School a Magnet for Parents’ Support

Nestled among the million-dollar homes and equestrian trails of Santa Rosa Valley is a tiny elementary school that is the heart and soul of this close-knit community.

Think “Little House on the Prairie” meets “Beverly Hills 90210.” Part of that feeling springs from the school’s size: Only 235 students -- kindergarten through fifth grade -- attend Santa Rosa Technology Magnet School.

But more than that, the feeling comes from the overwhelming number of parents who spend hours serving on the PTA, volunteering in classrooms and putting together fund-raisers to keep the public school thriving.

For these parents, many of them doctors, lawyers or CEOs, the school has evolved into a gathering point that serves as the heart of this community of 1,000 or so homes.

“It’s a quaint, old-time school where everybody knows everybody,” said Tammy Boyle, who has four children enrolled. “It’s part of the culture out here that you get involved. It’s the way the school has always worked.”

The school was built in 1911 by local farmers -- known then as the Norwegian Colony -- who wanted their children to have an education. The 23-square-mile district, at the northern end of the Conejo Grade, was formed by taking parts of the Somis, Moorpark and Timber school districts.

The first schoolhouse was built on 1 1/2 acres purchased from Louis Maulhardt for $10. Gladys Ringold taught the first class of 15 students and was paid $560 for the school year. That original structure stood until the current buildings were constructed in 1951.

Parents’ support served as the school’s driving force 91 years ago, and that tradition continues. When talk began circulating on the school possibly closing due to low enrollment and budget cuts, Santa Rosa Valley parents took action.

Longtime resident Tony Cerato helped spearhead a survey asking parents what they wanted in their school.

“I think there is this perception about public education, and obviously many of us who live here can afford to send our children to private schools,” said Cerato, who has three sons attending the magnet school. “The point of the survey was to find out how we can improve to entice people in the area to come here.”

Cerato said the 47% response rate showed people liked the idea of a technology magnet school.

“What we also found was that we were providing things already that people just didn’t know we had, such as strong parental involvement with the PTA,” Cerato added.

So at the start of this school year, Santa Rosa School became Santa Rosa Technology Magnet School. It remains part of the Pleasant Valley School District but now places an emphasis on technology in addition to the three R’s.

Students are studying software programs, using the Internet regularly for their studies and learning how to use digital cameras to create the school yearbook.

Principal Michelle Odle said the big push this year is to get the teachers up and running with the new curriculum.

“It’s a huge benefit for the teachers to have parents in the classroom,” said Odle, who lives in the community. “It allows them to do what they need to. When you have a small school, the teachers are very taxed, but we have a lot of parents that are willing to help.”

Now in her 15th year at the school, teacher Sally DeWeese enjoys bragging about the parental support.

“When it’s Teacher Appreciation Week, we get something every day; we feel very appreciated by our parents,” said the 62-year-old Camarillo resident.

DeWeese said she can’t recall a time when there was not a large contingency of parents always willing to help. “They become more like personal friends,” DeWeese said. “And they treat you like you are a member of their family.”

She said there are many traditions that come with being part of a small school, such as the annual Thanksgiving feast, when families and staff members share a meal before the long holiday weekend.

Three years ago, however, the brewing excitement over the upcoming festivities was shattered when tragedy struck the neighborhood.

On Nov. 22, 1999, Socorro Caro fatally shot three of her sons, all students at the school.

Teachers, parents and students were devastated by the news, but the tragedy pushed community members closer.

“There weren’t too many of us that weren’t affected by it,” Cerato said. “What made a big difference in how we handled it was that it was a domestic situation, not an outsider coming in. So instead of feeling wary about where we lived, we pulled together to support each other.

“Part of the reason we live in this little area is the privacy, but there is also a camaraderie that makes it unique. At the end of the day, it’s all about the kids,” Cerato said.

The community’s strength was tested again last December when Jennifer Bonds, 14, died after being struck by a car as she jogged along Santa Rosa Road with her father. Although Jennifer was in high school, her family had close ties with the school and the community.

“Everybody just came together to support the family,” said Karyn Pepperman, whose son was baby-sat by Jennifer.

After the accident, the school was used as a meeting place for discussions of traffic on Santa Rosa Road.

The school also is used for adult education classes, Cub Scout and Girl Scout meetings and as a sports practice site.

“It’s more like a community center,” parent volunteer Marlene O’Tousa said. “We wouldn’t know anyone if our kids didn’t go here.”

“It’s a misnomer to think that everyone in Santa Rosa Valley has a lot of money and we’re all snobs,” Pepperman said. “There is not a lot of pretentiousness. And if you come in with it, you lose it real quick.”