FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
September 1,
2005
Farallone
View School Chess Club and Team is Forming
What is Happening?
Farallone View
School, along with all of the Elementary schools on the coastside from Montara to La Honda and Pescadero, are
forming instructional chess clubs. These clubs are parent-organized and should
have no cost to the district. We will be forming a 501(c)3 non-profit
organization so as to more easily qualify for specific grants and foundational
giving programs. Using the Positive Coaching Alliance Principles, the Coastside
Chess Club will help children to become successful in life through success
in chess. We will develop and encourage youth leadership and coaching
opportunities, beginning and advanced chess techniques, and promote a safe and
fun playing environment and support system. Within the club, there are also
opportunities for the girls to learn and play within their own groups as well as
in coed groups providing a "safe"
environment for girls to explore
chess. We are also planning an assembly for those children interested in
finding out more about the sport of chess,
the chess club, and the chess
team.
Our
Mission
Coastside
Chess Clubs aspires to be an outstanding educational-athletic
organization that provides a high-quality experience to every athlete. A
high-quality experience is one in which every athlete
- Is coached using the principles of Positive
Coaching
- Has fun playing the game
- Feels like an important part of the team
regardless of performance
- Learns "life lessons" that have value beyond
the game
- Learns the skills, tactics and strategies of the
game and improves as a player
What Can
You Do?
Support the
Coastside Chess Club. We are not asking for donations at this time. There is no
experience necessary to join the chess club at your school. Register with the
appropriate private, secure, and safe mailing list for your school at our web
site ( http://coastsidechess.org ). This club
is for kids genuinely interested in learning the finer points of playing chess.
Additionally, Coastside Chess Team is available for those athletes who wish to
represent their school at the Coastside Interscholastic Chess Tournament
slated for December 2005. We will be looking for sponsorship of the "Community
Shield Perpetual Trophy" awarded twice a year to the winner of the
Interscholastic Tournament. I will be asking for parents of each school on the
coastside to take part in organizing their school's chess
club.
Background
I understand that the
Chess Club at Farallone View School was started over 8 years ago. Over the past
couple of years, coastside youth chess has become anemic. Just three
years ago, the coastside held chess meets which drew over a hundred people
to the multi-use room at Farallone View School. Dante started
playing chess when he was 4 years old - he likes to play the game with Papa
[that's me]. Since then, along with Swimming and Soccer, he has chosen to really
focus on chess strategy and has become a pretty good chess coach - for a 7 year
old. Near the end of school last year, Dante asked me if he could set up a
chess club at the school and he was clear in his own words about the next
part: "I want this to be an instructional chess club". I told him that he
could approach his teacher and then they could speak with Mr. B about the idea.
A few days later, Dante asked me if I would talk to Mr. B about the Chess Club.
I told Dante that this was his idea and that he would need to talk to Mr. B
directly. Now Dante and I are negotiating. He asked me if I could be there with
him so I said sure I will - but you are going to make the pitch. He said OK. So
we set up a meeting to talk with Mr. B. We sat down and I told Dante, "Go ahead
and tell Mr. B your idea." Dante did, Mr. B said yes, and here we
are.
Contacts and
Links
John DiNapoli, 650-245-1551
For more information
about the Positive Coaching alliance, click
here