Our children our fabulous! Here's why:

In these trying times, it's easy to tune out the cries for help. However, one Conejo Valley Unified School District elementary school looked beyond themselves and set an example through their generous support of all our local schools.

The student council at Westlake Elementary School worked hard selling "smencils" (those smelly pencils kids love) to raise funds for their own programs. After the sale, they took an extra step to help other schools by donating a portion of their proceeds to the Conejo Schools Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to advancing educational opportunities for all CVUSD students and teachers.

Everyone recognizes the importance of a quality education. But these kids understand that a quality education for all students in our community directly affects the quality of life of our community across the board.

The kids are focused on the common good and helping others. The parents, teachers and students at Westlake Elementary should be very proud, and we as a community should follow their generous example.

We at the Conejo Schools Foundation are grateful that in this smelly economy, smencils sell and kids care. Cindy Goldberg, executive director, Conejo Schools Foundation

Goldberg is a resident of Thousand Oaks.