Harker student Kelsey Chan, Gr. 8, wanted to give back to her community and can now point with pride to taking part in an innovative program. Middle school advisory groups are growing fruits and vegetables on campus and the harvest is going to Martha’s Kitchen, which feeds the hungry and the homeless in San Jose.
“It is such an easy way to be able to make a difference,’’ said Chan, who has been growing carrots with classmate Monica Lee.
Tim Culbertson, who teaches Gr. 6 environmental studies and Gr. 8 population studies, started the project last year after receiving a grant from the National Science Foundation through a Stanford professor he had been working with for the last few years. The idea was simple: grow edible annual plants (carrots, corn, etc.) to donate to food kitchens in San Jose.
The first harvest was in September, with carrots, onions and watermelons; the next harvest is coming up in March.
Students from four advisories, about 40 students, either pair up or work in groups of four and each group is responsible for a four-foot square plot, located at end of one of the classroom wings. The students must determine what to plant, how much space is required and when to harvest. They supply their own seeds, do the planting and tilling and, finally, harvest the crops. Students also do a short PowerPoint presentation on their endeavor.
Besides Culbertson’s advisory, students in Rebecca Williams’, Henry Cuningham’s and Steven Hewitt’s advisories all take part. Hewitt is the liaison between Martha’s Kitchen and the school, while Williams oversees the composting project, said Culbertson. Lunch waste from the four advisories is used to fertilize the plants.
During the school year, the students tend to the plants one to four days a week and during the summer months there is an automatic watering system, Culbertson said. “I also come out about once a week to check on things.’’
Culbertson is thrilled with not just the harvest but what the students get out of it. “It creates personal accountability because each group is responsible for their own spaces and the end result is that it is going for a very worthy cause,’’ he said.
Plans are already in the works to renew the grant for the upcoming year and to expand the area to about twice the size, Culbertson said. So, the next time you are on the middle school campus, make sure you take a gander at the garden!
Harvard psychiatrist Dr. John Ratey paid a visit to the Saratoga campus on Nov. 19, appearing as part of the Common Ground Speaker series. The Common Ground Speaker Series was started by a group of Bay Area schools to feature experts in a variety of fields for the benefit of parents in various communities.
Ratey’s research into how exercise affects the brain has provided persuasive insight into how exercise can combat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance abuse and mood swings. He published his findings in his most recent book, “SPARK: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.”
In the opening of his presentation, Ratey said he was “very passionate” about this topic, and that he aims to propel the discussion into the public’s awareness, hoping to “reverse where we’re going in many ways.” He began by using a photo of a close companion to illustrate his point.
“I brought along my friend here,” said Ratey, motioning to the large photo of a young Jack Russell terrier. “One of the things we found about exercise is that when you’re exercising, oftentimes you’ll have this flash of insight and creativity.”
When the dog first arrived, Ratey recalled going for a three-mile run, and wondering what to call the dog. “I came back and I had this brilliant idea of calling him Jack,” he said, earning some laughter from the crowd. The name stuck.
Ratey told of how early in his career in the Boston area, he worked with former marathon runners who had become injured and were forced to stop running, thereafter becoming depressed. After helping his patients work through their depression, many came back complaining that they had symptoms of ADHD. This was due in part to their reduced activity and exercise.
Intrigued, Ratey began looking more closely into the relationship between exercise and the brain. While explaining how the human brain evolved, he noted that the brain assisted in learning how to navigate and adapt to different environments in addition to evolving speech and other cognitive abilities. “Our moving brain is really our thinking brain,” he summarized.
One of the more sobering pieces of information Ratey displayed showed that children who were extremely obese scored nearly 30 points lower on I.Q. tests than children who were of normal weight. Another study found that obese adults in their late 70s had eight percent less brain volume than people of similar age who did not have weight problems. “Their brains looked like they were 95 years old,” Ratey said.
Some good news is that even people well into their lives can stave off such effects through basic exercise routines. “If you start exercising, even in middle age…if you begin and do it three to four times a week for forty minutes or so, brisk walking, you can push back the onset of cognitive decline later on by 10 to 15 years,” he said. Some studies show it may also have the benefit of cutting the danger of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease in half.
Later, Ratey showed that the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that plays a major role in the “executive functions” such as planning, organizing, evaluating consequences and learning from mistakes, “gets switched on by exercise.” Studies done with mice showed that exercise could even promote the growth of new brain cells.
Jack reappeared for a portion of the talk related to the importance of play. “One of the important ways of thinking about exercise is that it grows out of our need to play,” Ratey said. Playing, in the manner of children and young animals, for example, is an integral factor in the development and continued growth of the brain. “Every species that we’ve looked at plays, especially the young,” he said, citing the research of psychiatrist and clinical researcher Stuart Brown. “When you stop them from playing, their brains are smaller, they’re not as intelligent, they have a harder time integrating in groups, they tend to be more aggressive and don’t pick up the social cues if you take play away from them.”
To illustrate the point, Ratey used the example of the school system in Naperville, Ill., which began a rigorous physical education program that emphasized overall fitness and required students to exercise 45 minutes per day. Students in the school district went on to score first in science and sixth in math in an international test that compares the aptitudes of various countries.
Following the talk, Ratey took time to answer questions from the audience.
Joe Rosenthal, Harker’s executive director of advancement, was one of several individuals and organizations honored by the Silicon Valley chapter of the American Fundraising Professionals (AFP) at this year’s annual National Philanthropy Day awards luncheon on Nov. 19. Held at the Hyatt Regency in Santa Clara and attended by over 500 guests who represented dozens of Bay Area nonprofits and corporations, Rosenthal was named the Outstanding Professional Fundraiser for 2009.
“Congratulations to Joe for all of his dedication to and hard work on behalf of the school and the children. This is a tremendous honor to him and the school community,” said Chris Nikoloff, head of school, after Rosenthal’s selection for this award was announced in June.
Sharon Svensson, president of Essex and Drake Fund Raising Council, which recommended Rosenthal for the award, said, “The National Philanthropy Day (NPD) selection panel was very impressed by Joe. They specifically said, ‘[We] were very impressed by the quality of the nomination and the length and breadth of Joe’s accomplishments.'”
Rosenthal recognized his advancement team, who were all in attendance, for their outstanding work for Harker. Also in attendance were many of Harker’s board of trustees, Nikoloff and many of Harker’s key donors.
[Update] Nov. 20, 2009:
The Harker girls tennis team’s run in the CCS team championships came to an end earlier this week after a great 16-5 season. In singles play, Arthi Padmanabhan, Gr. 12, won her match 6-1, 5-7, 10-8 against Monta Vista. Jenny Chen, Gr. 9, also chalked up a win against Monta Vista with scores of 7-6, 0-6, 10-6. Monta Vista won its next two singles matches over freshman Daria Karakoulka, 6-1, 6-0and sophomore Aranshi Kumar, 6-1, 6-1. In doubles, Harker seniors Kelly Chen and Brittany Chu defeated top seed Monta Vista 7-6, 6-2. Monta Vista was able to clinch a spot in the final four, however, by winning two doubles matches. Padmanabhan and Jenny Chen will compete in the CCS Individual Tennis Championships, held Nov. 23-24, facing Monta Vista. Harker’s top doubles team, Kelly Chen and Brittany Chu will compete against St. Francis. Congratulations to the Harker girls tennis team on a fantastic season!
[Update] For the first time in Harker tennis history, boys or girls, a team has reached the CCS quarterfinal round. The girls narrowly defeated eighth seeded Menlo-Atherton 4-3. Freshmen Daria Karakoulka and Jenny Chen, each won deciding matches, with Chen clinching the final match. The number one doubles tandem of Kelly Chen–Brittany Chu and number three doubles team, senior Vivian Huang and frosh partner, Chau Nguyen, contributed as well. Number two doubles lost a close match–a sudden death tiebreaker — in the third set. Number one singles, senior Arthi Padmanabhan and number four singles, Aranshi Kumar, Gr.10, lost well-fought matches. The team now faces number one seed Monta Vista Friday, Nov. 13, 2:30 at Monta Vista.
Nov. 6, 2009:
Harker’s girls tennis doubles teams faced off for first and second at the WBAL tournament at Menlo School. In the championship match Jenny Chen, Gr. 9 and Arthi Padmanabhan, Gr. 12, teamed up to defeat seniors Kelly Chen and Brittany Chu 6-4, 6-4. Kelly Chen and Chu were seeded second and they defeated Sacred Heart Prep to get into the championship match. Jenny Chen and Padmanabhan were unseeded and defeated first-seeded Menlo 6-3, 6-0 in the other semifinal. Jenny Chen and Padmanabhan are automatics for the CCS Individual Tournament, Nov. 23-24, and Kelly Chen and Chu will be nominated for an at-large spot and will likely get one, said Dan Molin, athletic director.
Two Harker performing ensembles helped “light up” Santana Row at the “Light Up the Row” event on Nov. 17 from 6-6:30 p.m. Downbeat and Dance Fusion appeared at the eighth annual lighting of the 40-foot tree, decorated with half a million lights. Photos of the event can be viewed at the slideshow below.
Harker’s first Homecoming at Davis Field on Nov. 13 was a fitting spectacle for all in attendance. The event got started at 4 p.m., with the junior varsity football team facing off against Berean Christian High School. Harker came up short in the hard-fought contest, losing 18-9.
Tailgate activities were in full swing by the time the varsity football teams began preparations for the big game. Students, parents, faculty and staff from all campuses enjoyed pizza, sandwiches, homemade snacks and cold drinks before and during the contest. Harker alumni were also in attendance, and could be seen socializing and catching up with friends and teachers at the alumni booth. A large bounce house and an inflatable slide were also set up to provide the younger students with some age-appropriate fun. Music was provided throughout the evening courtesy of the Harker Jazz Band, with Chris Florio directing. Transportation to and from the game went smoothly, due to the convenient and orderly shuttling service between the Saratoga and Blackford campuses.
Fans filled the stands to watch the varsity game between Harker and Berean Christian. Before the game, attendees were treated to an energetic routine by the varsity Dance Troupe, directed by Laura Rae, an enthusiastic performance by the lower school’s junior cheerleaders. The “Eaglets” also performed their traditional “fly by” through the stands. Prior to kick-off, a spectacular rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner”was sung by vocal groups from all three campuses and directed by upper school music teacher Catherine Snider.
During halftime, the finals of the upper school tug-of-war contest took place, with the seniors taking first and the juniors coming in second. More halftime entertainment was provided by the varsity cheerleaders, who put on an entertaining and acrobatic display of school spirit. Shortly afterward, the students of the 2009 homecoming court were escorted onto the field, where seniors Kevin Fu (who, as a player, was suited up for the game) and Mahum Jamal were crowned Homecoming King and Queen.
The crowd was thoroughly fired up for the second half, which saw great competitive spirit from both teams. Harker eventually lost the grueling contest 25-13.
Slideshow of Homecoming spirit rally in the afternoon:
Spirit Week, the run-up to Homecoming, opened with a splash on Monday, Nov. 9, when 10 teachers dove into the pool fully clothed. The immersion was a thank you to GEO for raising over $10k for water wells in underdeveloped countries, but the whole campus, many with Earth balloons, was out at Davis Field and Singh Aquatics Center for the event, so a festive air prevailed.
The week culminated on Nov. 13 with a homecoming rally on Davis Field. Each upper school class put on its own skit, often with amusing references to pop culture. The freshmen set out to solve the mysterious “murder” of Hannah Montana, while the sophomores incorporated characters from the TV shows “House” and “24.” Gr. 11 cast themselves as detectives from CSI to rescue their kidnapped star singer. Not to be outdone, the seniors worked “Survivor” into their skit, capped off with a thoroughly entertaining dance number inspired by Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
Also included was a “Name That Tune” competition, in which teachers and advisors representing each class had to name a tune played by the Harker Jazz Band. It ended with a tie between Gr. 10 and Gr. 12.
The first two rounds of the Tug of War were also held, with the seniors defeating the sophomores and the juniors defeating the freshmen in a do-over, after it was discovered one team had the incorrect number of participants.
The highlight of the day was an immensely entertaining relay race that involved blindfolds, faces stuffed with chocolate pudding, firefighters’ outfits, water balloons mounted on football helmets and classmates being dunked in water. Gr. 12 emerged the winner.
On Thurs., Nov. 12, a Firefighter Relay was held at Rosenthal Field. For this event, a piece of a firefighter’s uniform was placed at a different point on the field. Students from each grade level had to don the firefighter’s pants, then the jacket and finally the helmet. Once the uniform was complete, the student then had to reach other end of the field, where a classmate was waiting to be “rescued” and carried back halfway to the starting point. The class of ’10 won all four rounds of the race to be declared the decisive winners of the day’s event.
Wednesday started off with more people getting wet in the synchronized swimming class competition at the Singh Aquatics Center. Teams from each class pulled out their best moves, joined by teachers (extra points were awarded for each teacher the class could convince to get wet), all to the tunes of Earth, Wind and Fire. In addition the 2009 Xbox 360® Get Up Tour came to the US campus, complete with a half-pipe on a trailer, to deliver a pointed message that tobacco isn’t cool.
Monday afternoon, class eagles were judged by staff and faculty members. The giant plaster raptors are decorated by each class and judged on creativity, spirit and execution. “The themes for the classes were Earth, Wind, Fire and Water,” said Desiree Mitchell, (Lyndsey, Gr. 5), publications manager for the Office of Communication. “The freshman class was my fav. Their creative use of the earth theme, placing the eagle on the globe and each quadrant of the box having a tree painted to reflect each element, was pretty original. The seniors’ eagle, with its creative use of lights to simulate fire, was my second favorite.”
Cash has been flowing toward charities supporting vital water projects of late, thanks to some liquid measures promoted by Harker’s Global Empowerment and Outreach (GEO) club.
Selling water bottles, gaining sponsorship for coffee-eschewing teachers, and topping it all off with a group dunking of campus adults, GEO’s diverse efforts generated sums far beyond initial expectations for charity:water, a nonprofit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. The funds will help dig a pair of wells to provide clean water in places where that crucial commodity has hitherto been inaccessible.
GEO members were inspired by the Harker Speaker Series talk by activist Rick Smolan, who expressed enthusiasm for the lengths to which GEO members took his ideas and ran with them,
“One of the things that disturbed me so much as I worked on The Blue Planet Run book was how little attention the world was paying to something so important to every person on the planet. To be able to positively affect the lives of others at such a young age is something I don’t think any of the Harker students will ever forget and I am thrilled to think my lecture touched your students on such a deep level,” Smolan said. “Please extend my congratulations to all the students involved in this amazing effort.”
GEO’s efforts began in October, when students began raising money by selling water bottles and foot bands: rubber bands that students wore around one of their feet to symbolize the distances people in poor areas must walk to obtain dirty and often contaminated water. Teachers also gave up their favorite drinks for a week, and several students carried around jugs of dirty water to remind others of the reality of those less fortunate. The GEO fall week also included an appearance by charity:water representative Lane Wood and a special relay race among all the upper school grade levels that was won by the class of 2011.
All the deprivation, exertion and solemn remembrance of others’ difficulty gave way to some celebrating after the unexpectedly large fundraising totals were announced at a special meeting on Davis Field Nov. 9. Students were directed to the Singh Aquatic Center, where they were treated to their reward for raising more than $10,000: witnessing several of the school’s faculty and staff leap into the pool, fully clothed. The intrepid squadron of educators gathered at pool’s edge as a youthful chorus counted down “5…..4…..3….2….1!” At the appointed moment, into the drink they leapt, followed by good-natured frolicking. The Wet Ones: history teachers Julie Wheeler, Dan Hudkins, Ramsay Westgate, language instructors John Hawley, Diana Moss, performing arts teacher Jeffrey Draper, computer scientist Fred Triefenbach, college counselor Kevin Lum Lung, journalism teacher Chris Daren as well as alumni director Christina Yan and athletic director Dan Molin.
A bracing dip might have been just the ticket for another set of educators participating in the water-improvement campaign. Many of those who gave up or cut back on their favorite beverages ended up reducing their caffeine intake. The abstainers included science teachers Matthew Harley, Mala Raghavan, Eric Nelson and Gary Blickenstaff; math teachers Rama Sethia, Tony Silk and Jeannette Fernandez; history teachers Ramsay Westgate, Carol Zink, Julie Wheeler, Dan Hudkins, Donna Gilbert and Nicole Jensen; foreign language teachers Shawn Jahshan and Nicholas Manjoine; Naomi Schatz (psychology), Adam Nelson (debate), Jeff Draper (theater), Susan King (computer science) and Greg Lawson, the assistant head of school for student affairs .
After the week, participating teachers reported the challenge had been refreshing and less daunting than expected. Blickenstaff, well known for his dependence on a cup of joe during lectures, claimed that the prospect of living on half of his coffee dose was tolerable, and that he would give it up again if necessary. Raghavan even called the coffee cutback “fun”, declaring, “I was happy to have made it with just one cup a day for the whole week. I actually slept better.”
Together with the Lug-a-Jug fundraiser, Cups-for-a-Well donations and merchandise sales, the GEO-led effort brought in $10,918, allowing for a contribution of $10,118 after deductions to cover costs. Prospective users of the wells were not alone in benefiting from the project. Said GEO secretary Rashmi Sharma Gr. 12: “Pursuing outreach through GEO has helped me foster my passion about learning about international issues and how I can help solve them by empowering others.”
Nov. 11, 2009
The 2009 Xbox 360® Get Up Tour came to the Saratoga campus today to publicize Nov. 11 as Tobacco Free Kids Day. The rolling show set up in the Manzanita parking lot and fired up at 11:15, running for about an hour. While an emcee talked about the dangers of tobacco use, some of the best BMX riders, skateboarders and inline skaters in the world defied gravity, seemingly effortlessly travelling up, down, backwards and sideway on a portable half pipe to entertain students. In an added Veterans’ Day bonus, a pair of Marines arrived in a bright red Humvee to educate about the Marines and challenge students to do pushups in return for tee shirts (Pain is Just Weakness Leaving the Body) and water bottles. The show, sponsored in part by the Marines, presented by ASA Entertainment and the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, is touring the Bay Area this week.
“This is not your typical anti-tobacco presentation,” said Courtney Dornstein, coordinator for ASA Entertainment. “We bring in a state-of-the-art half-pipe, along with five of the top, pro action sports athletes in skateboarding, BMX and inline skating to perform a show. While these stars, some of whom are X Games medalists and all are top names in their disciplines, are performing their tricks and such, a highly knowledgeable emcee delivers the anti-tobacco facts and messages in a fun, engaging, positive and interactive fashion.”
Cantilena, the all-female upper school classical vocal group, recently performed at the Women’s Exchange Festival, organized by the Peninsula Women’s Chorus. The event also featured groups from other high schools, including Leigh, Cupertino, Los Altos, Mountain View, Prospect and Saratoga.
The girls received several warm compliments from the attendees of the festival. “Cantilena was the smallest ensemble at the festival but they received a rousing ovation (rather than polite applause) and several compliments for ‘being the best,’ ‘looking like they loved singing,’ ‘communicating effectively with the audience,’” said the group’s director, Susan Nace. “Several even knocked on the bus door to talk our bus driver, Ray Frank, to tell him that they appreciated the performance, even before we got to the bus ourselves!”
