October 6, 2005

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

Susan Shultz and Julie Hackett, Co-chairs of this year’s event.

These cowboys and cowgirls love to giddy up!

Almaden Country Schools’ annual Back-to-School dinner for students, faculty and their families filled the Western skies on Saturday, Oct. 1 with music, games and plenty of BBQ fixin’s for this cowboy/cowgirl-inspired event.

This kicked off Spirit Week at the school, a series of camaraderie-building events that culminates in an all-school Fund Run on Friday, Oct. 7 to help the Parent Service Auxiliary raise money for its programs.

Precious Preschool students provide precious aid for hurricane victims

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

Believing that even the smallest child can make a difference, teachers at Precious Preschool empowered their youngsters this month by collecting donations for the American Red Cross’ Hurricane Katrina relief fund.

Even though they were only 3 and 4 years old, the children understood that people needed help, and in a show of compassion, contributed whatever they could for those in need.

“It’s a way of teaching them about giving, sharing and caring,” said teacher Kay Michaels. “These children have things that the children involved in the hurricane may not have had before and certainly don’t now. We have so much and we should never take that for granted.”

Mrs. Michaels’ class learned life lessons while raising hurricane funds.

Michaels’ description of the hurricane’s destruction had an enormous impact on her class.

One student, Niklas Marquez, shared his impressions with his parents one evening when they went out for dinner.

“This big chunk of water came and flooded the town,” he said. “Their houses fell down and now the babies don’t have food or clothes and we have to help them!” His story was so heartfelt, that upon hearing it, and learning that the preschool was gathering relief funds, neighboring diners approached the family, adding their contributions to the cause.

The spirit of giving was also infectious at Precious Preschool. While parents filled boxes with baby supplies, to donate along with monetary contributions, children emptied their piggy banks or performed chores around the house to make contributions of their own.

“The children couldn’t wait to get out of the car with their money,” added administrator Wendy Flynn. “There was one little girl who brought containers filled with coins and all of the children gathered round to help her put the money in. It was really exciting for them.”

Some of the children commented that they saw wind and water on the news and now other children don’t have homes or books or a place to sleep. “We talked a little bit about shelters,” said teacher Theresa Mazzone, “and to appreciate what they have. They’re learning the importance of sharing and that if everybody shares a little bit, it helps make a lot.” Mazzone teaches the same lessons at home to her own children. Her son, who attends Williams Elementary School donated his milk money for their relief fund, and one night before falling asleep, it occurred to her daughter that other little girls might not be so lucky. “Mom does it mean they won’t have a bed?” she asked. “I am so lucky to have a bed and a blanket.”

“We are so lucky to have a pair of shoes, a bed and a blanket, and to sit down for a meal at our dinner table,” said Mazzone. “The children realize that some people don’t have those things and it teaches them to be thankful for what they have.”

In addition to these life lessons, Flynn considers this experience a reassuring one for the children. “Hopefully the students will understand that even if something bad happens, there are people who care and are willing to help,” she said. “Although it’s a frightening thing, it also brings people together. We’re part of a big world and we can all help each other.”

Parent volunteer Liana Marquez, who created flyers and posters to notify parents about the fund-raiser, believes it reflects the values Precious Preschool teaches its students. “This is what Precious is all about,” she said in presenting the school with a giant check in celebration of their fund-raising efforts, which to date have raised $1,068.54 for the American Red Cross.

“It’s a great opportunity for the children to learn about caring and helping others,” said Marquez, “even those we don’t know.”

“It’s wonderful the way the children and the parents responded,” said Michaels. “I think it’s been a wonderful lesson for all of us.”

Schools Notebook

Excellent attendance at Leland High School
Leland High School recently received a prestigious award of $6,392 as part of a district-wide attendance improvement incentive program. Leland had the best average daily attendance rate of the district’s high schools at 97.44 percent and the best overall improvement rate from the previous year, up .55 percent.

Pioneer High School earned an impressive 96.73 percent, while Lincoln High School came in at 95.19.

Bret Harte Middle School had the second highest rate with a .44 percent improvement, and was awarded. $4,110.

Leland speech and debate team ranked No. 1
Leland High School has been recognized as being one of the nation’s “top 100 schools” in speech and debate activities by the National Forensic League.

Leland High School ranked first out of 2,700 schools nationwide. This recognition, based upon student participation and excellence in speech activities, was awarded to Ms. Gay Brasher and published nationwide in the Rostrum, the national magazine of high school speech and on www.nflonline.org, the Web site of the National Forensic League.

The League, the oldest and largest high school speech organization in America was founded in 1925 to encourage and motivate high school students to participate in the forensic arts: debate, public speaking, and interpretation. Since it’s founding NFL has enrolled over 1,150,640 members in all 50 states, U.S. possessions and several foreign countries. Currently over 93,000 high school students and over 2,500 high school teachers are active members.

Prominent NFL alumni include Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Senators Richard Lugar and William Frist, media visionary Ted Turner, Emmy award-winners Kelsey Grammer and Shelly Long, television host Oprah Winfrey, news anchor Jane Pauley, CSPAN founder Brian Lamb, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, University Presidents David Boren and John Sexton and Commentator Rush Limbaugh.

Save the date: Saint Lawrence High School Comedy Night Oct. 15
Saint Lawrence Educational Center in Santa Clara will hold a comedy night on Oct. 15 as a fund-raiser for the small private Catholic High School. The event will feature three professional comedians, dinner and a silent auction.

The event will be held at Saint Lawrence Community Center and feature cocktails, dinner, dessert and a silent auction from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Ticket prices are as follows: pre-sale single ticket, $30; pre-sale couple ticket, $50; and table for 8, $180.

At-the-door-ticket price is $40 and sponsorships are available at $1,000, $500.00, $300, and $250.

Call 296-2260 or 296-3013 for further information.


Save the date: Presentation High School’s 25th anniversary auction coming up Nov. 12
Presentation High School is preparing for a big bash in November. The Theme is “Presentation High School Auction, Celebrating 25 years of.... gifts... guests.... generosity... and gratitude.”

The event will be held Saturday Nov. 12 with cocktails and silent auction starting at 6 p.m. at the Santa Clara Marriott, 2700 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara. The ticket price is $150/person. For more information call 265-5110 ext. 2465.