Dine, Shop & Donate

Last Chance: 2012 Tour of Novato

There's still time to take part in the annual cycling fundraiser for public schools as well as the FunFair.

When one of my sons was about 3 years old, he would repeatedly ask for another piggy-back ride or another go at being swung by his arms around and around or yet another chance at being flung high up in the air (and subsequently caught). “Again! Again!” he’d scream. “One last time,” we’d say. And then, “This is the very last time.” Followed by, “This is the very, very last time.” Ultimately, we’d end up some time later with “This is the very, very, very last, last time.” This is the very, very, very last, last time I’ll write about how you’re still able to take part in the Tour of Novato and FunFair on Saturday, May 5. You know what it’s all about: you register to ride or walk, and then you ride or walk. If you’re not much of a cyclist or a…

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Patty Maher

2:43 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012

This just in from a P.V. "spy": We are having a blast with Tour of Novato at Pleasant Valley -- our principal and office manager are neck and neck and in an all out sprint to beat each other on donations. Lots of fun emails and sponsor comments going around! We are trying to rally and be the first place school (currently #2). We have the most riders (29) and trying to raise $10k.   more ›

Dine, Shop & Donate

Plop These School-Boosting Events on Your Calendar

Plenty of options are out there if you're one of the good guys with a desire to support local schools.

There are still four Saturdays and Sundays left in April to have a fine brunch at Finnegan’s Marin. Just mention Our Lady of Loretto School, and the fine Finnegan’s folks will give 15 percent of your bill back to OLL. ******  On Monday, April 23, head over to Chevy’s with a copy of the flier to get San Jose Middle School 15% back from your lunch or dinner. (Ignore the part of the flier that says “Hill Middle School.” No former middle school will be getting any cash!) ******  Here’s a reminder that Journey Ford is stepping up once again to support Novato High’s Sports Boosters through the “Drive One 4 UR School at Journey Ford” on Sunday, April 29. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., come in, test drive a new Ford car or truck, and Ford Motor Company …

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Patty Maher

8:37 am on Sunday, April 22, 2012

Thanks for the tip. I'll likely have another article this week and will mention this as well. I'm hopeful you've been getting loads of donations. The information on the site you link to is great.   more ›

Family Takes Priority as San Jose Principal Gives Notice

Chona Killeen said he is moving to L.A. at the end of the school year to be with her ailing father.

Chona Killeen said she has worked hard to make the San Jose Middle School community feel like a family. It sort of had a Brady Bunch quality to it — 400 San Jose returning students welcoming in 250 kids from the recently closed Hill Middle School a few miles to the north. New kids, new teachers, new parents. Yes, it might have been a family, but it had some cousins who hadn't been introduced before. Seven months after the merger, adjustments and friendships have been made. Now, Killeen said her own family has to take priority over everything else. In an interview Monday morning in her office, Killeen said the well-being of her elderly father is becoming more of a focal point in her life, prompting her to leave the Novato Unified School …

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Chip Tingle

1:45 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012

Every former Hill MS kid and parent I talk to tells me the same thing, Chona! Thanks for all you've done for them, especially, among many other accomplishments here in Novato at both schools. I hope to get to see you soon around campus.   more ›

Details to Come Monday on San Jose Middle School Principal

Chona Killeen won't be back as principal next year, and the district is waiting to release additional information.

It won't be until March 26 at the earliest that more official news is released about the principal position at San Jose Middle School for next year. Shalee Cunningham, superintendent of the Novato Unified School District, said Wednesday would be the day when details would be released to students and parents about Killeen's status. But Killeen has taken time off from work, and Wednesday afternoon the superintendent said Killeen and she is meeting with Killeen on Monday the 26th and there's nothing new to report. On Monday, March 19, Cunningham said Vice Principal Paige Gardner and teacher James Larson will be in charge at San Jose in the absence of Killeen, whose pending departure was announced March 16. Killeen was principal at Hill Middle…

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Chip Tingle

11:29 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012

I just posted a similar question under your earlier report, Patty. Hopefully you and/or Brent can/will follow up. Thanks,   more ›

Vice Principal, Lead Teacher Take Interim Reins at San Jose Middle School

No answers have been given yet as to why Principal Chona Killeen is not returning for the 2012-13 school year.

San Jose Middle School and the Novato Unified School District are adjusting plans for the top administrative roles now that Principal Chona Killeen won't be returning for the 2012-13 school year. Superintendent Shalee Cunningham said Monday that Vice Principal Paige Gardner and teacher James Larson will be in charge in the absence of Killeen, whose pending departure was announced Friday via the school's PTA e-mail distribution. The reason for the change remains unclear, and Killeen was not on campus Monday. "I went to the staff today and let them know the plan for the interim until we figure out the future," said Cunningham, who is in her first year at the NUSD helm. "It's important so that the kids and parents know there is leadership …

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Novato Chess Club

7:07 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012

I think Lynn Poster summed it up --Jeff King was a tremendous Principal...period!   more ›

Step Up, Step Out, Help the Schools

Apparently, March Madness applies to the many opportunities to raise money for schools, too!

What do art, orthodontics, rummage sales, crab, and pizza have in common? Read on. School Fuel and Northbay ArtWorks present their annual student art show beginning Friday, March 16, and running through March 25. The aim of the Art Smart Showcase 2012 is to "present the creativity and talent of our students and highlight the importance of artistic outlets and art education for our kids."  The Artist's Opening Night Reception, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 16, features live student performances. For the run of the show, gallery hours are Fridays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. The work is amazing to see, and a visit to the gallery is a wonderful outing, rain or shine. *** Plum District, a deal site …

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Patty Maher

4:03 pm on Friday, March 16, 2012

Thank you to Rye and Sylvia for sharing information on tracking down the fliers needed. Jeffrey, thanks for the compliment.   more ›

Feed the Hornets and Scorpions and Mustangs, Oh My!

Lots of opportunities on the horizon for enjoying some good food and helping out the schools in the process.

On Monday, March 12, you can stop in at Phyllis’ Giant Burgers, eat some great burgers, and know you’re dripping catsup down your hand for a good cause. Phyllis’ is serving up burgers and donating a portion of the proceeds to San Jose Middle School. So go there Monday and tell them you’re supporting the San Jose Scorpions. ****  Tuesday, March 13, you can find your way over to the California Grill & Rotisserie for lunch or dinner, to dine-in or take-out or to buy gift cards. California Grill will then donate 15% of all receipts generated to back to Rancho Elementary School. Just identify yourself at the register as dining out for Rancho, ask for your receipt, and then put your receipt in the jar on the counter. Easy! And tasty! ***  Crabs …

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Dine then Bike

It's time to start shaping up for the 2012 Tour of Novato.

It's time to start planning for your participation in the 2012 Tour of Novato. First, though, why not head out to Moylan's Monday? More from Moylan's Make your way over to Moylan's Brewery & Resturant on Monday, Feb. 13. Make sure you tell them you're dining out to support San Jose Middle School, and they'll donate a portion of the proceeds to the school. Maybe you could take the whole family out for an early Valentine's Day dinner. Consider it your Valentine love to San Jose. 2012 Tour of Novato At last week's Novato High PTSA, I heard all about what's coming down the (bike) path on Saturday, May 5. It's the 2012 Tour of Novato. Let's hear a big woot-woot. If you think that sounds too much like a train, then let's hear a big ring-ring of …

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Dine, Shop & Donate

Recycling a Tree for a Small Fundraiser Fee

The holidays are history, and so is that Christmas tree. Here's how to give it to a great cause.

The needles from the Christmas tree will be found in my carpet long into spring, but the tree itself is outside, ready to spread some more Christmas cheer. It's the last weekend for Christmas Tree Recycling at San Marin High School. You can drop off your tree along with a $5 donation on Saturday, Jan. 7 or Sunday, Jan. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you're bringing your flocked tree to its near-final resting place, you'll have to pay a higher fee. If you're also feeling flush after all the Christmas goodies you raked in, you can feel free to fork over more cash as well. All of the funds raised go to fund San Marin's Safe & Sober Grad Night. Drop off your trees in the student parking lot off San Marin Drive. There are also willing folks who …

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Dine, Shop & Donate

It's Easy to Support Schools While You're Shopping

With our public schools closed for the Thanksgiving break next week and the holiday retail season kicking up, why not spend a bit of time shopping to support them?

Novato public schools are closed all next week for Thanksgiving break. Are you old enough to remember getting only two days off for Thanksgiving? Me, too. Many of us will take advantage of the break to hit the stores to make a dent in our holiday shopping. A few of us will be crazy enough to head down to Disneyland. In a car. Filled with children. For many hours. If you’re one of the not-so-crazy ones who will be opting for shopping instead, how about first taking the time to sign up for a couple of programs that kick back money to local schools? It’s easy to do, and once you’ve signed up, there’s no need for you to do anything else but spend money at places you already shop online and in person. A portion of your purchases will go back to…

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