Vikings explore ancient Egyptians

Valley Vista Vikings sixth graders explored ancient artifacts when they visited the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose last week.|

Valley Vista Vikings sixth graders explored ancient artifacts when they visited the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose last week. The exhibit was architecturally inspired by the Temple of Amon at Karnak. It houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts on exhibit in western North America, including objects from pre-dynastic times through Egypt’s early Islamic era, according to the venue’s website (egyptianmuseum.org).

--

The St. Vincent Elementary School community gathered together on March 23 to celebrate Cormac Spirit Day in honor of Cormac O’Toole, a seventh-grade student who lost his battle with cancer at the beginning of the school year. Efforts to celebrate Cormac’s 13th birthday were initiated by his classmates from Girl Scout Troop 10445, comprised of Daniella Evans, Ashley O’Toole, Emma Riley, Alexandra Saisi, Elisabeth Telucci and Caitlyn Young. The girls were working on their Silver Badge, which requires a Girl Scout to explore the community, develop a project, make a plan and put it into action.  Finally, the badge requires the girls to reflect, share their story, and celebrate. This multi-integral process was completed while honoring their friend on his special day. The girls created a mural of Cormac hiking in the woods. “It was so amazing to see my whole class come together to complete and accomplish something so remarkable and memorable to honor our friend and classmate Cormac O’Toole,” explained seventh-grader Caitlyn Young.  “Working on the mural was a rewarding experience, one that I will never forget.

“And it helped our school community honor and remember such an important person in our lives.” added Emma Riley.

--

Old Adobe Elementary School’s largest fundraiser is back. On Sunday, the east-side campus will be alive with walkers of all ages enjoying a day together as they participate in the school’s community Walk-A-Thon event.

--

McNear Elementary School PTA held its annual WISH Benefit fundraiser April 11. 

The event was held at Hermann Sons Hall, and the theme was “Three Ring Circus.” Families bid on a variety of live and silent auction items while dining on food provided by Fourchette, shared Amy Malaise, event chair. The funds from the event will go to such projects as new equipment for the school garden program, staff room refurbishment, improved outdoor lunch seating and a new front desk for the office.

--

The school is alive with the sound of music. Kerygma is an ensemble of six male and female vocalists from Arrowhead Christian Academy, located in Redlands. These musically talented students, from grades 10-12, perform numerous times during the year at retirement centers, schools and churches, as well as for various special occasions in the Inland Empire. They visited Harvest Christian School last week to share their gospel music. Veritas High School Concert Choir from the Classical & Christian School in Oregon also came to perform for Harvest Christian School last week. The high school students have won many awards and have multiple tour dates in the Bay Area. Harvest students are preparing for their own stage performance of Music Man for their Spring Performance and are excited to have had two choirs sing for them in past weeks, according to parent Kerri Petersen.

--

Congratulations to all four 2015 Dairy Princess candidates: Alexandra Gambonini (St. Vincent High), Connie Jones (Petaluma High), Hailee Hankins (Tomlaes High) and Alyssa McClure (Petaluma High). This past Saturday evening, Petaluma High School senior Connie Jones was crowned the 2015 District 3 Dairy Princess. Alexandra Gambonini was named first alternate during the organization’s 58th celebration.

--

Save the date. According to the event website, the annual Petaluma Kids Gran Fondo will be taking place on May 2 this year at Lucchesi Park. Event coordinator Steven Cozza presents the race. For more information on how to sign up, or how the fundraising goes towards youth groups and kids in the community with disabilities and life-threatening illnesses, visit the event website at petalumakidsgranfondo.org. Bicyclists start the race at 9 a.m. with the walkers and runners following right behind. Children under 18 are asked to be accompanied by an adult. Many campuses create teams and participate as a school community.

--

(Maureen Highland is a Petaluma mother and executive director for the Petaluma Educational Foundation. She can be reached at schools@arguscourier.com)

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.