From our July issue
Lakeside Athletes
Honored
Kathy McKinney, PE Specialist
The Lakeside community’s commitment to build and maintain a
strong physical education program is yielding impressive results. This year,
more than one-third of Lakeside’s graduating class earned the Presidential
Physical Fitness Award. To receive this prestigious award, students must score
in the 85th percentile or higher in five fitness tests that measure
upper-body and abdominal strength, endurance, flexibility, and agility. Another
nine students reached the national award level, scoring in the 50th
percentile or higher in five tests.
I’ve seen a notable improvement in student fitness. In the
first year of the program, one fifth-grader achieved the fitness award. That
number has grown steadily every year. The students show a will and commitment to
improve their fitness and strive for their personal best.
Presidential award recipients are Shannon Jimenez, Alina
Korfike, Tony Moller, Giulianne Pate, Jasmine Phelps, Dylan Plane, Taylor Royan,
and Mitchell Schwager.
National award recipients are Ali Barker, Alisa Dimick,
Claire Farmer, Callie Glenn, Lexi Groen, Naomi Herman, Kai Nelson, Tony
Rodriguez, and Antoine Savelli.
Also honored were the top two runners from each class.
Lakeside students ran a total of 1,502 miles in P.E. classes and noon jogging
this year. Congratulations to these dedicated runners:
Kindergarten: Apollo Rowe, 13.8 miles; Isabella DeMeo, 14.4
miles
First grade: Stone Castro, 16.1 miles; Christopher Hillegas,
20 miles
Second/third grade: Rowan Bayard, 21.6 miles; Will Liddle,
24.3 miles
Third/fourth grade: Amelia Dunn, 18.3 miles; Lydia Savelli,
20.9 miles
Fifth grade: Mitchell Schwager, 27.3 miles; Quinton Hickey,
45 miles
From our June issue
Lakeside School
Rachel McBrayer
InnVision shelter
drive
Lakeside PTA
partnered with Mountain School to collect much-needed items for InnVision,
Silicon Valley’s largest provider of housing and services and at-risk families
and individuals. My children and I were lucky enough to be part of the caravan
delivering the donated items to the shelter. We helped unload several carloads
of items such as diapers, clothes, and toys that InnVision will use in their
child-care facility. Our donations were much appreciated, and we look forward to
helping out again.
Kindergarten
Mother’s Day celebration
Mothers,
grandmothers, and even a dad were treated to a beautiful Mother’s Day
celebration. The event kicked off with the kindergartners singing as they held
large, colorful tissue flowers to form a tunnel under which guests promenaded.
Upon entering the garden, guests took their seats in a semicircle around the May
Day pole. The children’s faces glowed with pride as they recited a collection of
poems. Everyone joined in to wrap the May Day pole. A delectable strawberry
shortcake followed. Seconds and thirds were available. Everyone left clutching
handmade gifts, thankful to be part of such a loving event. Thank you, Kathy and
Nadara, for your dedication to our children.
End-of-school
events
The end of
school is quickly approaching, and we have many fun activities planned to say
farewell to the school year. We are pairing our staff-appreciation luncheon with
the school talent show on Wednesday, May 28, so not only will the staff partake
of a lovely meal but they will also enjoy home-grown entertainment.
Spirit Week
will, of course, be a roaring success. What better way to say goodbye to a
school year than to wear funny clothes, play games, and eat delicious
end-of-year barbecue. For those students who still have energy left, the party
will continue on June 18 at The Jungle indoor-play area. Lakeside students and
their families will enjoy free admission to celebrate a “job well done.”
From our May issue
Lakeside School
Rachel McBrayer
Walk-a-Thon
The dew still clung to the grass
as little feet made their way around the track. Laughter and joy filled the air
as each child paused to have shirts marked with each completed lap, earning
money to support their PE and music programs. Parents, teachers, and children
reveled in the ever-flowing energy, as each new classroom of children took its
turn. By the end the children had logged a staggering 377 miles.
Our walk-a-thon was made
possible by the hard work of the Lakeside PTA walk-a-thon team. Thank you to the
firefighters from the Redwood Estates station, Hope Services, and Iron Man Max
Selleck who were there to lend supportive hands and encouraging voices. We want
to offer special thanks to the Johsens family for their guidance. Without their
dedication and the generous support from families, friends, and the community,
we would not be able to fully fund our enrichment programs.
We would like to thank all the
event sponsors: Los Gatos Chapter of Lions Club; Helm of Sun Valley; Vreman
Scientific Instruments and Services; Ridge Medical, Inc.; Diane Crawford of
Intero Real Estate; Nancy and Jill Cole of Coldwell Banker Residential
Brokerage; Lori Orgish of Prudential California Realty; San Jose Camera and
Video; The Wilson Veterinary Hospital; Berger Lewis Accountancy Corp.; the
Lenihan family; the Schwager family; Forest Springs Ranch; Salon Aura; Lunardi’s
Markets; West Coast Designz; Trader Joe’s; Sara Bell, Realtor, Schwarzbach
Associates; Ethan Edgar Construction; Tom and Scott Harris of Coldwell Banker;
Teri Hope, owner of Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company; Mountain Mike’s Pizza;
Justin Gee, balloon twister; and West Valley Pop Warner.
If you would like to make a
tax-deductible donation to help fund our enrichment programs, or find other ways
to help Lakeside school, call Principal Bob Chrisman at 408-354-2372.
Annual Family Auction
You are invited to attend the
Lakeside Foundation Annual Family Auction on Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 4
p.m. at the school. Enjoy live music and a tasty barbecue. Children will love
the bounce house and games. Adults will enjoy meandering through the plant sale
in our school garden and bidding on an array of fabulous items in silent and
live auctions. This family-friendly event benefits our PE and music and arts
programs. Hope to see you there.
From our March issue
Lakeside News
Sunny Neverman
The mountain community was once again wowed by Lakeside
Elementary’s annual winter program. After hours of practice and loads of parent
volunteer efforts, the cherished event came off without a hitch.
This year’s theme was international. Dancing and music from
every continent, except Antarctica, graced the community- center stage.
The performance started off with the kindergarten’s beautiful
interpretation of mariposas (Spanish for butterflies). Sung in Spanish and
gracefully executed, the K’s proved that youth is no barrier to perfection.
The first-graders impressed us with their ability to sing a
beautiful Chinese folk song in Chinese. This was followed by a riveting ribbon
dance visually enhanced by the gorgeous multicolored satin tunics worn by the
entire class.
The second/third-grade class represented North America with a
stirring enactment of Ohlone Indian life. A catchy Native-American song,
accompanied by a complement of drums, completed their performance.
The third/fourth-grade class, representing Europe, surprised
us with a brief but charming musical depicting the life of Johann Sebastian
Bach. The educational, professional, and romantic history of this great composer
was revealed by a cast that was clearly having lots of fun.
And last, the fifth-grade class performed a rousing African
song and dance, and then topped off the evening with a Lakeside tradition as
they performed an English folk dance from the fifteenth century. This dance, the
Sword Dance, is performed annually at Lakeside and is a fifth-grade rite of
passage. With carefully executed steps and the clapping of sticks, the students
skillfully wove their sticks (swords) into perfect stars and displayed them to
the audience. A visiting friend in the audience, originally from England, was
delighted and surprised to see this traditional Morris dance enacted here in the
Santa Cruz Mountains.
The evening, despite the torrential rains, was delightful.
The students were very proud of their performances. Delicious cookies, juice,
and coffee were served. Special thanks to music teacher Kristin Allen for
sharing her talents with Lakeside, to the teachers and staff, and to the parents
who gave their support to this program.
From our February issue
Lakeside News
Sunny Neverman
After missing last year’s concert due to an influenza
outbreak at the Terraces, Lakeside returned to the retirement home to perform
their annual concert. Music instructor Kristen provided the musical
accompaniment and led the students through a wonderful collection of traditional
and contemporary holiday music.
Wendy O’Meara Nominated for Hoffman Award.
Lakeside dance instructor
Wendy O’Meara has been nominated for the 2008 Glenn W. Hoffmann Exemplary
Program Award in the category of Visual and Performing Arts. This award,
provided annually by the Santa Clara County School Boards Association,
recognizes exemplary achievement by local educators. Wendy was nominated by Bob
Chrisman, Superintendent/Principal of Lakeside School.
Lakeside Maintenance Workers Tackle Heavy Tasks
While students and
teachers enjoyed the winter holidays, district maintenance workers completed
some major projects. District facilities director Smitty Ewing drew up the plan
for work both inside and outside the Black Road campus. Projects included
stripping and waxing all hard floor surfaces, rebuilding the outdoor play
structure, and laying over 600 feet of PVC pipe.
Lakeside Walk-a-thon.
Lakeside’s annual
Walk-a-thon fundraiser will be held on Friday, March 14. Students will begin
their search for sponsors in February. Lakeside is looking for local businesses
interested in exchanging sponsorship for advertising on the official Lakeside
Walk-a-thon T-shirt. Each contestant receives a tick mark on their T-shirt for
every lap walked or run. The tick marks are counted and the total is written on
the shirt. These shirts are worn proudly and often. Is there a better way to
advertise confidence in Lakeside students’ walking ability than with your
company name on their T-shirts? For information on sponsorship, call Donna
Johsens at 408-395-0337.
Fencing Lessons at Lakeside.
Here on Black Road a small,
but growing number of students are, enjoying fencing lessons. Instructor Valerie
Rosenblatt owner of the Elite Musketeers Fencing Club in Menlo Park, lives in
Los Gatos and comes to Lakeside on Friday afternoons to provide training.
Classes will begin again in mid-February and are open to all interested first-
through eighth-grade students. The classes are not limited to the Lakeside
community. Email Valerie Rosenblatt at valerie@emfc.net for information.
Annual Family Fun Day and Auction.
Join fellow mountain residents
at on Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy games and activities for all
ages plus fabulous food. Last year the former food service director at Mountain
Winery directed the grill crew. For further information, call 408-354-2372.
From our January issue
Lakeside News
Sunny Neverman
Lakeside Elementary’s Age of Sail project was a huge success
again this year. Heather Wingfield’s fifth-grade class enjoyed this cherished
rite of passage coupled with unprecedented beautiful weather.
Each year the fifth-grade class spends months preparing for
twenty-four hours of living history aboard a nineteenth-century ship. The
students learned about rigging, 24-hour time, nautical-bell time, cooking, knot
tying, swabbing, and much more. Combining social studies, science, math, and the
arts, this integrated educational experience is said to make men and women out
of Lakeside’s senior students.
Fifth-grader, Callie Glenn, mate of the deck-hand crew, said
that she was prepared for the rigor of nineteenth-century sailing because her
older sister, a Lakeside graduate, had told her how hard it would be. "The
hardest part was carrying over 100 pounds of rope from the dock to the deck of
the ship. We couldn’t let the rope touch the ground or carry it above our
shoulders."
There was plenty of fun, too. Callie and her crew enjoyed
their night-watch shift from 10 p.m. until midnight. "It was cold and I had to
make sure the deck hands were awake and standing for the whole two hours," said
Callie. Other participants stated that this task was less fun during the colder,
wee hours of the morning.
This class was made possible by the dedication of the
Lakeside staff and the parent volunteers. Thank you to everyone who made this an
incredible and unforgettable experience.
From our December issue
Lakeside Elementary School
Sunny Neverman
After weeks of anticipation, Halloween arrived and Lakeside
celebrated in style. As the fog rolled in, one of the year’s most cherished
holidays, the annual Halloween parade, followed by parties and plays. Ghouls,
goblins, witches, and vampires made up the majority of the terror contingency
but were joined this year by a local phantom, Sudden Oak Death. Fifth-grade
teacher Heather Wingfield frightened all, but especially those with a soft spot
for local flora, with her startling depiction of an oak on the skids. With one
limb, in this case Heather’s right arm, covered in dead leaves, we all knew that
the rest of her glossy green foliage was soon to follow. Luckily, many
princesses, cheerleaders, and super-heroes were available to lighten the mood.
Local history and physical fitness intertwined when Lisa
Orcut’s second- and third-grade classes took a hike, guided by P.E. teacher
Kathy McKinney. The class went to the south portal of the Summit tunnel in the
Santa Cruz Mountains. The train tunnel was the longest tunnel used by the South
Pacific Coast Railroad and later the Southern Pacific Railroad to provide train
service through the mountains between San Jose and Santa Cruz. "The children
were fascinated by the steep hike to the old tunnel. Nic Bullen summed up the
trip, "The train tunnel was awesome and muddy and I didn’t even touch any poison
oak."
From our November issue
Concert Series
2007-2008
Bob Chrisman
The third season of the Into the Woods for Performing Arts
concert series is underway. Concerts are held at the Community Center, 19621
Black Road, 1.5 miles west of Highway 17. Admission is $15 for adults; students
fifth grade and below are free.
Upcoming Concerts
Hans York. Saturday, January 5, 7 to 9 p.m
.
Back for his third
visit to Lakeside, York plays awesome original acoustic music. Visit
www.hansyork.com.
The Into the Woods for Performing Arts series at Lakeside is a
child-friendly, tobacco- and alcohol-free venue.
From our October issue
Lakeside School
Sunny Neverman
The first day of Lakeside’s 2007-2008 school year started
with mostly happy faces, warm greetings from last years’ friends and teachers,
and our typically beautiful California weather. After some beginning-of-the-year
announcements and organization of the students by class, the Lakeside community
pledged allegiance to the flag, pledged to work on punctuality, and started the
business of having a wonderful school year.
I say mostly happy faces because there are always the new
students and the latest crop of kindergartners who feel, understandably, a
little apprehensive. Lakeside gained 25 new students this year. The Lakeside
community extends a warm welcome to all the new students and their families. We
look forward to getting to know you.
Musician Joe Craven at Lakeside
Musician Joe Craven did a one-day residency with Lakeside
students on Friday, September 21. The day culminated with a performance from
Craven and our students. Joe Craven is a musician and educator dedicated to
finding and honoring the creative energy in everyone. He is an advocate of the
folk arts, and he makes and plays instruments from varied and eclectic
materials. Joe is an actor, storyteller, motivational speaker, and an amazing
talent who has played with many musicians including Jerry Garcia. His music and
sound effects can be found on many recordings, including some Grammy-nominated
projects.
Harvest Fair
Lakeside will have a Harvest Fair on Saturday, October 20,
from noon to 3 p.m. This annual event run by the Lakeside Foundation Committee
raises funds for our music and physical education programs, as well as new
teaching materials for other educational needs. There will be crafts and
activities for children, a moon bounce, a chili contest, a baking contest, and
crafts for sale. Do you have a chili worthy of entry? Or perhaps a
family-favorite baked good you know is a winner? Are you a local artist or
craftsperson that would love to sell your wares at a fun family event? We are
looking for you. Call Amy Miljevich at 408-395-4119, or email marasavo@yahoo.com.
From our September issue
Lakeside
Into the Woods for Performing Arts Concert Series
2007-2008
Bob Chrisman
Joe is back. Joe Craven will be playing at the Lakeside
Community Center on Friday, September 21. Joe’s visit is a part of the third
season of the Into the Woods for Performing Arts concert series. He was last
here in August 2005. The Community Center is located at 19621 Black Road, 1.5
miles west of Highway 17. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. Admission is $15 for
adults; students fifth grade and below are free.
Additional performances in the series:
High Tone Sinners
Friday, October 12, 7 to 9 p.m
.
This incredible five-piece blue grass ensemble played at the
Lakeside School 125
th
anniversary celebration.
Blues Cadillac
Friday, November 16, 7 to 9 p.m.
Here is blues like it used to be, powerful and straight
ahead, with great vocals and musicianship. Check them out at
www.bluescadillac.com.
Hans York
Saturday, January 5, 7 to 9 p.m.
Back for his third visit to Lakeside, he plays awesome
original acoustic music. Visit www.hansyork.com.
Joe Craven will conduct a one-day instrumental residency for
Lakeside School students on Friday, September 21. Joe believes music is as much
a basic life skill as language, and that all people can learn to sing in tune,
keep a beat, and participate confidently in music-making. The day will consist
of breakout sessions for each grade level, including students from the Los
Gatos-Saratoga Parent Observation Nursery. Students will demonstrate a variety
of musical pieces they have learned at the opening of the evening concert at 6
p.m.The Into the Woods for Performing Arts series at Lakeside is a
child-friendly, tobacco- and alcohol-free venue.
From our July issue
Lakeside School Promotion
Fifth-grade Commencement
Susan Ady
Marissa Tippets won the Student of the Year Award.
Fifth-Grade Commencement
Ian Berkstresser
Naomi Cantu
Amanda Charbonneau
Alexandra Hunsinger
Benjamin Hunsinger
Katherine Hunsinger
Sarah Johnson
Parker Johsens
Evan Krause
Andrew Lloyd
T.J. Orcutt
Aleksandra Radchenko
Ariadne Rowe
Marissa Tippets
Tina Truong
Robert Walker
Shane Williams
Logan Wilson
Isaiah Winters
From our June issue
Lakeside School
Sunny Neverman
Fifth-graders explore the age of sail
We hear a lot today about the need for integrated educational
experiences. Teaching subjects in isolation from standardized texts competes
poorly with today’s media-rich, interactive, technological environment. Of
course, those of us who can remember life before the web, cable, and VCRs/DVDs
may be thinking, "Hmmmm, school subjects taught separately from books wasn’t
working for me either."
The Lakeside staff works hard to make the educational
experience as rich, integrated, and "hands on" as possible. A shining example of
this is the fifth grade Age of Sail project. For weeks students study maritime
history as living history that culminates with an overnight stay on a
nineteenth-century ship.
Social studies, science, math, and the arts come together as
the children imagine what it was like in 1906, just after the San Francisco
earthquake. The experienced sailors have abandoned their ships in the harbor to
search through the rubble for family and friends. The ships must sail to Oregon,
however, to pick up lumber to repair the city. "Green hands" or inexperienced
sailors (fifth-graders enter stage right) are hired to do the job. Each boy
student creates a character developing his (because all the sailors were men or
boys) personal history and personality.
The green hands learn how to tie knots, make a Bosun’s chair
(a block and tackle chair that can be raised and lowered), raise and lower a
dory, understand the rigging, understand 24-hour time and bell time, and cook
for a nineteenth century ship’s crew.After weeks of preparation, the guidance of
their teacher, Mrs. Heather Wingfield, and the assistance of five or six
dedicated parent volunteers, the green hands are shipworthy.
After touring the maritime museum, the students climb aboard
the ship in San Francisco’s harbor and get into character. The green hands are
assigned specific jobs. All hands take turns doing a silent two-hour night watch
on a very cold night. After 24 hours of turn-of-the-century life, the green
hands become fifth-graders again. They have a better understanding of many
things, with a better appreciation for how good their lives are in 2007.
Homework and elementary school don’t look so tough.
But the living history doesn’t stop here. Next, each
fifth-grader will become a famous American. They will write their character’s
biography, develop the biography into a speech, get into costume, and become a
"wax statue" of this American. The statues will remain frozen in Madame
Wingfield’s Wax Museum
until tapped by an interested Lakeside
tourist. Then they will come alive and be an interactive history lesson. I am
sure they will remember this better than anything read in their textbooks.
From our May issue
Lakeside Elementary News
Sunny Neverman
Lakeside is a gem of a school. It has a dedicated community
of staff, students, and parents who work together to create a wonderful
educational environment. Many of its qualities go unrecognized, however, even by
those who attend. Did you know that approximately 42 percent of Lakeside’s
energy comes from the sun?
Two years ago Lakeside installed 112 solar panels that drive
four 6000-watt inverters. The resulting energy savings to date is nearly $9,500.
While this move toward renewable energy benefits the Lakeside finances, it also
benefits the planet. According to Lakeside facilities manager Smitty Ewing, the
66,000 kilowatt hours of clean electricity produced by our solar field has
spared the planet from 76 tons of carbon emissions.
The solar panels are installed on the Lakeside Community
Center and provide power to the entire campus. In fact, during the months of
August and September, the Lakeside meter actually runs backward and provides
clean energy to the grid. Lakeside receives credits for the surplus kilowatt
hours, which Pacific Gas and Electric applies to the months with greater energy
consumption.
Remember to thank Lakeside for helping to keep our air clean
and, perhaps, for helping to power you this summer.
Walk-A-Thon Results
The 2007 results are in. The students at Lakeside walked an
unprecedented 2,448 laps this year, exceeding last year’s total by 288 laps. In
addition to the fun, the exercise, and the fundraising that beat last year’s
record, the students were inspired by an unusual challenge.
Principal Bob Chrisman promised to reward surpassing last
year’s record with the shaving of his recently grown beard and mustache. Sure
enough, the Monday after the Walk-A-Thon, Chrisman, publicly, and to the
sound of many giggles and squeals, shaved off his whiskers. This is just another
example of the great lengths the Lakeside educators take to inspire students.
The grand total walked by the students, staff, volunteers,
and one exceptional dog (that I just happen to own) was 2927 laps, equaling just
under 366 miles. To date the school has received $7,157 in pledges and donations
and the promise of more. We are on our way to the most successful Walk-A-Thon
ever.
Calling all 2007/2008 Kindergarteners
If you have a potential kindergartener residing in the
Lakeside School District, call Lakeside at 408-354-2372 to let the office know
so they can place your family on the mailing list. Also, if you know of a family
with a child eligible to enter Lakeside’s kindergarten program this fall, ask
them to call us.
From our April issue
Lakeside News
Sunny Neverman
Our electronic recycling fundraiser was a big success. It
helped get rid of unwanted and unutilized electronics that were sitting around
in people’s homes and businesses. It also prevented potentially harmful
chemicals and elements from polluting our environment. By facilitating the
responsible disposal of electronics our school earned $1,615.60 for the PTA. We
collected 8,078 pounds of CRTs and 7,684 pounds of other e-waste. "We filled an
entire semi," reflected the awestruck Anne Plane, mother of two Lakeside
students.
Lakeside would like to thank the mountain community for their
support and participation. It is support like this that helps to make the Santa
Cruz Mountains such a wonderful place to live.
Garden party
On that same weekend other Lakeside community members spent a
productive Saturday battling weeds and overgrowth on the Lakeside grounds. What
better way to get ready for spring than to get your hands in the dirt and clean
up your community? Trees were trimmed, and garden beds were cleaned and weeded.
Special thanks go to the Lakeside staff for extending their weekly commitment an
extra day for school beautification and fundraising.
Calling 2007/2008 kindergarteners
Do you have a potential kindergartener in the Lakeside School
District? If yes, please mark your calendars for the kindergarten screening on
April 17. If your child will be entering kindergarten next fall, call Lakeside
at 408-354-2372 to be placed on the mailing list. Also, if you know of a family
with a child who may be entering Lakeside’s kindergarten program this fall, ask
them to give us a call.
Lakeside’s Annual Walkathon Fundraiser
This year’s walkathon was held Friday, March 16. It is one of
two big annual fundraisers for Lakeside Elementary. Last year 76 children and a
handful of parents and teachers walked a total of 2,486 laps.
This year’s theme was The Great Race commemorating the
1907 Thomas Flyer’s
victory in the 1908 race from New York
to Paris. Now restored and on display in the National Automobile Museum in Reno,
the actual 1907 Thomas Flyer traveled much of the distance in the American West
and the steppes of Russia without the help of roads.
All funds raised, with the exception of the cost of the
participant T-shirts, went to support school programs. Thank you for your
support.
From our March issue
Concert Seasons, Past and Future
Dale and Laurie Gee
Lakeside’s Into the Woods for Performing Arts started in
spring 2005 to bring the performing arts to Lakeside and the Santa Cruz
Mountains, a venue where musicians and artists can perform while raising funds
for entertaining and teaching. In partnership with the school, the profits from
these concerts will provide seating, lighting, and other amenities that will
make the facility useful to the whole community.
Seven successful concerts have been produced. Now the
community is invited to share their ideas and join in planning the 2007/2008
concert series on Thursday, March 22, at 7 p.m., at the Lakeside Community
Center.
February 10 marked the seventh concert hosted at the Lakeside
Community Center. The past concerts featured artists primarily in the folk and
jazz-fusion genre, but the last one featured rockin’ blues by Blues Cadillac.
Led by Steve Welch on guitar, the band covered classic rock and roll and blues
tunes ranging from Muddy Water’s "Sweet Home Chicago" to Chuck Berry’s "Johnny
B. Goode." While the crowd arrived chilled by cold and rainy weather outside,
they quickly warmed to the band’s high energy and straight-ahead style, enhanced
by Ray DiFazio, who connected with the audience by roaming and dancing with them
while playing his baritone saxophone. Other performers included Jerry Cash, who
played the blues with a strong B.B. King style, Alan "Eye Bone" Eglington on
harmonica, Doug Mancini on bass, and Michael "Chip" Chiappari on tenor
saxophone. The evening was capped off with a standing ovation and an encore
performance featuring Tim Richard’s blazing drum solo.
Erik’s Deli and Whole Foods provided a great spread,
complemented by cookies from Beckmann’s Old World Bakery, pretzels and pastries
from Sterntaler’s Bakery, Rainbow Orchards fresh-pressed cider, and Los Gatos
Coffee Roasting Company coffee. Table centerpieces of balloon teddy bears
holding red balloon tulips were provided by Justin Gee.
For information about future concerts, check www.lakesidelosgatos.org.
From our February issue
Lakeside Elementary
Sunny Neverman
Did you or someone you know attend Lakeside School? Do you
currently have friends or family at Lakeside Elementary? This year Lakeside is
celebrating its 125th birthday and you are invited to the party. The
date is Saturday, May 5. The event will be held on the campus at 19621 Black
Road.
The celebration will include food and fellowship, but
attendees may view historic Lakeside memorabilia and quilts, play historic
games, participate in folk dancing, and, perhaps, be reunited with classmates
from the past. Reunion group photos will be taken. If you feel inclined, you may
come in period dress.
Approximately thirty years ago, Lakeside’s graduating
eighth-grade class, with the help and guidance of their teacher, created a
quilt. This became a tradition and the quilts are auctioned off as part of
Lakeside’s annual fundraiser. While we have some quilts to display, we would
love to have more. If you have a Lakeside quilt or any other Lakeside
memorabilia that you would be willing to lend, email Karen Fishback at
jfishback@earthlink.net or call
408-354-2555. We promise to care for and return the items after the event.
Karen Fishback, whose family has attended Lakeside for many
generations and also provided Lakeside with some of its very first teachers, is
writing a book on the history of Lakeside School. The book will be filled with
photos, memories, and stories. She is also compiling a CD with even more photos
and memorabilia to commemorate our 125 years of excellence. Talk to her if you
feel you have something you want to contribute. You may lend your memorabilia
for display and photographing, but we are also looking for donations for a
permanent display.
The final touches for the event are still being worked out,
so visit www.lakesidelosgatos.org and
click on "125th Reunion" for further details and for the book, CD, and T-shirt
order forms. We are also putting together a community quilt in honor of our
little corner of paradise in the Santa Cruz Mountains. If you would like to
contribute a square honoring or symbolizing mountain life or mountain schools,
go to our website and click on "Community Quilt" for information.
Lakeside School History
The original Lakeside School was built in the early 1880s on
land donated by the Thompson family. The Thompson family, whose name still
graces Thompson Road, had ten school-age children. They were among the first to
attend the new school. The original Thompson Road site sat above a marshy area
that was developed into two small lakes, hence the school’s name. The upper
picture on the facing page shows the Lakeside School on the original Thompson
Road site.
In 1904 the school was moved across the street to the current
Black Road location. The building was reportedly sawed in two, dragged down the
hill by teams of oxen, and reassembled on the site of the current old-red-school
building. In 1917 the Thompson Road building was dragged back twenty or thirty
feet to become teacher housing and make way for the old red school house which
stands there today.
The new 1917 school building was still a one-room school and
remained so until the 1955-56 school year when Lakeside’s student population
blossomed to an unprecedented 33 students, requiring another teacher and another
building, which is now used by the Clubhouse program, for before- and
after-school care. The 1917 building stands as a picturesque reminder of
Lakeside’s early days and also houses a sought after preschool program—the Los
Gatos-Saratoga Observation Nursery School. The lower picture on the facing page
shows the old red school house as it first appeared in 1917.
In 1962 an adjoining parcel of land was purchased from the
Criswell family, and in 1964 the building that currently houses the elementary
school was built. Other building additions have occurred over time with the most
recent being the addition of the Community Center.
At its heart, however, Lakeside is still a small country
school. Despite its reputation for academic excellence, Lakeside School feels
more like a family. From its earliest days, the school doubled as a meeting
place for the community, a place for dances, music, and socializing. In addition
to a fantastic education, all of these community activities still occur today,
keeping the Lakeside spirit alive.
Upcoming Events
The following are annual events to raise money for Lakeside
Elementary. Stay tuned for Walk-a-thon details in next month’s article.
Walk-a-thon, Friday, March 16
Family Fun Day and Auction
Saturday, May 19
From our January issue
Lakeside Elementary
Sunny Neverman
Although the Mountain Network News has experienced a
few months of silence from Lakeside we have been making plenty of noise. Our
specials programs have the students singing and dancing up a storm.
Music
Music at Lakeside is taught using the Orff-Schulwerk
methodology in which the child follows his or her innate musical instincts to
sing, chant rhymes, clap, dance, and keep a beat on anything close at hand. The
children first explore the creation of music, then concern themselves with
reading and writing. The children learn music much as they learn their native
language; imitation and exploration first, reading and writing after they gain
fluency.
Dance
The fourth- and fifth-grades at Lakeside are furthering their
musical ability and natural rhythm by participating in dance instruction. The
students focus on the physical control and coordination needed to perform a wide
variety of dance movements. They learn the vocabulary that describes these
movements and the various tempos of the music selections. This program also
promotes social skills, cooperation, physical fitness, and a deeper
understanding of the cultural importance of dance. If you know one of our
Lakeside elders, ask them to dance, and be prepared to cut a rug. They might
just teach you a thing or two.
Spanish
This year the kindergarten through third-grade classes are
participating in the Lakeside Spanish program. Early exposure to foreign
language is beneficial in many ways. Studies show that the human brain is more
open to linguistic development before adolescence and that students who study
foreign languages score higher on English language standardized tests. The study
of Spanish promotes a deeper understanding of our state’s history and provides
young people with the opportunity to interact with California’s large
Spanish-speaking population. Spanish at Lakeside is taught using auditory,
visual, and full-body movement activities in order to address multiple learning
styles. Themes from regular classroom instruction are integrated into the
Spanish instruction. For example, the study of Monarch butterflies and the
traditions surrounding Halloween were studied in both English and Spanish.
Physical Education
A
ll this
singing and dancing promotes good physical fitness. This year Lakeside is
working hard to improve the fitness of all of the students. If you want to catch
a glimpse of our physically fit little ones, take a look at the kindergarten
class running their laps right after the morning flag salute. In addition to
improving cardiovascular strength, the students at Lakeside are really working
(although they are having so much fun they don’t realize it) to gain upper and
lower body strength, cooperation, sportsmanship, and coordination. That
coordination will come in handy when they get to fourth- and fifth-grade dance.
Lakeside Students to Sing at the Terraces
On December 7 the Lakeside student body was scheduled to take
a trip to the Terraces to spread holiday cheer through song and movement.
Unfortunately, many of the residents at the Terraces were experiencing a nasty
stomach bug so the concert was postponed. All of us at Lakeside wish the
residents a speedy recovery and we hope to visit and perform for them soon.
Other Special Events
In addition to our robust specials program, Lakeside enhances
student education with many wonderful field trips and in-school presentations.
Whether it is a visiting author, a cultural food demonstration, a trip to a
beautiful state park, or a tour of an organic farm, the students at Lakeside
love their unique educational opportunities.
From our December issue
L
akeside
Concerts
Houston Jones and Hans York
Saturday, December 9, 7:30 p.m
Saturday, January 6
Lakeside Community Center
Laurie Gee
Last year a fledgling concert series of local musicians was
started by a community organization called "Into the Woods for Performing Arts"
as a way to raise funds for the Lakeside Community Center. The multi-purpose
room is available for use by the mountain community for special events. The
proceeds from the concerts will be used to buy equipment for the center, such as
lights, sound systems, and seating. The music is very good and the venue is
conveniently located on Black Road.
"Into the Woods for Performing Arts" presents Houston Jones
with Henry Salvia and Chojo Jaques, a California-based Americana group, on
Saturday, December 9, at 7:30 p.m. The band performs mostly original music that
ranges from bluegrass and folk to blues and gospel.
Look for Hans York
on Saturday, January 6. This is a return engagement for this musician
who blends the styles of pop, folk, jazz, and acoustic music. His intimate
performance last year captivated the audience. It will be a pleasure to hear him
again.
For ticket information, go to http://lakesidelosgatos.org/events.html,
or call Laurie Gee at 408-234-8654.
From our October issue
Lakeside Foundation
Harvest Fair
Saturday, October 21, 12 to 3 p.m.
Barbara Kay
Lakeside’s popular Harvest Fair returns on Saturday, October
21. An "anything with apples" chalkboard chef contest will join the chili
cook-off this year. No matter which chefs get blue ribbons, the attendees who
sample and vote for their favorites are the real winners. It’s a great family
event with crafts, a bounce house, hot dogs, pumpkin carving, and apple
pressing. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to Lakeside’s enrichment
programs, such as PE and music.
If you’re interested in entering an apple creation or chili,
or selling something at the crafts fair, call Barbara Kay at 408-354-8187, or
email harvest@dbkay.com. Past prizes for
a winning chili recipe have included lodging at the Half Moon Bay Ritz-Carlton
and wine tasting events for ten. That’s enough incentive to pull out your
knives, and crank up your crock pots.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 21, at noon. Attend and vote for
your favorite chili or apple treat, buy some early holiday gifts, and support
your local children.
From our September issue
Lakeside Board Appoints New Superintendent/Principal
Lakeside Board of Trustees
The Lakeside Joint Elementary School Board of Trustees has
appointed Bob Chrisman as superintendent/principal. Chrisman comes to Lakeside
from the Carlsbad Unified School District where he was principal of Hope School,
one of the highest performing schools in San Diego County.
After classroom teaching at the elementary level, Chrisman
went on to be a high school counselor and continued developing his resume by
serving in a variety of administrative positions in both public and private
schools, including superintendent/principal positions in Kern and San Diego
counties.
Chrisman has been a strong advocate for providing rich and
varied experiences for students including developing programs in music, art, and
dance. He has extensive experience with classes for students with special needs,
overseeing the largest program for children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
in the Carlsbad Union School District and was recognized in San Diego as the
administrator of the year in special education.
Chrisman is a native of central California, graduating from
Oakdale High School. He completed undergraduate work at Modesto Junior College,
and California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock. Chrisman received his
elementary teaching, secondary teaching, counseling, and administrative
credentials at California State University, Fresno where he also earned his
Master’s Degree in Counseling.
Chrisman resides in the Aldercroft Heights area with his wife
Sharon, who is assistant principal at Mountain View High School. They have two
adult sons: Jeff, owner of
www.justlistedbakersfield.com, and Ken, owner of Kenneth Chrisman
Construction in Carmel Valley.
Chrisman is an avid mountain biker and looks forward to
exploring local trails.
You may email Chrisman at bobchrisman@lakesidesd.k12.ca.us.
From our August issue
Lakeside School Fifth-Graders
Commencement 2006
Galen Barker
Matthew Czaikoski
Danielle Devonport
Vanessa Fraser
Amanda Gee
Brooke Gibson
Alyssa Glenn
Mara Miljevich
Eleanor Moller
Brandon Perez
Meghan Proctor
Gregory Schwager
Madison Shaughnessy
Lakeside School Awards
During the commencement program outstanding students were
recognized.
Vanessa Fraser,
Student of the Year.
Vanessa Fraser, Ellie Moller, Alyssa Glenn, Danielle
Devonport, and Meghan
Proctor were presented with
Presidential Academic Excellence Awards given to fourth- and fifth-grade
students who maintained a 3.5 or higher grade-point average.
Danielle Devonport,
Vanessa Fraser, and
Ellie Moller received
Presidential Fitness Awards.
Madison Shaughnessy, Gregory Schwager, Meghan Proctor, Brandon
Perez, Alyssa Glenn, and
Brooke Gibson received National
Fitness Awards.
Galen Barker, Matthew Czaikoski, Amanda Gee,
and Mara Miljevich
received Participant
Fitness Awards.
John Becker, Jamie Lenihan, Jason Lloyd, Meghan Proctor,
Gregory Schawager, and
Shane Williams received Perfect
Attendance Awards.
Amanda Gee, T J Orcutt, Giulianne Pate, Kassie Pate, Jasmine
Phelps, and Marissa
Tippets received Perfect
Attendance-Plus Awards.
From our June issue
Lakeside School
John Cantu
What an exciting year at Lakeside. Our students have
accomplished much. They made great strides academically and are learning what it
means to be a community.
May Day
In the Lakeside Redwood Grove, our students celebrated May
Day with folk dances and folk songs reminiscent of Shakespearean England. The
fifth grade sang and danced around the Maypole with brightly colored streamers.
The Moorish Dance, better known as the Morris Dance, was performed by the fourth
grade. It was a delight to hear the third graders play their recorders and dance
the Shepherds Hey. The combination first/second-grade class sang the "Cherry
Blossom Song" and played on the glockenspiels. And the kindergarten sang "In and
Out the Bonnie Blue Bells." May Day is a standing tradition at Lakeside. Some
say the best part of the spring celebration is when the students sample
strawberries.
Kindergarten at KUFX (KFOX)
The kindergarten sang Imagine and Yellow Submarine
at the KUFX radio station recently. KUFX DJs, Greg Kihn and Chris Jackson, had a
contest for middle and high school students, Our CD of "Imagine" was submitted
even though we did not qualify for the contest. The song was played on the radio
many times and we were invited to the radio station to sing live. We were on the
air Tuesday, April 25. We had a great visit with Greg Kihn and Chris Jackson. We
brought a few fifth grade friends along to help sing.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
What did the electrical eel say to the seal? "Those first-
and second-graders sure are bright." All kidding aside, Marcia William’s first-
and second-grade class had a fun day learning about aquatic animals on their May
5 field trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was a good outlet for their
curiosity. They were able to touch animals in the tide pool. They saw 550
different species. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a great place for a field trip
because education and conservation are central to the aquarium’s mission.
Third annual Girls on the Run Silicon Valley 5K Fun Run
On May 21, 2006, seventeen Lakeside girls participated in the
Third Annual Girls on the Run Silicon Valley 5K Fun Run held at Vasona Park. We
have some very quick runners, and we are very proud of our athletes. They are
all winners.
Lakeside auction and family fun day
The Lakeside Auction was fun—a truly entertaining day for all
ages. The kids played in the bounce house and enjoyed the carnival games. The
garden workshops were a great help to all of us during this growing season. The
highlight of the day was the live auction featuring the classes’ original
projects. The event ended with dinner by Nonno’s and music provided by Tony
Macaroni.
Here are some of the silent auction items:
A Los Gatos Police Department "ride-along" and canine demo
Four tickets to a show at the Mountain Winery in 2006 with
dinner for four at the Chateau Deck, including two bottles of Mountain
Winery Reserve wine
A Hotel Los Gatos suite for a night
Wine tasting at the Byington Winery for thirty
Wine tasting at Savannah Chanelle Vineyards for ten
PTA news
The PTA Board would like to thank everyone for their
volunteer efforts during this school year. Thank you for giving so much to the
school and its students. Special thanks to our volunteers who recently helped
celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. The students and parents planned wonderful
events to acknowledge the Lakeside staff. To top it off, the PTA, with the help
of our resident student artists, created a lovely strawberry painted platter.
Each strawberry was painted by a student at the school in honor of Mrs.
Salisbury’s (aka Mrs. Strawberry) contributions to the school. She will be
retiring after this school year. We will miss her. We hope everyone has a
fantastic summer.
End of the school year
Get ready for Spirit Day—a day of fun games and a barbecue
lunch on June 2. We’re also excited that the fifth grade finished their
coordination of the yearbook. We would tell you more but it is "top secret." We
can’t wait to get yearbooks during the last week of school.
From our May issue
Lakeside School
John and Melanie Cantu
What does Sitting Bull have in common with Orville Wright?
They were both featured at the Lakeside Community Wax Museum Theater. Heather
Wingfield’s fifth-grade class did a superb job of re-enacting American
historical figures. Each fifth-grader researched their favorite historical
figure, designed a costume, and spoke to the audience concerning the life of the
character. This was an innovative teaching idea that combined drama, history,
and fun.
PTA.
The
PTA family fun night with ventriloquist Steve Chaney and his puppet partner
Cornelius Crowe provided an evening of laughs. The PTA hosted an exceptional
pasta dinner.
Walk-a-thon statistics.
The most laps goes to fifth-grader
Danielle Devonport who ran 63 laps, or almost 8 miles. Over 310 miles were
logged, pretty good for a school of only 79 students. Donations, currently over
$6,500, will be used to purchase stage curtains in the Lakeside Community
Center, help fund a public art project, and help fund next year’s PE program.
John Lennon Redux in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
In March kindergarteners from Lakeside
School became one of the most requested performers on the 98.5 KFOX School of
Rock Contest. Although there was no category for elementary schools, their
performance of "Imagine" by John Lennon achieved special recognition from host
Greg Kihn. "Imagine" was performed at the Lakeside Winter Concert on January 26.
The recording was submitted by teacher Kristin Allen.
May Day celebration.
Our May 1 celebration has been an
exciting tradition for over 15 years. Each class does a ceremonial performance,
such as a play, song, or "ground stomping" to wake up the earth and honorably
welcome spring. The last performance is the Maypole dance. The event culminates
with strawberries and daisies given to each child.
Superintendent search.
The search is progressing on schedule.
The Superintendent Search Advisory Council was formed through appointments by
the board, site council, staff, foundation, and PTA. The position was published
nationally in educational media. Interviewing will begin May 12-13. We hope to
announce the new superintendent by May 15.
Other upcoming events
Mondays, hip-hop class changed to 3 p.m.
Monday, May 1 to Friday, May 5, teacher appreciation week
Tuesday, May 2 to Friday, May 12, Star Testing. The PTA will
provide healthy snacks for the kids daily.
Wednesday, May 17, school board meeting
Sunday, May 21, Girls on the Run final run
Thursday, May 25, open house for fourth and fifth grades
From our April issue
Lakeside School
John Cantu
Who would have thought that the spring family fun night and
pasta dinner, scheduled for March 10, would be canceled due to snow? Hopefully,
Steve Chaney, ventriloquist, and his puppet partner, Cornelius, will be
rescheduled soon.
The Lakeside Walk-A-Thon was held March 17. We want to thank
everyone that made it such a success. The donations will support the PE program
next year. This year every child who participated in the Walk-A-Thon received a
T-shirt with the names of those sponsoring the event. We thank our sponsors:
Pacific Diversified Insurance
Ridge Medical
Vreman Scientific
Forest Springs Ranch
Helm of Sun Valley
LoCastro Salon
DuoCaprice (Willie Juncosa)
Just ‘A Gee
Skyline Chestnuts
The Rowe Family
West Coast Designz
Open House
Don’t miss your chance to see the progress our K-3 students
are making in their studies. Come to the Open House on April 26 at 7 p.m. (K-3
classes only.)
Hip Hop Classes
There may still be space for children wishing to join the
spring enrichment classes, such as hip hop classes which begin on April 22. Call
Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation and Education at 408-354-8700.
Auction Update
Please remember to mark your calendars for the Annual Auction
and Family Fun Day on May 20. This event, along with the Harvest Festival, funds
the PE and music programs at Lakeside. Please join us for a fun-filled day of
games, food, shopping, and the good company of our community. Hope to see you
there.
From our March issue
Lakeside School
John Cantu
Does anybody remember the music that was played at the Chateau? The board
members of the Lakeside School Community Center is offering top name
entertainment throughout the year. Please support Lakeside School’s performing
arts programs and live music.
Hans York concert.
The board presents Hans York, an
award-winning singer and songwriter with German and Brazilian roots. Hans York
will perform a solo of contemporary acoustic pop music, with elements from folk,
jazz, and world beat. Hans tours nationally, and is the recipient of an
honorable mention from the Annual
Mid-Atlantic Song Contest in
the pop category for "Listen to the Moon." Hans will perform at the Lakeside
Community Center, Tuesday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. For information and
reservations, call 408-354-2372, or go to www.lakesidelosgatos.org.
Lakeside Strings.
Willie Jencosa is the director of the
Lakeside Strings program. He is an outstanding violinist and teacher. I walked
into the music room as he was rehearsing the class. I expected to hear a simple
song, but was treated to a Tartini sonata performed by Willie and his students.
Willie said, "The synergy learned when playing in an ensemble is similar to the
synergy required to solve large problems. Music teaches community." The Lakeside
Strings program is an exceptional program.
Library News.
Horses, stagecoaches, Ohlone Indians.
We have new books about life in the 1800s. Lakeside students, come visit the
library and read about this exciting time. Remember, anyone can leave a lasting
legacy for Lakeside students by donating a book to the Lakeside Library in
celebration of your birthday.
Family Fun Night and Book Fair.
Visit the Lakeside Family Fun Night
and Book Fair, Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m. in the Community Center. Everyone in
the community is welcome. The event features the ventriloquist Steve Chaney who
will perform with his puppet Cornelius. The evening will be filled with fun,
laughs, and song. The free event kicks off the annual spring Book Fair, which
runs through Friday, March 17. Before the performance, the PTA will host a pasta
dinner from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. If interested, download the order form from the
school’s website at www.lakesidelosgatos.org.
Walk-A-Thon.
Don’t forget to set aside Friday,
March 17, for the third annual Lakeside Walk-A-Thon. Funds raised will go for
stage curtains and a mural on our Community Center. This year’s theme is the 100th
anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. The Walk-A-Thon is a major
Lakeside fundraiser. Want to know how you can support this event? Check out the
"upcoming events" at www.lakesidelosgatos.org.
Train trip to Sacramento.
The annual fourth-grade trip to
Sacramento on February 10
was a memorable educational
day for students and parent-chaperones. The class gained new insights about
government and community service. Their day started early, 6 a.m., at the Cahill
(Diridon) train station. This is where they caught the bus to Oakland just in
time to make their Amtrak train connection to Sacramento. They toured the State
Capitol, the California Museum of History, Women & the Arts Museum, and the
Railroad Museum.
A search for a superintendent/principal is in progress.
Keep abreast of the process
and progress by selecting the "Superintendent/Principal Search" link on
Lakeside’s home page at www.lakesidelosgatos.org.
From our February issue
Lakeside School
John and Melanie Cantu
On January 26, we celebrated a gala event of our Winter
Performing and Visual Arts Program. A song written by John Lennon was performed
by the kindergarteners.
The first- and second-graders performed a drama based on a
Ukrainian folktale. The third-graders created mixed media drawings of their
favorite things, and performed a Jewish party dance called the hora. The
fourth-grade played the Carol of the Bells using "Orff" instruments, and they
performed a Native American drama about coyote and fire. The fifth-grade
performed a Mongolian song with lyrics they wrote themselves.
The finale was great. One of my favorite portions of the
winter program is the north skeleton sword dance, traditionally performed by the
fifth-grade class. Our sincere gratitude goes to our music teacher Kristen Allen
who taught our children performing arts and prepared them for the show. This
year’s winter celebration was dedicated to the Lakeside School Board as part of
the events were held in conjunction with School Board Recognition Month.
Natural Bridges field trip
The kindergarten enjoyed a crisp, sunny winter day at the
beach with their kindergarten teacher, Kathy Olivari. They went to Natural
Bridges to see the monarch butterflies and to hike. After the hike they ate
lunch in a meadow overlooking the ocean. The day was so nice they decided to
walk on the beach. We’d like to thank our parent volunteers; Nicole Engel, Ann
Marie Pate, Theresa Bond, and Cassandre Fox for watching over the class.
Help the homeless
The past year had more than its share of disasters. Many
people are homeless as a result of the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.
Fifth-grade girls Vanessa Fraser, Meghan Proctor, Danielle Devonport, Elle
Moller, Brooke Gibson, and Madison Shaughnessy were inspired to help the
homeless. During a recess conversation they decided to collect sleeping bags,
warm jackets, blankets, and warm clothing for homeless people of any age or sex.
They discussed this project with Mrs. Wingfield, the fifth-grade teacher. The
school will provide space to store the items until they can be distributed.
Please contribute to this cause.
Recycle, recycle, recycle
Recycling is easier now because the Lakeside Student Council
is operating a Recycling Center at Lakeside School. You may drop off California
redemption plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and glass containers. Please remove
all caps. Please do not drop off alcohol containers or items not redeemable.
These items are not appropriate for students to handle and will cause more work
for school personnel. The income from this program will be used to send students
to Science Camp. This is a great way for you to care for the environment and
support your local school. Bring your recycling materials to Lakeside School,
19621 Black Road. The Recycling Center is in the parking lot next to the
Community Center.
Third annual Walk-A-Thon
The students are ready to kick-off this year’s walk-a-thon in
early April. The kids are excited about raising their two funds. First, to
purchase and install curtains on the community center stage, and second, to
start a dedicated fund for a public arts project, such as murals for the front
of our community center. The PTA believes these two goals can be achieved with
the help of matching funds if we raise approximately $8,000. Local businesses
sponsoring this event will have their business names printed on our event
T-shirts. For more information, call Donna Johsens at 408-395-0337.
New Clubhouse director
We welcome Bryan Anderson as the new assistant director of
the Lakeside Clubhouse (after-school care). Bryan comes to us from Van Meter
Elementary School in Los Gatos. He is a child development major at San Jose
State University.
Our appreciation will not fade away
We regret to announce that Superintendent/Principal Joyce
Salisbury will retire this year. In her four years with us, Mrs. Salisbury has
blessed our school with her talents in effective organization, as a team leader,
and a kind friend. We’ll have more news later on how we will honor her.
We are sad to see our board of trustee’s president, Parker
Stokes, move on. He has served the Lakeside community for many years. His
dedication to our school and district is appreciated by the Lakeside community.
The countless contributions these two leaders have made to the Lakeside
community will remain evident well into the future. Read the messages to our
community from Mrs. Salisbury and Mr. Stokes on our website,
www.lakesidelosgatos.org, and in the letters section of this issue.
From our January issue
Lakeside School
Melanie and John Cantu
What’s up at Lakeside? Holiday celebrations were a blast. The
third-, fourth- and fifth-graders made hearts merry, sang carols, and passed out
handmade cards while visiting the residents at The Terraces of Los Gatos. Local
resident Karen Fishback hosted the first annual holiday dance night at the
Lakeside Community Center, with proceeds donated to the Lakeside Foundation. We
had a funky good time dancing a variety of dances from swing to salsa. Now,
after a well-deserved winter break, the new year brings many exciting
activities.
Winter celebration
Mark your calendars for Thursday, January 26, for our
students’ annual musical and theatrical performance. We look forward to using
our professional sound system and five new sections of stage, which should
provide a wider view for our audiences.
After school enrichment program
We are pleased to announce a newly developed program in
collaboration with Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Education and Recreation. Dance,
sports, and science classes begin Thursday, January 5 and are open to all
mountain children. For details visit
www.lgsararec.org.
New students
We welcome two new students: Kai Nelson in third grade and
Isaiah Winters in fourth grade.
New recycling center at Lakeside
The Student council is now running a recycling program as an
ongoing fundraiser to benefit the Science Camp. Please drop off California
redemption plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and glass containers without caps
near the dumpsters next to the community center building at 19621 Black Road.
Organization activities
PTA, Foundation, and School Site Council will be regularly
publishing meeting minutes (and/or summaries) and other updates in the
Lakeside Letter. Beginning in January, you’ll be able to refer to prior
publications on our website.
Budget building
The school board will begin developing the 2006-07 school
year budget in January. If you are interested in understanding school budgets
and participating in the process, please watch for the dates. They will be
posted in the Lakeside Letter.
Technology plan writing
The first parent public review session for this project took
place in December. The next public opportunity will be January 17, from 8 to 9
a.m., at Lakeside.
Generator installation
A Red Cross generator is scheduled for hookup within the next
few months. Volunteers and donations have helped to prepare for its installation
to our propane system. We will have a dedication and recognition ceremony when
we are ready to flip the switch. When fully functional, the generator will
operate the electrical system in the community center (heat, lights, kitchen
facility) and the entire water system for the school. We still welcome community
donations, as our out of pocket expense will run about $4,000 to $5,000.
Lakeside School and Community Center is located at 19621
Black Road, Los Gatos. For more information on what’s happening at Lakeside,
visit www.lakesidelosgatos.org.
