Welcome to the Blossom Hill Elementary 2021-2022 school year. Campus is buzzing as teachers, staff, and the Home & School Club are preparing to welcome students on August 12. I am honored to lead the Home & School Club (H&SC) this year, alongside Kristin Hutchinson, Ellen Feichtmeir, Nika Esfahani, Jean Choi, Widya Junus, and Jennifer Shapiro. The H&SC is Blossom Hill’s Parent-Teacher Organization. Together with families, students, and staff, the H&SC provides student and teacher supplies, classroom technology, music instruments, community building events, student enrichment programs, campus support, safety programs, and more.
During my family’s time at Blossom Hill, I have learned it truly takes a “hive to thrive.” The H&SC welcomes volunteers throughout the year. Look for a link to our volunteer sign ups soon. We are excited to host a variety of community events this year. Mark your calendars for grade level meetups, including our Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade meetups (details below). We will also host a “Welcome Back Coffee” just after the bell rings on the first day of school. You can keep up to date on activities and events in the H&SC’s weekly newsletter, The Beehive.
Our school hive cannot thrive without funding from our families. Parents can participate in two major funding initiatives this year – One Community Los Gatos (OCLG) and the Parcel Tax Renewal. The One Community Los Gatos campaign combines the Fall fundraising efforts of the campus H&SCs, Los Gatos Education Foundation and the Los Gatos Music Boosters. OCLG hopes to simplify the donation process for families. In addition to categories listed above, your contribution pays for staff salaries, innovation grants, music and art programs, and district STEAM initiatives. This year’s One Community ask is $1,500, with $350 going to the Blossom Hill H&SC and $1,150 going to LGEF. Many employers will double your donation through corporate matching programs like Benevity. You can learn more about OCLG and employer matching at www.onecommunitylg.org. The local school funding measure that supports salaries for 23 core teachers is set to expire - the rough equivalent of staff for one elementary school. We encourage you to become informed and learn more about renewing our local school funding measure before voting this Fall.
Again, welcome to Blossom Hill Elementary. I look forward to seeing you around our hive.
