DRE's Monthly Newsletter Message

Thanks to Our Many Volunteers for a Great Religious Education Year

I'm writing this during my summer vacation because my internet connection broke at an inopportune time last month and I wasn't able to do so last month. I can't let the whole summer go by without thanking the great teachers we had for the 09-10 Religious Education year.

We had many teachers last year who taught for the entire year. This is a significant contribution to the life of our congregation and especially to the children. My deep appreciation goes to Janet Wilson, Ursel Bloxsom, Ron Qian, Robert Madden-Watson, Sharon Davis, Natalie Campbell, Jay Steele, Graham Bell, Justine Burt, Chris Cocca, Dave Rich and Doug Marshall. Also serving for the entire year were our indefatigable Youth Advisors, Laurie Fiatal and Michealle Havenhill. Please make an effort to seek these folks out and offer your appreciation as well.

Teaching for half the year is also a big contribution and very much appreciated. I would like to thank Katherine Rubie, Colleen Arnold, Beckett Gladney, Len Abrams, Kathy Wallcave, Lucy Rich, Kevin Peterlinz, Mark Henriquez and Mellicent Fraticelli for their dedication to the children of our congregation.

Other teachers shared a half-year position in the lower grades or taught the middle school class a few times. My thanks to Brenda Paddon, DeAnna Alm, Yvonne Hughes, Renu Peterlinz, Karen McVey, Terri King, Calista Ames, Allysson McDonald and Janelle Hargrove. I could not have filled the schedule without you.

Substitute teachers also meet an important need by filling in at the last minute: Kevin Campbell, Anne Abrams, Paul Kwinn, Steven Mayo, Valerie Stewart, Laurie Fiatal, Ilze Duarte, Maggie Mulcahy, John Schaefer and Catherine Ishida. Thanks to all of you for keeping our program going.

As you can see from the above lists, it takes a huge number of people to make the children's program work: 42 different individuals, some in multiple roles. That's more than a third of our congregation. Just goes to show that great things can be accomplished when everybody pitches in to do a part.

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer. I know the summer children's program is in good hands with the CAYRE Committee: Laurie Fiatal, Steve Wallcave, Jay Steele, Allysson McDonald, and Janelle Hargrove. I appreciate them greatly for working with me on all aspects of the program.

I will return to work on August 1 to organize the 2010-11 Religious Education year. Thanks to congregation approval for reinstating my 11-month schedule, planning won't be so rushed this fall. We will be studying Judaism and Christianity next year. I am looking forward to working with all of you again.

- Peace and Gratitude, Sally (650-967-7644 and sahnger at yahoo.com)

Back to Top - or - Back to Programs for Children and Youth

Last updated 7-19-2010