. We want to give them the tools to make the right choices and do the right thing when confrontations arise.”

Fifth grader Lauren Tice agreed that was necessary to address the problem of bullies on campus. “Everyone has either been bullied or knows somebody that has been bullied,” said Tice. “A lot of times kids can bully you with words and intimidate you. I think the event is really good in teaching us how to deal with bullies.”

Cressio says events like this are instrumental in teaching kids the right way to act. “We wanted to educate kids on what a bully is,” said Cressio. “We went to the students and let them tell us what is a bully is. We gave them a forum to talk. Even though there were a delegated number of students that attended the conference, this was a school wide event that helped students learn the importance of respect.”

Although Williams Elementary School already has an ongoing bullying prevention program, Tracy Cressio hopes to make the Kids Speak Out Conference an annual event to add to students’ tools in fighting intimidation.

Holy Spirit community celebrates 2007 Catholic Schools Week

Holy Spirit School observed the 2007 Catholic Schools Week last week with a visit from local officials who presented a proclamation from the city and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition to the school.

From left, back row: Fr. Brendan McGuire, Meri Maben, Steven Karr, Tim Reynolds, Joey Pisacane, Maria Saenz, Ryan Baer; front row: Kyle Sandvick, Nick Kleshinski, Christian Kennedy, Zander Stilger, Tim Sanchirico, Maddie Kirkland, Nancy Pyle and Eileen Cully, who received commendations from the city of San Jose and Congressman Mike Honda’s office.

The theme of this year’s Catholic Schools Week was “Catholic Schools—The Good News in Education.” Since 1974, Catholic schools have honored the students, staff, parents, volunteers and others who have made Catholic schools an important part of American life.

On Jan. 27, an open house was held for parents and the community to get acquainted with the school. A Mass at Holy Spirit Church followed at 5 p.m. Other activities included appreciation of community, parish, students, faculty and staff.

One highlight of the week was a visit by city of San Jose Councilmember Nancy Pyle and Meri Maben from Congressman Mike Honda’s office. They addressed the student council and student body at the morning assembly on Jan. 29 and presented a proclamation from the city of San Jose as well as a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition to Holy Spirit School. President George W. Bush also sent greetings to Holy Spirit School.

Holy Spirit School, along with 30 other Catholic elementary schools, is affiliated with the Diocese of San Jose. “The Catholic schools in the Diocese of San Jose are educating 16,500 students from Gilroy to Palo Alto in 37 elementary and secondary schools. Our students excel in academics, the arts, and in athletics, and reflect the diverse population of the Silicon Valley,” said Superintendent of Education Marian Stuckey.

Eileen Cully, principal of Holy Spirit School, commented, “We have a very special and talented faculty who are the educators that make the quality Catholic education here at Holy Spirit School possible.”

Applications for admission are accepted year round. For more information about Holy Spirit School, contact Claudia Jones at 268-0794, extension 1112.

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