Saint Andrew's School in Saratoga recently hosted its 16th annual Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day. Grandparents and special friends from all over the world visited the school on Nov. 26 for a special celebration. Enthusiastic attendees flew in from as far away as China, Iran, Sweden, Japan, France and Germany.

Children from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade proudly escorted their grandparents and special friends around the campus. Attendees were treated to a reception and an art display, a choral performance, a tour of the children's classes and classroom presentations. The day is an important tradition at this 41-year-old private, elementary day school.

"The elders in our community have a perspective and wisdom that needs to be learned by the youngest members of the family," said Harry McKay, head of the school. "Our tradition of highlighting their visit to the school sends a warm and significant message of their importance in our lives."

The school also shared the morning with the local community by inviting residents from the Saratoga Retirement Community (Odd Fellows) to participate in the festivities of the day. The school especially sought to include non-ambulatory residents and those without family during this traditional time of family gatherings. Each retirement community guest was attended by two eighth-grade students throughout the day who assisted their guest from one event to the next.

Seventh-graders heading to D.C.

Seventh-graders Ross Kundtz, Fred Sherburne, Taylor Tate, Caroline Carmer and Mimi Chan were selected to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference. The unique leadership development program for middle school students took place from Nov. 8 to 13 in Washington, D.C. The students all attend St. Andrew's School in Saratoga and were nominated by sixth-grade social studies teacher Tami Senner for being in the top 5 percent of their class both academically and socially through citizenship.

The conference was intended to introduce the young people to the rich tradition of leadership throughout American history, while helping them to develop their leadership skills.

Holiday teddy bear drive kicking off

The West Valley­Mission District Police will be collecting new and gently used teddy bears and other stuffed animals from Nov. 24 to Dec. 19. These loveable critters will be given to the county children's shelter and the pediatric ward at Valley Medical Center so children who can't go home for the holidays can have something to hug.

Due to the generosity of students, faculty, staff and the community, the district police have also been able to take stuffed animals to a women's shelter. Many times children of domestic violence must leave their homes so quickly they can't take any of their toys with them. This is the ninth year the district police have organized a teddy bear drive.

Stuffed animals can be dropped off at the district police office on either the West Valley or Mission college campus. For more information, call 408.741.2092.

Community invited to free concert

West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave. in Saratoga, invites the community to a free piano concert and reception on Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the college's theater. Faculty and students from the college's music department will perform on Steinway pianos in the newly renovated theater. To attend, call the advancement foundation at 408.741.2164.