As we head into the second half of the year, we at Alamo School can reflect back on what a productive year it has been! This fall we had many opportunities to roll up our collective sleeves and work toward a common good for both our school and the community.
The roots of the year can be traced back to last spring when most of the planning for the next year begins. Three years of work toward improving pedestrian safety culminated in the installation of a new pedestrian activated flasher system. Activation of the new crossing system coincided with the dedication of our new Teaching Garden during our “Day on the Green” that invited the entire Alamo community to join in a celebration around healthy mind, body and planet. Our work on the Teaching Garden will continue throughout the year, and we invite the entire community to join in our “Keep Our Garden Growing” project (see details below).
October in the San Ramon Valley signals the “Primo’s Run for Education”. Alamo School’s participation in this annual fundraising event for the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation took on a whole new meaning this year. Under the direction of Kristin Kiltz and Karyn Bergen (PTA parents) the entire Alamo School community galvanized to propel our participation to a whole new level. Alamo School recorded a record 103% participation, far outdistancing the second-place finisher (Tassajara Hills Elementary at 71%). But more than the record, it was an opportunity for staff, students and parents to work toward a common goal. Little did we know how important this ability would be later in the year.
We did not have wait long for the next opportunity to bring the community together. As November brought forth the General Election, with high stakes ballot measures for education at both the State and local levels. Leading the way were Margie Hart (Measure D co-chair) and Raylinn Bianchi (PTA President). We all breathed a collective “sigh of relief” following the elections. In the end, proposition 30 and Measure D had both passed. We were saved from millions of dollars in cuts from the State, and gained locally-controlled funds to improve facilities in our district (one major project being the renovation of Stone Valley Middle School). We are thankful for the many hours of volunteer time our teachers and parents contributed at phone banks, precinct walks and get-out-the-vote efforts.
In addition to the many community efforts this year, I would also like to recognize some outstanding individual accomplishments. Nevyta Cednia (4th grade) was the winner of our annual PTA Directory Cover Art Contest. Her artwork graces the cover of our 2012-2013 school directory, along with works from Anders Baugh, Janelynne Galera, Keara Hedican and Emily Oh that are also featured in the directory. Sculptures by Connor Merideth (Thinking, Helping and Doing), Anatasia Uhland (Star Bright, Star Night) and Isaac Lim (Pondering) were selected for display at the “Who Am I ?” exhibit at the Danville Art Gallery.
The theme for this year’s PTA Reflections program was "The Magic of a Moment". First place finishers and runners-up moved on to the council level of competition, where they were judged against pieces from other schools and displayed at the Council Reflections Showcase.
1st Place at Alamo School:
Primary Visual Arts: Fireworks Booming by Madison Sui
Intermediate Photography: The Amazing Light by Aidan Morgan
Film Production: The Secret of Water: Water Moments by Aidan Morgan
1st Runners-up at Alamo School:
Primary Visual Arts: Curtain Call by Magdalena Heil
Intermediate Photography: (no title given) by Ginny Herron
Congratulations to all of our artists!
Stan Hitomi, Principal - Alamo School
