September 4, 2007

Off to school

Willow Glen Elementary opens ‘new doors’

Willie the Tiger, Willow Glen Elementary’s mascot, cuts the ribbon and invites everyone in to school.

Willow Glen Elementary School opened its doors to students on Tuesday, Aug. 28 with a brand new look. While students spent the summer lounging, going to the beach or just hanging out, those constructing the new building finished the outside, allowing Principal Dayle D’Anna to invite officials from San Jose Unified School District to help cut the ribbon officially opening the school.

On hand to help on this auspicious occasion were SJUSD Superintendent Don Iglesias, Board of Education Vice President Pam Foley—who is from Willow Glen—and San Jose Teachers’ Association President Janice Allen.

After D’Anna made a brief speech, the students recited the pledge of allegiance and the crowd sang a patriotic song. Willie the Tiger, Willow Glen Elementary’s mascot, cut the ribbon and school officially started for the 2007-08 school year.

All the schools in the SJUSD began their 2007-08 school year on Tuesday Aug.28. This school year consists of 186 total school days and the first holiday comes less than a week after school starts, on Monday, Sept.3.

The San Jose Unified School District is welcoming many new teachers to their staff this year. Also new this year are the principals for Willow Glen High School, where Shannon McGee filled newly retired Elaine Farace’s position, and Willow Glen Middle School, where Erin Green is now principal.

It’s organized chaos as the students, teachers and guests get together for the first time this school year.

Parents still have time to get involved with their children’s school and join the PTA and parent-involved programs. San Jose Unified’s back-to-school nights take place in mid to late September and will offer parents all the information they need about their child’s school.

The start of school also means that it is time for high schoolers to turn in all of their advanced placement summer homework they had been putting off until the very last second. High school students have a few important dates to mark down and tests to start preparing for. The PSATs will be given on Wednesday, Oct. 17 and the High School Exit Exam can be taken in November, December, February, March and May. All high school students must pass the exam to graduate.

Drivers need to prepare for the new school year, too. Get ready for more traffic and congestion around the schools. The police will be out in full force so remember to slow down and look for children in the crosswalks.