On the Blackboard On the Blackboard (December 15, 2004)

HOLIDAY HELPING . . . Christmas donating is all the rage at Duveneck Elementary School . Those interested in participating can bring unwrapped toys to the collection barrel at Duveneck, 705 Alester Ave., through Friday . Non-violent, multi-cultural toys and dolls, board games, puzzles, sports equipment, stocking stuffers and wrapping paper are especially needed. Contact Anne Moses at mosesboss@yahoo.com to volunteer.

LOOKING FOR ALUMNI . . . The International School of the Peninsula is searching for its alumni. The 2004-'05 academic year marks the Palo Alto school's 25th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, the school is planning a variety of special events. For the holiday season, the school will host the "First Class Alumni Reunion Cocktail Party" at 6 p.m. Dec. 26 at the Cohn Campus, 151 Laura Lane, for friends, 1980 alumni and teachers from that year. Because of the school's humble beginnings (it opened with nine students in 1979), contact with many of the early classes has been lost. Friends of family members of the school, formerly known as the Peninsula French-American School, should call 251-8520.

$3 MILLION TO THE MOST DEDICATED . . . The Palo Alto-based Skoll Foundation has plans to give more than $3 million to 13 non-profit organizations over the next two years to help with social improvements in the region. Recipient organizations must demonstrate exceptional creativity, sustained commitment and a clear record of accomplishment in addressing Silicon Valley's most significantly challenges, according to the foundation. Six of the organizations will receive the award for the first time. Those recipients are Greenbelt Alliance, John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities, Stanford University, Joint Venture Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, and Teach for America. Continuing recipients include the American Leadership Forum of Silicon Valley, Business United in Investing, Lending and Development, Community School of Music and Arts, Lender for Community Development, People Acting in Community Together, Project Cornerstone, and San Jose Conservation Course. In addition to the cash award, awardees will receive support from partner organizations of the Skoll Foundation, according to the foundation.

Send notices of news and events related to schools, child care or youth activities to Alexandria Rocha, Palo Alto Weekly, P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, 94302, or arocha@paweekly.com. The monthly school section runs the third Wednesday of each month. The deadline is the second Thursday of the month at 5 p.m.

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