May 18, 2006

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

‘Jan’s Cans’ recycling event raises $3,800 while
teaching kids to care about the environment

Los Alamitos Elementary School recently held its annual “Jans Cans” recycling event in honor of Earth Day. The event was the brainchild 20 years ago of teacher Jan Whitlach, who originally started it at Randol Elementary School.

Mrs. Whitlach with some of the children.

“The purpose was to generate much needed funds to buy reading materials for first grade,” said Whitlach. “At that time, the recycling company I worked with picked the cans up with one stipulation: they had to be crushed. We asked the community to do this when sending them to school. But, that wasn't always the case. So my first graders and some other volunteers spent the entire day out on the playground squashing the cans that people sent  ‘not squashed.’ It was a filthy, smelly, tiring ordeal. We all smelled awful at the end of the day, but the kids loved it!”

Today Whitlach keeps the program going at Los Alamitos even though she has retired. (She continues to substitute.)

“This year two third grade teachers, Faith Borges and Kathy Compton, have taken the initiative to co-chair the project under my guidance,” said Whitlach. “I am the silent partner taking them through all the steps. The goals of the project are twofold:

1. To teach child the lifeskill of Resourcefulness and Responsibility in taking care of the earth.

2. To earn money for the reading lab, cross-age tutoring and other school supplies.

“This is the eighth year of doing the project at Los Alamitos,” said Whitlach. “When I first started it at Los Alamitos, we made about $400.  Each year it has really grown because people understand the project appreciate our efforts. From 2002-2005, we went from $900 to $2,700 last year. This year, with the help of Xylinx, which donated a month’s worth of recycling, the event raised $3,800. Many parents have had their children attend the reading lab and are very appreciative of the program.”

Whitlach even wrote a song that students sing at the flag ceremony to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star:”

R-E-C-YC-L-E
That spells RECYCLE for you and me.
Pick up the bottles and pick up the cans
We all work together with helping hands
R-E-C-Y-C-L-E
That spells RECYCLE for you and me!

Then the kids finish up with a rousing, “We all work together for Jan's Cans!”

Almaden Country School students get an ‘EDGE’ on learning

A student gets a grip on the art of hang gliding.

How many times have students heard an adult tell them about “real life”? On April 28, Almaden Country School middle school students participated in an unique one-day activity that included everything from kayaking to cooking to personal development and beyond in an effort to bring “real life” into their middle school education. Supported by the Parent Service Auxiliary, this annual event, known as ‘EDGE Day’ (Expanding a Dynamic Gifted Education) takes the middle school students off campus and exposes them to a variety of learning experiences.

Groups of students were scattered throughout the Bay Area learning more about life beyond classroom education. Chef Nancy Wokas of Los Gatos's Sur La Table gave one group of ACS students a cooking lesson that included general preparation in the kitchen as well as the chance to prepare a full dinner menu. The students were even able to pull off the ever difficult chocolate soufflé for dessert! Meanwhile another student group was in downtown San Jose learning the ins and outs of the day to day operations at HP Pavilion. The tour allowed students access to the marketing, technology and concession departments as well as a visit with the ever popular SJ Sharkie. Student groups also visited Almaden Valley Athletic Club, Original Joe’s restaurant, a rigorous ropes course, and worked with photographer Scott Joines using Vasona Park as a photo-shoot location, in an attempt to gain valuable insight into a variety of life's opportunities.

After attending the 5th annual EDGE day ACS students are ready to tackle "real life" learning with a new perspective. With no tests, no grades, no homework; it was a school day not to be missed!

—Jean Delwiche, Principal, Almaden Country School

Almaden Country School students are on the ropes, and in the water as part of their “EDGE Day” experiences.