Montclaire is a K-5 elementary school, one of 25 in the Cupertino Union School District, and a 2010 California…More Distinguished School.</p> <p>It has a base Academic Performance Index score of 973.</p> <p>It has been in existence since the 1950s, and is actively supported by the <a href="http://www.cupertino.k12.ca.us/Montclaire.www/mef.html">Montclaire Educational Foundation</a> and <a href="http://www.cupertino.k12.ca.us/Montclaire.www/pta.html">Parent Teacher Association</a>. The school site council combines staff and parents to foster community, create a team enviroment and increase shared decision-making based on mutual respect.</p>

The Los Altos-Mountain View league is one of five sister organizations in Silicon Valley (including Palo Alto,…More Cupertino-Sunnyvale, San Jose-Santa Clara and Southwest Santa Clara Valley). This chapter maintains a small office in the Hillview Community Center but, as a volunteer organization, does not hold office hours. Most information about its events and how to get involved or attend its board meetings, are around on its website.  The League holds its board meetings, open to the public, in the conference rooms of local institutions.</p> <p>The League of Women Voters is a national nonpartisan political organization that traces its history to the National American Women Suffrage Association. It encourages informed and active participation in government by citizens in the areas of voter education and action/advocacy.</p> <p>The League's award-winning Smart Voter website provides individualized ballot information, including polling place and candidates' statements and backgrounds.</p> <p>The League has long been known for its <a href="http://www.lwvlamv.org/Nov2010_debates.html">candidates forums</a>, which are political debates, rather than individual candidates' presentations.</p> <p>Have you ever wished that someone would explain, in plain English, what upcoming ballot propositions set out to do -- or not do? The League's <a href="http://www.lwvlamv.org/Nov2010_pros_and_cons.html">Pros and Cons programs</a> provide volunteers who read, analyze and explain those propositions -- without all the hype, omissions and spin.</p> <p>The League's <a href="http://www.lwvlamv.org/calendar.html">calendar of events</a> also include presentations on pressing public policy issues, such as water policy and the state's budget crisis.</p> <p>The League does advocate on public policy issues and <a href="http://www.lwvlamv.org/positions.html">its stands</a> are also found on its website.</p> <p>Membership is open to men and women of all ages.</p>

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District was created by a voter…More initiative in 1972, in response to the rapid growth of tract housing and commercial development that had overtaken Santa Clara Valley.</p> <p>The purpose of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is to purchase and restore permanently protected land to form a regional open space greenbelt. This greenbelt is used preserve unspoiled wilderness and wildlife habitats as well as the land's watersheds, viewsheds and fragile ecosystems. Because the area is meant to offer environmental education, all recreational use is low-intensity in nature.</p> <p>There are currently 24 open space preserves, with varying types of uses and facilities. Nearly half have restrooms.</p> <p>The district covers 550 square miles and includes Atherton, Cupertino, East Palo Alto, El Granada, Half Moon Bay, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Menlo Park Montara, Monte Sereno, Moss Beach, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Pescadero, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos, San Gregorio, Saratoga, Stanford, Sunnyvale and Woodside.</p> <p>In 2004, the district's boundaries were extended to the Pacific Ocean, from the southern border of Pacifica to the southern border of Santa Cruz County.</p> <p>This governmental body is supported by a small share of property tax revenues, approximately 1.7 cents per $100 of assessed property. It is governed by a seven-member board of directors, representing geographic wards, and elected every four years. In election years when there is no opponent, the incumbent is elected to a new term.</p> <p>The board holds public meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7pm, at the District headquarters in Los Altos.</p> <p>In addition, special public hearings and neighborhood meetings are held periodically on specific issues.</p> <p>Hard copies of the agenda can be mailed at a cost of $25 annually by calling District's Clerk's office. </p> <p>Preserves include: Bear Creek Redwoods, Coal Creek, El Corte de Madera Creek, El Sereno, Foothills, Fremont Older, La Honda Creek, Long Ridge, Los Trancos, Monte Bello, Picchetti Ranch, Pulgas Ridge, Purisima Creek Redwoods, Rancho San Antonio, Ravenswood, Russian Ridge, Saratoga Gap, Sierra Azul, Skyline Ridge, St. Joseph's Hill Stevens Creek, Teague Hill, Thornewood and Windy Hill.</p> <p>The district has an active volunteer program, which can be viewed online at <a href="http://www.openspace.org">OpenSpace.org</a>.</p>