April 6, 2006

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

Bubble-licious!

Travis Varni, a six-year-old kindergarten student at Los Alamitos Elementary School, stretches a long bubble while classmate Daisy Bradanini looks on. Watching in the background are Gwen Parker and Shyril McGuiness, Principal. Photo by Jeff Frazee

Los Alamitos Elementary presents Bubble Fest

One thing you can say: Bubble Festival is the cleanest fun found on any elementary school campus in town. Throughout the day on April 4, more than 100 volunteers helped to put on the annual Bubble Festival for Los Alamitos students and their families.

This year’s Bubble Fest, organized by Tracey Ananmalay, involved two days (one for preparation), 620 students from 26 classes K-5, 60 parent volunteers, and 60 gallons of bubble mix.

Bubble Festival has evolved over the years into an all-day event, which got its name from the Berkeley Lawrence Hall of Science GEMS book of the same name. A science event at Lawrence Hall inspired the Bubble Fest, and parent volunteers make all the equipment used at the festival led by parent Lee Cotterill.

Students return to the event each year with a new level of science understanding and changing interests. Teachers find that different aged students gravitate to different activities and teachers report that students from kindergarten through fifth grade look forward to the annual event. Stations include standing inside a bubble, measuring bubbles (and more importantly blowing the biggest bubble), learning how to blow bubbles with your hands, blowing square bubbles and floating bubbles over dry ice.

Parent volunteers Lynne Wach and Candyce D’Malley let students at Los Alamitos Elementary School stand inside a bubble. Wach has volunteered for six of the eight years Los Alamitos has been doing the Bubble Fest and says it is her kids’ favorite day of the year.	Shreya Nandkeolyar, an 8-year-old student in Ms. McLean’s third grade class, gazes through a bubble she made at Los Alamitos’ eighth annual Bubble Fest.

Presentation High School 40th Annual Scholarship
Benefit Fashion Show 2006 this Saturday

Presentation High School will hold the 40th Annual Scholarship Benefit Fashion Show, Time after Time, Friday, April 7 at the Santa Clara Marriott Hotel. The fashion show is the major fundraising event to support Presentation High School’s financial aid scholarship program.

Almaden students participating in the Presentation fashion show: (front row: l. to r.) Kristen Malkovich, Kelli Wing, Brandy Lane, Maria Paz Mina, Jennifer McNatt, Samantha Kountz-Edwards and Onnie Vo; (back row, l. to r.) Kelly Mitchell, Caitlin Clancey, Rachel Buttitta, Jaclyn Alongi, Kelsey Mackin, Kaitlyn Howell, Andrea Armao, and Megan Swasey.

Presentation seniors, faculty, board members, alumnae and senior boys from area high schools will be the models for the show. Last year’s event contributed more than $120,000 to the school’s scholarship program, which enables qualified young women to attend Presentation High School, regardless of their financial means. Sponsors for the show include Presentation families, businesses, alumnae and friends of the school.

Fashion partners for the event are Eddie Bauer, Tommy Bahama, Caché, Club Monaco, Indigo Palms, Lucky Brand, Talbots, Eli Thomas for Men, Trudy’s, Urban Outfitters, Lacoste, Barbarella, J. Jill, Lucy and Fox. For the fifth year James Craig Hair Color and Design of Saratoga will be providing hair styling, and new this year, MAC Cosmetics of Valley Fair will be providing make-up for all of the models.

The luncheon tickets for Time after Time are $85 per person. Dinner tickets are $150 per person and include dancing to the sounds provided by King Raffi.

Presentation High School is an all-female Catholic college preparatory founded in 1962 to educate young women to their full potential in mind, body and spirit. Offering a challenging academic environment in a caring and respectful atmosphere, the school offers young women opportunities to develop their minds and skills, develop self-confidence, explore their interests and talents, grow in their faith and open their hearts to those less fortunate than themselves. The school is located in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose and has a current enrollment of 750 students.

For more information, contact the Presentation High School Development Office at (408) 264-5110, ext. 2447 or visit the school’s website, www.pres-net.com, and click on events and fashion show.

Leland student and faculty to perform at benefit concert to
raise funds for classroom materials this Saturday

In response to a growing need for better materials due to the current budget crisis Leland students are throwing their second benefit concert to raise funds for classroom materials such as new textbooks.

The 2nd Leland High School Benefit Concert will take place in the school cafeteria this Saturday April 8, at 5:30 p.m.

According to student Seoung-Yeon Kim students were inspired to start this benefit concert for the first time last year because they were concerned about the quality of the materials and shortage of books available to students. “We managed to gather $1,120 in donation from our first concert, and this sum encouraged us to put together the 2nd benefit concert,” said Kim. “This concert is 100% student organized.”

Almost 20 Leland students and faculty will perform in the concert. The tickets are available at the door for $12, and additional monetary donations at the concert will be greatly appreciated.

Hundreds turn out for Williams Elementary School Rock N’ Walk

By Wilhelm Derkson
Special to the Times

Hundreds of walkers hit the pavement last Saturday for Williams Elementary School’s Rock N’ Walk walk-a-thon and silent auction. In an e-mail to parents, organizers said the show must go on rain or shine. And despite the rainy skies, kids and their parents had a blast.

Although this was Williams Elementary School’s first walk-a-thon, one would never know. The 360 Rock N’ Walkers (comprised mostly of students and some accompanied by parents) powered through lap after lap, while being entertained by a DJ from Sound in Motion. Lunch was served, by parent volunteers, and prizes were distributed as achievement ribbons and prizes were awarded for goal-oriented walkers, reaching various milestones in 10-lap increments. Many walked the entire five hours, breaking only for lunch.

A medley of goods and services were available to bid on during the silent auction. The bids rose higher while the fun and generosity flowed. Items were donated by local businesses and many school staff. These included wonderful treats for the students, such as principal for a day, art lessons with a teacher, teacher pizza parties, and many more. Additionally, every classroom donated items or money for creatively themed class baskets, like the birthday bash basket, grand prix basket, and so on, which were included in the auction. As with many fund-raisers, there were some exciting trips included, as well, including a condo on Maui for a week and a beach house in Santa Cruz. One lucky family purchased a dinner party package with a famous chef creating a top-notch dinner experience for 10.

At the end of the day, as our “controller” tallied the numbers, the Rock N’ Walk totaled a whopping success! The final numbers will arrive next week, when all sponsored walkers turn in their donations. The Williams Wins Foundation, with the support of the local businesses and the philanthropic nature of the Williams Whales Staff and Parent Community, made this fund-raiser a huge success.

The event chairpersons would like to thank the following corporate sponsors: Chris Allen-CBA Mortgage, Cornerstone Title, Mike Brewer-Almaden Valley Plumbing, Jill Eberle-Farmers Insurance, DJ Balling Construction-Dennis Balling, Castleview Realty-Mo and Farah, Thomas McGrath MD, DJ Raffi-SOUND IN MOTION DJ’s & VIDEO, LLC, Andrea Trudeau-Advanced Professionals Insurance and Employee Benefits, Margaret Yost, Suzanne Freeze, Coldwell Banker, and Wells Fargo.

Additionally, a huge thanks to Lynn Murtha and Andrea Trudeau, Rock ‘N’ Walk co-chairs; Barbara Tharenos and Marlene McCrary, silent auction/class baskets; Lori Madsen and Jill Eberle, teacher treasures/packaging; Susie Laughlin and Paul Silverglate, auction check out; Tim Mackin: Rock N’ Walk course setup, field logistics and first Aid; Kelly Anderson, Chris Allen, and Claudia Durand: food, BBQ, and fun foods; Ilene Guy, decorations and poster contest; Denise Schmidt, drinks for fourth grade science camp; Maya Jio: check-in; Brenda and Gary Addiego, prizes and T-shirts; and Suzanne Freeze and Lisa Adolf, soliciting corporate sponsors.

Art from the heart

Simonds annual Art Walk successfully blends lessons with art interpretation

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Ever made edible art? Or worked on a graffiti wall? These were just a few of the added incentives as Simonds Elementary School presented the fifth annual Art Walk this past week, proving that art is for everyone.

“I like art,” said Hannah Spodick holding her ceramic gymnast doing a cartwheel. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

Mrs. Moore’s fourth graders created colorful plaster masks. Mr. Hurlbert’s class made brightly glazed ceramic houses. Mr. Quigley’s fifth graders drew charcoal portraits—all hung neatly on the rows of art racks at the packed event. Students decorated cookies and artistically painted faces while others played piano, flute and violin.

“It was such a thrill to see all of the art projects,” said Simonds Principal Linda Kakes. “The level of creativity and craftsmanship is just amazing. We are so fortunate to have dedicated parents who provide the instruction and who do such a masterful job of displaying for this show. I’m grateful that Simonds children have this art education experience.”

But as the parents, teachers, friends and students wandered the art walk, there was an even more important lesson. Docents were teaching the art classes for all the classrooms with the PTA funding the Art Vista lessons. The Art Vista program is a volunteer-led curriculum with age-appropriate art history lessons with hands-on activities for the kids. The classes are taught by parents who donate their time to the Simonds kids.

“The parents teach an art lesson in each classroom and then do a project with the kids,” said parent co-organizer and substitute teacher Sue Schill. “The teachers love it and the kids love it as well.”

Schill and Terese Ferrara are the two organizers of the Art Walk: Art from the Heart Simonds event. They enlist the parent volunteers—some who have no formal art training—to teach in each of Simonds classrooms.

“Art Vista gives us the age-appropriate history lessons to be taught,” said Ferrara, finishing the final set up for the evening. “And also the how-to art projects. They make it very easy for the parents to teach the classes.”

Mrs. Moore’s fourth grade class plaster masks created a colorful statement at the Art Walk.

Kindergartners are introduced to fine art with animals, trains, boats, houses and horses. Along the way they learn about primary colors: red, blue and yellow and secondary colors: purple, orange and green. First graders learn about line, shape, color, texture and value while the fourth graders study the difference between primitivism, realism, abstract art and cubism. Each lesson is age-appropriate with the study broadening to each higher grade level.

And the results are impressive. Simonds kids displayed their artwork to their parents and friends while parent volunteer Renee Kaufman ran the clay department and set up shop with a line of kids creating ceramics. Later Kaufman will fire the pieces and return them to the artists to be glazed. Then the clay will be fired again to seal the bright colors. Kauffman has fired each and every one of the hundreds of ceramics at the Art Walk not just once but twice. This is typical of the volunteer dedication that you see at Simonds.

Another parent volunteer, Joy Spodick, busily drew silhouettes of Simonds kids, which were cut out and taken home to remember after the art exhibit. Spodick is president of the Simonds Music and Technology Foundation, but also donates time at the Art Walk to spend time with her third grader Hannah.

“I like art,” said Hannah, showcasing her ceramic gymnast and also a Picasso inspired abstract “Moody Clowns” at the event. “It’s my favorite subject.”

Simonds Art Walk is art from the heart.

San Jose Christian’s performance
of ‘Annie Jr.’ wows audiences

By Julie Davis Berry
Executive Editor

“The sun will come out tomorrow”…well at least it did on stage in the March production of San Jose Christian School’s “Annie Jr.” recently.

The cast of San Jose Christian’s “Annie Jr.”

The play was directed by sixth grade teacher Amy Butz, with music teacher Kiel Houk at the helm of the musical direction and choreography.

“Annie” is set in a New York City orphanage in 1933. Living conditions in these orphanages were often deplorable so when the spunky Annie got her chance to go for a visit with Daddy Warbucks she jumped at it. Because he knew that Annie was always hoping to find her real parents, Warbucks decides to offer a reward to prompt the real parents of Annie to come forward. That sets the stage for a con job and an eventual happy ending that involves a visit from none other than President Roosevelt himself.

Eighth grader Michelle Thompson of Almaden Valley landed the role of Annie and took the role in a fresh direction by giving the young orphan a less whiney presence than previous efforts this writer has seen. Her strong voice and serious countenance entranced the audience.

Annie shows off her “dog” Sandy (played by Danielle Spoutz) to Daddy Warbucks (Gabe Weitzman) and Grace (Jamie Orozco).

Rochelle Stryker, also an eighth grader, owned the role of the snotty Miss Hannigan alternating between sweet, when addressing the orphans in front of an audience, or sour when addressing them in private.

Her co-horts in the scheme to claim Annie as her brother’s child and therefore claim the reward Daddy Warbucks had offered were admirable in their star turns as well with Elliot Fiske playing Miss Hannigan’s brother Rooster and Alex Nadell playing his wife Lily.

Gabe Weitzman, as Daddy Warbucks and Jamie Orozco as Grace his assistant turned in strong performances as well. One of the funniest moments on the stage came when SJC music teacher did his star turn as the special guest: a wheelchair bound President Roosevelt.

The production couldn’t have gotten off the ground without the help of the many parent and staff volunteers who spent their Saturdays painting stages and assembling props. Special thanks go out to Josh Butz for directing his set design and Marianne Nadell for her inventive costumes.

Principal for the day

Two Simonds students walk a mile in Mrs. Kakes’ shoes

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Third grader Jessica Earnshaw and fourth grader Charles Wilson recently shared a special honor. The two erudite Simonds students were each principal for a day.

Future principals in training Charles Wilson and Jessica Earnshaw flank Simonds Principal Linda Kakes. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“It’s really great,” said Earnshaw. “It’s a good school and we have great teachers but it feels good to be in charge.”

So what’s going on here? How can the kids be running the school?

It all started at the Simonds Music and Technology Auction this past month. Donated gifts consisting of trips to Paris, Cabo, Tahoe and hundreds of gift certificates were auctioned off as well as items created by the students and teachers. Even Principal Linda Kakes got into the act of raising funds at the adult-only event to offer Simonds students a chance to be principal for the day. Earnshaw and Wilson’s parents were the top bidders and their children received the honor of running Simonds Elementary School for a day.

All the bidding on items at the yearly auction certainly adds up. This year, the total was $70,000, recently announced by Joy Spodick, president of Simonds Music and Technology Foundation. The foundation provides the continuous support to enable the growth of existing, and creation of new music and technology educational programs for the students of Simonds Elementary School.

On her day to be principal, Jessica made announcements over the loudspeaker, accompanied new parents to classrooms as well as answered their questions, checked e-mails and supervised yard duty with Kakes always nearby. At lunchtime they “snuck out for lunch—a very unprincipal thing to do,” laughs Kakes.

“It’s awesome,” said Charles who dressed for success in a tie and pinstripe shirt on his designated day. “I can’t deny sometimes it is hard to make decisions, but I learned I’m up for the job!”