September 1, 2005

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

Almaden Valley Back-to-School Update

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

As the first full week of school nears its end, district officials are dealing with final adjustments, parents scramble for uniforms and school supplies, while PTA’s and fundraising committees rally their causes, and principals and teachers shuffle parking spaces [and offices] for the 2005-06 school year.

Staying abreast of the rapidly changing climate within the school system can be daunting and yet, there’s even more amiss behind the scenes. We couldn’t think of a better way to bring School Scene back than to fill it with just about everything that is happening within your child’s school walls.

From redistricting to renovations, new structures to new schedules, and new leadership to new teachers, change is in the air. Inquiring parents want to know and were hard pressed to find anything on school, district, or county Web sites less than a week before the big day, so we went around the school community and asked.

This week, we profile: Elementary Schools. Next week, Middle and High schools

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (K-5)

Almaden Country School (Private K-5)
Address: 6835 Trinidad Drive, 95120
Phone: 997-0424, Fax: 997-6823
Website: www.a-cs.org

Principal: Jean Delwiche , an Almaden Resident with a 5-minute commute
Vice Principal: Cheri Draeger
Office Manager: Diane Blake

2004-05 enrollment: 385
2005-06 anticipated enrollment: 385

School start /end times: (not provided)

Faculty changes: New teachers for 4th and 5th grades, and to middle school Spanish, and physical education, along with some teachers trading spaces to enhance their professional development. Nan Hunter and her daughter Kathleen Peterson volunteering their musical talents with elementary students.

Back-to-school night: Sept. 20-22

Coming up: Sept. 8: Ice-cream Social. October: Back-to-school family dinner, Spirit Week, and Fund Run.

Awards:/recognitions: Fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges with commendations for excellence and was awarded the 2004 Bay Area parent Family Favorite winner for Best Preschools/Daycares and Best Private Schools.

Repairs/renovation: Freshly painted building. All elementary classrooms re-carpeted. Elementary science and art rooms have newly laid vinyl tile floors, along with other improvements to the campus—paid with tuition fees.

Principal’s comments: “At Almaden Country School each child has a uniquely personalized learning plan to reach his or her potential and beyond. My vision for the year is to see every child delighting in learning, friendships and achievements.”

Graystone Elementary School (K-5)
Address: 6982 Shearwater Drive, 95120
Phone: 535-6317
Website: http://graystone.ca.campusgrid.net/home

Principal: Dave Beymer (2nd year)
Vice Principal: Sherry Garza
School Secretary: Rita Maczka

2004-05 enrollment: 805
2005-06 anticipated enrollment: 807

Faculty changes: Lost two teachers and gained three—Barbara Green, 3-4 mixed class; Michelle Gates, first grade, Michelle Rosas: First grade. New speech therapist: Janice Miyano

Back-to-school night: Sept. 13

Coming up: Sept. 13: Book faire/open house. Sep. 16: Movie Night. Oct. 28-Nov.1
Oct. 28 – Nov. 1—“Red Ribbon Week,” designed to get kids into the spirit of a fun, drug-free life through projects, drawings and prizes.

Awards:/recognitions: Received statewide recognition for Tsunami relief fundraiser
Repairs/renovation: New fence along the back of the property for added security. Cost: $8,500. paid with district funds.

Principal’s comments: I’m so glad we did so well on our test scores, the AYP, and the API, which went up 17 points from 904 to 924. I was very pleased and might be able to keep my job a little longer.”

Los Alamitos Elementary School
Address: 6130 Silberman Drive, 95120
Phone: 535-6297
Website: http://www.losalamitos.org

Principal: Shyril McGuiness (New)

School start /end times: (Grades 1 & 2: 9 a.m. to 2:58 p.m., Grade 3: 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Grades 4 & 5: 9 a.m. to 3:02 p.m., Kindergarten: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Holy Spirit School (K-8)
Address: 1198 Redmond Avenue, 95120
Phone: 268-0794 x 1115 Fax: 268-5281
Website: www.holyspirit-school.org

Principal: Eileen Cully
Vice Principal: Sherry Garza
School Secretary: Rita Maczka

2004-05 enrollment: 488
2005-06 anticipated enrollment: 488

Faculty changes: New teachers; Marili Li (kindergarten), Marissa Morales (grade 6), and Jonathan MacArt (computer instructor/Technology Coordinator and math teacher)

Back-to-school night: Sept. 13

Coming up: Holy Spirit Church & School Golf Tournament (Oct. 27 at Cinnabar Hills Golf Course), Sally Foster Gift Wrap Sales (Sept. 2-Sept. 16), Share the Spirit Annual Campaign (Nov. 1-Nov. 30), See's Candy Sales (Christmas and Easter time), 6th Annual Dinner/Auction Gala (May 6 at the Doubletree Hotel)

Principal’s comments: “Principal Eileen Cully is proud to announce that we have met the enrollment goal that the Diocese of San Jose set for us in 2000. Current enrollment is now 588 which includes 48 Pre-K students. We now have double classrooms from Pre-K (4 year olds) to grade 8. She is also looking forward to the upgrade of the school's instructional technology (IT) program with wireless network technology which is part of our Technology Assisted Learning (TAL) initiative this year with teacher training. All faculty, staff and students in grade sixth through eighth have been issued Apple iBook G4s. She is also very pleased that the community views Holy Spirit School as an excellent school choice for students and has an excellent reputation in so short a time since opening in fall 2000."

Simonds Elementary School (K-5)
Address:, 6515 Grapevine Way, 95120
Phone: 535-6251
Website: www.simondsschool.org

Principal: Linda Kakes
Vice Principal: None
School Secretary: Sue Naish

Staffing changes: added an SDC class for K-2

2004-05 enrollment: 605
2005-06 anticipated enrollment: 620

School start /end times: 8:50-12:50 for kinder; 9:05-3:03 for first-fifth
Faculty changes: New teacher: Teri Stewart, SDC

Back-to-school night:

Corporate partnerships: Almaden Kiwanis works with Simonds on numerous projects: they helped paint the map of the US on the playground, helped with the Multicultural Fair, and donated pumpkins to the Harvest Festival last year. Simonds is looking forward to that continuing partnership this year.

Coming up: We're expecting over 350 at tomorrow's kinder evening; outdoor movie night on Sept. 30th, Walk-a-thon on Oct. 8th are three coming up soon.

Awards:/recognitions: Terry Bermudez, music teacher, just won the ING Heros Award

Repairs/renovation: Measure F funds are paying for the new turf which will be specacular For our students and the
Almaden Community. The Almaden Library/ Community center will be a terrific asset for us when it opens next spring.

Principal’s comments: “We're looking forward to another terrific year. We believe in Student achievement accomplished through an outstanding fine arts program.

Everything we do is aligned to make that a reality for our students.”

Williams Elementary School
Address: 1150 Rajkovich Way, 95120
Phone: 535-6196 Fax: 535-6525
Website: http://williams.ca.campusgrid.net/home

Principal: Karen Heverling (new)
Vice Principal:
School Secretary: Marj Moehrke, back after a few year hiatus

2004-05 enrollment: 660
2005-06 anticipated enrollment: 660

School start /end times: (New) 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Faculty changes: RSP teacher, Carole Roszkowski (from Reed Elementary)

Back-to-school night: Tuesday, Sept. 13, 6:00 - 8:15 p.m.

Principal’s comments: I have been here for 13 days! Williams is such a well-oiled machine, that I wouldn't immediately change a thing. My immediate goal is to learn the names of 660 children! Visiting every classroom, every day is helping me to do that!