WESTON RANCH – Strong gusting winds and a nearby house fire wasn’t enough to put a damper on Farm Day at August Knodt School.
On Wednesday, the ninth annual event went on as planned as first-grade teacher Janet Cabezut took on the task of organizer.
“This was my first time at doing the planning and I was a little bit nervous,” she said.
Cabezut, who has worked with the group promoting agriculture for the past seven years, took the liberty of calling on Janet Dyk.
The latter is currently involved with AgVenture, conducting major ag function for some 11,000 third-grade students in Manteca, Stockton and Lodi during the past year.
“It is so rewarding for me to have someone like Janet (Cabezut) take over and continue Farm Day at August Knodt,” said Dyk, who gladly helped out.
Cabezut kept up many of the same traditions, including the usual assortment of animals, tractor displays, and guest speakers.
Tracy Green, who brought along a couple of Welsh ponies including her own, Gracie, was among the presenters. She’s the speech therapist at the school.
“This area was once all agriculture,” Cabezut said. “We want to show our kids that farming is still important.”
Because of the current Manteca Unified budget freeze affecting special function such as farm day, she had to rely greatly on the support of the August Knodt staff and Parents Teachers Club.
Principal Frank Souza applauded the team effort, praising all those involved.
Farm Day, incidentally, was held on a half-day day schedule, with students released from classes by noon. Those on the idle year-round track and their family received farm day invitations from Cabezut and her group.
Shortly after 10 o’clock, Farm Day was close to winding down when a nearby home at William Moss Boulevard and Sacchetti Circle was engulfed in fire. A PT Cruiser parked in the driveway was also ablaze as Stockton and some of the neighboring firefighters worked together to contain the fire.
On Wednesday, the ninth annual event went on as planned as first-grade teacher Janet Cabezut took on the task of organizer.
“This was my first time at doing the planning and I was a little bit nervous,” she said.
Cabezut, who has worked with the group promoting agriculture for the past seven years, took the liberty of calling on Janet Dyk.
The latter is currently involved with AgVenture, conducting major ag function for some 11,000 third-grade students in Manteca, Stockton and Lodi during the past year.
“It is so rewarding for me to have someone like Janet (Cabezut) take over and continue Farm Day at August Knodt,” said Dyk, who gladly helped out.
Cabezut kept up many of the same traditions, including the usual assortment of animals, tractor displays, and guest speakers.
Tracy Green, who brought along a couple of Welsh ponies including her own, Gracie, was among the presenters. She’s the speech therapist at the school.
“This area was once all agriculture,” Cabezut said. “We want to show our kids that farming is still important.”
Because of the current Manteca Unified budget freeze affecting special function such as farm day, she had to rely greatly on the support of the August Knodt staff and Parents Teachers Club.
Principal Frank Souza applauded the team effort, praising all those involved.
Farm Day, incidentally, was held on a half-day day schedule, with students released from classes by noon. Those on the idle year-round track and their family received farm day invitations from Cabezut and her group.
Shortly after 10 o’clock, Farm Day was close to winding down when a nearby home at William Moss Boulevard and Sacchetti Circle was engulfed in fire. A PT Cruiser parked in the driveway was also ablaze as Stockton and some of the neighboring firefighters worked together to contain the fire.
