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Published on 07/08/1996 All articles from this issue

Letters to the Editor

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MVHS Grad Nite

tradition important

Grad Nite is a tradition worth the effort. On the surface it is simply is the last time the graduating class can spend time together. Equally important they do it in an environment which is safe, drug, and alcohol free. However, when you are actually involved it becomes quite complex and takes on many aspects.

Volunteer parents want to recognize the efforts of the students graduating, to show them how important graduation from high school is, and to encourage them to become individuals that will be productive in our society. Through these efforts, the volunteer parents need support from the educational staff, as well as the community.

One fund-raising activity was a volleyball tournament. This activity brought the MVHS staff, students, and parents together at an entirely different level, which promoted better understanding, communication, and a sense of family. In another fund-raising effort, the community got involved. Some restaurants offered special fund-raising which showed support and understanding the importance of this tradition. On one occasion, a MVHS alumnus, contacted our Grad Nite committee and extended both financial help, as well as prizes to be used as door prizes. The alumnus wanted to give something back to MVHS and to the community, because she had remembered how "special" Grad Nite was to her.

This one tradition reaches across all the boundaries and says that we are proud of our students, supports the educational system, and wants to raise a population of children, that will be useful to society and, therefore, will learn how to give back, without always needing to get something in return. The Grad Nite tradition is well worth the effort!

Melody Schmickrath

MVHS co-chair, Grad Nite '96

Commending teacher

for pen pal program

I want to commend Stephanie Hutton, third grade teacher at Santa Rita School, for her efforts to close the 2-and 3-generation gap with her pen pal program. Most little old ladies (like me) love to write letters but wiggly, active third graders must be something else again! Especially for a year! Delightful.

Isabelle Field

Los Altos Hills

Open letter to the Allied Arts Guild and Woodside Atherton Auxiliary

It comes to my attention that Hannelore Cole, owner of Custom Handweavers at the Allied Arts Guild, has been notified that her lease will not be renewed. The Woodside Atherton Auxiliary has decided to cut her space almost in half, which would put her out of business. Custom handweavers is the last weaving studio on the peninsula. Hannelore offers classes, yarns, books and equipment and does custom orders which makes her current space essential.

Custom Handweavers is a unique resource and experience for its patrons. It would be a sad loss, not only for the weaving community at large, but for the general public as well.

The weaving studio has been in existence at this location since the arts and crafts movement in 1929. Hannelore has been the owner since 1982. Hannelore contributes to the community by sponsoring activities like the "Sheep to Shawl" contest at the San Mateo fair. This is more than a weaving studio. This is part of the web in our lives. Please stop the closing of Custom Handweavers.

Carol Estades

Mountain View