Reprint of Gate article. 

Founders’ Day- Request for Volunteers                                 May 2007

Valicia McPherson

The first organizational meetings for Stargate were held around my dining room table, and that of the Stanwyck family.  We took just four months – May through August 1994 – to find a facility, teachers, students, furniture, programs and supplies. I am amazed when I look around at the current buildings, at the size of the staff, at the quality of the programs.  We’ve come a long way.

This brief history lesson is to let you know how exciting it is to me personally to oversee the first annual Founders’ Day Celebration, to be held in the Fall.  Nancy Hall, Doug Morrow, Don & Jody Stanwyck, Rene & Pat Santos, Bev Weiler, DeeDee Morton, Terrie Simmons, Debbie Stewart – these people were my co-workers, mentors, and friends.  We shared a passion for educating our gifted children and were willing to take whatever time and resources were needed to ensure that our students got an “education commensurate with their ability to learn” - as outlined in the original charter proposal.  What I hope to achieve in this event is communication of the original passion which led a diverse group of people to start a school, and to demonstrate the importance, significance and relevance of this still-unique charter to today’s population – beyond No Child Left Behind and CSAPS!

I hope for this to be a multi-day event, including a carnival, a day for founder and community visits, and a day-long seminar which will involve past and present leaders and students.  The seminar will address significant and timely issues possibly including: the why/hows of charter schools, the necessity of educating gifted students with their peers, social/emotional needs of gifted, life after Stargate, parent involvement and establishing a positive school culture.  I hope to have two keynote speakers and several break-out sessions to include panel discussions and well as facilitated groups.

I am forming a Steering Committee which will define the scope, content and budget of the event.  If you know of anyone who would be appropriate for this role, please have them contact me.  I plan to delegate into capable (if not experienced) hands, the entire carnival; the food, accommodations and travel arrangements; the contacting of alumni (which will continue the work started with Ms. Bustamante’s anniversary party); the marketing; and anything else I can. I would like to include as many as possible, so that each person can contribute the best of their talents to the best of their ability.  Right now, I need volunteers to get the word out, and to begin putting people on teams.  I will serve as the primary coordinator and contact person.

This promises to be a very visible and exciting event – a way to let not only the entire Stargate community, but the local area know what we are all about.  I am counting on your support, assistance and participation.  For more information, or to put yourself on the volunteer list, contact me in the Library, at valicia.d.mcpherson@adams12.org or 303.450.3936, ext. 124.

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