June 1, 2006

School Scenes

Willow Glen Foundation to hold second annual mixer

The Willow Glen Middle School and High School Foundation has scheduled its second annual membership mixer for Wednesday, June 7 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at 1468 Kiner Ave. Everyone is invited to attend, and there will be hors d'oeuvres and wine.

This year the Foundation is asking parents and participants to join in helping on just one project each.

Some examples of projects include providing one donation to the Wine Tasting and Auctions held in the fall, mentoring one student for the Tutoring/Mentoring program, writing a single grant or updating the phone database so that people only receive one call per event.

Other projects include working with businesses to find one student internship, helping with public relations by telling one neighbor about the foundation or an upcoming program or providing the foundation with one project—something you've always wanted to see completed.

Of course, those who would like to participate or chair a committee will not be turned down.

Willow Glen Elementary receives Distinguished School award

District 6 City Councilmember Ken Yeager presented a commendation to Willow Glen Elementary School on May 23 after it was chosen as a 2006 California Distinguished School. One of 377 public elementary schools in the state, the school was also honored by the state on May 26 at the 2006 Distinguished School awards ceremony dinner at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.

San Jose Unified School District Trustee Pam Foley addresses the City Council and its audience after receiving the city's commendation on May 23. Also in the picture are teacher Teresa Ochoa, SJUSD Superintendent Don Iglesias and District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager.

Willow Glen was chosen from 190 school districts in 40 counties. The winners represent the largest number of elementary school awardees in the 21-year history of the California School Recognition Program and were selected from the largest number of eligible elementary schools to date.

"These schools are the best of the best. They share a vision of excellence and they have brought that vision to life," said Jack O’Connell, state superintendent of public instruction. He called each school principal to personally give them the good news. "Hearing the excitement and the pride in their voices was incredible. These deserving school leaders and their teachers, staffs, and students have worked extremely hard to achieve academic success and this recognition.

"From listening to their stories, it is obvious they are all deeply committed to ensuring their children have every opportunity to learn. They are truly examples of excellence," he said.

The California School Recognition Program is extending its yearlong celebration of its 20th anniversary to elementary schools in 2006. The California School Recognition Program was created in 1985 to publicize and reinforce the priorities of the State Board of Education and the state superintendent of public instruction. The program identifies and honors some of the state's most exemplary and inspiring public schools with the California Distinguished School Award. Although participation is voluntary, the award is highly sought after by schools in all areas of the state.

Approximately 5 percent of California's public schools are selected each year, and no fewer than 40 counties are typically represented.

Presentation High School secures top
spot on Macy’s eScrip honor roll

Presentation High School recently was honored for its participation in the Macy’s Shop for Education program, which is powered by eScrip. Securing a top spot for participation in the program in the Bay Area, Presentation also remains in the top 10 percent of more than 35,000 organizations that participate in the eScrip fund-raising program.

“Presentation High School has done an excellent job of spreading the message to their supporters about signing up for eScrip and shopping at Macy’s. These two messages have boosted [both] the participation and earning levels of this group to over $35,000 in contributions through the eScrip program” quotes Joanne Remillard, EVP for eScrip.

“All of this would not be possible without the extraordinary efforts of Presentation’s eScrip Volunteer, Karen Howell, and most important, Macy’s continued dedication to supporting the education of youth,” states Remillard. ”Macy’s has contributed over $2 million in 2005 through the eScrip program, and remains a committed leader of educational funding for programs in local schools and nonprofit organizations," adds Remillard. 

“Macy's Shop for Education Program has allowed Presentation to reach our scholarship and fund-raising goals. We are proud to be partners with Macy's and we celebrate their commitment to serving the community through their generosity and philanthropy, ” said Howell.

If you would like to support Presentation High School, sign up for free at www.escrip.com, with ID number 3815357.
About eScrip

eScrip (www.escrip.com) was founded in 1997 with the mission to design and implement innovative marketing programs that bring retailers, manufacturers and service providers forward in support of education. To date, the eScrip program has generated more than $150 million in merchant contributions to schools and organizations across the country. Headquartered in San Mateo, Calif., eScrip is a subsidiary of Electronic Scrip Incorporated (ESI). With the introduction of eScrip, ESI pioneered a new phase of cause-related marketing and remains the committed leader in the field.

Stone Church to hold vacation church school

Stone Church of Willow Glen, 1937 Lincoln Ave, is offering students an amazing trip this summer. The church's annual vacation church school will take them on an adventure back in time to experience the sights, tastes, sounds and smells of the Jerusalem Marketplace in Jesus' day! 

This year's summer program will be held from 9 a.m. to noon June 19-23.  On Sunday, June 25 there will be a reenactment of the marketplace with students teaching parents and the congregation how to do the Bible-time crafts they’ve learned during the week. 

Students age 4 years through those completing fifth grade will be a part of a Tribe, assisted by those completing sixth grade and up, to experience family traditions, songs, snacks and games, plus participate in the marketplace filled with shops. In the marketplace they will try crafts of the time including carpentry, baking, weaving, leatherwork and making pottery, candy, baskets, musical instruments, bricks and jewelry plus visit a barnyard. They will also experience a synagogue school and learn stories of Jesus’ life.  

The cost, for the one-week school, is $25 for fifth graders and younger; $15 for helpers who are sixth graders and older, which includes a BBQ pool party for the older children. A music CD is optional for $7.  Sign up by June 12, and be ready to travel back in time! 

To sign up, or if you have any questions, call the church at (408) 269-1593.

Branham students beautify campus

Students from Branham High School's Key and Recycling Clubs have spent a good deal of this year working to improve the way their campus looks.

Beginning last summer, students from the two clubs started planting gardens in open spaces around the school. Last summer they found a space and put in a number of plants, which they have replaced as seasons changed and the annuals died.

The groups' most recent project was to plant flowers and put in a fountain. They did this on Saturday, May 27. Their hard work paid off allowing them to complete their day with a pool party and BBQ, despite cool winds they had a great time.

In February, the groups put in a Zen garden, complete with sand, small plants and a rock river covered by a sloping wooden bridge. Last April they planted an English country garden. Teachers have been so happy with the area that Miss Bernside and Miss Barger take turns making sure the area receives a daily watering, said Farah Wazari, a junior, who has worked with the group to make the school prettier.

"The first projects were carried out with club funds and fund-raisers from the two clubs," said Recycling Club sponsor and history teacher Matt Zehner. The students collected ink cartridges and cell phones or held bake sales and car washes to raise money to buy the plants. The students provided the labor.

Once the parents realized what their children were up to, they started to offer donations and the ASB also began offering money. "There's been a number of structural renovations that have taken place costing over $4 million," said Zehner. "While these are very important to keep the school itself up to date, it also helps to have esthetic upgrades that place value on the school," he added.

Some of the Branham Key and Recycling Club members who helped plant new flowers and put in a fountain are history teacher Matt Zehner (seated) junior Ida Bezabeh, junior Farah Wazari, junior Cheryl Licon, sophomore Amanda Baker, junior Stephany Ganeles, sophomore Laura Steffeck, sophomore Tori Woodall, freshman Alinn Louv and senior Linh Nguyen; back row: senior Long Nguyen, junior Mike Berry, junior Kevin Cao, junior Matt Downey, junior Amanda Hines, junior Kelly Peters and junior Leah Karlins. Not pictured are juniors Ali Mozayan and Samuel Vu and sophomore Lawrence Nguyen.