Students at Los Gatos and Saratoga high schools received a firsthand account of life in another country March 2 and 3 thanks to a visit by former Peace Corps volunteer Cynthia Ranii, superintendent of the Los Gatos­Saratoga Joint Union High School District.

Having served in Iran as an English teacher from 1971 to 1974, Ranii spoke to students about her experiences. Ranii visited the classes of Saratoga High School teachers Julianne Geddes, Peter Jordan and Jill McFarlen and Los Gatos High School teachers Ann Jordan and Lindsay Schubert as part of Peace Corps Day celebrations. Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Colleen Wilcox, of Los Gatos, and Denney Daetz, a Los Gatos High School teacher, were also local volunteers.

Thousands of former Peace Corps volunteers, representing more than 100 countries of service, shared their overseas experiences from March 1­7 in communities around the United States. Through these presentations, former volunteers helped raise awareness of the Peace Corps as a resource for U.S. educators who want to incorporate volunteers' stories in the classroom. They also highlighted the opportunity to serve as a volunteer and the many benefits of Peace Corps service.

For more information about joining the Peace Corps, call 800.424.8580, and press 1 to speak to a local recruiter. To learn more about Peace Corps Day, email pcday@peacecorps.gov or visit www.peacecorps.gov.

Posters at local
hospital identify
patient safety

Community Hospital of Los Gatos and health-care organizations across the United States observed national patient safety awareness week March 7­13 through special educational and awareness activities for patients, students and families. The theme of this year's observance was "Patient Safety: The Power of Partnership."

Students at Rolling Hills Middle School of Los Gatos participated through a poster contest and designed creative posters expressing their ideas about patient safety. The posters are on display in the hospital's main hallway, and awards were given to the winners of the contest.

Town groups
seek students
for mural project

It's not too late to participate in the Forbes Mill Footbridge Mural Project. Students in grades 2­12 have until March 19 to submit original artwork that may be included in the Footbridge Mural, which will span Highway 17 between the History Museum at Forbes Mill and Old Town.

For more information, contact Forbes Mill Museum Executive Director Laura Bajuk at 408.395.7375.

Norman is
named to
dean's list

Rebecca "Becca" Norman of Los Gatos, the daughter of Robert Norman, was named to the dean's list for the winter 2003 semester at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore. She is a first-year student whose major is undeclared. Students must earn at least a 3.75 grade point average to receive this honor.