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During November the seventh grade students of the Mountain Shadows Middle School Seeker Learning Community collected items (food, CDs, games, books, toiletry articles) for our servicemen and women overseas. VFW Post 3237is mailing the boxes for us. Pictured helping box up the items are Dylan Kelly, Nils Ehlers, Amelia Telesforo, Noah Rogerson, Juliana Vergara, Monica Gutierrez, Josue Mata, and Enrique Flores.
Check this out for information about our Home Arts Classes.
A Gem at Mountain Shadows
The gem being referred to is the culinary class in a small classroom at Mt. Shadows Middle School
The seventh grade class that was being observed was actually having the experience of cooking for the first time in their five-cubicle kitchen. There are complete sets of utensils, pots, pans and bowls and all have different colored markings for coordinating with each differently colored kitchen.
The seventh graders spend one quarter of the year learning how to make aprons and the workings of a sewing machine. Another quarter of the school year is spent in learning how to cook but first must learn the safety of a kitchen, learn how to read the food labels, be cooperative and practice team work and eventually learning the recipes as they increase in difficulty.
The funding for the culinary school is almost nil. Actually the budget was frozen last December. Mrs. Diane Scott has to depend on donations from parents and friends and has even teamed up with the Rohnert Park Garden Project in order to get fresh vegetables-which turns into minestrone soup.
This past year the parents funded the program by donating money. Mrs. Scott said, “Just how many times can you beg the parents for donations? This program is a learning experience for the rest of their lives and now it is being cut again.”
Janis Brokaw was the Home Ec teacher for 26 years and Diane Scott has been at it for only four years. The recipes have been developed for all grade levels.
The day of observation was quite unique with watching every student working on making peanut butter cookies. When class began, all of the students had to sit and listen to instructions, put on their aprons and then be allowed into the kitchen cubicles, it was like listening to chattering magpies. You could hear each set discussing measurements, “where is the brown sugar?” “Who has the recipe,” How much flour do we need?” “Did we already put the eggs in?”
When the cookies were placed in the oven, it was time to clean all utensils and pans and also each kitchen had to be spotless. When the cookies came out of the ovens, division was being put to good use-how many cookies would each person get?
When the dishtowels and dishrags were finished being used, they were all tossed into the washer and dryer that sits right in the classroom.
Some of the students were so eager to discuss the cooking program with the guest. The excitement on their faces could hardly be contained. One student said he used the cooking examples at home and feels so proud of his accomplishments.
When the cookies were cool enough to eat, you could hear “m-m-m-m-m”, “s-o-o-o good,” and “boy these are so-o good.” Some were even shared with Mrs. Scott.
Mt. Shadow Middle School
Word has it due to the declining enrollment, both middle schools may have to be combined and end up with just one middle school.
The other well-kept secret is the donation of 26 sewing machines and also the Education Foundation has written grants in order to have the machines repaired. A super gentleman did this by the name of Jim Wiley at Parkside Sewing.
The needs are many for the cooking program. The refrigerator is onto its’ last “groan.” Paper towels, plastic sealer bags, groceries of all kinds for the kitchen are needed, (Call Mrs. Scott for a list). If anyone wants to make a monetary donation call 792-4800. Individual business owners or even corporations can help keep this program alive.
Mt. Shadows
Grade A Café
Mountain Shadows Middle School
Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District
Teachers, Oliver Fraenkle and Jennifer Parchman
Principal, Dr. Laurie Mason
Interim Special Education Director, John Laughlin
Superintendent, Dr. Barbara Vrankovich
Grade A Café is a student-run business within a special day class. The students in this program operate a coffee "catering" service, making and delivering high-quality coffee drinks to the staff of Mountain Shadows Middle School. The program uses a curriculum that is aligned to essential standards in math, language arts, and science. At the same time, it provides meaningful opportunities for students to acquire workplace skills that will help ensure their future work success. Students in the Grade A Café are learning professionalism on the job, organization, teamwork, leadership, accounting, purchasing, and pricing. The teaching team has developed lesson plans, curricular materials, projects, and more, which means that this program can be easily duplicated in other settings. For information about starting a similar initiative, contact Laurie Mason, Ed.D., at (707) 792-4800 or laurie_mason@crpusd.org.
MSMS Teacher of theYear
Congratulations to our very own Ms. Sandy Bartholome who is one of our Special Education Resource Teachers. Ms Bartholome was the MSMS nominee for the California League of Middle Schools (CLMS) Region 1 Teacher of the Year award and was honored at the CLMS Awards Diner Friday, November 20th. Ms Bartholome was selected for her creativity, problem-solving ability, humor, commitment to keeping our focus on students and student learning, and being a tireless advocate for special education students. In addition, Ms. Bartholome recieved our local Veterns of Foreign Wars National Post's Citizenship Education Teacher Award and will be recognized on Tuesday, December 8th. Sandy is a great example of the great teachers and staff that work with our students. Way to go Ms. Bartholome!!!!
