September 10, 2004

ESD NEWS BRIEFS

What’s new in Evergreen School District?

By Kathy Gomez
Special to the Times

Despite ongoing fiscal and budgetary challenges, Evergreen School District teachers, administrators and school staff opened school house doors for the 2004-2005 school year on Aug. 23 with a renewed commitment to student success.

More than 90 new teachers joined ESD for the 2004-2005 school year. These new teachers were hired to replace a number of retirees and to accommodate district growth. The district is happy to have them aboard and looks forward to working with them to help our students succeed.

Preliminary STAR testing results show that Evergreen students continue to achieve at high levels. Individual school staffs and parent groups are in the process of evaluating spring assessment data and setting new goals for student achievement.

The district has placed a parcel tax measure on the November ballot. If passed by the voters, this measure, known as Measure N, will generate revenue that will allow the district to:

- Maintain the Class SizeReduction program in kindergarten, first, second and third grades,

- Keep school libraries open withlibrarians and trained media assistants,

- Ensure that every student has appropriate textbooks,

- Support technology as a tool for teaching and learning.

The passage of this measure, in conjunction with the focused work of the individual school communities, will continue to distinguish Evergreen students and schools. Here’s a quick look at what’s new at our individual school sites.

Cadwallader Elementary School
3799 Cadwallader Road, 95121
270-4859
Principal Denise Williams
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 388
Cadwallader welcomed 10 new teachers to their staff this year. The school received lighting and ceiling upgrades this summer. Students and staff will be able to work and study in classrooms that offer enhanced and energy-efficient lighting.

Cedar Grove Elementary School
2702 Sugar Plum Drive, 95148
270-4958
Principal Linda Mora
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 762
Cedar Grove had a tremendous amount of work done over the summer. Underground utilities, new concrete walkways and landscaping, bathroom upgrades, a new fire alarm, new countertops and refinished cabinets, as well as new paint and slurry seal for the playground will make the school a more efficient and inviting campus. Mrs. Mora is happy to have six new teachers join her staff.

Chaboya Middle School
3276 Cortona Drive, 95135
270-6900
Principal Bette Samdahl
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 1107
Principal Samdahl and her administrative team are looking forward to a successful year. Five new teachers join the veteran Chaboya staff. The school underwent lighting and ceiling upgrades this summer.

Carolyn A. Clark School
3701 Rue Mirassou, 95148
270-4560
Principal Jeff Smith
2004-2005 Expected Enrollment: 645
What isn’t new? ESD’s newest school, Carolyn A. Clark, opened on schedule to the delight of its students, their families and the staff. Everything is brand new and sparkling clean. The doors of the school were opened to the community on Aug. 13 for an open house, and all who attended were impressed with the exquisite quality of design and workmanship.

Dove Hill Elementary School
1460 Colt Way, 95121
270-4964
Principal Dolores Garcia
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 736
Principal Garcia is excited to have three new teachers joining her staff. In addition to regular summer site maintenance, Dove Hill received ceiling and lighting upgrades.

Evergreen Elementary School
3010 Fowler Road, 95135
270-4966
Principal Kathy Shepard
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 651
Kathy Shepard is at the helm of Evergreen Elementary School this year, taking over for John Shaw, who retired after serving as principal for the past 11 years. Shepard hired five new teachers and is looking forward to working with the Evergreen Elementary School community.

Holly Oak Elementary School
2995 Rossmore Way, 95148
270-4975
Principal Leila Welch
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 787
Leila Welch has taken over as principal at Holly Oak, replacing Kathy Gomez, who transitioned to a position at the district office as director of Educational Services. Holly Oak’s older classrooms received new countertops and cabinet renovation. Additionally, the accordion walls between the classrooms were replaced with solid walls, a new fire alarm system was installed and the bathrooms were renovated.

Laurelwood Elementary School
4280 Partridge Drive, 95121
270-4983
Principal Dan Deguara
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 396
Dan Deguara will be the new principal at Laurelwood School, taking over for Carol Greenwald, who retired after 15 years of service. Laurelwood underwent ceiling and lighting upgrades this past spring. Principal Deguara is pleased to welcome four new teachers to Laurelwood.

Ley Va (George) Middle School
1865 Monrovia Drive, 95122
270-4992
Principal Richard Miller
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 949
Work continues on the state-of-the-art Ley Va library! The school also received three new modular classrooms and an existing classroom has been renovated for use as a science lab. Principal Miller welcomes a new assistant principal, Angela Cornelius, in addition to seven new teachers.

Matsumoto (Tom) Elementary School
4121 Mackin Woods Lane, 95135
223-4873
Principal Mary Helmer
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 815
Mary Helmer officially takes over as principal at Matsumoto Elementary School. Jeff Smith left to become the principal at the district’s newest school, Carolyn A. Clark. Matsumoto housed a district elementary summer school program this year, and in August, received a slurry seal to the parking lot and playground. Principal Helmer welcomed eight new teachers to her staff.

Millbrook Elementary School
3200 Millbrook Drive, 95148
270-6767
Principal Dr. Hedwig Rucker
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 731
Dr. Rucker is looking forward to working with nine new teachers at Millbrook this year. The school underwent its normal summer maintenance and also received new lighting and ceiling upgrades!

Montgomery (John J.) Elementary School
2010 Daniel Maloney Drive, 95121
270-6718
Principal Kelly Johnson
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 683
Kelly Johnson took over as principal of Montgomery Elementary School, replacing Carole Schmitt, who moved to K.R. Smith School as the new principal. Montgomery has undergone a big change this summer with the addition of a new 16-classroom, two-story building and a new ceiling and lighting renovation. Principal Johnson is happy to welcome six new teachers to the Montgomery staff.

Norwood Creek Elementary School
3241 Remington Way, 95148
270-6726
Principal Dr. Robert Pruitt
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 646
Norwood Creek happily welcomed back sixth graders this year. With the addition of Carolyn Clark School, the sixth grade program was moved back to Norwood Creek from Quimby Oak. Principal Pruitt is very pleased to have five new teachers join the Norwood Creek staff. Norwood Creek also housed one of the district’s elementary summer school programs.

Quimby Oak Middle School
3190 Quimby Road, 95148
270-6735
Principal Phil Bond
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 968
Brian Martes joins Principal Phil Bond and Assistant Principal Ken Barber as a new assistant principal. Bond is also very happy to have three new teachers join his staff. Quimby Oak’s parking lot was repaired and refinished with a slurry seal in early August.

Silver Oak Elementary School
5000 Farnsworth Drive, 95138
223-4515
Principal Nancy Milo
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 845
Nancy Milo joins ESD as the principal of Silver Oak Elementary School, replacing Carole Martin, who retired last June. Milo comes from Morgan Hill where she was principal of Nordstrom Elementary School. Five new teachers join the veteran Silver Oak staff this year. Work at the site this summer included the regular maintenance and cleaning as well as the addition of a modular classroom for YMCA use.

Smith (J. F.) Elementary School
2220 Woodbury Lane, 95121
532-2150
Principal Will Ector
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 574
As one of our newest schools, James F. Smith’s facilities are in good shape. The community continues to build out its library collection and looks forward to its third full year of teaching and learning. Principal Ector is happy to welcome five new teachers to the staff.

Smith (K. R.) Elementary School
2025 Clarice Drive, 95122
270-6751
Principal Carole Schmitt
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 739
Carole Schmitt will take over as principal at K.R. Smith, replacing Chris Corpus, who has transitioned to the district office as manager of categorical programs. Schmitt hired six new teachers to join her at KR Smith. The school housed its own summer school program as well as the program for OB Whaley students. The school underwent its normal summer cleaning and maintenance routine and is scheduled to undergo major remodeling next year.

Whaley (O. B.) Elementary School
2655 Alvin Avenue, 95121
270-6759
Principal Lisa Artiga
2004-05 Expected Enrollment: 761
There was a lot of work done at O.B. Whaley this summer. Ten classrooms were relocated onsite to more efficiently use the space. A new fire alarm system was installed; new countertops were installed and cabinets were refinished; teaching walls were installed; ceiling tiles were replaced and the initial start on a new library was begun. Two new teachers join Principal Artiga and the OB Whaley staff.
Kathy Gomez is the new director of Educational Services for the Evergreen School District.

Volunteer opportunities
Help ESD win the parcel tax election, ‘Yes on Measure N!’

The Evergreen Citizens for Local Schools committee is organizing several phone banks, yard sign placements and community walks in the months of September and October. Your help is needed! If you can spare an hour or two and are interested in working with some of Evergreen’s most active business and community leaders, contact Evelyn Allen, chair, Evergreen Citizens for Local Schools, at (408) 238-6524.