As we start the 2004-05 schoolyear, there are new adult faces along with all the new Kindergartners and transfer students. One such smiling friendly face is that of our new principal, Mrs. Jeanne Izant.

Mrs. Izant has many years of teaching and administration experience. She was most recently Principal of Noble School where she led the school community there during their modernization process and in spearheading fundraising for a Science portable.

Several new teachers will be joining us this year as well. In Kindergarten, Ms. Engle will, like her students, be new to our school. Ms. Tao joins us as a 1st grade teacher. Our 3rd grade welcomes three new teachers, Ms. Langlitz, Ms. Yee and Ms. Bhandal.

We also welcome a new school secretary, Ms. Barbara Ford-Gillette, and a new school clerk, Ms. Kate Gomes, to the Vinci Park office.

Recycle Your Printer Cartridges and So Much More

Vinci Park students will once again take part in the "Trash Into Cash" recycling program. Send your child to school with used printer cartridges, toner containers and even old cell phones. Rather than taking up space and polluting landfill, they will be recycled or reused and the school gets money to use for educational programs. See our Computer Lab instructor, Mrs. Johnson for more information.

New for 2004-05 will be the monthly aluminum can recycling drive which will be organized by the Student Council.

Modernization Update During the summer,

work began on modernizing our school building. As you will undoubtedly notice, our campus is continuing with construction work throughout the school year.

Phase 1, started in June 2004, will change the walls, floor covering and doorways of the office, library and multi-purpose room. Because the multi will be subdivided to meet current building code standards, a new covered eating area is being constructed just outside of the kitchen.
Phase 2 will see the Red Pod being modernized, which is why the Kindergarten and First Grade classrooms have been moved to the Blue Pod.
Phase 3 will modernize the 3rd and 4th grade rooms in the Blue Pod.

Sometime later this year, Phase 4, which will require the move of the White Pod classes and computer lab, will complete the modernization process.

Vinci Students Adopt-A-Creek with an Eco-Project

This fifth grade project, started by Mr. Curry in the 2000-2001 school year, was the winner of the Walden West Science Camp Eco-Challenge for 2002-03. Last year, 5th graders made 6 clean up trips to the creek including 4 trips by Mr. Curry's class. Last Spring, they tested the water quality of Penitencia Creek. Our students learned about our local watershed while helping out our community.

Traffic Safety - A Matter of Life and Death

We have all been there...Rushing to drop the kids off to school and never having enough time to get to work. However, if it was your child who got hurt or injured by a rushed driver who was not following the rules, or if your child followed the example of many of our jaywalking parents, then perhaps you would slow down and put safety first. We give our thanks to the Vinci Park Safety Patrol for the great service they provide under the direction of Mrs. Lee and Mr. Silva.

When you shop for groceries, you can help fund our school through e-Scrip. Apply online, it only takes a few minutes.

BUSD
1376 Piedmont Road
San José, California 95132
408-923-1800

Vinci Park Elementary School
1311 Vinci Park Way
San José, California 95131
408-923-1970