Rocco
Rips: James Lick Middle School’s Bulldog Day and
Dog Show raised $16,000 and an incalculable number of
spirits on Saturday, Nov. 10. PTSA president Todd
Standish estimated the fundraiser drew a few hundred
dogs, who showed up to perform, look pretty, and be
pampered by their pals. Harvey Dent, an Old English
Bulldog, won first place in the bulldog beauty pageant.
Happy, a three-legged dog rescued from a car accident in
Pulau, was awarded the “Mutt-astic” title. The
competitor with the biggest smile was clearly skatedog
Rocco (pictured above). Though he came in second in the
bulldog beauty contest, he turned heads all day on the
JLMS blacktop. Photo by Beverly
Tharp
Geek Is Good
Get out that geek app and join
the fourth annual Tech Search Party Saturday, Feb. 2, from
5:30 to 8 p.m. That’s when teams of neighbors, parents,
teachers, and students fan out across Noe Valley in search of
answers to enigmatic clues. (Sample clue from last year: “35 +
48.” Answer: Corner of Diamond and 24th, where the 35 and 48
Muni lines intersect.)
Participants check in at James
Lick Middle School (1220 Noe St.), and at 6 p.m. sharp are
given a map with clues. Deciphering those clues leads to
answers in locations across Noe Valley. Teams take a picture
of the answer and themselves and email it back to the
organizers. Valley Tavern, 4054 24th St., will host the
after-party. The team with the most correct recorded answers
by 8 p.m. wins.
The fee is $50 for a team of up
to four, and $75 for a team of up to six. Prizes include gift
certificates to local businesses, a case of wine, and concert
passes.
“A bargain for memories that
will last a lifetime,” says organizer Tim Smith.
Sponsors include Google, First
Republic Bank, UrbanSitter, and TreeRing. All proceeds go
toward improving technology for students at Alvarado
Elementary, James Lick Middle, and Marshall Elementary
schools. For more information, visitwww.techsearchparty.com.
Students Star in Broadway
Production
Return to the sheer grit and
determination of the Great Depression when the students of the
Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts present a run of
42nd Street, starting Thursday, Feb. 28.
The show—the tale of a
Pennsylvania girl turned Broadway star—doesn’t just star
student actors. Students work side by side with
artists-in-residence to create all aspects of the production,
including sets, lighting, costumes, choreography, and music.
“It’s really hands-on learning
alongside professional artists, which is at the heart of the
school,” said Sandra Halladey, a parent.
Directed by Keith Carames, this
year’s cast will include J. P. Viernes, who played Billy
Elliott on that musical’s national tour. All shows happen
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. through March
9. Tickets cost $15 for students and seniors and $20 for
general admission and can be bought in advance online. Visitwww.sfsota.org for
more information.
The public is also invited to
two recitals and an art show. On Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m.,
seniors at the school will perform a vocal recital at St.
Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 101 Gold Mine Drive. Thursday, Feb.
21, at 5:30 p.m., is the time to see the visual art of junior
students at the school, 555 Portola Drive. A guitar recital in
the Drama Studio will follow at 7:30 p.m.
Teach a Child to Read, Change
a Life
Reading Partners, a tutoring
program offered in 10 San Francisco schools, is seeking
volunteers to work one hour a week at one of its three nearby
sites: Alvarado, Sanchez, and Leonard Flynn elementary
schools.
Each volunteer is paired with a
student for a 45-minute session that includes reading aloud
and helping the child read. Younger students work on letter
recognition and the blending of sounds. Older students work on
reading comprehension.
Outreach coordinator Fatima
Duran, who joined the program last year as a volunteer tutor,
said she was amazed how well the program worked. For example,
one of her charges, a fourth-grade boy, had a hard time
sitting still and was reluctant to read even a single line.
She and the site coordinator set
up goals and a reward system, she said. Not long after, her
student was reluctant to stop reading when the session ended.
“It was really empowering to see
what a difference I feel like I was able to make,” she said.
Children who have been
identified as needing help come twice a week. Though 105
students across the three schools are participating, another
65 students still need tutoring, she said.
