Originally published in the San Jose Mercury News on November 16, 2007:

Parents winning battle to bring students back to Willow Glen public schools

By Jessie Mangaliman, San Jose Mercury News

Sixteen years ago, when Kim Guptil and her family first moved to Willow Glen, she heard something from other parents that worried and confused her: You just don’t send your kids to Willow Glen public schools.

“What I knew was I had to educate myself about the schools as deeply as I can,” said Guptil, a marketing consultant and the tireless president of the non-profit Willow Glen Foundation, which was founded seven years ago to help raise money for schools.

What Guptil came to learn was there was a perception that Willow Glen High and the middle school were unsafe and not top-notch. This didn’t match what Guptil expected in her neighborhood. So working with a group of parents from the neighborhood, Guptil, who has a daughter in seventh grade and a son in 10th grade, set about on a campaign “to lead the charge to get people to come back.”

More from the SJ Mercury News …

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Thursdays (and Fridays!) at the Theater presents: Magic Mike come to the Little Theater on Thursday, November 15

Michael Stroud is currently writing 3 new tricks for the 5th year anniversary of his book, “The Klutz Book of Magic”. This book has been a best-seller for Klutz Press in Palo Alto, California. “Your book is in orbit!” says John Cassidy, one of the three original founders of Klutz Press. Each book comes with items attached for the magic effects and includes a scarf, a metal ring, and a super-secret something that allows readers to practically become instant magicians themselves.

Magic Mike’s Funhouse!” TV show episode one will be available on DVD as a holiday gift this year. Taping began last January and is slated as a 30-minute Saturday morning show. Special guests on the program include Red Panda Acrobats, Jam Patrol, Swami Beyondananda, and more! With over 15 original characters and Magic Mike’s Funhouse theme song by Lori and R.J. of WBTV (Cotton Candy Express), this show appeals to all ages and is filled with the creative surpises you’d expect from Magic Mike!

Thursdays and Fridays at the Theater is a monthly, family-friendly entertainment series brought to you by the Willow Glen Middle and High Performing Arts Boosters. Proceeds benefit performing arts programs at both schools.

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The Willow Glen Foundation is pleased to congratulate Florissa Sy, the 2007-08 student board member for the San Jose Unified School District!

Reprinted from the SJUSD Fall 2007 Newsletter:

Each year an outstanding senior is chosen to serve on San José Unified’s Board of Education. This year’s representative is Florissa Sy from Willow Glen High School. In addition to being SJUSD’s Student Board Member, Florissa is also Willow Glen High School’s ASB vice-president. She has participated in many aspects of her community: she has played for her school’s tennis team, was a member of San José’s Leadership Academy, is a member on the Youth Re:Action Corps’ Student Steering Committee, and is on the President’s Honors List at San José City College. She is currently part of Willow Glen’s School Site Council and is involved with various clubs. For this year, Florissa plans to expand the Intra-District Leadership Council to include more representatives from middle schools and hopes to build solid, symbiotic relationships between the schools in San José.

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