June 9, 2006

School Scene

Future Farmers of America break ground on new Agricultural Sciences building at Westmont

By Janet Ghanem
Special to the Times

On May 10 the Campbell Future Farmers of America hosted the Campbell Union High School District in celebrating the start of construction of the new Agricultural Sciences classroom building at Westmont High School’s agricultural farm campus.

The two and a half acre farm is located north of the main campus across from the baseball/softball field on Westmont Avenue.

With funds provided through the Measure C bond passed by voters in 1999 the Agricultural Sciences Department at Westmont High School awaits completion of their new $1.8 state-of-the-art building.

Dr. Rhonda Farber, Superintendent of Campbell Union High School District, addressed the 70-strong crowd at the ceremony. Before guests that included current and former CUHSD board members, measure C oversight committee members, district and school administrators, former and current Westmont agricultural sciences teachers, architects, inspectors, parents, friends and students, Farber said, “An architect knows, if he builds with care, his structure may stand for centuries. A teacher knows, if he builds with truth, what he builds will last forever.”

Campbell FFA Boosters Co-President Jay Perrine presented Martin Dreiling, president of CSS Arcitecture, with a plaque during the festivities. “In appreciation of the bold design for the new Campbell Union High School District’s agricultural sciences building, we present you with this plaque,” Perrine said.

Dreiling said that this groundbreaking ceremony had the largest attendance of all the Measure C projects he’s worked on in the district.

The building will use radiant heating in the floors and there will be solar cells on the roof. “The solar cells will provide 75- to 80 percent of our electricity needs,” said Dave Duarte, Westmont Agricultural Sciences Department head. “The agricultural mechanics shop will have a roll-up garage door for access and ventilation. It is designed for flexibility with movable workstations and power cables overhead,” he said.

Animals arrived the week of June 5 for the students to raise and sell as their hands-on supervised agricultural experience component at the Santa Clara County Fair. The Fair, held this year Friday, Aug. 4 through Sunday, Aug. 6, has been a part of this valley’s history for 150 years. Campbell FFA students will be auctioning steers, lambs, hogs and goats.

This year the Campbell FFA Chapter turns 73 years old making a positive difference in students' lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success though agricultural education.

The Campbell FFA Chapter #126, chartered in 1933, is the last active chapter in the San Jose metropolitan area from among 20 that were active in the intervening years.

Assistance League of Los Gatos-Saratoga
fetes Rosemary students at picnic

On June 8 three fourth grade classes from Rosemary school walked to John D. Morgan park to attend a picnic and a party thrown in their honor by the Assistance League of Los Gatos-Saratoga.

The Assistance League has a program called TEN, which is Target Exercise and Nutrition. Members go to school every Wednesday to supervise the children who participate in the TEN program. The goal of each child is to walk one mile and receive an award (On rainy days the students do exercise and line dancing in the cafeteria). After the session the students get nutritious snacks. As a bigger reward students received an end of the year picnic, and the students were given a nutritious bag lunch in backpacks which were donated by Apple Computer. A clown volunteered his time, and there were balloons for all the students. Each child also received a framed award, a chain with a sneaker and a ball.

The students had such a great time participating in three-legged races and relays that they didn’t even know they were doing that thing adults call ‘exercise’.

For more information about the Assistance League of Los Gatos-Saratoga, visit the group’s Web site at www.allgs.org

Kaiser Permanente grants $60,000 to battle obesity in Campbell schools

Kaiser Permanente presented a $60,000 grant to the Campbell Union School District recently to battle obesity among the district's 7,500 students. The presentation took place at the Campbell Middle School Auditorium.

One out of every four students in the district is considered overweight, and Type 2 diabetes is being found in district students at an alarming rate. Only a third of Campbell's seventh-graders meet California Fitness Standards. Overweight and obesity can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, asthma and diabetes.

"Kaiser Permanente's partnering with Campbell's schools to promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle is a critical element in raising healthy students and improving the future of children, their families and the communities Kaiser Permanente serves," said Dr. Beth Robie, physician in charge of the Kaiser Permanente Campbell Medical Office.

The Kaiser Permanente "Healthy Eating, Active Living" grant will help the district develop an expanded movement program, similar to one starting at Village School, where learning and physical exercise are combined to keep kids active.

The money will let the Campbell Union School District buy equipment for the movement program, and hire an administrator to develop an overall wellness plan in the district.

"This will include changing menu options in the cafeterias and outreach to parents," said Melinda Landau, school nurse.

The $60,000 Kaiser Permanente Healthy Eating Active Living grant to the Campbell Union Schools is part of a system-wide effort by Kaiser Permanente to improve the health of Northern California's communities by reducing obesity.