In its ongoing effort to raise money for the class-size reduction program in the Saratoga Union School District, the Saratoga Education Foundation has received a $40,000 challenge grant. Of the matching amount, the foundation has raised $25,000 and hopes to raise the remaining $15,000 by the end of the month, which will pay for one classroom teacher position. To date, the foundation has given the district almost $1 million for programs and staff, and $150,000 for 10 teachers in the class-size reduction program.

The foundation faces a June 30 deadline to raise needed funds before the end of the current fiscal year. All money raised before then will go to keeping classes small at the district's four schools. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 2392, Saratoga, CA 95070; visit www.saratoga-sef.org or call 408.867.3424, ext. 314, for more information.


Teacher receives education award

Kerry Mohnike, English teacher and chairwoman of the English department at Saratoga High School, was selected to receive a 2003 Excellence in Education Award. Mohnike was one of six teachers in Santa Clara Valley to receive the title, along with $500, from the Goldin Foundation for Excellence in Education.

Nominated by her peers, Mohnike has taught journalism at Saratoga High, is her district's first National Board Certified teacher and leads the school's AVID program.


Lynbrook students head to art school

Two Saratoga residents have been selected to attend the California State Summer School for the Arts, or InnerSpark. Jessica Fleitman and Evan Tzeng, both students at Lynbrook High School, will participate in the program in Southern California from July 12 to Aug. 9. The two are among 31 Bay Area teens who were selected after submitting portfolios and competing with other students to enter the program. With support from the Arts Council Silicon Valley and Union Bank of California, Fleitman and Tzeng will receive training in animation, creative writing, dance, film and video, music, theater and visual arts at InnerSpark.