April 26, 2007

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

Guadalupe is ‘Prowd’ to play

Guadalupe Elementary School dedicated a playground structure to retiring physical education teacher Karen Prowd on April 18. The shiny green structure replaced an old structure that had pieces falling off, according to incoming Home and School Club President Jeannie Hamchuk.

The Home and School Club raised the money for the structure with proceeds from their annual Walk-a-thon. Then they came up with the idea of dedicating the structure to longtime P.E. teacher Prowd. “Who better to pay tribute to than Mrs. Prowd who has always encouraged the kids to get out and play,” said Hamchuck. “She’s very into fitness.”

“The new playground is awesome,” wrote Prowd in the Guadalupe Gazette newsletter. “I am truly honored for the dedication. You couldn’t have chosen a better “memorial” for my retirement. It represents what I’ve tried to convey the past 20 years...stay active...be fit...have fun!”

Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle to visit Pioneer

‘My Fair Lady’ runs April 27 – May 5

“My Fair Lady,” one of the great musicals of all time, is hitting the stage at Pioneer High School, 1290 Blossom Hill Road in San Jose on April 27, 28, May 2, 3, 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. in their new Performing Arts Center.

“My Fair Lady” is the classic tale of Professor Henry Higgins (Chris Gregory) and his challenge of turning Eliza Doolittle (Teresa Biviano), a simple flower girl, into a lady in just six months.

Along the way, he meets such interesting characters as Colonel Pickering (Ashim Ahuja), Eliza’s father Alfred Doolittle (Thomas Bowring) and Hungarian Linguist Zoltan Karpathy (Peter Spoelstra).

Familiar songs from “My Fair Lady” include “On the Street Where You Live,” “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “Get Me to the Church on Time,” “With a Little Bit of Luck,” “Loverly” and many more.

“Not many high schools attempt this difficult show,” according to director Steve Dini, “but the Pioneer cast is ready to bring this amazing show to life with lavish costumes, stunning sets and incredible music.”

“My Fair Lady” tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for students and seniors over 65. Check the Pioneer Web site for more information at www.pioneerhigh.org or call (408) 268-5604. Tickets can also be purchased at the door one-half hour before curtain at each performance.

Almaden resident and former schoolteacher Pat Pizza sculpts wire characters (ie, Snoopy, Tigger, etc.) for garden pots and is donating several for the Silent Auction for his granddaughter’s school.

Hacienda Elementary Science Magnet School to hold
Spring Fling and silent auction Saturday

Mark your calendars if you are in the market for a signed hockey stick by Patrick Marlow or a weekend golf pass for the Seascape Golf Club as these and other items will all be available at Saturday night’s Spring Fling and Silent Auction benefiting Hacienda Elementary Science Magnet School.

The Hacienda Involved Parents and Staff (HIPS) crew has worked tirelessly to compile an incredible array of items for parents and community members to bid on. The silent auction opens at 9:30 a.m. and round 1 of the silent auction closes at noon and the final round ends at 3 p.m. The school has a lofty goal of raising $100,000 to support the music and science programs at Hacienda.

For more information on the Spring Fling and Silent Auction at Hacienda Elementary Science Magnet School at 1290 Kimberly D., San Jose Calif. 95118 call (408) 535-6259.

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