Los Altos High School says thank you
Sherry Auerbach
On behalf of the Los Altos High School 50th anniversary celebration committee, I would like to thank the many community, parent, and student volunteers who made the 50th anniversary celebration a great success.
I would like to especially thank the city of Los Altos and the downtown merchants who allowed us to close Main Street the day of the Street Party.
Thank you to Cruz’n Cafe, House of Daniel on Main, Mr. Pizza Man, the Marriott Courtyard in Los Altos, Bob Taylor Homes, Diversified Capital Funding, Sutter Creek Boutique and Los Altos Golf for their generous donations.
And to our wonderful premiere sponsors: Los Altos Hardware, Heritage Bank and Vita; along with our co-sponsors, Coldwell Banker of Los Altos; Kahn Properties; Alice Nuzzo and Alicia Tuvell, Realtors; Sallie and Stacey Morgan, Realtors; Mary Prochnow, Realtor; Joanne Fraser, Realtor; and Gerry Lawrence, Broker, whose monitary contributions allowed us to market and advertise to over 12,000 Los Altos High School alumni, teachers and staff.
And a big thank you to the Los Altos Town Crier for their generous in-kind advertising of this event. Los Altos High School says “thank you” for supporting our 50th anniversary celebration.
LAHS celebration one of the best
Judy Pfleger
I have just returned from the 50th anniversary celebration of Los Altos High School.
The May 21 event was truly one of the best celebrations I’ve ever attended. And it was a wonderful way to revisit my hometown and see so many people I have missed and haven’t seen for so long. It was even better to have all the classes involved so we could see more people than just our own class.
I would love to thank all of the people involved who came up with the concept and brought it to life. So did many others who attended, but we didn’t know who to contact. Everything was so well done - from the decorations to the layout; the food, drink, music and workers.
Hopefully, this letter will let these people know that everyone I talked to would come back in five years for the 55th. Anyone want to try this again? I hope so.
And congratulations to the city officials, the businesses and the residents who have maintained the classic integrity of a unique hometown experience called Los Altos.
Educating kids not selling a product
Laura Bence,
In response to your April 20 about the Los Altos School District (LASD) budget deficit, the Los Altos Teachers’ Association (LATA) would like to clarify certain assumptions that were made. The LASD administration and LATA are currently involved in contract negotiations relating to teachers’ compensation and are looking at ways to deal with the budget constraints. The items mentioned in your article did not represent the teachers’ view point.
If Los Altos wants to continue to attract and retain highly qualified teachers, the compensation and teaching conditions must be competitive with neighboring districts. To encourage young teachers to stay in the area, we need to offer them the means to live in or near the community they educate. Benefits such as health care, cost of living increases, and salary increases for teachers’ continuing education are part of the total compensation that teachers receive. It is very difficult to live and raise a family in this area even with the basic compensation provided.
Some people look at the budget as if we were selling a product. Children are not a product of factories. Educating students is not a business where a profit can be measured. A business model can’t equate with instilling a love of learning in a child. Educating our students with dwindling state money for fewer materials, less staff, constantly changing curriculum and various cuts to services each year makes teachers’ jobs harder and harder.
LATA has always worked in a cooperative fashion through interest based bargaining with the administration in Los Altos. In kind, the school board and the Administration have an open and honest dialogue with LATA. We will continue to work together to support the best educational program possible where teachers are highly valued.
Gay pride response lacking enlightenment
Mary Prochnow
Members of the Rotary AIDS Project have traveled throughout the U.S. and to Africa, Spain, Japan, Argentina, Nepal, Australia, etc. carrying the message of education, compassion and openness as the only real weapons against the horrific spread of HIV/AIDS in the world. It appears that we have failed to educate in our hometown. We pride ourselves on being a well informed, well educated, “enlightened community” that cares deeply about family. Or do we?
Imagine being 15 again. Imagine coming to the realization that you are a gay person at 15 years of age. In certain parts of our country where gay bashing (often physical) and homophobia are tolerated this fact alone is cause to fear for one’s life. Our town enjoys demographics that are off the charts. We are proud of our many accomplishments including our fine schools, our families, and our safe place to live.
Can’t we demonstrate our concern for all young people? Can’t we allow a forum for expression that is suitable for our community but which allows these adolescents self esteem and acceptance at a critical time in their development?
The alternatives are to tell them that they must go to high-risk venues for acceptance, or that they must completely suppress their thoughts about their awakening sexuality. Social science has proven the personal devastation that either of these alternatives causes.
Suicide rates and alcohol and drug use rise with social stigma. Imagine what our community could accomplish if it chose compassion and tolerance. Imagine that a proclamation might save one young life!
As a 30-year observer of Los Altos city councils, I am aware that the council can accomplish what it chooses with the support of the citizens. Let’s tell them that we are for tolerance, compassion and understanding. Let’s tell them that as enlightened adults we are not afraid to offer a “safe haven” for all of the youth of our community. Imagine this community and its potential for leadership. Join me please, and speak out!
Congratulations on sticking to decision
Tom Freed
Since I was a big critic of the city council last year for their inability to make a decision on Gay Pride Day, waffling three times and then succumbing to pressures from an outside group, I feel I should say “Congratulations” to the mayor and council for sticking to their decisions about proclamations. Yes, it’s a tough decision, but nobody said it would be easy and that everyone is always happy.
It’s a shame that Ms. Gibbs and Lightman are so bitter, but if they want to celebrate, fine. Again, I have heard very little from the school district and community organizations about Gay Pride Day. Where do they stand? Why is it the city’s responsibility to proclaim? In the small town were I came from, the parade, banners, picnic and celebration would take place at the high school. What’s wrong with that?
