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February 5, 2019 | The Valley Catholic
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Holy Family School Environmental Design
Developing a child as a whole is
something we strive for at Holy Family
School. Challenging our students out-
side the classroom is an important way
of having them think “outside the box.”
This year, we introduced Environ-
mental Design as an elective for our
eighth graders. The purpose of the class
is to design and build a school garden.
Along with the actual garden set up and
maintenance, there will be lessons on
composting, worm farms, pollinators,
pesticides (natural and chemical), soil
composition and optimal pH, benefits
of eating local, nutritional superiority
of fresh picked vs shipped vegetables.
The class began the trimester with
researching the benefits of gardening
and having a school garden. They have
evaluated potential garden sites and are
working on a proposal for where the
garden should be located as well as the
layout. Along with the research comes
the actual cost of materials to build their
design and researching plants that will
grow in our climate and that can be
harvested before they graduate. All this
allows them to visit other gardens and
has helped them become aware of the
gardens in their own community.
The eighth graders have gone on a
field trip to talk with UC master garden-
ers about garden design, layout, and
types of plants to grow. The students
have a goal to finalize a design and loca-
tion in the next couple of weeks so build-
ing can start in February. They will also
start growing seeds in the classroom to
plant at the end of February.
The eighth graders hope to be able
to donate what they produce or have a
fundraiser for what they have grown.
This is also a great opportunity for them
to invite the younger students at Holy
Family School to teach them lessons on
the benefits of gardening.
Google Expeditions AR Pioneer Program Visits Most Holy Trinity School
Field trips are always a favorite
class memory for every student, es-
pecially at Most Holy Trinity School
(MHT). While nothing replaces the
experience hopping on the bus for
a f ield t r ip, Google Expedit ion s
provides a unique opportunity for
learning. Seeing the brilliant ways
teachers integrate Virtual Reality
(VR) in their classes have taught us
so much already, and we’re excited
to see what possibilities Augmented
Reality (AR) brings. This Google AR
Pioneer Program allows us to access
the world in the classroom. Firth
grade teacher Jonathan Ishii loves
this program since it brings in limit-
less learning for everyone, combines
education technology, and equity in
these spaces for knowledge.
Contrasting from virtual real-
ity, which typically uses a screen
and headset to make users feel as
if they’re in a different place, aug-
mented reality overlays objects into
the existing environment. One ex-
ample of augmented reality would
be “Pokémon Go.”
Students at MHT explored differ-
ent programs led and chosen by the
teacher’s phone via QR codes. The
3D objects displayed on the screen
are designed to bring subjects to life.
Saint Francis High School Leaders Embark On Pilgrimage to Support Students
Carrying not just the essentials on
their backs but also the prayers and
well-wishes of a school community,
leaders of Saint Francis High School
embarked on a pilgrimage that took
them from the school campus to the
steps of Mission Dolores in San Fran-
cisco.
This trek, called “Hike for Hope,”
was a three-day 42-mile journey along
El Camino Real. At the end of the walk,
bodies were sore, but spirits were high.
The group raised funds in support of
the school’s mission of shaping the fu-
ture by educating the hearts and minds
of students to serve the world.
“I hope this experience demon-
strates just how much we believe in our
Holy Cross mission,” said Father Tony
Mancuso, chaplain and acting presi-
dent. “We felt the limitations of our
bodies, but it was worth it to ensure that
our students will have the foundational
tools and values in order to rise up as
future leaders in their communities.”
Students, parents, alumni, employ-
ees and friends of the school partnered
in the endeavor by making a gift to in-
vest in students or by sharing a prayer
petition. Father Tony Mancuso led the
group of hikers that included Katie
Teekell ’00, principal; Helen Benedetti,
board member; Greg Calcagno ’83,
alumni director and head football
coach; Holly Elkins ’93, executive di-
rector of institutional advancement;
Father Steve Kim, director of Campus
Ministry; and Mike Speckman, director
of endowment and tuition assistance.
The pilgrimage was bookended by
prayer, starting with a send-off at a
Mass of Thanksgiving. When the group
returned to campus, their accomplish-
ment was celebrated at the school’s
interfaith prayer service.
From left, Holly Elkins ‘93, Greg Calcagno
‘83, Katie Teekell’ 00, Father Tony Mancuso,
Helen Benedetti and Mike Speckman.
Nativity Schools Build Community with Triviaoke Event
Catholic School teams from around
Santa Clara County, and community
groups and friends competed in Sa-
cred Heart Nativity Schools’ 2nd An-
nual Triviaoke Event held on Saturday,
January 26. Triviaoke is a combination
of trivia and karaoke. Players formed
teams represented by organizations
such as Bellarmine College Prep, The
Diocese of San Jose, Jesuit Scholastics,
Presentation High School, St. Mary’s
of Los Gatos, Santa Clara University
(SCU) Ignatian Center, SCU Thriving
Neighborhood Initiative, The Founda-
tion for Hispanic Education, Nativity
Jennifer Elena, SHNS Board Member, with
Trivia Teammate Deacon Rubén Solorio,
SHNS President.
Board Members and faculty, and many,
many others.
Teams tested their knowledge in six
rounds of trivia competition alternat-
ing with rounds of open mike karaoke.
Trivia topics ranged from “Famous
Quotes from Sports Movies” to “Name
that Bay Area Mascot.” Players enjoyed
a nacho bar, and beer from Lagunitas
Brewing Company.
All proceeds benefited tuition assis-
tance for Sacred Heart Nativity Schools
(SHNS). SHNS is a private, Catholic
middle school serving low-income
Latino youth in Santa Clara County.
SHNS is comprised of two schools:
Sacred Heart Nativity School for Boys
(est. 2001) and Our Lady of Grace Na-
tivity School for Girls (est. 2006). SHNS
operates primarily as a tuition-free
school and relies on donations from in-
dividuals and businesses, foundations,
grants and fundraising to make up its
$2.2 million annual operating budget.
The biggest annual fundraising event
is The ¡Fiesta! Dinner and Auction
Event which will be held on Saturday,
April 6. For more information about
¡Fiesta! 2019 or other special events,
then please visit the school website at
www.shnativity.org or contact SHNS
Office of Advancement, Pam Klaus,
[email protected], (408) 993-1293.