2009 Golf Classic Raises Funds for Santee Schools

On Wednesday, June 24, Carlton Oaks Country Club was the site of the 6th Annual Golf Classic to support the Santee School District Foundation.  Some 100 golfers signed up to play and raise money to help support technology and the arts in Santee Schools.  In addition to the players, some three dozen companies and organizations signed on to sponsor the event.  All money raised from entry fees, sponsorships, raffles, and the silent auction go toward a $40,000 pledge the Foundation has made to help the School District reach its technology goals.

This year’s turnout was slightly lower than last year’s, due in part to a combination of the economy and multiple local tournaments in May.  But the lower numbers didn’t mean any less fun and enthusiasm among players, Foundation members, and other volunteers.  An extra “atta-boy” goes to Thomas Hootman, of Simply Spa, who stepped in to cover for Chamber Executive Director Warren Savage, who had to attend the Las Colinas hearing downtown that same morning.  Simply Spa also provided chair massages for golfers who had perhaps strained an oblique teeing off on the 18th hole.

Another sponsor, North Island Credit Union, provided carne asada tacos to help keep players going until the big dinner.  They were also popular with the volunteers.

None of this could have happened without the efforts of the Santee School District Foundation.  A hearty congratulations to the Foundation and its volunteers.

Santee School District Foundation Members (L-R) Rachael Folsom, Linda Vail, Betty Vega, Lisa McColl, Laura Spencer, Ted Hooks

A Great Day for Golf

Fun on the Links

Trophies and Awards

Santee Teachers Named “Heroes”

Two Santee Teachers were honored at Legoland on Saturday, June 6, during the seventh annual “Teachers Are Heroes” award ceremonies.  The awards are sponsored by Lincoln Financial Media, the San Diego County Office of Education, and Azusa Pacific University.  Teachers from Oceanside to Chula Vista and from San Diego to El Cajon gathered with dozens of cheering students and parents as representatives from the sponsoring organizations introduced the honorees.

Heather Glanz, 4th Grade GATE teacher at Rio Seco School, and Jim Williams, 5th Grade GATE teacher at Cajon Park School, along with 10 other local teachers,  were each nominated for their work with students, as were hundereds of others throughout the county.  All of the nominating essays were read by representatives from Azusa Pacific, who then chose the teachers they felt were most deserving.  Ms. Glanz’s nominating essay said, “She will help the earth, the state, and maybe even the whole galaxy.  She will even help you.”  The writer of Mr. Williams’ nominating essay told how “He inspires creativity and teamwork among the students and encourages them to be accepting of new ideas and different view points.”

If you would like to send your own congratulations to these dedicated teachers, you can send them to:

Heather Glanz, Rio Seco School, 9545 Cuyamaca St., Santee, CA 92071

Jim Williams, Cajon Park School, 10300 N. Magnolia Ave., Santee, CA 92071

Marketplace at Santee Grand Opening Ceremony

On Saturday morning, May 2, Sudberry Properties and the Santee School District held a Grand Opening for The Marketplace at Santee and Dedication Ceremony for the Santee Schools Arts Attack Tile Project.  The ceremony was held in a pleasant patio-style area on the west side of the center, behind the Starbucks, where tiles created by students in the Arts Attack programs are on display along walls and bench areas.

Long-time Santee residents remember the Marketplace as the old roller rink and several small shops.  It was a real disappointment when the rink closed down, but the age of the buildings and the presence of asbestos and other toxic elements meant that they had to go.  The property was purchased by a private group, which eventually brought in Sudberry Properties to help bring the project to fruition.    Here is what the center looked like last November when Henry’s opened.  The Tile Project is just to the right of the orange-peach colored building at the far end.

Tom Sudberry, Chairman of Sudberry Properties, was the host for the ceremonies, and speakers included his son and President/CFO of Sudberry Properties, Colton Sudberry, Santee Councilmember, Jack Dale, and Ted Hooks of the Santee School District.  Also on hand were the school Arts Attack coordinators who worked with students directly.  As the District representative, and being involved with the Visual and Performing Arts programs that include Arts Attack, Ted Hooks called out the names of students whose artwork had been chosen for display and Colton Sudberry handed out certificates.  In addition to the certificate, each student received a gift bag, presented by a member of the Santana High School cheer squad.

Tom Sudberry, Chairman of Sudberry Properties

Jack Dale, Santee City Councilmember, and Colton Sudberry, President and CFO of Sudberry Properties

Ted Hooks, Santee School District

Before the ceremony the West Hills High School Pep Band performed for the crowd, and students and their families were treated to pastries and drinks in one of the soon-to-be store areas.  Afterwards everyone was invited to enjoy specials from some of the center shops.

Special thanks goes to Carmen McKissack of Color Me Mine, who coordinated and handled the firing of all of the tiles.

Michelle Ehlke, Santee Princess and sister of Miss Santee Teen, Nicole Ehlke, was among students honored

Santana High School Cheerleaders handed out gift bags

Check out a few more pictures from the event here.

Cajon Park – Almost Ready

The new building at Cajon Park is almost ready for students.  This week the students brought all of their class books home, and over the weekend the teachers will be moving their classroom “stuff” over.  This will nearly complete the first major phase of construction at Cajon Park and the Santee School District.  The series of projects was funded by a proposition (Prop R from November, 2006), with the official groundbreaking ceremony last April (click here for my earlier post).  At Cajon Park, this included refurbishing and modernizing existing classrooms and constructing a new 18-classroom building for grades 5-8.

Having taught in the district many years ago, as well as at other schools around the county, I know how much the junior high teachers are looking forward to having dedicated classrooms.  This goes double for Cajon Park, where the 7th and 8th grade classes have been in portable classrooms for years (I’ve taught in those, also).  Over the next few months they will be completing work on the upgrade of one last existing classroom building and the Library/Media Center.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for sometime in the spring.

You can find information on the modernization at the Santee School District Modernization website.

Check out the most recent photo in the series on the Cajon Park Construction page.

Big Changes Coming

On April 9 the Santee School District held a groundbreaking ceremony at Cajon Park School to celebrate the beginning of their modernization program.  This was made possible by the passage of Proposition R last year.  Altogether, $129 million will be spent to improve facilities at the nine schools in the district.  Cajon Park was chosen as the symbolic representative for the work planned for the entire project.

At the ceremony were representatives from the school, the district, the builder, and the community.  Dr. Lisbeth Johnson, Superintendent of Santee Schools, welcomed dignitaries and visitors, and two Cajon Park students, eighth-grader Jennifer Elhke and kindergartener Joel Oliver, led everyone in the Pledge of Allegience.  Speakers included Santee School Board President Dan Bartholomew and Board Member and Cajon Park graduate Dustin Burns.  Others in attendance included Santee Mayor Randy Voepel, Councilmembers Jack Dale and Brian Jones, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Warren Savage, and members of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee.

Principals from all nine schools were there to receive symbolic shovels from their respective ASB Student Representatives.  Cajon Park Principal Marcia Ginn-May and teacher Allwyn Gazi spoke following the presentation of shovels.  Finally Glynna Hoekstra, representing General Contractor Barnhart, Inc., presented an engraved ceremonial shovel to Dan Bartholomew.  Following the official ceremonies guests were invited to come and have their pictures taken with shovels and hard hats.