Mount Madonna fourth-graders honor moral heroes
On Friday, Mount Madonna School fourth graders transformed their
classroom into a performance space and became their ‘moral hero’
for an hour, individually performing monologues describing their
hero’s experiences and philosophy.
Mount Madonna fourth-graders honor moral heroes
On Friday, Mount Madonna School fourth graders transformed their classroom into a performance space and became their ‘moral hero’ for an hour, individually performing monologues describing their hero’s experiences and philosophy.
The project started in November, when Mount Madonna School’s 4th grade launched a study of moral heroes. The students and their teacher collectively determined the qualities possessed by moral heroes and chose 16 people who represented a broad range of activism. Each student chose one hero upon which to focus her or his study. From holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel, to environmentalist/political activist, Wangari Maathai, their heroes have taught them about perseverance, nonviolence and integrity.
“This project really engages the students and very nicely weaves together Mount Madonna School’s three pillars of academic excellence, positive character development and creative self-expression,” explains 4th grade teacher Carrie Symons. “Each student synthesized their research through the process of writing biographies, poems and monologues, creating a visualrepresentation of their hero by creating a ‘doll’, and, and finally through live performance.”
Who’s Your Hero? American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Seeks Nominations for Local Real Heroes Award Breakfast
American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter is calling on Silicon Valley residents, companies and organizations to nominate individuals, who reside or work in Santa Clara County and whose extraordinary acts of courage or kindness make them a hero to be honored at the 2nd Annual Santa Clara Valley Real Heroes Breakfast on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose. The deadline to submit nominations is March 13, 2008.
“A hero can be someone who bravely acts in a time of immediate need or someone who simply lives his or her life in a way that shows they care for those around them. Real heroes are ordinary people whose actions demonstrate the potential that is in all of us. If someone is a hero in your eyes, I encourage you to nominate them'” says Honorary Event Chair, Peter Hero, a senior advisor to the CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
Nominations for the heroics act of local residents that took place between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007 are being accepted in the following categories:
Animal Rescue Hero – An animal that has protected a human or another animal in a time of need, or a person who has rescued an animal from a traumatic situation.
Education Hero – An adult or youth who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others in a school or other educational setting.
Good Samaritan – Adult (21 years old and up) – An adult who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others.
Good Samaritan – Youth (Under the age of 21) – A youth who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others.
Law Enforcement Hero – A professional law enforcement officer (Sheriff, Police, FBI, Highway Patrol, etc…) whose life-saving action went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.
Medical Professional Hero – A medical professional (doctors, nurses, EMT/paramedics, hospital/clinic staff, etc…) whose life-saving action went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.
Military Hero – A member of the armed forces (active, reserve, retired, commissioned or non-commissioned) whose life-saving action during active duty status went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.
Professional Rescuer Hero – A professional rescuer (firefighter, lifeguard, etc…) whose life-saving action went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.
Workplace Hero – An individual who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others at his or her place of employment or on a job site.
Real Hero Award recipients will be chosen by a selection committee of leading members of the Silicon Valley community. Heroes are selected based on the degree to which their acts of heroism uphold the values of the American Red Cross and leave a lasting and positive impact on the residents of Silicon Valley. All nominees must work or reside in the Santa Clara County; the heroic acts may have occurred elsewhere. Self-nominations are not permitted. All nominations will be subject to further verification and validation. All nominee information will be shared with the Heroes selection committee and the general public with a two-minute biographical video.
Nominations for Real Heroes Awards can now be submitted to the American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter online at www.sccvote.org.
Voting by mail is available to all voters and offers a convenient and easy way to exercise their democratic rights. It is ideal for voters who cannot go to the polls on election day or who enjoy the convenience of casting their ballots from home. Of Santa Clara County’s 678,000 registered voters, about 57 percent have signed up to vote by mail.
The deadline to request a ballot by mail is 5 p.m. today. All completed mail ballots must be received by the registrar’s office no later than 8 p.m. on election day (postmarks not accepted).
In addition, early voting for the February election has begun. Early voting is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday until election day at the Registrar of Voters’ Office, 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2, San Jose.
The registrar’s office will also be open for weekend voting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2 and Sunday, Feb. 3.
Parent round table focuses on parents of students with special needs
The District Community Advisory Committee will be hosting a round table discussion for parents of students with various developmental disorders at 7 p.m. Thursday, at the Gilroy Unified School District office at 7810 Arroyo Circle. The purpose of the committee is to offer support to parents of students with special needs. A parent representative for each disability will man a table and offer information on the various developmental disorders. The DCAC is a parent driven and school district supported committee.
Program needs short-term volunteers
Are you looking for a short term volunteer opportunity that is meaningful and fun? The Role Model Program needs adult volunteers to inspire elementary and middle school students to succeed! Time commitment is just one hour a week for six weeks.
The Role Model Program is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering students to achieve their goals, dreams, and learning that education can open the door to a successful future.
Details: 246-0433 or go on-line to www.gavilan.edu.
League accepting grant requests
The Gilroy Assistance League is now accepting grant requests for the year 2008. Last year the organization handed out more than $10,000 to various local youth services such as Gateway School, Community Solutions, South Valley Suzuki Music Foundation and others. A formal grant request proposal must be completed and returned no later than Feb. 29. Grant funds are to be used for children and youth services. Funds will be distributed in April 2008.
Details: Forms may be picked up from Starritt Realtors at 7477 Eigleberry St. Completed forms may be returned to the same location or mailed to Patty Giacalone, P.O. Box 2062, Gilroy, CA., 95020-2062.
Adopt a wild horse or burro
Mustangs fresh from the range will be on display Feb. 2 in King City when the Bureau of Land Management offers wild horses and burros for adoption. The BLM will offer 30 horses ranging in age from younger than 1 to about 5, along with 20 burros at an adoption in the indoor arena at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, 625 Division St. The event runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The adoption event opens with an hour of silent bidding beginning at 8 a.m. Animals not taken during bidding will be available for a $125 adoption fee. All animals must be taken to their new homes Feb. 2. Anyone interested can preview the animals when they arrive at the fairgrounds at about 2 p.m. Feb. 1.
“The timing is right to begin training an adopted mustang or burro,” said Mindy Odom, wild horse and burro specialist in BLM’s Bakersfield Field Office.
The horses and burros were gathered from herds in Nevada and California.
For additional information on the adoption event or wild horse management, contact the BLM toll free at 1-866-4MUSTANGS or Odom at (661) 391-6049. Information is also available online at www.gilroyscouting.org. Contact information and pictures from recent adventures, as well as on-line forms for a flag retirement service and joining, are available.
Spaghetti dinner to benefit Gilroy High FFA
The Gilroy High School FFA Ag Boosters will be holding their annual Spaghetti Dinner Tuesday February 12, 2008 at the San Martin Lion’s Club located at 12415 Murphy Ave. San Martin (across from San Martin Airport.) Dinner includes Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread, Dessert, and a Drink. Take-out is available and containers are provided starting at 5:00pm. Dinner will be served 5:30-8:00pm. The cost of the dinner is $7.00 for Adults and $5.00 for Children 10 and under. The evening will also include a Silent Auction. All proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Gilroy FFA program. Tickets are available at the door or by phoning Diane Baty @ 848-1430.
Ron Paul for President backers meet
Attend a meeting of Ron Paul for President. The group meets at 7 p.m. today at 2625 Roop Road.
Details: (408) 623-3128.
Saint Mary School hosts open house
Parents interested in enrolling their child at St. Mary School for the 2008-’09 school year are invited to an Open House from 10:45 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, Jan. 29.
Tours of the school will be given with an opportunity for visitors to see the students in their classroom setting.
Registration for 2008-’09 will be held Saturday, March 1 at noon in the gym, 15 First Street.
Details: Visit the school Web site at www.BeADonor.com (Code: GILROY) to schedule an appointment or call (408) 848-2363 ext. 219.
