Updated 3/21/13
Announcing the Jesse Jaramillo Dance Education Endowment (3/21/2013)
Many of you remember Mr. Jaramillo, our beloved P.E. teacher who taught P.E., music and creative movement for 12 years at Island Park. Others in our community remember Jesse Jaramillo as an exceptional dancer, who was a founder and co-artistic director of The Co-Motion Dance Company with his long-time partner, Gail Heilbron. Jesse and Gail worked tirelessly to bring dance education into our schools, in Mercer Island and throughout our State. Sadly, Jesse passed away suddenly last summer. Those who knew him miss his broad smile and generous friendship. Everyone will miss his commitment to provide students ways to creatively express themselves through movement.
In his memory, our community has set up an endowment through the Fine Arts Advisory to provide dance education opportunities to Mercer Island School students. It is called the
Jesse Jaramillo Dance Education Endowment. We are asking for your financial support to help build this fund and to keep Jesse's dream alive. Deductible donations may be made to
FAAC/Jesse || PO Box 138 || Mercer Island, WA 98040 or by visiting
http://www.mifineartsed.org/jesse-jaramillo.html. Donations will also be accepted both nights of the Fine Arts Advisory Showcase as well as the Island Park Hoedown on March 29th. Thank you for supporting Jesse’s vision for dance and healthy movement in the lives of our children.
Questions? Contact a committee member below.
Susan Hamp, Anne Hritzay, Cheryl Sandstrom, Jan Vetter, Andy Hamp;
Erin McLaughlin,
Leslie Dammeier, Jen McLellan, Jennifer Reibman, Sylvia Tsang; Sue Anderson, Gail Heilbron; fifth graders Jack and Polly, and high school student Alison.
Island Park Students Honor Mr. Jaramillo (10/6/2012)
Every so often, Island Park students have the wonderful opportunity to partake in an assembly or school activity involving the entire learning community. On Friday, every class gathered on the school’s lower field to participate in the Mayim (Water) dance, a movement piece that Jesse Jaramillo taught during his tenure as an Island Park P.E. and music teacher. Accordingly, we dedicated our time together to his memory. We concluded our tribute to Jesse with a reflective trek around the Steps for School walking path.
The Mercer Island Fine Arts Advisory Committee has created a fund in honor of Mr. Jaramillo to perpetuate dance education in the Mercer Island Schools. Donations to this fund will continue his legacy of a passion for dance and movement for our children. Checks can be made out to FAAC-Jesse and sent to FAAC / P.O. Box 138 / Mercer Island, WA 98040.
In addition, Allison Rorem has created a
facebook page in his honor called "
Friends of Jesse Jaramillo". Please feel free to drop by there and leave a message.
Finally, please know a committee of students, teachers and parents are making plans for a larger, community celebration and tribute. More news to come...
In Memory of Jesse Jaramillo (8/26/2012)
Jesse Jaramillo, Island Park's beloved P.E. teacher for 12 years, passed away suddenly on August 17. Our learning community has lost a talented, kind, and kid-centered teacher, colleague and friend.The Jaramillo family has shared its deepest appreciation for all the love and acts of kindness that have been directed their way. They greatly feel your presence and support. They have sincerely expressed their desire to have a relatively small service attended by close family and friends due to the physical constraints of the place of memorial. They are grateful that the Island Park learning community will conduct a larger gathering at a future date to celebrate Jesse’s life and work with children. To further honor Jessie’s life and memory, contributions may be made to arts and educational organizations.
Planning is underway to honor Jesse at Island Park. Concurrently, we are working hard to get the school ready for the arrival of our wonderful students on Wednesday. We appreciate your understanding and patience regarding the timing of Jesse’s memorial. Our greatest desire is to honor Jesse in athoughtful, deliberate fashion that reflects and embraces the words and thoughts of all those –staff, students and community members—who were touched by Jesse’s work.
The following links and resources are provided to help anyone who seeks solace and support. Should you feel your child or family needs help coping with grief, feel free to contact Sivie Suckerman, Island Park counselor, @
sivie_suckerman@misd.wednet.edu
