June 19, 2008

Castillero counts down to summer with second annual ‘Last Blast!’

By Shana McLean Moore
Staff Writer

Though it didn’t require an alert to the scientists at NASA, the Almaden community witnessed one heck of a launch when Castillero Middle School celebrated the beginning of summer vacation with a bang at the school’s second annual Last Blast!

Castillero seventh graders get into the spirit of the day with homemade “Last Blast!” T-shirts. From left are Katie Peck, Faith O’Malley and Maddie Smith. Photo by Candyce O’Malley

The day, which was equal parts outdoor carnival, talent show, magic show and classroom games, was a whopping success, due to many hours of organization by teacher Jean Hendrickson, who led the staff component of the festivities together with fellow teacher Gwen Anderson.

“When I think back to the skating parties we used to have on the last day of school, only sixth and seventh graders went and the whole day felt very rushed,” said Hendrickson. “There were no eighth graders, no sense of saying goodbye to the year, or any type of celebration,” Hendrickson added.

Principal Sue Walker approached Hendrickson and Anderson, the school’s leadership and Project Cornerstone teachers, last year about the possibility of having the end-of-the-year celebration on campus.

“It was Walker’s vision that led to what we now know as Last Blast,” added Hendrickson. “Having the event at our school truly marks an ‘end’ to our school year. We get to be with the kids, have fun with them, let them show off their talents and basically just come together as a school community, a community that now includes staff, parents and students.”

Walker, who will be moving on to Pioneer High School in the fall, was thrilled with the outcome of the day’s events. “This year’s Last Blast! was the perfect end to my tenure at Castillero,” she said. “One of my goals during my three years here was to help foster a sense of community. As we conclude this second year of hosting our own end-of-the-year celebration, I know the staff and I have attained that goal. It will be one of many great memories of Castillero that I will take with me to my new position as principal of Pioneer.”

Representatives of the Project Cornerstone organization, whose mission is to foster such community so that every child is surrounded with a web of support, came out to witness Castillero’s community building in action. After Linda Silvius, School Partnership director of the organization, took in an eye and earful of the day’s events, she proclaimed that “those kids were feeling cared about, connected, respected and valued."

To that Hendrickson tagged on, “And we know when kids feel like that at school, they will achieve! It's a win-win situation.”

Many of the staff members had as much fun as the kids. In fact, 12 teachers banded together to practice for a faculty dance to entertain the kids during the final minutes of the day. With the help of a few eighth grade student teachers, they learned the dance to Michael Jackson’s "Thriller.” It was such a big hit that they’re already tossing around song ideas for next year.

Hendrickson notes that “the day could never have been pulled off without all of our wonderful team of Cornerstone parents who organized the outdoor carnival and recruited another 45 parents who volunteered the day of the event.”

One such parent volunteer is part-time professional magician and full time captain of the Campbell Police Department, Greg Finch, who generously donated his time and talent both years. When asked why he got involved with the celebration, Finch said: "There's nothing like magic on the last day of school."

Amy Richardson, one of the Cornerstone parents who organized the day, thinks Last Blast! will become a wonderful tradition. “It’s good clean fun for everyone involved and helps provide a safe and fun experience for the kids. I realized just how successful the day was when I saw several of last year's alumni who came back to observe the festivities,” said Richardson.

Richardson’s daughter Kelly, a seventh grader at the school, was impressed with the large variety of fun things to do. “My favorite part of the Last Blast was the inflatable slides and obstacle courses,” she said. Younger sister Keri, a sixth grader, said, “It was a really fun last day of school. I enjoyed everything that the parents and staff offered. From the variety show to the carnival, everything was a blast!”

Fellow classmate Julia Morocco performed in the variety show as one of 17 student acts, singing “Let it Be” with her friend Michelle Edwards. Morocco loved the experience of performing with the other students who sang, danced, displayed their karate skills and played musical instruments. "It was fun and nerve-wracking at the same time. I loved performing for my school!" she said.

Last Blast! seems to be a tradition worth keeping, and the staff and parents know that next year’s countdown will be here before they know it… 365, 364, 363…