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The Willow Glen Schools Community Coalition came together to brainstorm about the high school homecoming in October. At the top of its list was encouraging families to enroll their children in the neighborhood high school.
This year's homecoming is also slated to add some new features, a carnival with food and crafts booths. The coalition also wants to include all the Willow Glen neighborhood elementary schools and the bordering schools, Washington Elementary, and Hacienda Magnet in the event.
"This is a vehicle to reintroduce the community to Willow Glen High School, especially the parents of little ones," San Jose Unified School District board member Pam Foley said. "We want the community to adopt Willow Glen High as their community."
Teri Kane, Willow Glen Community Coalition chairwoman, said the carnival is a strong form of community outreach. It puts a personal face on the high school culture.
Coalition members believe the carnival element of the homecoming event is a way for schools and their adjacent neighborhoods to develop stronger relationships.
"This is not a fundraising event," Kane said. "The proceeds each school makes will go back to them. Any excess profits will go to the Willow Glen Foundation."
Themes for the booths could vary from spin art and face painting to cake walks and traditional carnival games.
School groups are also invited to have informational booths at the carnival.
Between 10 and 12 schools have been receptive to the event and craft vendors have contacted the committee. The coalition expects more schools and vendors to sign up as the date approaches and information moves around the area.
Don Skipwith, president of the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association, was also at the meeting to learn more about the coalition's plans. He asked if it was possible to resurrect Founder's Day by combining it with the homecoming. Founder's Day was cancelled in 2004 due to lack of funding.
"Ideally, we can combine some events, such as the parade in order to maximize the audience, who could benefit from this combined celebration," Skipwith said in an email.
Coalition members and Skipwith will explore ways to combine the popular events, which could be turned into a two-day festival, with homecoming and a carnival on Saturday and a Founder's Day 10K run on Sunday. The idea is being looked at for 2006.
For information on how to volunteer or how to rent a spot, contact Teri Kane at: wgcarnival@yahoo.com.
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