Alvin was participating in a walkathon on March 24 at Foothill Elementary School. Proceeds from the event benefited the Saratoga Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization of community members and parents concerned about state funding cutbacks in Saratoga's public schools.

The walkathon also coincided with an observation day on which parents and community members who donated to SEF's annual campaign could observe their funds in use.

Alvin's mother, Debbie Chen, said she and her family immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in 1995 to give their children a better education. She said Asian countries are typically focused on academic pursuits, rather than some of the programs SEF funds such as music, science, technology, libraries and physical education.

"Students should grow up balanced in every field—not just English or math," Chen said.

Chen attended the observation day to support the school and to see what her money funds. The students, including her son, walked by her gulping down cups of lemonade and water, sucking on popsicles and getting misted by parents with spray bottles.

Parents David and Jennifer Firth observed their son, Austin, and his peers playing "Ode to Joy" on recorders during music teacher Margie Alejandro's class. The parents said they wanted to see the daily activities of teachers and children, as well as what they are paying for through SEF.

David said he was pleased to see such a well-rounded variety of music education—from singing to music theory. David said as Austin gets older he'll be able to decide for himself if he's interested in music. Jennifer noticed students in the class had short attention spans and wiggled on the floor, but the varied activities kept them busy.

"These kinds of activities tend to get their bodies involved," David said.

SEF member and parent Cindy Zuccarino said that without SEF funding, schools in Saratoga wouldn't have hands-on science and music opportunities.

"It allows the kids to be exposed to different facets of education," she said. "The parents here are involved financially and with their time. It's a very proactive community."

Joyce Lauro, walkathon chairwoman and SEF member, said that after she moved from New York to Saratoga, she was surprised to find that library technicians and P.E. instructors were not included in the school's budget in Saratoga. The students fundraised for SEF through flat pledges and pledges per lap, with the goal of raising $25,000 per elementary school in the Saratoga Union School District. Argonaut and Saratoga elementary schools also had similar SEF walkathons.

Parent Diane Stokes attended the observation day to support SEF. She emphasized the importance of keeping SEF programs going not just for her son, Travis, but for students at all three of the SUSD elementary schools, as well as Redwood Middle School.

"There's a lot of energy and enthusiasm out here," said Foothill Principal Helen Sullivan as she watched the walkathon. "Our students are very much aware of SEF-funded programs. They really have a good feel for why they are walking today."