Lakeside Elementary School

Alis Whitman
and Wendy Candelaria

From our November issue

Thank you for your support of the Lakeside Walk-A-Thon. Our annual student fundraiser was a huge success and lots of fun.

Ms. Downs from Elite Martial Arts Academy in Scotts Valley helped us kick-off the Walk-A-Thon with a sword demonstration in the Ho Kuk Mu Sul tradition. Three of her students from Lakeside demonstrated how to break a board. Kathy McKinney, our beloved physical education teacher, took it from there. The students ran laps to get in shape for the big day.

Many thanks to the Lakeside PTA for its hard work and enthusiasm. We could not have a great physical education program without your support.

The barrels have arrived from Second Harvest Food Bank. If you have nutritious, non-perishable foods, such as canned stew, chili, soup, tuna, vegetables, or fruit, please leave a donation. The barrels will be outside the Lakeside office through the month of November. Join the Lakeside students and help put an end to hunger in Santa Clara County.

From our October issue

Join us on Sunday, October 23, from noon to 4 p.m. for the Lakeside harvest festival, chili-tasting, and dessert contest. Cast your vote for the best chili and sweet treats north of Highway 17. Bob for apples, dunk our new principal, and don’t miss the cake walk. Enjoy an afternoon of good old-fashioned family fun.

Don’t hesitate when a Lakeside student knocks on your door collecting pledges for the 2011 Walk-A-Thon. Proceeds from the Walk-A-Thon support physical education, music, and dance at Lakeside school. Our students train year-round for this exciting event. The students complete as many laps as possible around the Lakeside field in a fixed amount of time. Lakeside kids need more than just your pledge. Find out when the students you know are running or walking, and stop by on Friday, October 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to cheer them on.

The Lakeside staff, parents, and students are proud practitioners of the YMCA Project Cornerstone. Project Cornerstone is designed to help youth thrive and grow, by fostering positive values, skills, relationships, and experiences. In August, our school participated in a Project Cornerstone workshop. The fourth- and fifth-grade students practiced the Project Cornerstone concept of total support through a rock-paper-scissors tournament.

Welcome to the Lakeside kindergarten class of 2025. Over the years we’ve had the chance to get to know those of you who are younger siblings, but many of you are brand new faces. Each of you will bring your own special contribution to our school. We look forward to helping you learn, and we will do our best to make your elementary-school experience a great one.

From our July issue

New Superintendent/Principal
for Lakeside

Elizabeth Bozzo is the new superintendent and principal of Lakeside School District. She has worked in education for almost twenty years. She served as principal and superintendent of Mission Union Elementary School District in Soledad for the last eight years. She has a Bachelor of Science in public administration from the University of Southern California. She is married and has four children.

From our June issue

Rotary Club’s Donation to Lakeside PTA
During this school year, Lakeside PTA’s largest fundraiser, the Walk-a-thon, took place in October 2010. The largest lump sum donation, $3000, was a contribution from the Rotary Club of Los Gatos. In April 2011, Bob Chrisman, our retired superintendent/principal who is also a member of the Rotary Club, presented a check to appreciative Lakeside PTA board members.

May Day Celebration
Lakeside’s traditional May Day celebration was held on Friday, April 29 this year. Students from each grade presented a song or skit to welcome spring, and the fifth-graders danced around the Maypole for the last time as elementary school students.

From our April issue

The Lakeside School Community Foundation welcomes alumni, parents, friends, and members of the community to join us at this year’s Treetop Gala auction on April 30. Enjoy an evening of “fun-raising” that will ensure continuation of enrichment programs such as music, dance, theater arts, and physical education. These programs have become an integral part of our children’s elementary education.

Treat yourself to an adults-only evening out at the Las Cumbres Community Center, including a delicious dinner catered by Nonno’s Italian Restaurant. Don’t miss the unique opportunity to taste full-bodied Muccigrosso Vineyards wines paired with incredible Saratoga chocolates. We will be in high spirits for this festive event. You can purchase tickets for $25 before April 20 at the Lakeside Elementary School office or at the door for $30.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, April 30, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Las Cumbres Conservation Corporation Community Center, 18260 Las Cumbres Road (off Skyline Boulevard).

From our March issue

Approximately 150 past and present students, parents, and staff attended a party in the Lakeside Community Center on a Friday evening in January to congratulate Bob Chrisman on his retirement as our principal/superintendent. His wife, sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren also attended. Students sang a version of The Beatles song When I’m 64 personalized by Casey LeLake, Lakeside’s Orff music instructor.

Lakeside teachers and staff held a small private celebration in December before the large retirement party. Shirley Julian organized a potluck dinner with many delicious contributions from a variety of cultures. PTA president Ruth Van Sciver presented a moving and entertaining slide show of the Chrisman years that included photos, music, and animation. Former Lakeside Joint School District board of trustees member, Ann-Marie Pate, presented Bob Chrisman with a gift certificate from Lakeside families to thank him for his years of service to our community.

Community education about Lyme disease
In February, Lakeside PTA and the Glenn family of Saratoga presented a free community screening of Under Our Skin, a documentary about Lyme disease. About one hundred community members attended, most of whom were residents of the Santa Cruz Mountains, including some who are undergoing treatment for Lyme disease and others who wanted to protect their families. Dr. Raj Patel, a physician based in Palo Alto, made a brief presentation after the film was shown. More information about his practice is at drrajpatel.net, and more information about the film is at underourskin.com.

Fifth-grade students attended a week of science camp
In late January, our small class of fifth- graders, their teacher, and some parents and grandparents hiked to Walden West Center in Saratoga. The hike is about four miles one way. The trail goes from Black Road to Sanborn Road in Saratoga and passes Lake Ranch Reservoir. Lakeside is the only school that is close enough for campers to hike to science camp. The students stayed overnight all week long with other fifth- and sixth- grade students from other public and private schools in Santa Clara County. 
Fifth-grade teacher Heather Wingfield says science camp is a great opportunity for her to meet with other science teachers and for her students to get outdoors and learn hands-on lessons about the environment. In field classes and cabin groups, students make friends with other school children.

From our February issue

The film Under Our Skin: The Untold Story of Lyme Disease exposes one of the most serious and controversial epidemics of our time. It highlights the growing problem of Lyme disease in the United States and exposes systemic health care issues. Community screenings of the film spread awareness and encourage dialogue on a local level.

On Monday, February 7 at 7 p.m., Lakeside PTA will present a free showing of the film in the community center of Lakeside Elementary School at 19621 Black Road. Residents of the Santa Cruz Mountains in all school districts are invited to attend. This adults-only presentation is not suitable for children. More information is available at www.underourskin.com.

Lakeside Joint School District Board of Trustees
Steven Cox was selected as president at the annual board reorganization meeting held in December. Bryan Loomas was selected as clerk of the board. The remaining board members are Les Niles, Mike Gull, and Theresa Bond.

Lakeside voters returned Les and Bryan to the board in November. Mike Gull is new to the board and was also elected to a four-year term in November. Theresa Bond was appointed in December to complete the remaining two years for the seat formerly held by Phil Nelson.

Mike Gull is a computer programmer for a private company in the financial sector. He co-chaired the successful Measure C campaign to pass a parcel tax for the Lakeside Joint School District. He has two children.

Bryan Loomas is the co-founder of several medical-device companies and holder of numerous United States patents. He has two children.

Theresa Bond has twenty years of international business experience centered in Silicon Valley and has served in various positions in Lakeside PTA and school site council. She has two children.

Les Niles is a technical manager working in the network security field at a Silicon Valley company. He has three children.
Steven Cox is a software engineer for a Silicon Valley company. He has two children.

Lakeside students have elected officers and classroom representatives for the 2010-2011 school year. Student council offers leadership opportunities for students in grades three to five with fifth-graders serving as officers. Student council conducts the campus recycling program, collects eligible box tops and labels for redemption, and runs the monthly student store. The student council raises over $400 a year through CRV redemption of plastic and aluminum. Wendy O’Meara is the staff member responsible for the council.

From our January issue

Food Drive

Lakeside students collected food for hungry families in Santa Clara County during the PTA’s annual food drive, which continued throughout the entire month of November.

Hansel & Gretel Follow Breadcrumbs to Lakeside

Opera San Jose visited Lakeside School in December to present a portion of their version of Hansel and Gretel. The Rotary Club of Los Gatos provided the funding to make this outreach program possible for Lakeside’s 85 students along with staff and community members. Opera San Jose Outreach Program brings opera’s classical vocal style to public school students in a highly professional manner. Cast members understand the developmental needs of young audiences and shared their enthusiasm for the theater with the students in a Q&A session after the performance. Lakeside students enjoy weekly music classes in the school’s arts enrichment program.