EastEast SideSide UnionUnion HighHigh SchoolSchool DistrictDistrict 830 North Capitol Avenue, San Jose, CA 95133

ES KudosKudosevents.esuhsd.org ACADEMIC, PERSONAL AND SOCIAL SUCCESS FOR EACH AND EVERY STUDENT

A Publication of the Office of Public Information June 2004, Issue 42

Superintendent’s Message I am very pleased to announce the hiring of Bob Nuñez as Chief of Human Resources and Richard Abeyta as Chief of Safety/Security and Student Services. Both gentlemen bring a wealth of extensive experience to our District in their areas of expertise. Bob Nuñez brings 32 years of service to education. He has worked with classified, certificated and administrative personnel. He has served as the state chair for County Superintendents in Human Resources. Mr. Nunez also held several top positions in education at the Riverside County Office of Education. He will provide support and leadership to all Human German Exchange Program Thriving at Independence High School Resources functions in the East Side Parents and students from Independence High School opened their homes to 25 Union High School District. students from Herford, Germany in March and April for the German American Mr. Abeyta brings 30 years of Partnership Program (GAPP). service in law enforcement. He was a While living with Independence families, the German teenagers attended classes police officer for 15 years and the alongside their American hosts, took part in local field trips, and toured Los Angeles Chief of Police at San Jose State and Yosemite National Park during Spring vacation. University for the past 15 years. He will be responsible for student safety, Chaperones Herr Reinhard Klodt and Frau Julia ThrenThren, instructors at partner school attendance and discipline. Mr. Ravensberger Gymnasium (College Preparation High School) in Herford, appreciated Abeyta will facilitate all East Side the hospitality and cooperation of teachers and administrators at Independence Union High School District High School. investigations. He will also help The Independence exchange has been successfully functioning for over a decade at coordinate all security efforts Independence. GAPP is a non-profit organization under the auspices of the German district-wide. government and the Goethe Institut. The hiring of these two new East Since 1992, over 200 students from Ravensberger and from Independence German Side Union employees will bring us classes have participated, building lifelong friendships, breaking down stereotypes, closer to finalizing our organizational and immersing themselves in the host country’s language, culture and society. structure. We hope to have a Chief German teacher Mr. Jamin Lynch coordinates the exchange on behalf of Financial Officer in place very soon. Independence High School. Principals Cari Vaeth and John Najac provide Esperanza Zendejas, Ed.D., administrative support. Superintendent Visit Mr. Lynch’s website for more Information! http://pages.sbcglobal.net/lynchj/ Older Adult Student of Year Ceremony Medical Magnet Update On Thursday, April 22, 2004, the District Marilyn BlissBliss, Board room was jam packed with over 200 Medical Magnet Life-Long Learners and Adults With Coordinator at Disabilities. They arrived beginning at 11:00 Andrew Hill High a.m. to look at their work, which has been School, reports in the display counters for the past that her month. They had a very nice luncheon and students have then met to honor 20 of their outstanding been very busy. students. The artwork and food came from Through the students and staff in many of the 50 Small Learning Community grant, classes offered by East Side Adult students have an opportunity to enter a Education Older Adult program. number of different career paths in the th Donice WagnerWagner, the Chairperson of this program, along 10 grade year: Biotechnology Academy, with Manny Morales and Superintendent Esperanza Nursing Academy, IB program, and the Zendejas gave short speeches. Board member Patricia new Multimedia Academy. Presentations th Martinez-Roach read the biographies of each award were made to all 9 graders, and they winner. Superintendent Zendejas explained that the elected to enter many of these programs District serves over 30,000 members of our community, for next year. Three programs are with ages ranging from birth to 101 years old. It was a offering summer boot camp programs for wonderful event. students: Biotech, Multimedia, Nursing and Dentistry. “We are very excited Those being honored were: Teresa AtkinsonAtkinson, Leo and about this new concept,” stated Marilyn Josephine BalestreriBalestreri, Robert BurkeBurke, Pat ChamberlainChamberlain, BlissBliss. Charles ChenChen, Jerome ChinChin, Hilaria DancelDancel, Frieda EdwardsEdwards, Tavia FriesFries, Trina GentryGentry, Sharon KarpKarp, Mona GonzalesGonzales, Helen KingKing, Phoebe LingLing, AnnaMaria LockwoodLockwood, Mary Over 600 students attended The Health MartinezMartinez, Donald MasuiMasui, Ken McMurrayMcMurray, Sophia MulderMulder, Esther Quinsana-BerryQuinsana-Berry, Rich Career Fair in the cafeteria to learn RollinsRollins, Charna RavichRavich, Petra TorresTorres, Mary TsudaTsuda, Yolanda VelosoVeloso, Susie WangWang, Mary about health careers through interactive Whitman and Dorothy YamashitaYamashita. As inspiring life stories were read there were activities. This was sponsored by The gasps of admiration and even some moist eyes. Each honoree was given a special Health Education and Training Center. A certificate and a bouquet of flowers, and a hearty round of applause for his/her team of our biotechnology seniors judged achievements. It was rumored that their children wanted bumper stickers made that the Los Arboles Elementary School read: My mom made Older Student of the Year. Science fair in late February. Our seniors then entered our own Sciencepalooza Special Olympics Students Honored Fair. Over 450 Andrew Hill students participated in the science fair and 21 Twenty students were honored at the April 8, 2004 Board received honors. Approximately 40 Meeting for their participation in the Special Olympics. This students job-shadowed during the month program was started by Harry Garcia and Brian Ward to give of March at Kaiser Hospital and Santa our students the opportunity to compete in organized Clara Valley Medical Center. They work athletics. It gives our students a chance to realize all the with doctors, nurses, lab, physical benefits that come from playing organized sports. There are therapists and radiologists to learn currently over 100 students and former students (Eastsiders their careers, education etc. Alumni Team) involved in our program. “The main thing that our kids get out of this program is an increased self-esteem. What A Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club was formed by I’ve found is that if you can get kids to feel good about themselves and like who they are, everything else seems to fall Sandra Ritchey. They competed in the Ally Ha into place academics, socialization skills, fitness, handling adversity, independence, State competition in March. Ally Ha won first, Giao Ngo received 3rd, Karen etc.,” stated Brian WardWard. Giao Ngo Karen VermaVerma–4th and Tuan HuynhHuynh–5th. Ally and Students compete on a year round basis in soccer, power-lifting, hockey, basketball, Giao are eligible to enter the national track and field, bowling, tennis, swimming and golf. Some of our athletes have gone on competition in Orlando, Florida in June. to the World Games which is the second largest sporting event in the world next to We will be fund-raising to help to get the regular Olympics. them to Florida. We are also pleased to Students honored were: April-Joy HidalgoHidalgo, Anthony HoriyeHoriye, Jasmine Libuano and announce that we have a new health Antonio Olmos from Piedmont Hills – Zachery CorderoCordero, Marisol Gao-ayGao-ay, Raul LarinLarin, educator in the health office, Jen Ever Renterol and 3 year volunteer David Ames from Mt. Pleasant – Robert ArandaAranda, WekselbaumWekselbaum. She will be working with the Matthew NaylorNaylor, Joshua Townsend and Manuel Villalovos from Overfelt – Jarrod AvilaAvila, students who work in the health clinic on Christinah JaquetJaquet, Gesele Olivera and Chase Cobb from Yerba Buena – Diane health projects. CunninghamCunningham, Barry GeeGee, Jill Giannoccaro and Jeanette Uribe from Santa Teresa. Independence Student Selected as Travels With Ron Cueba Youth Delegate Ron CuebaCueba, a current Richelle HarrisHarris, a student at advisor at W.C. Overfelt Independence high School, will join ten and former yearbook other students representing Santa Clara advisor, has been an Valley at the 4-day Memorial weekend advisor at Columbia dedication ceremony for the National University over the last WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. This few years. Ron has event includes a Reunion sponsored by taught lessons on the Smithsonian Institution, yearbook production in participation in several national the past, but this year conferences, meetings with members of he did on site-critiques the California Congressional delegation, of yearbooks. Ron sent and seats on the National Mall for the official dedication ceremony on Saturday, the following message to May 29th. the W.C. Overfelt faculty about the trip. Richelle and her fellow delegate students were selected in recognition of their “The nine students from Overfelt and the four staff members were accompanied by participation in the Stories of Service some former students. I spent a great deal of time with our former students and Project, a national service learning much of what we talked about was very pleasing. Each of them praised the teachers initiative that brings youth with seniors at Overfelt and felt they were well prepared for college. But even more than their together to record and preserve education, they spoke about the experience they had outside of the classroom. The memories of the WWII generation in the older students remembered the canoe trips teachers took with students down the form of oral histories and short Russian River. Mr. Certa organized the trip, but Mr. OrtizOrtiz, Mr. Dorsa and many more multimedia documentaries called “Digital came also. They also spoke about the “Grad Nite” trips to Disneyland and the Senior Stories” that can be shared with a Trip to Hawaii (it was okay with the district in the old days). Two students from the global audience over the Internet. class of ’81 came with me. One, Dora Lopez-PadillaLopez-Padilla, is now a judge and hears workmen Richelle has volunteered to assist San compensation cases. She is married to an attorney and has one son who is Jose City Council Member Check Reed attending Bellarmine College Prep. Dora is sure that her son will be president of the develop the Project in District 4 this US one day. Another student was Grace DeLaRosa-PerezDeLaRosa-Perez. She is an interior designer summer, and will be working with faculty and works with her husband in their contracting business. She lives in Cupertino and member Michael Reynolds to recruit and has two children. We met up with a third student from the class of ’81, Larry PerezPerez. train students from San Jose high He lives in Rhode Island and is a structural engineer. He had great things to say schools and middle schools who are about the math and science departments. I also met up with Sweet Joy Hachuela interested in participating in the Stories from the class of ’92. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara and then went on to of Service Project during the 2004-05 get an MA from Harvard. She took classes from former presidential candidate, school year. Vice Mayor Pat Dando will Governor George Dukakis of Massachusetts, and went with President Clinton to also be a member of the group South Africa to help set up a City Year program. She works for a large firm in New representing the City of San Jose. York. She thought Mr. Pors was the best math teacher she ever had and loved taking government from Mr. OrtizOrtiz. Also with me was Madison Le (’94) who graduated Oak Grove Junior ROTC Award from Santa Clara and is working as a senior accountant for Primary Worldwide Insurance. Her sister, Julie LeLe, (’00) is studying interior design at DeAnza College. Congratulations to Air Force Junior Not a bad group of students. ROTC Unit CA-861 at Oak Grove High “I think that one of the great things about teaching is that we can feel like me made School for earning the Distinguished Unit Award for academic year 2003-2004. some contribution to the success of our students. The truth is their success is also our success. We are a good school and a good group of educators,” stated Ron The Distinguished Unit Award recognizes CuebaCueba. the personal growth and accomplishments of the cadets, the contributions of the instructors as Junior League Grant for New Playground at Foothill mentors of the cadets, and the support of the school and community. The In 2002, authorities ripped out the playground at Foothill School’s Family Learning Distinguished Unit Award is limited to Center. The metal equipment was deemed too dangerous for children at the center, the top 20% of our nation’s 744 Air which serves students who give birth before graduating from high school. Thanks to a Force Junior ROTC units. $25,000 grant from the Junior League of San Jose, the center has broken ground on a new playground. To Joyce RamosRamos, 16, the new equipment matters because it will Colonel Samuel J. BarrBarr, Director, Air provide a place for her 17-month-old daughter, KayleenKayleen, to develop her motor skills. Force Junior ROTC, sent a certificate to Oak Grove Director Rich Frias About 56 parents and 52 children attend the center, which teaches parenting skills congratulating him and the cadets on a and provides childcare. The Junior League, a non-profit with roughly 800 members in job well done. San Jose, provides the center with mentors. 400th Teacher Aided by Independence Yearbook Honored Homebuyer Program On Friday, March 19, 2004, Independence High School was one of only 15 schools in San Jose Mayor the country to win the Gold Crown Award for scholastic journalism from the Ron Gonzales Columbus Scholastic Press Association for its 2003 yearbook, The America. The presented a students began the project in the summer of 2002 with the goal of winning this housewarming award. It took many hours. present to Jason “You have to watch out for little details to make the book. It’s a lot of work, BlackBlack, a teacher at James Lick High everyday coming to O period and making the deadlines. Sometimes it’s frustrating th School, as the 400 teacher aided by and overwhelming, but in the end it’s worth it,” said Herman YangYang, current Editor-in- the San Jose Teacher Homebuyer Chief. Program. Mayor Gonzales proposed the San Jose Teacher Homebuyer Program The editorial board was made up of Jennifer LyLy, Tiffany SayaphuphaSayaphupha, Alicia LeeLee, Diana as part of the City’s effort to support Tran and David TruongTruong. Supporting them were section editors Kevin ChaoChao, Herman quality education in San Jose public YangYang, Erwin ToTo, Sharon Le and Erin BeckerBecker. Design was led by Lucy Pham and Kathy schools. Since the program was WangWang. Yang Yang Jin and Daniel Kerrick had the job of photo editors. established in 1999, more than 400 San The theme of the book was “How Is It Possible?” The intent was to explore the Jose teachers have received up to complexities of a school that has over 4,000 students with widely divergent $40,000 in zero-interest down payment backgrounds. In the background, overseeing all of this incredible work was Stacy assistance through the City’s Housing JohnsonJohnson. Department to help buy their first homes in San Jose. W.C. Overfelt Yearbook Jason has taught reading and drivers education in the East Side Union High The Columbia Scholastic Press School District since 2003. Prior to Association awarded a Silver teaching in San Jose, Mr. Black was a Crown award to the 2003 WC substitute teacher in Roseville while Overfelt yearbook the Citadel. completing his credential at Chapman “It was quite an honor because University in Sacramento. only three high school yearbooks were nominated in the 11 Bay Area counties. The California Association of Teachers Citadel is being honored as one of English – Classroom Excellence of the top 50 books in the country. This says a great Anna J. RoseboroRoseboro, President of CATE deal for the teachers and (California Association of Teachers of students at Overfelt,” stated English), has announced that the yearbook editor Ron Cueba. Executive Board of CATE is recognizing During their trip, students took classes at Columbia University. They also managed Jefferylynn DavisDavis, Mt. Pleasant High to visit the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Ground Zero, the Metropolitan Museum of School English Department Chair, as one Art, Grant’s Tomb, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s, Times Square and students also of nine individuals in California to receive attended a Broadway play. They saw and learned things that they never would have the California Association of Teachers of had the chance to experience if they stayed in San Jose. English Award for Classroom Excellence. The editors for the yearbook last year were Uy Tran and Stephen Heraldo. Current “Jefferylynn changed the environment of editors Andriana Perez and Nora Cibrian traveled with the current yearbook advisor, Mt. Pleasant’s English Department by Honey Gubuan to Washington D.C. last November to attend the Journalism making it “okay” for teachers to say they Education Association’s national convention. The Citadel competed in the very needed help or to say that a lesson competitive “Best of Show Contest” with the top books at the convention. The failed and ask for suggestions on how to Citadel placed fourth in the nation. improve it next time,” stated Joan SaitoSaito, Literacy Coach and Staff Development Phoenix High School Awards Coordinator at Mt. Pleasant High School. The quality and openness of the A Sciencepalooza was recently held at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds on March collaboration that now takes place 6, 2004. Phoenix High School entered eleven students and three were awarded with among colleagues is due in no small part the Galileo Award. The winners were Patricia BanuelosBanuelos, Bianca Funes and Autumn to her. She is a skilled presenter and SparksSparks. Each winner received a gift certificate. Frank LopezLopez, a teacher at Phoenix, trainer of other teachers. She has stated “This was the first time Phoenix students have received any kind of award in our thirteen year history.” presented writing workshops throughout the district and county. The title of their project was “House Cleaners, Sanitary and Deadly.” The Principal of Congratulations on an outstanding job. Phoenix High School is Jerry Yamaguchi whose support was greatly appreciated. st Evergreen Valley High School Educator Andrew Hill Softball Wins 1 Crown Is Featured Speaker at Philly Math Love Fest The Andrew Hill Varsity Softball team secured the Blossom Valley Athletic 17,000 Math Educators League West Valley Division crown, the gathered to “Define school’s first softball title! They also Mathematics for All” earned the No. 11 seed in the Central Ma. Bernadette SalgarinoSalgarino, a Coast Section Division I play-offs, math teacher at Evergreen opening against #6 Mt. Pleasant. Valley High School, presented Senior Ynez Canela had an outstanding “Action Teaching in year, hitting .667 with six home runs, Mathematics” at the 82nd eight doubles, five triples and 30 RBIs. Annual Meeting of National Ynez was elected BVAL West Valley Council of Teachers of Division Senior of the Year by the Mathematics (NCTM) which coaches in that division. took place in Philadelphia from April 21 – 24. Sophomore Alicia Flores was the pitching ace, compiling a 10-1 record. She was NCTM’s Annual Meeting is the also an offensive standout, batting .433 largest gathering of math educators in the world. Nearly 1,100 sessions, workshops, and named 1st Team All-League. hands-on computer classes, and mini-courses – led by national and international education experts – were presented in Philadelphia with an emphasis on helping Congratulations to Sandy BanuelosBanuelos, teachers strengthen skills and teaching methods for the 21st century mathematics Estela Canela (1st Team All-League), classroom. Crystal Estrada (2nd Team All-League), Sabrina FernandezFernandez, DaShawn FlenryFlenry, Ms. SalgarinoSalgarino, a participant of the teacher exchange program between the Philippines Yvette HernandezHernandez, Kim La (2nd Team All- and the US, is on her second year at Evergreen Valley High School. She has worked League), Josefina OrnealasOrnealas, Carolina with Dr. Jim LobdellLobdell, and Charleen Delfino with the California Reading and Literature PerezPerez, Brenda Salas and Christina Yanez Program, and Dr. Andrew Hughey on Action Centered Teaching Strategies. Her active (1st Team All-League) for a memorable involvement in these programs prompts her to develop several action teaching season! techniques in her math classe Among the strategies she shared to about 80 participants are Four Squares, Match Me Up, Vote with Your Feet, Spectrogram, Where Do They Function? Compass, ESUHSD Scholarship Winners Activate the Walls, Living Postulates and Theorems, Write Now! and Line of Communication. Documenting the effectiveness of the techniques is ongoing. Andrew Hill Students Wins Art Competition Each year the Coca Cola Bottling Company sponsors the “Art of Harmony” art competition which is designed to encourage the artistic talent of high school students by giving them recognition in their local communities. The contest Congratulations go out to three encourages artistic self-expression while promoting the theme “Living in Harmony”. ESUHSD seniors who won District Participation in the contest was a required assignment for 20 Andrew Hill students scholarships in their endeavor to become enrolled in Advanced Multimedia Art. We are proud to recognize Eduardo Enciso as a teachers. Senior, Sean Deleev from finalist in the San Francisco Bay Area. His work was selected from a panel of judges Independence High School, won $1,000. comprised of local artists, art educators, community leaders, elected officials and for the Nadene Potter Memorial business people. Eduardo’s entry was produced using Adobe Photoshop. Scholarship. Sean was a member of the Independence Teaching Academy and will For his efforts Eduardo was honored on May 5th at a reception in San Francisco and be attending San Jose State University. presented with a $200 check. We salute Eduardo on his accomplishment! Senior, Karina Salgado from Mt. Pleasant High School, won $1,000. for Yerba Buena Receives HP Grant the Sherri Lynn Mack Memorial Scholarship. Karina worked in the Six Bay Area schools were among 193 chosen nationwide to receive $10 million in Summer Math and English Institute educational funding through Hewlett Packard’s annual Technology for Teaching grant, helping incoming freshmen with English. a program designed to improve student learning through technology integration in She will be attending St. Mary’s College. the classroom. Yerba Buena High School was selected and will receive a $35,000 Senior, Leticia Almonte from Yerba award package for the K-12 grant. The award will include five HP Tablet PCs, five Buena High School, won $500. for the multimedia projectors, an HP Officejet all-in-one, an HP digital camera, HP K-12 help Tom Ryan Memorial Scholarship. She has desk support for one year, and a $500. stipend per teacher to attend professional worked with children at Shirakawa development programs to learn how to use the equipment. Elementary School. She is undecided as to where she will attend. Students of the Year Wild in Waikiki At the June 3 Board meeting, Superintendent Zendejas, Ed.D. and the Board presented certificates of honor to our East Side Union High School District Students of the Year for the 2003-2004 school year. The staff and administration at each of our sites selected five nominees for Female Student of the Year and Male Student of the Year. They then narrowed this list down to the female and Congratulations to all the employees male student who best honored at the “Wild in Waikiki” event. represented what their high school is about. It was a very tough process as we have We are extremely proud of our employees so many outstanding students. The criteria in the selection process was left up to and their contributions to our District. each of our high schools. 57 employees from the East Side Union “Visiting each of the high schools this past year, meeting so many wonderful High School District were honored at the students, and seeing the caliber of students, I can imagine how difficult it was for Embassy Suites this past Friday at the schools to narrow it down to one young woman and one young man,” stated their retirement party. Chris Evans and Superintendent Zendejas, Ed.D. Tim McDonough did a wonderful job as Here are the winners: masters of ceremony keeping the crowd Andrew Hill—Tram Dang and Christopher Vuong; Evergreen Valley—Julia Lam and in stitches. The event was made possible Jeffrey Brass; Foothill—Laura Barbosa and Bruce Talivaa; Independence—Maria through the generosity of Bruce Flyn and Peralta and Jose DiazDiaz; James Lick—Vanessa Flores and Andrew CassanovaCassanova; Mt. Associates who sponsored the evening Pleasant—Xuan Hoang and Steve NguyenNguyen; Oak Grove—Casey Fedde and Allan AldayAlday; and awards. Piedmont Hills—Carrie Wong and Peter JepsenJepsen; Santa Teresa—Elizabeth Choi and Matt RandelmanRandelman; Silver Creek—Jennie Tran and Ed BaltierrezBaltierrez; W. C. Overfelt— Janessa Buenrostro and Alvin FloroFloro; and Yerba Beuna—Someary Chhim and Arturo Alvarez.

Superintendent’s Challenge Award On Friday June 4th, State Superintendent Jack O’Connell and State Senator Tom Torlakson presented Superintendent ZendejasZendejas, Board President Juanita Also honored were 384 pin winners who RamirezRamirez, and the District a celebrated their 5-10-15-20-25-30-35 plaque for winning the and 40 year anniversaries. Dan Korbel Superintendent’s Challenge at from James Lick was the lone pin winner Evergreen Valley High School. in the 40 year category. Sodexho provided a wonderful luncheon for the 150 people in Congratulations to DanDan! For employees attendance. who were unable to join us at this event, Superintendent Zendejas will be East Side Union High School District is a recipient of the first joint challenge and presenting the pins to you in the very award program from State Superintendent Jack O’Connell and the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness. The goal of the Challenge is to recognize and near future. award school districts and county offices of education that are making a “We wish all our retirees the very best in demonstrated difference in providing students access to healthy foods, nutrition their future, and we thank them for the education, and quality physical activity. There were only five award winners in the wonderful years they have given to our state, of which East Side Union High School District was selected as the award students and District,” stated winner in the large high school district category. The District has partnerships with Superintendent Esperanza ZendejasZendejas. local health agencies, sponsors Health Fairs, and integrates nutritional information into health, science, and physical education classes. Awards Ceremony Mt. Pleasant Relays The Mt. Pleasant Relays held on Saturday, March 6, at Mt. Pleasant High School was a huge success. The track meet featured five of California’s Top 10 Ranked Teams and produced 11 new meet records. The support of the Mt. Mt. Pleasant High School was the only Pleasant school from the ESUHSD in attendance Junior ROTC, at the 27th Annual Santa Clara County community “Salute to Youth” and “Youth Hall of members, the Mt. Pleasant Booster Club, staff members past Fame” awards luncheon at Lou’s Village. and present and beautiful weather made this the top Youth were honored for outstanding track meet in California for the weekend. “Due to the accomplishment, meritorious community dedicated support, this event will only improve in the service and leadership contributions. years to come,” stated Assistant Principal Jim MeyerMeyer. “Salute to Youth” scholarships were The Mt. Pleasant High Sports Complex has been touted awarded to students in 12 categories. by many of the top track coaches in attendance as one Winners from Mt. Pleasant were Sarah of the best track and field facilities in the state. Kabiling – Overall in Performing Arts; Congratulations to Mt. Pleasant’s track coach, Steve Gabriel Alcantar – 1st alternate in Nelson, who did an outstanding job in hosting this Athletics; Connie La – 2nd alternate in event. Academic Achievement; Jasen Lee – Overall in Academic Achievement; Piedmont Hills AVID Campus Visitation Jennifer Orbe – 3rd alternate in Academic Achievement and Erika Nevarez received Thirty AVID students at Piedmont Hills High School traveled to Saint Mary’s College the Maryatt Family Science and and the University of California at Berkeley to tour the campuses on April 20th. “The Engineering Scholarship Award worth message behind these tours is that at the end of it, the students come to an $3,000. understanding that they can do this. They can go to college,” stated AVID counselor Kevin MurphyMurphy. Xuan HoangHoang, Steve Nguyen and Vivian Tran also won the Carolyn Oliveria “Youth This year, instead of visiting only one college campus, they were able to tour two Hall of Fame Ambassador” award for completely different universities. AVID coordinator Kenneth Wilks explains, “I hope overall achievement. The last scholarship the students got a general feeling for what college campuses are like. Saint Mary’s is presented that afternoon was the B a much smaller private catholic school whereas CAL is a public school right next to a “Spirit of Youth” award. B received this big city.” award worth $500. His inspirational However, not all of the students on the trip found either school intriguing. For those narrative nomination form was read to individuals, Mr. Wilks hopes that by going on the trip they might have gained a better the audience, and he was given a understanding of where they would like to go for college. standing ovation. In the end, the award ceremony was definitely “a moment in time” for Mt. Pleasant students. Mt. Pleasant High School Senior Wins Educational Grant Congratulations to Erika NevarezNevarez, a senior at Mt. Pleasant High School on winning the prestigious Hispanic Heritage Youth Award for the Northern California Region in Engineering and Mathematics. Erika will receive an award of $3,000 to use toward Kudos was initiated to promote the her education and a state-of-the-art personal computer. Additionally, the Hispanic many achievements of the East Side Heritage Awards Foundation will make a $1,000 donation to a community service family members, schools, staff, organization chosen by her. students, parents and alumni. If you Awards will be presented at a special ceremony to take place May 13 at Stanford are aware of special recognitions University. A selection committee comprised of professionals and community leaders given to members of our family, who represent each of the seven qualifying categories chose Erika. please send the information to: Jim deDiego ([email protected]), The Hispanic Heritage Awards Foundation, one of the nation’s most prestigious Public Information Office, 830 North organizations promoting Latino excellence, provides a greater understanding of the Capitol Avenue, San Jose, CA 95133. contributions of Latino Americans to the U.S., and to recognize and award role models that inspire our youth. Dorothy Wright Award Winners Cesar Chavez Award Ceremony The following District English teachers Responding to these words from Cesar have been honored by our East Side ChavezChavez: “If a man is not accorded respect, graduates who are currently enrolled at he cannot respect himself, and if he does San Jose State University. not respect himself, he cannot demand They include: Jim Frazee at W.C. Overfelt; it.” A total of 66 students were awarded Mike Gatenby and Nancy Weiner at a total of $7,850. as poster and essay James Lick; David Garfolo at Oak Grove; contest winners in the Cesar Chavez Todd Seal at Silver Creek; John Warren Awards Program held at the District at Independence; Joey Lovato and Jefferylynn Davis at Mt. Pleasant. Each Office on March 25th. There were over year students are asked to nominate 200 people in attendance celebrating this teachers who have had a very special event. affect on their lives. Congratulations to Art Darin was Master of Ceremonies, and all our fine staff members selected. people in attendance included Rita MedinaMedina, sister of Cesar ChavezChavez, Board Patricia Martinez-Roach Manuel Berkeley Incentive Awards Program members Patricia Martinez-RoachMartinez-Roach, Manuel Herrera and Craig MannMann, Bart Charlow East Side Union High School District Executive Director of NCCJ, and Maryellen Superintendent Esperanza Zendejas is HimellHimell, Bobbie Joyner and Jorge Melgoza very pleased to announce that we have from the Incentive Awards program from

East Side Union High School District received official notification from the UC Berkeley. Bernard Osher Foundation of the $5 million endowment gift that will help Noted artist and writer Simon Silva was sustain the scholarship costs for the UC the guest speaker. Simon spoke from his book and his heart as he gave our audience Berkeley’s premier privately funded a very uplifting presentation. Students were also given one of Simon’s posters as program for students who have they received their awards. succeeded academically in their high schools despite severe personal Anthony Vu from Oak Grove High School was the overall winner of the poster hardship. contest, and Mt. Pleasant junior Hazel Benigno was the winner of the Cesar Chavez writing contest. Hazel read her piece entitled The Tree of Hope for Respect and was Coordinating the program from Berkeley rewarded with a standing ovation from the crowd. are Maryellen HimellHimell, Director of Development and Community Relations for the Division of Student Affairs at UC Berkeley, staff members Bobbie JoynerJoyner, Teacher and Classified of the Year at Sites the Incentive Awards Program manager, and Jorge Melgoza, its Outreach Superintendent Esperanza Zendejas Coordinator. Superintendent Esperanza Zendejas is initiating a recognition program honoring As a result of this significant gift, the the Certificated and Classified Employee of Incentive Awards Program staff, in close the Year at each site. Award winners will be coordination with the District and school honored at the May 13th Board meeting. personnel, will be launching its inaugural competition this fall. The District will Congratulations to the following staff for nominate 5 candidates from each of the being selected this year: 11 designated schools, as well as, one from the cluster of small schools that make up our alternative education program. Twelve $28,000 awards will be Site Certificated: Classified: made annually. Andrew Hill Kip Mowder Joann Polumbus A Publication of the Evergreen Valley Jason Marshall Alice Fuller East Side Union Independence Steve Barry Kolet Kaplowitz High School District James Lick Dan Korbel Sheri Bonaccorso Public Information Office Mt. Pleasant Paula Ridley Debbie Ramirez Board of Trustees Oak Grove Rich Alsbury Bev Thielbahr Juanita Ramirez, President Piedmont Hills Doug Wong Marcello Real George Shirakawa, Vice President Santa Teresa Nick Alfano Ted Jurado Silver Creek Dan Ketterer Mary Ellen Robles Craig Mann, Clerk W.C. Overfelt Vito Chiala Becky Laguna J. Manuel Herrera, Member Yerba Buena Paz Rocha Luz Cardenas Patricia Martinez-Roach, Member Foothill Vicki Winsted Olivia Camarillo Superintendent Adult Ed. Sandra Dilling Genevieve House Esperanza Zendejas, Ed.D.