Oak Knoll holds memorial for teacher Oak Knoll holds memorial for teacher (October 12, 2005)

The Oak Knoll School community will remember Michelle Mazzei, the fourth-grade teacher who lost her life in a bicycle-car accident last week, during a memorial celebration on Wednesday, October 12, at the Menlo Park K-5 school at 1895 Oak Knoll Lane.

The memorial will begin at 3 p.m. on the upper-grade playground near Vine Street with music by the Hillview Band.

Students from Ms. Mazzei's class will take part in the ceremony that will highlight chapters in her life, including her varied interests and relationships as teacher, colleague, friend and volunteer.

Principal David Ackerman will open the program that will include comments from students, colleagues and parents.

A committee of parents and teachers is organizing the celebration, said Maria Clemo, vice principal and a close friend of Ms. Mazzei. Her formers students, plus parents and community members, are expected to attend.

Ms. Mazzei's family has requested that memorials be sent to the Environmental Volunteers, 3921 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303. She was participating in the EV's teacher certificate program to incorporate environmental education in her classroom.

An investigation continues into the accident that occurred October 2 as Ms. Mazzei, an experienced bicyclist and triathlete, was struck by a car in the bike lane along westbound Woodside Road near Interstate 280.

There is no evidence of excessive speed, alcohol or drugs involved, Lt. Lisa Williams of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said last Friday. She said it would be several weeks before the investigation is completed and a report forwarded to the district attorney's office.

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