School briefs School briefs (April 30, 2004)

Mayor's Challenge winners

Winners of the Mayor's 2003 Challenge were honored at Tuesday night's city council meeting. At last year's Mayor's Youth Conference, then-Mayor Mike Kasperzak challenged teens to form a team and create a community project.

The winning group -- Crittenden Middle School eighth grader Natalie Sharpe, and Mountain View High School juniors Nicole Sharpe, Kei Hagaki, Ferris Jabr, and Natasha Lemak -- started a weekly evening tutoring program at Crittenden.

$1.2 million raised for Los Altos schools

The Los Altos Educational Foundation announced Wednesday that it has raised $1.2 million, its goal for the 2003-2004 school year. The money will be used for smaller class sizes and enrichment programs, such as art, music and technology classes for students in the Los Altos School District.

Allocations include $210,000 to technology and science aides, $280,000 for the PE program for grades K-8, $346,000 for instructional and vocal music instruction, $66,000 for junior high computer instruction, $83,000 for art aide and docent programs and $215,000 for junior high English and math class size reduction.

International students need home

The Pacific Intercultural Exchange, a nonprofit educational organization, is looking for host families in Mountain View for foreign high school students. The students come from more than 17 countries around the world and will be arriving this fall for the academic semester program.

The students are between the ages of 15 and 18 years, speak English, have their own spending money, and carry accident and health insurance. Host families are found by finding common interests and lifestyles through informal meetings.

P.I.E. has sponsored more than 20,000 students from 40 countries since its founding in 1975. The organization also has travel/study program for American high school students. Families interested in finding out more about the program can call (800) 631-1818.

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