School Notebook: Lyceum gives funds to education foundations School Notebook: Lyceum gives funds to education foundations (October 19, 2005)

After making the difficult decision to close its doors last spring after 29 years, board members of the nonprofit Menlo Park Lyceum made another unanimous decision.

They decided any remaining funds should be donated to the two education foundations that serve the same population of children and families that have signed up for the Lyceum's enrichment classes, workshops and family field trips for almost three decades.

The Lyceum's cash balance of $6,000 was divided between the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation and the Las Lomitas Education Foundation.

The educational environment has evolved significantly since 1976 when the Menlo Park Lyceum was created in response to drastic cuts in school budgets, said Lil Johnson, Lyceum president.

Passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 further limited funds by capping property taxes at 1 percent of the assessed value. School districts were forced to cut or eliminate field trips, transportation, art, music and other enrichment activities.

Now, however, families with school-age children have a wide range of enrichment activities to chose from, said Ms. Johnson. Some, in fact, say children in the area are "overbooked."

Rather than duplicate efforts, the Lyceum board decided to close its doors and shut down its Web site. CDs of the Lyceum's 2005 brochure have been distributed to schools and libraries as a resource of interesting things to see and do with children.
Harvest sale at La Entrada

La Entrada School's parking lot in Menlo Park will be the spot for the harvest sale -- a combined rummage and bake sale -- on Sunday, October 30, to raise $11,000 to help fund the eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C.

Sale hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hot dogs and popcorn will be on sale.

Donated used items such as sports equipment, electronics that work, small furniture and appliances, collectibles, kitchen wares, holiday decorations, games, books and tools may be brought to the school's multi-use room at 2200 Sharon Road on Thursday and Friday, October 27 and 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Parents request that no clothing or computers be donated.

For more information, call Di Gow at 854-4924.
College Night in Woodside

Canada College in partnership with the Sequoia Union High School District will host its annual College Night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, October 27, in Canada's gymnasium, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd. in Woodside.

Representatives from universities and community colleges will be there to help high school students consider their options for higher education. Students can talk with college reps about academic programs and to learn about tuition fees, living expenses and extracurricular activities.

Canada College, San Francisco State University, UC-Davis, and Menlo College will provide workshops on such topics as financial aid and how to navigate the different college and university systems.

Students and their parents are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Bob Haick at 306-3178. Admission and parking are free.

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