By Town Crier Staff Report
 Fischer |
Freestyle High is progressing steadily toward its opening next fall in what by then will be the former Alta Vista High School. Superintendent Rich Fischer and project coordinator Gordon Jack are collecting commitments from corporate partners that will contribute their expertise to the half-day multimedia academy.
Last week, the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District leadership team for the Freestyle project met with KMVT about scheduling a student-produced show, then met with Adobe and Apple. The MVLA leadership team consists of Fischer, Jack, Fara Brock and Brigitte Sarraf.
The team is also seeking commitments from Microsoft, AOL/Netscape, HP, Transvideo Studio and Bill Graham Presents/Shoreline Amphitheatre. The goal is to have all partners signed on by November, the curriculum outlined by December and student recruitment under way by February. Curriculum development and renovation are scheduled for completion by July.
Jack said, “We are very excited about this new venture as it creates another strong and viable alternative path for our students to find success and become prepared for life after high school in the 21st century.”
New ‘three R’s’
Facilities
“Foothill has reserved space at NASA and is currently working on passing a bond measure this year for the funding. We are working with them to include our own campus within their space,” he said.
Teachers
Leo Florendo has worked at LAHS since 1997 teaching physics, advanced placement physics, Algebra II and pre-engineering. He also coaches the robotics team and serves as head visual instructor for the marching band, site technology coordinator, Webmaster and team teacher in the engineering program. He is also the program manager in the Collaborative of Higher Education Summer Internship Program at NASA Ames Research Center.
Ron Huizing has worked at MVHS since 2001 teaching English, drama and stagecraft. He has directed “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” and many other productions that have become local hits. Before joining the MVHS faculty, he taught English and drama for 20 years at Yosemite High School. Huizing has also worked as a producer, cinematographer, co-director, radio announcer, photographer and DJ. He will teach part-time at both Freestyle and MVHS.
Jack began teaching English and journalism at LAHS in 1994. After teaching for a year in Santiago, Chile, he returned to MVLA to become the coach for the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program. For the past five years, he has worked with new teachers in every discipline, observing classes, analyzing student work and researching best teaching practices.
Sue Kefauver has worked at LAHS since 1987 teaching freshmen through senior English classes. In 2002, she received a master’s degree in cinema studies from San Francisco State University. Her popular film analysis class combines UC-approved English curriculum with digital film pre-production and post-production skills. Kefauver also organizes the annual community film festival, showcasing the best of her students’ work.
Freelance photographer and graphic designer Elizabeth Pedinotti has taught art since 2000. Her photography and 3D design and crafts classes at LAHS teach visual art skills as well as elements and principles of art and design. In 1999, Pedinotti received the Excellence in Photography Award at the State University of New York at Albany.
