Lisa Sgarlato

Our resident playwright, Barbara Lougeé, created yet another fun-filled masterpiece for our children to perform. "Everybody Wants to Play Tink" is an adaptation of the Peter Pan novel. It tells the story of a play performance where the lead role of "Tink" is cast. The children had a great time playing out this magical comedy complete with Lost Boys and Captain Hook. Mega kudos to Barbara for her script and her countless hours of rehearsing, directing, and designing this delighful play.

The Home and School Club raises supplemental funds to support curriculum at Lexington. The club changed its bylaws for board terms to run the calendar year instead of the school year. The new H&SC board took the reins in January. Positions filled: president, Heidi Lewis; vice president, Michelle Strachan; treasurer, Katherine Wooley; volunteer coordinator, Alison Valentine; hospitality, Robyn Filardo and Missy VonLuehrte; secretary, Jutta Braken-Guelke; communications, Lisa Sgarlato and Amy Heumann; and parliamentarian, Linda Fagan. Principal Strudley continues as our second VP and advisor. Kirsten Erdosh and Angele Price serve as our Los Gatos Education Fund reps. Many thanks to outgoing president Linda Fagan for a fabulous job. And a huge thanks to Pam Casey, who served as our treasurer for the last five years and Janell Wilcox, who has served in many functions for the last seven years.

Save the date, May 18, for Lexington’s annual carnival and fundraiser. This year’s theme will be "Mardi Gras." It’s sure to be fun. We are looking for donations and help with our silent auction. We will feature a "classic car show." If you are a car buff who wishes to participate, call Principal Strudley at the school office, 408-335-2150.

Friday, February 29, Jogathon

Monday to Friday, March 10 to 14 Conference Week, minimum days

Friday, March 14, HSC meeting, 8:30 a.m.

Monday to Friday, April 7 to 11, spring break, no school

Sunday, May 18, Day on the Green

During the first week of January, Ms. Nancy’s fourth-graders headed out for their annual pilgrimage to the California missions. The children visited Carmel, Soledad, San Antonio, and San Juan Batista, with an overnight stay in King City. This in-depth study gives the children a real grasp of how challenging life was in early California.

Lexington’s annual Jogathon is coming. One of our biggest fundraisers, this year’s event will be held on Leap Day, Friday, February 29. We are currently looking for "All-Star Sponsors" to underwrite the event. These donors will be advertised throughout the event and placed on the back of the Jogathon T-shirt. Call Heidi Lewis at 408-353-3017 for more information.

Kindergarten sign ups are coming soon. Packets will be available on Friday, February 1, in the school office. Packets may be returned beginning Friday, February 15. Turn in basic registration information as soon as possible. The medical information can be turned in at a later date.

The annual LGEF fundraising Campus Campaign started on January 22 and continues through Friday, February 15. Donations to LGEF contribute to specific programs (art, music, and science) and important initiatives (teacher training and education specialists in the areas of math, science, and technology). This year’s goal is to raise $750,000 district wide. To learn more about what the foundation is doing to improve education in Los Gatos Schools, log onto www.LGEF.org.

Wednesday and Thursday, February 13 and 14, school play, 7 p.m.

Monday through Friday, February 18 to 22, February break, no school

Friday, February 29, Jogathon

The fifth-graders headed off to Science Camp in the Marin Headlands the last week in November. At Headlands Institute, surrounded by sky, sun, water, and land, lessons were learned from the natural world. This year the weather was great and the students got to explore the tide pools the day before the beaches were shut down from the recent oil spills. In addition to being away from their parents, the highlight of the week was spotting a golden eagle.

Ms. Lauren’s first-graders have been studying the survival skills of sea creatures. After visiting the Seymour Center at Long’s Marine Lab and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, they conducted research on the Blue Whale and then chose a creature to study individually. Working with their big buddies to research their creature, they created a fabulous aquarium in the classroom. They created a three-dimensional habitat with computer-generated pictures, oil-pastel drawings, and poetic descriptions. They presented their habitats on videotape and opened the Kids’ Aquarium to parents, grandparents, and all the classes at school.

The children gathered the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to share their annual "feast of friends." Contributions from the classes included vegetable soup, pumpkin bread, corned bread, mashed potatoes, baked apples with jelly, and pumpkin pie. Cata’s lifelab students created fabulous centerpieces out of pumpkins and native flowers from our gardens. Thanks to Missy VonLuehrte for organizing this year’s event.

Barrels were set up in the month of December and filled to the brim by the generosity of our children and families. Did you know that in the United States one in four people in a soup-kitchen line is a child?

The entire staff made an IB presentation to the Board of Trustees after getting our official authorization. The staff told how wonderful and meaningful the program was to students’ learning. In return, the board gave a plaque to the school in appreciation of their hard work and dedication. The plaque reads as follows: "The Board of Trustees of the Los Gatos Union School District Honor the Staff of Lexington School for its Diligence and Determination to complete the process of becoming an International Baccalaureate School. We are proud of your Accomplishment."

In addition, the board issued a resolution at their December 11 meeting that declared that the Lexington Elementary School is recognized as an officially authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years World School.

Plans for the new school have been stalled. We will not be starting construction in the summer as planned. Our biggest hurdle is the fire suppression issue. We were counting on the cooperation of San Jose Water Company to allow us a twelve-inch water main per state guidelines, but it looks like they are unwilling to do so. Stay tuned for more information.

It’s been a wonderful fall season at Lexington with great weather and fun times with friends on the playground. Our annual Food Wine and Song fundraiser was a success raising money for our Spanish program. Rodrigo & Francois played beautiful flamenco music while parents tasted goodies from Whole Foods, Blue Sage, La Mere Michelle, Restaurant James Randall, Harold’s Fine Catering, Crimson’s, Nonno’s, and Cocoa Bon’s. We tasted wines from Burrell School, Silver Mountain, Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, Muccigrosso, Storr, Alexander Cellars, and Cooper-Garrod. It was a beautiful evening and we thank those who attended and supported our auction.

The highlight of our fall season was our annual Halloween parade and carnival. We had lots of witches, fairies, ghouls, and heroes. Thanks to Allison Valentine and Steph Oliver for organizing our fun scary day. The children had a blast.

Also in October, Ms. Nancy took her fourth-graders on their first overnight field trip. The children saw real-life personas of Russian immigrants of 1812 and traveled to Fort Ross. North of Bodega Bay, this fort is a well-preserved historic site. The children spent a long day gardening, fishing, making cider and crafts, and cooking over an open fire. In addition to learning the skills and cooperation needed to survive, the students returned home with a new appreciation for modern amenities.

Special thanks to Nancy Field, our fabulous mom who has started the Math Olympiads program on Wednesdays after school. The children have fun playing math games and puzzles and will compete in a statewide championship.

In November we had conference week and our annual Thanksgiving "Friendship Feast." Cocoa Bon and See’s Candy sales go through the beginning of December.

Lexington Spirit Day,

first Friday of the month

HSC meeting, Friday, December 14

Winter Break, Monday, December 24 to Friday, January 4

I offer my appreciation and thanks to all of those involved in Lexington School’s achievement as an Authorized International Baccalaureate School. Many

thanks to the hard-working teachers and support staff for their passion, commitment, and dedication to the students of Lexington School. Without their

professional vigor, our success would have been in question.

I am also very grateful for the continued support and encouragement of the LGUSD administration and board of trustees. Their support has been essential.

And, on behalf of the entire staff , I extend our sincerest appreciation for the unflagging support of our Lexington parents. Their trust and encouragement, as

 well as their financial support, has been limitless. Our most recent community-wide fundraiser, “Food, Wine and Song,” is a terrific example of the kind

of community support we have received.

The combined efforts of these groups have been pivotal in helping us achieve our goal of authorization. I am happy to say that our collective

vision has become our new reality.

We just received official word from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in Geneva, Switzerland, that we are now an authorized Primary Year Program (PYP) school. We are the ninth elementary school in the state (two are private schools) to receive this prestigious distinction. We have been a candidate school for the IBO for over two years.

To achieve this distinction was no small achievement. The entire staff went through an extremely rigorous training scheme. Many traveled to various locations throughout the United States and Canada. We had several visits from different IB officials, and last October we completed an intense external review.

We owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to our parents, our teachers, and especially our fearless leader Raf Strudley for having the vision and strength to see us through the three-and-a-half-year process. to become an IB Primary Year Program School. Thank you, Raf, and the entire team for making this happen for our children. You continue to touch their hearts as well as their minds by developing them socially, emotionally, and academically. You have started them on their path to lifelong learning, and we couldn’t ask for more. Thank you all.

The student directory, also known as the Buzz Book, will be available in late October. This will be sent home to all parents who have paid their dues and turned in a Home and School Club membership form. If you haven’t done so, there’s still time. Extra forms can be found in the school office, or online at http://www.lex.lgusd.k12.ca.us/.

A big thank-you to all the parents who volunteered to help in so many different ways already this school year. From library assistants to event chairs to room parents, every little bit helps. Volunteers really do make a difference. I truly believe that we have contributed to the success the school (and our children) have enjoyed over the past years. Let’s keep up the good work.

Friday, October 12, 8:30 a.m.

Halloween Carnival

Wednesday, October 31

Teacher In-Service (no school)

Thursday, November 1

Lexington Spirit Day

First Friday of every month (wear your school colors)

We would like to welcome our new Spanish teacher, Alison Buchter, to the Lexington family. We’re extremely happy to continue our second0language program another year.

Say goodbye to latestart Mondays. We now have what’s known in the district as early-release Wednesdays. We are the second school in the district to implement this new schedule. In order to allow more quality teacher-collaboration time, Lexington students will be released from school at 12:10 p.m. every Wednesday. Special arrangements have been made with the Clubhouse if you need the after-school care program.

Monday, September 17, will be our first Home and School Club meeting.

The financial outlook for this school year does not look any better than the past few years, but the good news is that there are many painless ways you can help raise money for our school.

You can shop online and support our school. It’s easy and doesn’t cost you a thing. A percentage of each purchase will automatically go to Lexington. Go to http://www.lex.lgusd.k12.ca.us. Click on the SchoolPOP icon at the bottom of the page and go shopping.

Linda Fagan

Gabriel-Ray Aguayo

Shane Boswell

Kristie Braken-Guelke

Emily Chua

Kristina Clawson

Jacilyn Couris

Juliana Davis

Sherry Ann DeGrange

Madeline Fagan

Abraham Field

Brianna Gibson

April Harlamoff

Siena Harris

Luke Jervis

Andrea Kibel

Chandler Lougée

Jennifer Martin

Andrew Masek

Madison Medved

Lauren Pearson

Matthew Phillips

Marissa Rajczi

Jessica Raynaud

Clay Sauter

Vincent Von Luerte

Laura Wooley

Sean Zdanky

Alexander Zowin

Heidi Lewis

The school year is coming to a close and students are getting excited about summer trips and activities with friends and family. They are also looking forward to some time off just to relax.

It’s been a productive year with many events and programs that have enhanced our children’s educational experience. One of the programs that has been a huge success is the Girls On the Run program led by Lexington mom Karen Rajczi. She was instrumental in bringing the program to the mountains and has volunteered countless hours. She has definitely made an impression because the running program has been a success.

The girls ran their 5K "culmination run" and held their annual celebration banquet in May. This is Karen’s last year with Girls on the Run. We extend our thanks for her leadership and for being such a positive role model.

Lexington students and the Home and School Club celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week by recognizing Lexington’s wonderful staff with handwritten poems, flowers, painted cards, and many delicious gifts. The teachers also enjoyed an Italian luncheon "al fresco" prepared by our very own Lexington parent "Mrs. A" (Leah Aguayo). She made three types of lasagna, tossed salad, lemonade, ice tea, garlic and French bread, and more. The teachers also received a special bookmark, thank you cards, and Italian gelato for dessert. Mrs. A prepared a fantastic luncheon, and we are thankful for her culinary talents.

The Teacher Appreciation Week was orchestrated by the organizational skills of talented Lexington mom, Missy von Luehrte, Home and School Club volunteer coordinator. She has a talent for gathering people together to make volunteering for this type of event so worthwhile. We are truly blessed by our staff members at Lexington and appreciate them for all they do.

The year isn’t over until Fun Day happens. Kids mark their calendars well in advance for this end-of-year "fantastic" blowout. This year is no exception. On Friday, June 8, Lexington students will enjoy all types of physical activities, including obstacle courses, running races, bean bag tosses, and much more.

Congratulations to the graduating fifth- grade class. We will miss you next year at Lexington. You have so much to look forward to at Fisher Middle School. Be safe, have fun, and enjoy a fantastic summer.

Heidi Lewis

One of the highlights of our year was the fabulous production of our annual Lexington School Play. The Delightful Tales of the Sisters Grimm was written and directed by mountain resident and Lexington librarian, Barbara Lougée. In sold-out performances, the talented cast entertained all who attended. Congratulations to the entire cast who worked very hard to learn their scripts and added much personality to their roles. Thanks to the volunteer parents and students who helped create the terrific stage, complete with real redwood branches, hand-painted background mural, and ambient lighting that transformed our little cafeteria room into a rustic setting to tell the Delightful Tales. The fifth-grade class put on a scrumptious bake sale to fund their class field trips. It really does "take a village" to put on a quality theatrical production. Thanks also to the Lexington Home and School Club and staff for their support.

If you didn’t get a chance to see The Delightful Tales of the Sisters Grimm live performance, it’s available on DVD. Copies are available for $10 each. The DVD includes the entire performance, cast credits, and a section of musical highlights. All proceeds benefit the Lexington Home and School Club. Email Linda Fagan for more information at wefagans@verizon.net.

On April 22, 1970, 20 million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. Now Earth Day is celebrated annually around the globe. To celebrate and participate in this holiday and as part of our own "global awareness" effort, Lexington will recognize the impact we make on the earth in many ways, including recycling batteries, saving energy, carpooling, and reducing our energy footprint.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 20, from 2 to 6 p.m. for Lexington’s annual fundraiser and family event. This year offers an international carnivale theme, complete with a foreign classic car display, fabulous food, silent auction, and fun for the whole family. We’re still looking for volunteers to help with set-up, clean-up, silent auction coordination, and more. With only a minimal time commitment, this event is a great way to get involved and meet other families while helping to support our wonderful school.

We need silent auction donation items for the event. If you know of a business or person who would like to donate any goods or services for the auction, we will appreciate all contributions. Email Linda Fagan for more information at wefagans@verizon.net.

Friday, April 6, spirit day

Monday to Friday, April 9 to 13

spring break

Wednesday, April 18, 12:30 to 2 p.m.

HSC meeting, room 1

Monday, April 23, late start

Nancy Haworth’s fourth-grade class visited four of California’s 21 Missions on a whirlwind two-day overnight field trip. Nine chaperones and 21 students visited Missions Carmel, Soledad, and San Antonio on the first day, and Mission San Juan Bautista on the second day. The students learned many similarities and differences of these historic missions. They also learned the lifestyles led by the missionaries and the Native Americans (food, hardships, and daily activities).

En route between missions, the students worked on assignments, such as creating a rap song about the missions, and writing and acting out a play about early mission life. Each group shared their work with the rest of the class at the following stop. It was a fabulous learning, creative, and memorable experience. The parent chaperones also enjoyed it.

It’s tough being stuffed. That’s why Lexington has an annual Stuffed Animal Parade. Stuffed critters of all shapes and sizes come out with their owners and parade around the basketball court. The parade was held on Thursday, February 1. We usually get one-hundred percent participation at this much loved event.

Lexington is becoming a popular destination to visit for other prospective IB schools. We are establishing several connections with staff of new IB schools, one of which is Le Jardin Elementary in Honolulu, Hawaii. After attending a conference in San Jose, ten teachers from Le Jardin visited Lexington in February, spending a half day at the school and meeting with Lexington staff and Home and School Club representatives. We have also made connections with Sunnybrae Elementary School in San Mateo, another school working toward becoming an IB school.

Mr. Strudley is on the lookout for "Antique and Unique" old cars and hot rods (especially foreign models) for our annual fundraising event Day on the Green to be held on Sunday, May 20. For more information, call Raf Strudley at 408-335-2150.

The official campaign ran from January 22 through February 16, but you can still make donations to fund a well-rounded education for our children. In order for the district to renew LGEF funded contracts, funds must be available by spring 2007. The district-wide campaign is designed to raise $1 million to fund small class sizes, music, art, science, and math, as well as teacher development, and adolescent programs. Your participation at any level is appreciated and needed. If you haven’t done so already, support LGEF. Your child’s education is worth the investment.

Traffic backed up on Highway 17? No worries, you can take Old Santa Cruz Highway once again. The road is open. There’s no excuse to be late for school now.

Barbara Lougée has done it again; she has written and directed the school play, "The Delightful Tales of the Sisters Grimm." This story is a comical twist on the strangely nasty tales of the Grimm brothers, as retold by their young descendents. Goldilocks, Red Riding Hood, Rumplestiltskin, and The Pied Piper come to life on stage, and you won’t want to miss it. Bring your valentine on Wednesday, February 14, or Thursday, February 15, at 7 p.m. Call the school office for advance ticket purchases, 408-353-8720.

The top five students in the fourth- and fifth-grade classes competed in Lexington’s annual Geography Bee on January 11. Congratulations to Andrea Kibel of the fifth-grade class for knowing that Antarctica was the answer to the winning question, "Which continent has the largest amount of ice with over 95 percent of its surface covered by an ice sheet?" Finalists for the competition were selected in preliminary classroom tests. The fourth-grade finalists were Lily Widen, Veronica Sidor, Josh Roberson, Sammy DeLew, and Emma Weber. The fifth-grade finalists were Chandler Lougée, Abe Field, Julianna Davis, Kristie Braken-Guelke, and Andrea Kibel. During the bee the contestants answered questions about cultural and physical points of interest throughout the world. Not only do the students need to know where something is in this vast world of ours, but they also need to know about the cultural economics, demographics, and language of any given region. The winner will have the opportunity to take a county-wide geography test and potentially move to the state-level competition. Good luck, Andrea.

Planning has begun for our largest annual fundraiser, the popular Day on the Green family celebration at Lexington. This year it will be held on Sunday, May 20, from 2 to 6 p.m. We’re looking for volunteers to help with setup, cleanup, silent-auction coordination, and more. Get involved and meet other families while helping to support our school.

Also, we’re seeking silent-auction donation items for the event. If you know of a business or person who would like to donate any goods or services for the auction, we would appreciate all contributions.

Unique and antique…that’s the theme of Raf’s car show this year. If you have a unique or antique car (or know someone who does), enter the event early. Space is limited. For more information, call the office at 408-335-2150.

Packets will be available on Wednesday, February 1, at the Lexington School office. Packets may be returned to the Lexington office beginning Tuesday, February 13. Turn in all basic registration information as soon as possible.

Once again, the Los Gatos Education Foundation will begin its annual campaign drive to raise $1,000,000 to support the Los Gatos elementary schools and Fisher Middle School. They are asking families to donate $600 each and $900 for two or more children. In its continuing efforts toward excellent education for our children, the following have been approved for the 2007-’08 school year: maintain low class size, increase music instruction, and improve mathematics, informational and digital literacy, visual arts, inquiry-based science, social and emotional literacy, professional development, and student intervention. LGEF will also begin soliciting advertisers for next year’s buzz book. If you have a business that would like to advertise and support our schools, call Lisa Sgarlato at 408-396-7231. For more information, visit LGEF.org

Our little Lexington turns 54 this year and, in the era of chemical peels and cosmetic surgery, is about due for a face lift. As the oldest school in the district, we’re finally on the schedule for modernization, slated to begin early summer 2008. The extensive water and geologic surveys have been completed so we’re ready to move forward. The Lexington Modernization Committee will convene in February to begin plans for the new campus. This committee is made up of school administrators, architects, county construction representatives, and parents. They will conduct site visits of prototype schools in March and assist in developing plans. If you are interested in participating on this committee, talk with Raf Strudley. Raf hopes to keep the school open during construction, if he can do so without jeopardizing the safety of the children. Watch for more construction news in the coming months.

Lexington spirit day,

first Friday of the month

Winter break, Monday through Friday

February 19 to 23

HSC meeting

Wednesday, February 28, 12:30 p.m.

Turkey Trot was a success. The weather cooperated nicely and the November Turkey Trot was a big success at Lexington. The annual event helped many kids reach their personal running goals while also having a great time. Raising over $12,000 for the Lexington Home and School Club, each participant solicited pledge donations. Every runner received a special medal for their participation. The kindergartners ran for twenty minutes and the first- through fifth-graders ran for a total of thirty minutes around the school’s lower field.

The top male runner category was a four-way tie for Vincent Von Luerte, Luke Jervis, Nick Brodine, and Walker Sedgwick. They each ran 33 laps. The top female runner was Madeline Fagan who ran 29 laps. Top runners’ names were engraved on a special award plaque that is displayed at school. Other prizes were awarded to the twelve students who gathered the most pledge money.

The event was supported by many sponsors listed below. We thank them for their generosity and their contributions. Perhaps you may notice the names of these sponsors on the students who wear the popular Lexington tie-dye Turkey Trot T-shirts. The artwork on the front was a creative design of a "trottin turkey" submitted by talented first grader Dylan Belquist.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the volunteer leadership of Karen Rajczi, Karen Brodine, Lisa Sgarlato, and the many others who helped with set up, counting laps, setting up water and fruit, and of course, cheering on our extraordinary students.

Wilson Veterinary Hospital; Western Management Group; Victoria Capital, Inc.; Tay amd Nick Brodine’s grandparents; Summit Veterinary Hospital; Sharon and Marissa Thompson, Alain Pinel; Sean Zdanky; Nonno’s Italian Café; Nancy Cole, Coldwell Banker; La Mere Michelle; Laura Wooley and family; Mustang Sally; Linda Roberson, 1st Net Mortgage; Lisa Sgarlato, Home Loans; Karen Izzo, Coldwell Banker; Judy Rowland, Realtor; Jan and Holly Kollenborn, Alain Pinel; Gwen @ Trends Salon; Fresh Ideas; Emma C.’s Grandma and Pa; Emma C.’s Uncle Todd; Daniel Hall, DDS; Crawford and Thompson, Intero Real Estate; Custom Touch Vending; Carol D. Payne, Realtor; Carolineroberson.myarbonne.com; Blackberry and Bloomin; American Teller Machines, Inc.; Athletic Performance; ATM Specialists Inc.; ATM Concepts, Inc.

Heidi Lewis

The holiday season is in full swing with Christmas right around the shopping corner. Students at Lexington are in the spirit of the season with plenty of celebrations and school activities.

Ghouls, goblins, super heroes, princesses, animals, and more showed up for Lexington’s annual Halloween parade held the morning of the popular holiday. Students of all grade levels strutted in their costumes around the basketball court and enjoyed a festive Halloween Carnival of games and activities in the afternoon complete with face painting, pumpkin/ghost bowling, and a fiendishly fun Halloween dance party in the Lexington Clubhouse. It turned out to be a very successful pre-party with classmates and friends before going out to trick or treat.

The fifth-graders headed off to Science Camp in the Marin Headlands for a week at the end of November. This is a fabulous program put on by Yosemite National Institute and ties in well with our International Baccalaureate studies. At Headlands Institute, surrounded by sky, sun, water, and land, lessons take on an immediacy that can’t be found in textbooks. Their primary goal is to foster personal connections to the natural world. Through hands-on learning and guided exploration, they work to cultivate in each student a sense of wonder about the world we share and a sense of responsibility for its stewardship, which stays with students long after the program is over.

The third-grade class went to Deer Hollow Farm at Rancho San Antonio park in October as part of their studies of the Ohlone Indians. It was a three-hour program sponsored by Deer Hollow Farm. The guides walked around the park and discussed animals and specific edible and medicinal plants that the Ohlone people used. Many deer and quail roamed the park, and some students even saw a bobcat. Students learned how the Ohlone hunted and the tools they used. They learned how the environment influenced their music, dance, religion, and culture.

Their class also had a well-known local Ohlone leader visit their class. Patrick Orozco entertained the students by singing songs, telling stories, and answering questions. They collected local acorns and turned them into acorn muffins by peeling shells, grinding, and leaching out the tannic acid. The students then enjoyed them with an Ohlone food-tasting, which included venison, quail, pine nuts, and rose hip tea.

Watch for more information about upcoming auditions for the Lexington school play "A Tale about the Sister’s Grimm," currently being written by our own school librarian, Barbara Lougée. Performances are scheduled for February.

Congratulations to resource teacher Gayle Gordon. Gayle was recently appointed by Principal Raf Strudley to be the new IB coordinator at Lexington. Gayle’s position is the next logical step in ramping up to become a fully authorized IB primary school. The IB organization expects to see the IB coordinator as separate from that of the head of school. Principal Raf Strudley has been serving in this capacity for the last two-and-a-half years. Lexington completed the authorization visit early last month. Lexington staff was told that they were doing an excellent job of offering a fully enriched IB curriculum to all students. Results of the IB authorization visit will not be known until March 2007.

After much input from the parent community, The Los Gatos Education Foundation voted on their grants for the 2007-08 school year. The biggest change will be increased funding of mathematics instruction improvement through professional development, mentoring and intervention, and the hiring of an additional music teacher. LGEF raises money from the parent and business community to support education in the four elementary schools and Fisher. The $1,000,000 raised will support the following grants: Maintain low class size (two certified teachers funded), music instruction, inquiry-based science, mathematics instruction improvement, artists in the classroom, information and digital literacy (computer and library specialists), professional development academy for teachers, adolescent development program at Fisher, and the student intervention program. For more information on these grants, visit lgef.org. Thanks again to parents and businesses for your continued support of our children’s education in the Los Gatos Union School District.

Monday December 11, late start day

Wednesday, December 13, HSC meeting

Wednesday, December 20 through Tuesday

January 2, holiday recess

Wednesday, January 3, school resumes

Lexington School News
Linda Fagan

The school year is off to a great start. Homework, special projects, and field trips are all in full swing. The fourth-grade class has already experienced life as an Aleutian at Fort Ross and the first-graders have gone to Roaring Camp, Whole Foods (to explore a "modern" grocery store), and ridden the train to Palo Alto.

The next big thing for the mountains happened Saturday, September 30, at the Redwood Estates Pavilion. Everyone’s talking about it—the gourmet food, the fabulous wines, and the fantastic music. But it’s the people who made this event unforgettable. We had wines from Burrell School, Storr’s, Silver Mountain, and Santa Cruz Mountain Winery. We had delectable foods from Nonno’s, Summit Store, CocoaBon, Crimson, Dolce Spazio, and others. All proceeds benefited the IB program at Lexington Elementary.

Student profiles and attitudes are central to the IB program. They are ingrained in our school culture. The murals on the school walls remind students (and adults alike) to be imaginative, principled thinkers; and to be respectful, reflective, balanced, and disciplined. They encourage kids to practice appreciation, cooperation, and tolerance. Teachers have developed writing assignments and activities that help students practice these attitudes. They recognize and reward students when they demonstrate the actions in the classroom and on the playground. Each child must also sign a "contract" with the school about how they will behave throughout the year. Lexington is ready for its final IB authorization visit on Thursday and Friday, October 5 and 6. Once completed, a final determination will be announced in February 2007.

What do you get when a mountain lion crosses paths with a turkey? You get the annual Lexington jog-a-thon but under a different name. Apparently the turkey won this year and our event, formerly known as the Mountain Lion Challenge, will now be known as the Turkey Trot. It will be held Friday, November 17, on the lower field track at the school. All kids from kindergarten through fifth grade are encouraged to set personal and class goals. They will try to run as many laps as possible to raise money for the school.

We are looking for people/companies to underwrite our costs. If you would like to be a Super-Star Sponsor, call our school office at 408-335-2150.

A big thank you goes out to parents who have volunteered this school year. Volunteers do make a difference.

Don’t forget, the next Home and School Club meeting is on Wednesday, October 18, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Late start, Monday, October 2

Halloween Carnival, Tuesday, October 31

Teacher in-service, no school, Wednesday, November 1

Lexington Spirit Day, first Friday of every month (wear your school colors)

Lexington School News
Nancy Field

The school year ended on Thursday, June 15, with the annual promotion ceremony. Each kindergarten student was called up to receive his or her promotion certificate and shake Principal Raf Strudley’s hand. First- through fourth-grade students were promoted as a group, and academic, fitness, and citizenship awards were presented. Fifth- grade teacher Mrs. Vaden made individual remarks about each graduating fifth-grade student as she and Mr. Strudley handed out their graduation certificates. It was, as always, a very special day for students, teachers, and parents.

The mountain community congratulates the Lexington graduates, along with the graduates from Loma Prieta and Lakeside Schools, and wishes them the best as they move on to middle school.

Amanda Agrimonti

Lindsay Barnett

Danielle Beahm

Cierra Borjon

Hannah Bowers

Sophia Bui

Anthony Chadwick

Brian Davis

Lucas DeLorenzis

Nathalie Deschamps

Keara Dooley

Desiree Filardo

Kyley Harmon

Megason Hill

Kenan Kaikkonen

Samuel Littman

David Logue

Satya Noble Bartlett

Katie Pearson

Thad Sauter

Caroline Sedgwick

Samuel Sundholm

Katie Tollick

Evan Wilcox

Kyndra Wozniak

Sharon Zohar

Lexington School News
Nancy Field

Lexington was officially named a California Distinguished school by the State Superintendent of Instruction on April 25. The honor is a credit to the hard-working and talented staff at Lexington, as well as an acknowledgement of the benefits of the IB program. In this era of limited school funding and high stakes testing, it is encouraging to see a school succeed with a program that is both supportive and engaging. Congratulations to the entire staff and Principal Raf Strudley for their efforts to make Lexington an excellent school.

Lexington students have now had seven months of Spanish language instruction, and the progress is impressive. Students know a variety of practical words and phrases, including the days of the week, colors, weather, food, clothing, and much more. Teacher Julie Bramlett and Lexington student volunteers presented a mini demonstration lesson to the School Board on May 9 and the response was very enthusiastic.

Summer vacation is approaching quickly, but there are many events scheduled at Lexington:

Many thanks to the dedicated parents who helped make Lexington’s annual spring fundraiser, Day on the Green, a success. Lisa Sgarlato, Linda Fagan, Jutta Braken-Guelke, Janelle Wilcox, Robyn Filardo, Nancy Field, Pam Casey, Missy von Luehrte, Catherine Wooley, and Molly Sauter all took leadership roles in organizing this community event. The Los Gatos Saratoga Big Band, a local, all volunteer jazz and swing band, provided entertainment, along with the Los Gatos High School Dance Squad.

Lexington School News
Nancy Field

State reviewers look at a variety of areas, including curriculum, instructional practices, student support, school climate, parent involvement, and school vision. Lexington scored well in all areas. The school’s application emphasized its mission to add excellence to its program with the addition of Spanish and the International Baccalaureate program. If Lexington is awarded Distinguished School honors, it will be an affirmation by the professional educational community of the staff’s hard work.

The last school in Los Gatos to receive Distinguished School honors was Lakeside in 2000. Daves Avenue was recognized in 1995, and Van Meter was a Distinguished School in 1989. C.T. English and Fisher were honored in 1988 and 1990.

The Home and School Club is busy recruiting board members for the 2006-2007 school year. Parents who are unable to serve in a leadership position should consider attending a Home and School Club meeting to find out other ways to help.

The clouds parted long enough for Sally Bailey’s second-grade students to hike around Alum Rock Park. They examined the geology of the area, including stalactites and sulphur springs. Students returned to school eager to continue their work with rocks and minerals.

Nancy Haworth took her fourth-grade students on a three-day whirlwind tour of Columbia and Yosemite. Students panned for gold, visited a blacksmith shop, and toured Old Town Columbia. The sun cooperated for their visit to Yosemite, where they hiked, learned about John Muir, and marveled at the natural sites. Students returned to school with a better understanding of the Gold Rush and California’s history.

Lexington School News
Nancy Field

All Lexington students are in their third International Baccalaureate Program (IB) unit of inquiry. The kindergarten classes investigate and measure different materials in their unit "Fabric, Wood and What Not." First-grade students observe and learn about weather in their unit titled "Under the Sea…of Air." In their inquiry into "Pebbles, Sand, Silt and Soil," second-grade students investigate our earth’s natural resources. Third-graders look at "Energy Everywhere" in their investigation of the sources and uses of energy, while fourth-grade students research one specific source of energy, electricity. In the fifth-grade unit, "In the Eyes of the Beholder," students examine discrimination.

Each unit is based on state standards and crosses many academic disciplines. The Spanish program often introduces vocabulary and activities designed to complement the areas of study in the regular classroom. Lexington is on schedule to become a fully authorized IB school in the fall of 2006.

On February 14, Lexington students participated in the Mountain Lion Challenge Jogathon. Each student had twenty minutes (fifteen for kindergarten) to run, walk, skip, or race around the lower field. Parent volunteers counted laps, filled water containers, and cheered the runners as they finished each lap. The following students received trophies for running the most laps:

First Place: Brian Davis, Luke Jervis, Vincent Von Luehrte (23 laps)

Second Place: Nick Brodine, Keanu Mendoza, Walker Sedgewick, Max Von Luehrte (21 laps)

Third Place: Luca Delorenzis, Kevin Fagan, Ben Lewis, Sam Littman, Josh Roberson, Shane Ryan, Clay Sauter, Thad Sauter (20 laps)

First Place: Kristi Braken-Guelke (21 laps)

Second Place: Siena Harris, Madeline Fagan (20 laps)

Third Place: Nathalie Deschamps (19 laps)

Jogathon grade level medals were awarded to Wynne Peters, Sawyer Chadwick, Christian Wehr, Sarah Pearson, Gianni Filardo, Abe Field, and Anthony Chadwick.

The Wednesday and lunch time running programs prepared students well for the jogathon. They are strong and know how to pace themselves. To date, students have run over 3,700 miles, and at least twenty students ran over fifty miles each. Miss Lauren’s twenty first graders are leading the school with over 1,200 miles logged. Many thanks to parents Karen Rajczi and Karen Brodine for organizing the jogathon and for taking classes out to run each week.

On behalf of the Lexington Community, Home and School Club president Lisa Sgarlato thanks this year’s Mountain Lion Challenge All Star Sponsors: American Teller Machines, ATM Concepts, ATM specialists, Stefan Braken-Guelke of Coldwell Banker, Beahm Designs, Nick & Tay Brodine’s grandparents, Diana Crawford of Intero Real Estate, Emma Casey’s Grandmother, Nancy Cole of Coldwell Banker, Custom Touch Vending 287-1389, Degrange family, Desiree Filardo, Dick’s Automotive, Fresh Ideas, Genuine Automotive, Haley Harris, Daniel Hall, DDSMSD, Patty Kent of Nbank, Los Gatos Recreation Department, Dr. Nancy Nehawandian of Enhancing Smiles, NewPane.com Windows, Chuck Noe of Alain Pinel Realtors, Nonno’s Italian Café & Wines, Carol D. Payne of Coldwell Banker, Redwood Estates Store, Chiropractor David G. Renbarger, Linda Roberson of Tristar Loan Services, Judy Rowland of Bailey Properties, Lisa Sgarlato Mortgage & Real Estate, South Bay Mortgage, Swanson Ford, Sharon Thompson of Alain Pinel Realtors, The Tollick Family, Western Management Group, The Wilson Veterinary Hospital, SWZ (Sean), and 800Wine.com.

Lexington School News
Nancy Field

Forty-nine children from kindergarten through fifth grade participated in the production. Parents and teachers were delighted to see the older children guiding the younger performers through their first theatrical experience.

The cast: Marissa Rajczi, Chandler Lougée, Lindsay Barnett, Danielle Beahm, Desiree Filardo, Amanda Agrimonti, Anthony Chadwick, Kyndra Wozniak, Sherry DeGrange, Naomi Field, Kyley Harmon, Gwen Erdosh, Megan Casper, Naomi Field, Satya Noble Bartlett, Haley Harris, Kristina Clawson, Sam Sundholm, David Logue, Emily Chua, Sharon Zohar, Keynan Quigley, Solly Marcus, Siena Harris, Lauren Pearson, Brianna Gibson, Shannon DeGrange, Juliana Davis, Hannah Heumann, Caroline Cosette Sedgwick, Madison Medved, Jessie Raynaud, Sophie Bui, Isaac Cornelius, Kristie Braken-Guelke, Daniel Sanford, Sam Littman, Cameron Douglass, Ben Lewis, Nicki Demers, Karen Duran, Katie Pearson, Natasha Deschamps, Madeline Fagan, Alexander Braken-Guelke, Natalie Bramlett, Richard Kennedy, and Jessica Roberts.

Lexington News
Nancy Field

Before the winter holidays, Lexington completed a two-day progress report/review by IB consultant Jim Mahoney. Lexington’s review went extremely well and the school is on its way toward becoming an authorized Primary Year Program (PYP) International Baccalaureate (IB) school. The formal authorization review will take place next fall. Once successfully completed, Lexington should gain official authorization in early 2007.

It is fundraising time again. The State of California currently provides little or no money for art, music, foreign language, hands-on science, and other vital programs. Thankfully, here at Lexington there are two organizations, one local and one district-wide, which work to give our children a quality education.

The Los Gatos Education Foundation is a parent organization that supports essential district-wide programs for all schools in the Los Gatos Union School District. LGEF has raised $1 million each year for the last three years, preventing devastating state cuts from gutting our children’s educational programs. This year, LGEF grants will help maintain low class sizes, music, art, hands-on science, math, the adolescent development program at Fisher, professional development for teachers, and technology. For more detailed information, go to the foundation’s website at LGEF.org.

The Home & School Club supports equally important school-specific programs. The H&S Club has funded the Life Lab program for years, as well as classroom budgets, the school play, some technology, and various school activities. This year the H&S Club committed to subsidizing fifty percent of the cost of the Spanish program. The annual H&S Club Jogathon is again scheduled for Valentine’s Day. If you would like to sponsor the event, or have other questions about the H&S Club, call Lisa Sgarlato at 408-353-1834

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Lexington students and teachers have been busy with a number of special activities during the last month, and several more are scheduled before the winter break. In addition to the annual school-wide Thanksgiving feast, students were visited by artist Jack Toolin. The fifth-grade class went to science camp, and all classes prepared for important sister-school events.

The Thanksgiving feast at Lexington was, as usual, beautiful. All classes prepared an item to share at the feast. The kindergarten and first-grade classes made friendship soup, The second- and third-graders made pumpkin and corn bread. The fourth grade prepared baked apples. And the fifth-grade students made small pumpkin tarts.

Students sat in the cafeteria with their buddies. Pairs of students quietly shared some thoughts about what they were thankful for before eating the delicious meal they had prepared. Many thanks to parent Leah Aguayo for organizing this special feast.

The fifth-grade class went to the Marin Headlands Institute for a week of science camp after the Thanksgiving break. Students participated in activities that helped them learn about the scientific process and our environment. Students measured pond water to determine its biotic index and learned about the effects of pollution on our water system. They worked in the native plant nursery and helped outplant seedlings. They also studied the geology of the area.

Much of the science camp tuition is paid for by Sally Foster wrapping paper purchases, so thanks to the community and Home and School Club for their support.

All Lexington students have now had art lessons from Jack Toolin, a local artist who provides art instruction for elementary grades. The art produced during these lessons is wonderful. The Artist in the Classroom program has been supported by the Los Gatos Education Foundation.

Lexington students participated in two important events in support of our sister schools in Africa and Mexico. On December 14, students and staff joined in a "ONE" March to support Chimoza School in Zambia. The "ONE" March is based on the philosophy that within every individual is the ability to effect change, and when joining together with others, the possibility of substantial change in the world becomes imminent. Each participating child brought $1 to school and all funds went directly toward building schools for orphans of Africa. Lexington students began corresponding with the students at Chimoza School last spring, and the students continue to learn from this unique cultural exchange.

Lexington’s second sister school is Damaso Cardenas School in Mexico. From December 1 through December 14, students wrote letters and brought school supplies to fill a "surprise box of school supplies" for the children of Damaso Cardenas School. Lexington staff member Mr. Arciga hand-delivered the shoeboxes during his holiday vacation.

The Home and School Club is accepting sponsorships for the annual Jogathon to be held early in 2006. Business sponsors will have their name printed on the Jogathon T-shirt, as well as in other advertising. To sponsor, call Lisa Sgarlato at 408-353-1834.