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Larchmont Chronicle Neighborhood newspaper representing Hancock Park, Larchmont Village
Miracle Mile, Park La Brea Fremont Place in the Wilshire center area of Los Angeles. Local News and
stories about the local Los Angeles Scene. Historical informattion regarding the Larchmont Chronicle and
Hancock Park area. Founded in 1963 on Larchmont Bouelvard, Los Angeles, CA, California

October 2, 2009

ST. JAMES' SCHOOL UNVEILS NEW SCIENCE LAB

Laura Eversz

HEAD OF SCHOOL Stephen Bowers presented gifts to project manager Gretchen Kasai and Cara Esposito, director of the Leonetti/O’Connell Family Foundation.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony in September marked the official opening of the state-of-the-art science lab that will serve second through sixth graders at St. James’ School.

EXCITED STUDENTS get their first peek at the new lab.

Renovation began in July after a spring fundraiser, held at the Wilshire Country Club and chaired by parent Gretchen Kasai, raised $54,000 towards the project. Co-chairs for the Bug Boogie Bash were Susan Kneafsey and Cathie White. Renovation committee members included Kasai and White, as well as architect John Kaliski, board member Jeff Lane, head of school Stephen Bowers and science lab teacher Michele Yu.

Proceeds from the event paid for multi-directional computer systems above each of the labs six stations that included ceiling-mounted arms, 24-inch iMac computers, a printer and new audio/visual equipment.

Prior to the event, Cara Esposito, St. James’ parent and director of the Leonetti/O’Connell Family Foundation, presented a grant opportunity to increase funding for the renovation.

“A science classroom that takes advantage of the latest technology means our children will have a learning environment that matches the scientific mandate of constant advancement in an ever-changing world,” wrote Kasai in a letter to the Foundation.

The grant paid for workstations with running water and electricity, flooring, cabinetry and new sinks, lab chairs, digital microscopes and cameras, camcorders, motion and voltage sensors and computer software. Larchmont companies involved in the renovation included Lipson Plumbing and Pacific Mac.

The new computers can support on-line programming for the latest in science and technology world updates, said Kasai. “Our lab has been said to rival several high school labs in the L.A. area,” she added proudly.

Larchmont Chronicle
542½ North Larchmont Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90004

Editor & Publisher: Jane Gilman
Associate Publisher: Irwin Gilman

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Information about the Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Park LaBrea areas of Los Angeles, california. The larchmont Chronicle provides information, news stories, local events, advertising, real estate information, real estate listing advertisings, Los Angeles area demographics and other neighborhood news.