Oakwood Grandparents, Class of 2024 and 2032
With our past involvement in public education in San Jose (Kathy, a former teacher and Larry, a former school board member), we didn’t know what to expect when we attended our first Open House at Oakwood School. To say that we were impressed after that experience would be an understatement. We found the teachers and staff to be friendly and knowledgeable, the curriculum to be challenging, and the students to be welcoming. The recommendations that our granddaughter Melanie transfer to Oakwood for her sixth grade schooling, and the subsequent enrollment of our grandson Hamilton in Pre-Kindergarten, were easy to make. In the years that have passed our choice has been justified, as we have seen both children grow, both academically and as responsible individuals.
Our commitment to education made the choice to volunteer at Oakwood an obvious one. It started simply, helping at the Open Houses and driving students on field trips and outings. When our daughter Colleen Blanchard was hired as the Upper School Drama Teacher and Performing Arts Department Chair it gave us even more opportunities to help, as we each have been heavily involved in community theater, including SVCT in Morgan Hill/Gilroy and Lyric Theatre in San Jose. Kathy’s knowledge of costuming and Larry’s interest in set design have both found a place where they can be put to use and appreciated.
The joy for us here is watching the growth of the students as actors and actresses, seeing them become more confident in their abilities to present themselves on stage to others. It is satisfying to help them improve in their own stage craft, from costume design to prop making to set building. We take pleasure in experiencing how the students and Mrs. Blanchard are building a formidable and sustaining Performing Arts program at Oakwood.
The support that Oakwood School has received from its parents (and grandparents) has been inspiring. This spirit of giving and helping have had a tremendous impact on the quality of education and experience available to the students. Funding projects such as the Athletic Center and the Liberal Arts Center have added so much to the campus. Walking into the Theater is a thrill … it would be the envy of many other school or community theater groups. To have such a beautiful venue in which to perform increases the joy and excitement for the students.
As our granddaughter finishes her Senior year we can look back with the knowledge that she has received the best possible education these past six years, and we can anticipate even more exciting opportunities for our grandson as he continues his growth at Oakwood.
