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From our June issue
Loma Public Education Fund
New Gala Art Contest
Jill Talvensaari
Here is an exciting new art contest for CTE students from the Loma Public Education Fund. The winner’s artwork will be featured on the Gala program cover and be announced at the CTE awards assembly June 8. Entries must be submitted by June 1.
This year’s “Magic on the Mountain” Gala on Saturday, October 2, at beautiful Maison du Lac promises to be an exceptional night. It begins with wine tasting and live music during the silent auction in the garden before sunset, followed by a sumptuous dinner, lively live auction, and rocking music from the Loma Prieta Rockers. This year’s auction items include exciting experiences, vacation packages, local art, fine wines, and private-chef dinner parties.
Tickets for the LPEF 2010 Gala are $800 for a table for eight or $125 per person and are available at www.lpef.org.
Tickets, sponsorships, and volunteer opportunities are available. Donations are gladly accepted. To learn more, email gala2010@lpef.org, or call Laurie Orlando at 408-566-3007.
From our May issue
Loma Prieta News
Robin Porter
The Loma Prieta Elementary Jogathon got a great kick-off assembly on April 9. Olympic bobsledder Nick Cunningham, who just returned from the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, showed up to inspire our runners and to kick off this year’s Jogathon. He talked about his path from field and track to competing on ice and how his team finished twelfth in the two-man event and thirteenth in the four-man event in February. Nick is a Los Gatos native, and uncle of Holden and Aiden McGuire. Thanks to Nick for a great Jogathon kick-off assembly. You can support our Loma runners as they ask for donations to support this year’s Jogathon. It’s the biggest fundraiser for the Loma Home & School Club. This money helps to pay for events for our kids and our teaching staff.
STAR testing. It’s that season when our kids can show off what they’ve learned during the past year as they take the state STAR test.This year’s testing runs from April 26 through May 14. Let’s make sure our kids get plenty of rest each night and get to school on time so they can do their best.
Father/daughter dance. This year’s Loma father/daughter dance will be held on April 30. This year’s theme, “butterfly ball,” should offer a fantasy backdrop to Loma dads and daughters as they work on their rise to dance fame. Thanks to Laura Parker and the entire team for working on this event.
From our April issue
Loma Prieta News
Robin Porter
Young and old readers alike found their way to the March spring book fair to raise money for the library. Kids and community members got the chance to check out what’s new in the literary world and help our library. Thanks to Laurie Orlando and her team for a great event.
Dads, get out your steel-toed-shoes for the annual Loma father/daughter dance to be held at Loma on Friday, April 23. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. Dancing starts at 7 p.m. Be sure to check your Wednesday packets for more information as the date approaches.
The 2009 annual Jogathon will be on Friday, May 7. Kaela Vierra is coordinating the event this year. Email her at kaelavierra@mac.com to offer your time and energy for this popular event. The Jogathon is Loma’s largest fundraiser and is a great way for family and friends to support school programs.
If you child will be entering kindergarten at Loma in fall 2010, register soon. The administration needs to get an accurate headcount of kinder enrollment. These numbers affect staffing across the district. For information call Raquel Marin, 408-353-1106.
The HSC board invites you to become more active behind the scenes to support enrichment programs for your children. Nominations are being accepted for most positions; some board members will stay on and can ease the transition. If you are interested, email Carol Campbell at broon1@verizon.net.
Important dates
April 9 —Jogathon kick-off assembly, 8:45 a.m., Loma Forum
April 12-16—Spring recess, no school
April 19—No school, staff in-service day
April 26—STAR testing begins
April 30—Father/daughter dance, dinner 6.p.m., dance 7 to 9:45 p.m.
May 7—Jogathon
From our March issue
Loma Prieta News
Robin Porter
KEEP. Loma Prieta schools are beginning their annual pledge drive: KEEP 2010. KEEP stands for Keep Excellent Education Programs. This campaign allows for retention of key teaching staff and program needs at Loma Prieta Elementary and C.T. English Middle School. This year’s goal is to raise $210,000 by May to finance critical programs for the upcoming school year. In these tough economic times we need to work together with the support of our friends, neighbors, and community. Parent volunteers are still needed. Please join us in investing in our children. Donations can be submitted online at www.lpef.org or sent to 2010 KEEP Campaign, Loma Public Education Fund, 23800 Summit Road, Los Gatos, California 95033. For more information, email Charlotte@lpef.org.
Family science day. Scientific minds and those just curious will be welcome at the third annual Loma Family Science Day, sponsored by our Home and School Club. On Saturday, March 20, from 2 to 5 p.m., CTE students and the community are invited to participate in hands-on science demonstrations. The activities are geared for children K-5 but will educate and entertain folks of all ages. Check the Wednesday packets for more information.
Kinder registration. If your child will be entering kindergarten at Loma in fall 2010 (5 years old by December 3), register soon. An accurate headcount of kindergarten enrollment affects staffing across the district. For information, call Raquel Marin, 408-353-1106.
From our February issue
Loma Prieta News
Robin Porter
Family movie night.
Up, up and away was the theme at Family Movie Night on January 22. The movie Up was enjoyed by children of all ages along with a spaghetti dinner, popcorn, and drinks from the Loma Home & School Club. Thanks to Laura Parker and the rest of HSC for coordinating this event.
Meet and eat at Hobee’s.
For those who love good food, be sure to drop into Hobee’s in Los Gatos on February 2. You’ll meet up with other mountain families, get a great dinner, and help our kids. Hobee’s is donating a portion of proceeds from that night to the Loma Home & School Club.
Fifth-grade science camp.
Boxes of cookie dough and other treats were sold by this year’s fifth graders to reduce their cost for the annual science camp.
Call for exhibitors.
Family Science Day is Saturday, March 20, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Loma Prieta Community Center. This is a great family event where kids from CTE present their science experiments alongside community professionals with real-world experience.
If you or your family would like to present your cool science concepts and experiments that day, call Kym Williams at 408-353-8605.
Escrip and OneCause.
If you shop at Safeway, you can link your Safeway card to the Loma HSC. Every time you buy groceries, Safeway will donate money to us.
If you shop online, go to OneCause.com and sign up Loma for donations from some of your favorite e-stores.
From our January issue
Loma Prieta News
Robin Porter
The Loma Prieta Community Center was decked out this holiday season for the Holiday Craft Faire. Artisans from throughout the area brought in their work in time for holiday gift buying. The booths were diverse in their offerings: cake mixes, woodworking, pottery, jewelry, and tie-dye shirts. Thanks to Becky Farley and her team for helping us with our holiday shopping. Special thanks to Suzanne Overstreet for publicizing the event and the kitchen staff led by Ione Pearce who warmed up the crowd with incredible homemade tomato basil soup and great pasta.
Family movie night
On Friday, January 22, you are invited to our indoor movie night, held in the Loma Prieta Community Center. The movie selection is kept top secret until the Wednesday before the event. Movie food (hot dogs, nachos) and drinks will be available from 6 p.m. until the movie begins at 7 p.m. Bring your sleeping bags and chairs. Enjoy snacks, good neighbors, and a fun film. Check the Wednesday packets for more details.
Family science day
On Saturday, March 20, Loma HSC will host Family Science Day in the Loma Prieta Community Center, from 2 to 5 p.m. We’re giving you an early “heads up” so we can find volunteers interested in teaching fun science projects to the kids. This year’s event is to showcase our children’s scientific endeavors, as well as those of our families and community. If you would like to staff a workstation or volunteer for any part of this event, call Kym Williams at 408-353-8605.
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From our June issue
C.T. English Home and School Club
C.T. English News
Suzanne Overstreet
We highlight our May and June traditions and celebrate student academic success.
May was a busy month. The students danced the night away at the spring dance, hung out at the ropes course, showed off their work at the open house, and frolicked in the surf on beach day. Loma and CTE teachers and staff were honored on Spa Day with relaxing massages and delicious homemade food, thanks to the efforts of Dawn Hooper (CTE) and Carol Campbell (Loma) and their team of volunteers. Plants with beautiful purple and white flowers, which contributed to the forum’s Zen-like atmosphere, will be planted in the school gardens.
On June 1 at 7 p.m., seventh- and eighth- graders will present videos they created in Kris Denues’ and Tony Arias’ technology classes. The content treats controversial topics and so is not appropriate for students below fifth grade. The talent show for all middle- schoolers will be held on June 7 at 1:30 p.m.
The community is invited to celebrate the teaching careers of Sharon Dahnert (formerly Sharon Davis) and Sharon Regner on June 7, on the garden terrace at CTE, 6-8 p.m. Former and current students, neighbors, and friends are welcome to join us for this special retirement party.
One hundred of our 157 students received honor-roll status this year. Sixth- and seventh-graders will receive year-end awards and enjoy yearbook signing on June 8 at 1:30 p.m. On June 9, after lunch, they will enjoy fun day while the eighth-graders go to the boardwalk. June 10 will be the eighth-grade awards ceremony at 11:00 a.m. and graduation at 4:00 p.m. School lets out for all students at 12:30 p.m. Parents can expect report cards to be mailed home on June 14.
We are counting on the KEEP campaign to keep the CTE model. KEEP is still about $30,000 short of its $220,000 goal. Because Measure G, which CTE HSC supported, did not pass, we need approximately $190,000 to keep our libraries open and provide counseling services to students. If you have not contributed to KEEP, please make a donation. If you voted for the parcel tax, consider donating $95 to the school district.
We will see you back on campus on August 30 when school starts. You can check school websites over the summer for summer-reading assignments.
From our May issue
C.T. English News
Suzanne Overstreet
The CTE science fair on March 19 was a tremendous success. Our middle-schoolers conducted themselves with poise and intelligence as they impressed 17 judges with their science projects. Many of the students returned the next day for family science day, hosted by the Loma Home & School Club. They were joined by community members and fifth-graders for an impressive day of interactive science exhibits. The March 26 fun night in the gym provided almost 100 middle-schoolers with an outlet for their boundless energy. Inflatable gladiator challenge, an obstacle course, and soccer were hits. Thanks to Jill Logar and the tireless kitchen crew for a fun night.
At the April 7 HSC meeting, a new slate of board members was approved. Serving for 2010-2011 will be Leslie O’Malley (president), Jennifer Straw (VP), Nell Griscom (treasurer), Kym Williams (secretary), Cathy Vance (Cheetah Sports), and Suzanne Overstreet (publicist). Diane Matlock will continue as the school board liaison, and Maggie Niemann will be student body president through this school year.
Many thanks to Karen Sterry for working in the Cheetah Spot during the past year and to Ione Pearce for offering to keep the store open until June.
The board expressed sincere appreciation to the outgoing board members: Jill Logar, Risa Bernasconi, and Kathy McKinney. Also at the meeting, the board selected Nancy Lanovaz as the CTE HSC volunteer of the year. We are grateful for her calm, steady presence and the many hours of leadership and plain hard work that she devotes to the school.
Looking forward to May, Dawn Hooper will prepare both schools for another fabulous staff spa day on May 14. Also on that day, CTE students will have their final dance of the year from 7 to 9:45 p.m. in the forum.
On May 19 all middle-schoolers will be challenged at the ropes course, and then they can relax on May 28 at the end-of-the-year beach day.
From our March issue
C.T. English News
Suzanne Overstreet
C.T. English Home & School Club has delivered successful events every month in 2010: a dance in January and a movie night in February. Over 110 preteens and teens enjoyed the dance, coordinated by Dawn Hooper, Nancy Lanovaz, and Elise Miller. The movie, “Napoleon Dynamite,” provided an opportunity for the CTE community to share an enjoyable evening together.
In March we’re planning both educational and social events. On March 19 all students in the middle school will participate in the Loma Prieta Science Festival in which their science projects will be reviewed by teams of judges. March 20 is the Loma Family Science Day. Community members will provide interactive science exhibits, and C.T. students and selected fifth-graders will display their science projects. The community is welcome to join us for an afternoon of science for all ages. On March 26 the CTE Home & School Club will host March Madness fun night in the gym, 6 to 10 p.m, with inflatable games, food, and fun.
From our February issue
It Takes a Mountain
Corey Kidwell, Principal
Recently, Los Gatos High School’s new vice principal Elizabeth Laborde came to Loma Prieta to visit our schools. As I showed her around, Elizabeth asked one basic question: “How do Loma Prieta’s small schools turn out so many National Merit Scholars?” My immediate thought was, “It takes a mountain.”
Tremendous credit goes to our incredible teachers and staff, amazing kids, and devoted families. Through our school community, we offer an exceptional education in core academic subjects like science and math, as well as in Spanish, technology, and the arts.
Our exceptional community also supports our students and schools in so many ways. Local business owners, mountain residents, and parents attend our annual gala, donate to the KEEP campaign, and sponsor school events and fundraisers.
Then there are the not-so-obvious school treasures. Myra and Tom Jones, for example, whom we thank for Loma’s lush and vibrant landscape, the Christmas tree farm owners who provide us with the only “real” cross-country course in the league, the Eagle Scouts who repaired lunch benches, the church group who rehabilitated the frog pond, and the Loma Prieta Club who honor our students for giving back to their communities through volunteer work.
Despite all of this support, ongoing state budget cuts are threatening the excellent academic program we have today. That is why the board of trustees is considering placing a $95 annual local funding measure on a special May 2010 ballot to retain our outstanding teachers and academic programs.
There are so many people who give in so many ways to our schools. In turn, our schools keep our community strong by providing a first-rate education for all our students. It’s this tradition that makes our schools special and among the top in the state. It does take a mountain, and I want to thank everyone for continuing to support our schools.
Dear Loma Prieta School District Community Members:
Happy New Year! We have much to be thankful for and some New Year’s resolutions.
The California Business for Education Excellence (www.cbee.org) has honored both Loma Prieta Elementary and C.T. English for achieving the highest ranking of “scholarly performance.” Last year’s statewide test scores are a testimony to this success as our students earned an outstanding district-wide API score of 922. Our scores ranked among the top 7 percent in California. We have outstanding teachers, dynamic parents, well-rounded students, and a tremendous mountain community.
Due to strong parent and community support, we have maintained strong student achievement and high-quality academic programs despite ongoing state funding shortfalls for education. We are committed to tough fiscal management and have recently improved efficiencies and made cutbacks without impacting academics and teachers. But now, ongoing state cuts are threatening our educational programs and teachers. That is why our school board is considering a local funding measure for the May 2010 mail-only election.
This measure would provide funding to retain qualified and experienced teachers, keep our schools safe and clean, and continue our well-rounded academic-enrichment programs. All of these funds would go directly to Loma Prieta and CT English schools and could not be taken away by the state.
Our board values community involvement and welcomes your feedback as we strive to protect the high-quality education we provide for our students. Call Superintendent Henry Castañiada at 408-353-1101 for more information about our schools and this proposal to support continued student success.
Diane Matlock, Rachelle Lopp, Paula Lacey, Mario Montana, Tricia Rasmussen
The Loma Prieta Board of Trustees
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