December 29, 2006

Evergreen SchoolScene

Books and bikes for O.B. Whaley students this holiday season

By Carol Rosen
Staff Writer

The season of giving reached a fever pitch just before Christmas at O.B. Whaley Elementary School.

Kindergarten students surround a table find it hard to choose which book they want to take home. Principal Lisa Artiga, left, and program founder and kindergarten teacher Mae Valentino Pickett help them to narrow down the choices.

O. B. Whaley students were treated to books and candy when Santa Claus came to visit on Dec. 19, followed by gifts of bikes for the 29 students in Charlotte Kimble’s fourth grade class, given by Laura and Rod Rodriguez the next day.
For many of the children, the gifts were beyond their wildest dreams, said Principal Lisa Artiga.

“For some of the children, these gifts make a difference, (and) for a lot of them, this is all they will receive for Christmas,” Artiga said.

The book and candy delivery is the brainchild of O.B. Whaley kindergarten teacher Mae Valentino Pickett. She and Janie Tilbury started the project eight years ago. Every year, they donate books and candy to Lindale School and another school chosen by the eight current members of the group: Pickett, Carl Sangetta and his wife, Janie and Larry Tilbury, Rose Beasley and Virginia and Maurillo Alejandro.

It all began when Pickett helped found the Lindale Neighborhood Association.

“I really wanted to do something for the community and for reading,” she said.

One day, she struck up a conversation with Tilbury, who had formerly made books, and the two realized they had something in common—they both loved books.

“Janie had given books [during the holidays], but felt it was impersonal. I wanted to do something for reading. I grew up in a house without much money, but my single mother made sure there were books available because she felt that reading is the key to everything,” said Pickett.

The two were quite a match. They began collecting books—Pickett said that if you save money from coffee or whatever, you can buy about one book a week—and the first year they collected enough books for a couple of grades at Lindale Elementary.

Since then, both donations and books have increased. The second year, Sangetta and his wife started helping and between the second and fourth years, the group acquired Maurillo Alejandro—who plays Santa Claus—and later his wife Virginia—who acts as Mrs. Claus. Along the way, Pickett also met Rose Beasley, who retired from AT&T and had founded the AT&T Telecom Pioneers, the group that sponsors gifts for teachers and children in kindergarten through third grade, and provides the Santa Baskets.

The teacher gifts aren’t fancy, but they are most welcome. These include supplies—everything from paper, scissors and glue to tissues and other classroom needs that are in short supply because of budgetary constraints.

This year, the group was able to deliver to all the children in all the grades at both Lindale and O.B. Whaley. Each child chooses whatever book he or she wants and is given a bag of treats from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Each child is also given a raffle ticket with numbers and two lucky students from each classroom get to choose presents donated by the AT&T Telecom Pioneers.

The Lindale Neighborhood Association also provides eight to 10 teenage volunteers to help sort the candy that is donated by a company in Hollister. A grant from the association helps the group to purchase books and bags for the candy.

While the program is an annual event at Lindale Elementary, the group chooses another lower socio-economic elementary school in the San Jose area. This year, the members surprised Pickett and chose the school where she teaches.

“I was late for one of our lunch meetings, and when I arrived, everyone stood up and clapped and let me know they chose my school,” Pickett said.

Prior to choosing books, Pickett explains to the children what to do. There are specific tables for each age group, and the children can choose whatever book they want. “I want to make sure they know that they can pick whatever book they want and they can share it, pass it on or keep it forever,” Pickett said.

“It’s an amazingly good feeling. Most of these kids have never had a book of their own; they hug them like it’s a Teddy Bear,” she added.

Pickett said that most of the people in the group aren’t wealthy, but they manage to save a few dollars here and there to buy books through stores and catalogues. Some people donate money for books when people get married or have occasions to celebrate or to remember someone who has died.

Bikes for Christmas
Charlotte Kimble has taught both fourth and fifth grade for 25 years at O.B. Whaley.

About 16 years ago, she had a student named Vincent Rodriguez in her class. She remembers him, but more important, he remembers her as the teacher who made the biggest impression on his life. That encouraged his parents, Rod and Laura, to provide bicycles to each child in her class last year and this year.

Last year there were 30 fifth graders; this year there are 29 fourth graders – all received bikes from the Rodriguez family.

“The family wants to give back to the school and to honor Mrs. Kimble,” said Artiga. “It’s important for teachers to remember that they have a chance to impact the lives of some of their students.”

Kimble remembers Vincent, who now works with his dad, as “a very hard-working student. He excelled academically—he was a wonderful writer and an excellent math student. He stood out. He was also a character with a genuine sense of humor,” she said.

He is also one of a number of Kimble’s students who return to pay her a visit long after they’ve finished school.

“They tell me that I worked them hard, but look where they are now. Education is my passion. I’ve worked hard at perfecting my craft. It builds a good strong foundation that pays off in high school,” she said.

As a teacher, she added, “you always wonder if you’ve made a difference. You work hard to make sure that your students are prepared. When Mrs. Rodriguez came to me, I was stunned but appreciative, and it confirmed that I am doing a good job.”

This year, the fourth graders were asked to write a letter stating why they should receive a new bike. Kimble said she told them that several would be winning bikes because of their letters.

Each of her fourth grade students received a “top-of-the-line” bike, as well as a helmet and a bike lock.

“When Mrs. Rodriguez first came to me I had been through a number of personal tragedies,” said Kimble.
She prayed to get well, so she could give back to her students. And that’s exactly what has happened.

“So far, I’ve been able to keep my promise,” she said.

If you would like to help the book giveaway program, call (408) 793-5203, a 24-hour voice mail line. A member of the group will return your call.

Chaboya Symphonic Bands and Choirs annual Winter Concert a hit

The Chaboya Flute Choir.	The Chaboya Choir.

Congratulations to all of the Chaboya students, for their stellar concert performance, held on Dec. 13. Chaboya’s vibrant and strong music program was showcased at their annual Winter Concert. The full house, standing room only audience was held in rapt attention by the rich sounds of Chaboya’s Beginning, Concert and Symphonic Bands as well as the Chaboya Concert Choir and Flute Choir.

J.F. Smith Elementary PTA to host Casino Night Fundraiser Feb. 2

The James F. Smith Elementary School Parent Teacher Association will host Casino Night, a fundraiser benefiting the school, on Feb. 2 at the Ranch Golf Clubhouse from 7 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. Cost is $75 per ticket, and will include $100 in gaming chips, a commemorative wine glass, and one drink ticket. Delicious multi-cultural hors d’oeuvres will also be served.

Gaming tables, which are generously sponsored by several local businesses (see list below), will include Black Jack, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette and Craps. Tables will have a minimum bet of $5 per hand, but there will also be a high-roller table with a $25 minimum bet. A comprehensive Craps clinic will also be held for all interested parties at 6:30 p.m.

In addition, there is also a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, which will require a $100 buy-in, separate from the $100 gaming chips attendees will receive upon arrival. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to register for the tournament when purchasing tickets for Casino Night.

There will be several fabulous prizes for winners of the event’s raffle, including home electronics, sporting equipment, fine jewelry, collectibles, hi-tech gadgets, special event tickets, and more. Casino Night is for entertainment purposes only, and there will be no exchange of money nor will money be awarded as prizes. Donations are tallied at the end of the night and are tax deductible. This is a legal event, and as a non-profit organization, the PTA will file all appropriate forms with the IRS.

For children ages 2-13, there will be a children’s party, provided by the YMCA, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the J.F. Smith multi-purpose room. There will be food, games, crafts and movies for the children to enjoy. Cost is $5 per child. Children must be dropped off no sooner than 6:30 p.m. and prior to 7:15 p.m. (doors will lock at that time), and must be picked up by no later than midnight. Additional charges apply for pickups after midnight. Interested parents must pick up a registration form and an emergency card at the school office.

Sponsors for Casino Night include:

JM Weiss
Land Mosaics
The Hall Family
Woodenbridge Custom Cabinets
Albin Engineering
Dr. Thomas Chou
The Reddy Family
Baskin Robbins-Branham
Solectron
Clarity Medical Spa, Inc.
Sports Chalet
Best Buy
McDonalds Corp.
Coca-Cola
Hionix, Inc. (Mullapudi Family)

For more information about Casino Night, please contact event coordinator Sandy Feldman at (4080 893-8950 or email sandy@yeababi.com.

Additional information about Casino Night can also be found on the J.F. Smith Elementary School Web site, under PTA: www.eesd.org/jfs.