High Gear May 17, 2017
A convivial group gathered at beautiful Poplar Creek to enjoy each other, great food, and our own Paul Belzer as speaker for the day. The pledge was ably led by Professor Kimball, and Dr. Paul Nieberding treated us to a unique and lovely invocation:
AN AFRICAN BLESSING:
Walk tall, walk well, walk safe, walk free, And may harm never come to thee.
Walk wise, walk good, walk proud, walk true. And may the sun always smile on you.
Walk prayer, walk hope, walk faith, walk light. And may peace always guide you right.
Walk joy, walk brave, walk love, walk strong, And may life always give you song.
President Stan recognized Mike Horwitz for his sixteen years membership in Rotary. Jim Shypertt celebrates 16 years.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests of the Club
Stan introduced his guest, Aaron Moore, with SJC Financial in San Mateo. No relation to our Stan.
Announcements
Jennifer Pence reminded that Bistro Burlingame premiers this Sunday at the Doubletree Hotel in Burlingame. Many of our great Burlingame Restaurants are participating. It will be an early evening of fun and frolic. Live music, too. Easy, peasy, just go to Burlingame.org and sign up at the purple square. This is where Rotary raises the cash to support all our great programs. SUNDAY, MAY 21 – 4:30 TO 7:30 – Doubletree Hotel
Completing one of the tasks to earn her square badge, Mariya Shklovskaya took a few minutes to tell us about herself. This accomplished lady could have filled an hour. Mariya was born in Kiev, Ukraine. Mariya, her husband, and two children are residents of Hillsborough. The children will be attending Burlingame High School, so today’s program was an excellent preview. After a varied work background, Mariya is a real estate salesperson with Keller Williams Burlingame, She also uses her clinical psychology degree to do consulting, and is involved in the import of wine.
Mark Johnson reminds us to mark our calendars: June 28 is the date of the debunking of President Stan. That means July 1 begins the year of Mike Horwitz.
Program
Dennis Zell introduced the principal of his alma mater, Paul Belzer, Principal of Burlingame High School. Paul is also a member of Rotary Club of Burlingame. Paul received an undergraduate degree in English from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s Degree from San Francisco. He spent ten years teaching at Mills High School, then served as Assistant Principal of Capuchino High School. “May we live in interesting times.” Paul emphasized that a high school curriculum and mission in 2017 must prepare students for the new work force. We must meet students where they are. The world is new and changing daily.
New California standards encourage short questions and require long, written responses. Math questions require narrative response. Sixty-five to 75% of high-school graduates go on to four-year colleges. The University of California System requires a 4.1 GPA. Online and self-study increasingly popular…and effective!!! Teachers available on line for questions, monitoring.
Burlingame High School has a student population of 1,450. Languages taught include Chinese, Spanish, and Italian. Courses available in drama, ceramics, choir, music, Robotics. Mental health counselors support academic and social progress.
Thanks so much for the update, Principal Paul. A book is being donated to the Burlingame Library in your name.
Next week – May 24 – Poplar Creek
Sheryl Young and James Higa, f current Executive Director of the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation
May 31 – Dark – Memorial Day WeekJune 7 – Emily Matthews introduces Team River Runner; using paddling to rehab wounded vets.
June 14 – Mark Simon, Caltrain/SamTrans
June 28 – Debunking