Collaborative fundraising group supports new school
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

The fundraising arm of the new Las Virgenes Community Learning Center is as different as the school. Called CAPT'n'S for "Collaborative Alliance Parents Teachers and Students," the parentfacultystudent group is being run by parent Deana Camberg.

She said that of the $42,750 parents pledged to contribute, the school has already received $32,707. The balance of the money owed will be paid over three installments. Fifty percent of school families contributed to the fund, Camberg said.

The association also raised $2,800 at a spring boutique and received a $2,500 "garden grant" to create a school garden, Camberg said. Corporate sponsorships total $3,100.

"These numbers are truly phenomenal given that Day 1 of this new school (had not) yet occurred," Camberg said. "Our parents were willing to support our school before they had even been in the school."

Camberg said the association hopes to raise between $150,000 and $200,000 to fully realize its vision. "One of our fundraising themes is 'partners in education,'" she said. "We have already begun an incredibly professional corporate outreach program to introduce our school to the community and to invite businesses to join with us in this educational journey."

Parents have been integral in the school's opening, Camberg said. They've moved furniture, donated classroom supplies and helped teachers with classroom organization and other tasks.

A "volunteer bank" was designed by the association to communicate with parents. Parents will receive e-mails that will include newsletters and a recap of parent volunteer hours. Parents are required to volunteer at the school four hours per week, or 160 hours per year.

Before and after

Programs before and after school are designed to enhance and enrich the regular school day, Camberg said.

"After School Enrichment Programs" are expected to be a hit with students. Camberg said some classes to be offered include French, engineering with Legos, outdoor challenge/team building, Jedi Knight training, choir and theater. "Capoeira Besoura," an AfroBrazilian martial art practiced since the 17th century, will also be offered.

Arts and academics

The parent-led art program will incorporate drawing, sculpture and a variety of media. The program will augment and blend with academic subjects, including English, science, math and history. Camberg said art will help students build on skills they learn in the classroom.

Staff development

The association paid for teacher training. "Teachers have all had training on individual learning styles," Camberg said. Classroom environments and curriculum at the new school will be specialized to each child's needs, she said. To determine individual needs, students will take a "selfportrait learning style assessment," Camberg said.

A "Council Circle" taught teachers how to engage students in "active listening," which helps students speak about their feelings in a nonjudgmental tone. The idea is to fortify relationships between students and between teachers and students.

The school has its own website, parent handbook and newsletter. Field trips and assemblies are being researched and a student book group has been formed. Then there's the game club, family hiking group and beach parties.

"It is important to remember that everything . . . has virtually been done in the last two to three months by a group of incredibly dedicated and committed parents," Camberg said.