July 11, 2005

School Scene

Watch out Steven Spielberg…

Kerrilee Fazzino and Christina Scamporrino were recognized on May 27 for being the youngest filmmakers at the 3rd annual Cinecats Film Festival in Los Gatos. The two young filmmakers, who have been best friends since elementary school, made a film that was one of 13 films selected to be shown on the big screen at the festival from a field of 50 submissions. The movie, titled “Empty Chairs,” was shot at Christina’s birthday party. Kerilee and Christina received beautiful medals, certificates, and the prize for the youngest filmmakers ($45 in gift certificates to Los Gatos businesses.) The two recently graduated from Rolling Hills Middle School.

As the song goes… ‘This was the time of their lives’

Top: Red warriors. The class of ’05 enjoys red caps and gowns after a long drought of graduates dressed in black.

Middle, right: A good sport. Wrapping up his first year at Westmont, principle Owen Hege delivers a speech centered around an analogy between graduating high school and winning the NHL’s Stanley Cup trophy. Middle, left: Last performance. The multi-talented actor, singer, dancer Lindsay Vina warms the crowd on a wet June 16 with her rendition of “The National Anthem.”

Bottom left: Almost done. From left to right, Kimberly Casselberry, Robyn McCreight, Gregg Aronica and Khanh Nguyen await entrance into the gymnasium for some last minute instructions. Bottom right: Sisters reunite. Melissa Gardner (left) and sister Lindsay Vina (right) find each other after a barrage of friends and family rush the field.

HIGH SCHOOL HERE WE COME…




Monroe Middle School promotes 231 eighth graders
School Leadership Team student Norita Mengu speaks to the 231 eighth graders and their family and friends who attended Monroe Middle School’s promotion ceremony on June 17.











Rolling Hills Middle School promotes 260 eighth graders
Principal Kathleen Gibbs welcomes the families of the 260 students who were promoted from 8th grade at a June 17 ceremony at Rolling Hills Middle School.

CUSD honors retirees at Ainsley House fete

Some of the 2004-05 retirees posed for a group photo at the CUSD Retirement Reception. Pictured, from left: Patty Brick, Judy Borlase, Vesta Walker, Arlene Hughes, Pat Devins, Judy Hinckley, Fay Ito, Kathy Jacobsen, Charlene Strong and Roger Carsrud. Retirees not pictured: Rita Bell, Barbara Gill, Luiz Magana-Luna, Sue Semans, and Joe Sul.

The Campbell Union School District said farewell to a few of their own at the Annual Retirement Reception held at the Ainsley House on June 1. Among those honored were CUSD Teacher of the Year for 2005, Judy Hinckley of Marshall Lane Elementary School. Following is a complete list of the retirees.

Rita Bell – Blackford Elementary
Judy Borlase – Monroe Middle School
Roger Carsrud – Rolling Hills Middle School
Patricia Devins – Forest Hill Elementary
Barbara Gill – Monroe Middle School
Judy Hinckley – Marshall Lane Elementary, CUSD 2005 Teacher of the Year
Charlene Strong – Marshall Lane Elementary
Arlene Hughes- Forest Hill Elementary
Fay Ito – Castlemont Elementary
Kathleen Jacobsen – Lynhaven Elementary
Luiz Magana-Luna – CUSD Custodian
Sue Semans – Ed Associate, CUSD
Vesta Walker – Forest Hill Elementary
Patty Brick – Peer Support Provider, Rosemary Elementary

Music, art and a wedding highlight San Jose Christian’s ‘Grandfriends Day’

By Julie Davis Berry
Executive Editor

Jo Slee laughs at some of grandson Philip’s descriptions of his grandmother in his “Grandfriends are Special” poem.

Jo Slee laughed as she shared the poem her grandson Philip, a first grader, wrote about her for San Jose Christian’s Grandfriends Day in May.

“His teacher made up a poem with the first letters each of Grandfriends and asked her students to describe their grandfriend using the sheet. I really liked the first few, which were ‘great,’ ‘radiant,’ ‘always there’ and ‘nice,’ but then I got to ‘ding dongs’ and I don’t quite know why he associates me with those or with ‘rilly silly’ or ‘dangerous!’” she said with a laugh. “And, I really don’t know where he got an idea that I was an ice skater.”

The school hosted a large number of grandparents in the younger grades and a smattering of grand folks in the middle school, which apparently is not unusual. The visitors were treated to an elementary school program, which featured songs, poems and musical instruments. The highlight of the day, according to school Super-intendent Al Kosters, was the wedding of Q & U, which was held on the 1-5 playground. “That’s always the highlight!” said Kosters.

The grandfriends also worked on projects with their grandchildren such as creating a butterfly window hanging in the junior kindergarten and making kites (and flying them!) in the second grade.

Shelby Philips reads to an adoring audience as her two grandmothers and her grandfather listen in the kindergarten room.

The visitors to the middle school were treated to a musical program featuring a sax duet, a snare drum duet and a vocal ensemble by the seventh grade girls choir among others, all under the watchful eye of their music teacher Jennifer Baham.

“This is always a fun day for everyone,” said a smiling Principal Carol Vander Baan, an Almaden resident, as she observed a sax trio perform “Pathetique Symphony.”

The private school, located in Campbell on the Willow Glen border, draws students from all over San Jose, including Almaden Valley. For more information on San Jose Christian you can call 3371-7741 or visit their Web site at www.sjchristian.org.