I have enjoyed teaching children in the classroom for many years. This year, I was lucky enough to offer an after-school, free enrichment class to children. It's called sport stacking. 

If you've never heard of it before, sport stacking is a fun, competitive activity where students work collaboratively on a team to quickly stack and unstack a pyramid of cups. Integrity and sportsmanship are valued. Students have opportunities to practice hand-eye coordination and dexterity. 

Most of all, everyone has fun!

My husband, Patrick, and my past student teacher, Jeff Hamilton, are kind enough to volunteer to help me each week. We have approximately 80 students and we were looking forward to starting noon league teams at lunch, after spring break, so even more children could participate.

Here is the sad part. The sports cups that were loaned to us to use for these classes were stolen right out of my car trunk. I am so disappointed by these unlawful actions in our community, but I know it will even be more heartbreaking to see the children's faces when they find out we will no longer be able to offer these classes.

I would like to remind the community that if you have anything that is of value, do not lock it in your car. It's still not safe enough to deter a thief. 

Unfortunately, I was naive and learned the hard way.

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Patty Ortiz

Orcutt

March 28, 2008