November 27, 2008

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

South Bay Prep to offer information, enrollment meetings

Board members of South Bay Preparatory Charter School (SBP) announced public information and application meetings at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 and Jan. 13 at the Campbell Library, 77 Harrison Avenue.

The meetings are designed to acquaint parents and students about the school’s educational approach that will be offered to families throughout Santa Clara County. Stu-dents and parents/guardians must attend an entire meeting to be eligible for enrollment. The first enrollment deadline is Jan. 31.

South Bay Prep is a county public charter school scheduled to open in the 2009-2010 school year for grades six to nine; growing to grade 12. It plans to offer an integrated middle school and high school choice to parents seeking an approach to education that emphasizes preparing students for college, careers and global citizenship through personalized, project-based learning in a small school and low student-to-teacher ratios.

The school plans to enroll about 50 students per grade, for a total enrollment of up to 350 students at full operation. In the first year, South Bay Prep plans to open with 200 students.

The cornerstone of the school’s mission is to develop a genuine community where diversity is celebrated. “The founders of South Bay Prep continue to strive to bring a school to Santa Clara County where students of all cultural, socioeconomic and academic backgrounds can reap the rewards of a state of the art, hands-on, project-based, relevant, college preparatory education in a public school setting,” said Coleen Wagner, president of South Bay Prep’s board of directors. “The information meetings allow us an ideal platform to share more about the school and the innovative approach we’re bringing to the community, and we look forward to welcoming interested students and their families.”

South Bay Prep is a member of the EdVisions Schools national network of schools. EdVisions, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that offers a nationally recognized approach to education, which prepares all students for college, careers, and global citizenship, with an emphasis on personalized, project-based learning. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, EdVisions creates and supports schools with an innovative educational model based on the principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools.

For additional information about South Bay Prep, volunteer opportunities, upcoming student and parent information and orientation meetings, or to subscribe to its monthly newsletter, visit www.southbayprep.org. For general inquiries contact info@southbayprep.org. For media inquiries only, please contact Vicky Gray-Clark, vicky@ambientpr.com/ (408) 318-1980.

Birthday presents for charity

Natalie Culine and her best friend Samantha Satalino stand behind more than 250 items the fourth graders at Holy Spirit School donated for Natalie’s birthday party. The food was given to Sacred Heart Community Services.

Often it takes a child to show adults how to act

That specific scenario happened last weekend when Natalie Culine had her birthday party on Nov. 19 at San Jose Skate. Instead of presents, Natalie asked her fourth-grade friends to bring food items to donate to Sacred Heart Community Services. And bring they did. The entire fourth grade class from Holy Spirit School was invited, more than 40 children with their various siblings and parents.

Each brought at least one can of food so that Natalie and her mom ended up donating more than 250 food items to Sacred Heart.

This is Natalie’s second foray into raising gifts for those less fortunate. At her 5th birthday, when she was in kindergarten, Natalie held a toy drive for a children’s shelter.

Seeking School News

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