More than 150 community members attended the first annual Jackson Academy of Math and Music dinner, silent auction and raffle, held April 26 at Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill.
The fundraising event, sponsored by the South Valley Symphony and The Music Tree, offered prizes such as hotel stays, sports memorabilia and artwork. JAMM parents Kyle and Alyson Charlet won a CordeValle Golf Resort package as well as a San Francisco Giants-signed memorabilia/game tickets package.
“It is a true honor to see our school host an event a hundred times better than the best of our imaginations,” said Principal Patrick Buscher, who attended and participated in the event raffle. “Our school community has clearly set the bar higher than imagined – an amazing night.”
The evening featured music by the Zinfandel Stompers along with Darin Dixon of The Music Tree, who acted as the Master of Ceremonies and provided a pair of electrical guitars for the auction and door prizes.
“The dinner and fundraiser were wonderful. I thought it captured the feeling of excitement and shared purpose that our JAMM staff and parents have been experiencing this year,” said fourth grade teacher Laura Schenkelberg. “I feel grateful to be part of such a school community, and am looking forward to this event next year.”
Parent organizers were unable to offer the exact amount of funds raised for JAMM, other than to say that a profit was made and all proceeds will benefit the students.
Previously known as Jackson Elementary, JAMM was transformed nearly a year ago from a school failing to meet state standards into a kindergarten through eighth grade magnet school for math and music. In building an expansive and stimulating learning environment, JAMM completed an overhaul of school leadership, teaching staff, student population and new academic programs, including daily instruction focused on math and music.
“This was truly a magical night,” said JAMM third grade teacher Andrea Pecsok of the first annual fundraiser and dinner which was served up by Heavy’s Grill of Gilroy. “It was a time to come together to celebrate the successes, the hard work and the path we are on together.”
The JAMM staff were satisfied that the community event “was a wonderful opportunity for this recently merged community to establish and develop relationships, and to forge a new school identity that combines the best of the old with the new.”
“Great food, great auction items, wonderful teaching staff to visit with, and such a great community to be a part of,” shared JAMM parent Pam Rodrigues. “It is such a great feeling to have a connection with our school families and teaching staff.”
