President’s Letter

It takes enormous creativity, energy and thoroughness to execute such a big  vision down to the smallest detail. Huge thanks to Karen Griggi for leading the effort with her great ideas, eye for fun and easy-going manner. Karen had wonderful help from a tireless group of sub-committee chairs, including Jill Goldring (Online Auction), Mabel Wilson and Bonnie Garber-Fought (Finance/Administration), Libby Hulsey and Martha Nora (Underwriting), Carri Markoulis (Decorations), Lauri Kober (Catalog), Christian Smith and Gwendy Scampavia  (Communication), Karen Sparks (Logistics), Lori Solorzano (Pay-To-Plays), Brigitte Shearer (Check-In), Joy Ma (Donation Procurement), Nita Goggins (Student Volunteers), Anil and Sheryl Pereira (White Wine), Steve and Peggy Dow (Red Wine), Ginger DeContreras (Data Entry), Jill Grossman (Fund-A-Need Video Production), Eleanor and Ron Melles (Live Auction), Wendy Liau (Silent Auction), Mike Nissim (Wine Donations/Wine Store), George Papazian (Vacation Solicitations), Sherry Madding (RSVPs), Alisa Young (Teacher Solicitations), and Ratna Kusumowidagdo (Mailings).

Thanks also to everyone who served on these committees and helped make the online auction and the event itself such a success.

Along with all the boot-stompin’ fun, a significant sum was raised at Madcap this year for the CSUS Recruitment and Retention Fund and an assortment of all-school programs. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate and support this wonderful school!

Teacher Appreciation
Wonder why Mr. Woosnam was so calm during your conference when he told you that your child almost blew up the lab?  He had just had a massage! Catherine Park and Carri Markoulis, the chairs of the Teacher Appreciation Committee, arranged neck and shoulder massages for faculty and staff during the recent Conference Day. Our thanks to them for coming up with such a creative and therapeutic way to show our teachers how much we appreciate them.

GryFun Run
Congratulations to Linda Feng, Sharon Galvin and their team of volunteers for the successful GryFun Run on Sunday, April 17th. A crowd of student, parent, faculty and community runners and walkers gathered at CSUS for a 5K run or a 2K walk in honor of retiring Coach Dave Robertson. Following the athletic portion of the event, the crowd enjoyed food and music and a celebration of Coach Robertson.

PARENT RESOURCES—Teens’ Social Lives
Several new resources are available to CSUS parents as we help our teens navigate their social lives. The first is a slide presentation of Mimi Maslan’s recent talk on the appropriate role for parents in their children’s social lives. The second is an updated version of “A Parent’s Guide to Safe Teen Parties,” a document first produced in 2002 as a combined effort of the Parent Association and administration. Both of these helpful resources can be found on the CSUS website on the “Parent Resources” page.

US Communication Meeting
The final US Communication Meeting for the year will be held on May 4th from 8-10 AM. If you have questions for Amy Richards and Mieke Tonn, please submit them to your class representatives. A summary of the discussion will be circulated afterward.

Volunteer Opportunities
As this school year draws to a close, we are already organizing committees for next year. If you would like to be more involved in the Parent Association, please contact me or next year’s president, Nicole Lum. Participating on a committee is a wonderful way to meet more parents and stay connected to this great school community. We are hoping to add the position of Carpool Coordinator next year, so if you are interested in helping the cause of green commuting at CSUS please let us know.

Please call or email me with any thoughts or suggestions. Hang on and enjoy the ride to the end of the school year!

Sincerely,
Wendy Buckley
President, CSUS Parent Association
(650) 365-7209
wbuckley1@sbcglobal.net