Saratoga, CA – On Friday, May 6, 2022, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) hosted a formal naming ceremony for the Zarcone Classroom located at Saratoga Pediatric Subacute. The classroom is named after pharmacist, Michael “Mike” Zarcone, the founder of the Subacute Saratoga Hospital. Zarcone had served numerous patients, specifically children with acute medical needs since 1989.
In efforts to secure more resources to meet the medical and rehabilitation needs of the hospitals’ young patients, Zarcone championed state legislation to pass Assembly Bill 36, which created a category of pediatric subacute, allowing funding that supported the rehabilitation of children. In the years following, he opened two additional facilities, Scribbles and Giggle and the Children’s Recovery Center, to provide high-quality care to medically fragile children.
In his advocacy, Zarcone was adamant that the hospital's young patients needed schooling as well. He approached the SCCOE and local school districts, resulting in the opening of a classroom on the Saratoga Pediatric Subacute campus in 2004.
“Mike Zarcone was an advocate, health care provider, and entrepreneur. He was also the life and soul of this class,” said Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, County Superintendent of Schools. “This ceremony is dedicated to his work and devotion to children’s health and education.”
Dr. Dewan and Santa Clara County Board of Education President Peter Ortiz, joined the SCCOE Special Education Department, members of the Zarcone family, and staff of the subacute hospital to celebrate and recognize the legacy of Mike Zarcone. Former Senator Jim Beall, a fellow children’s advocate and long-time supporter of Zarcone’s work, was also in attendance.
“He was dedicated to providing high-quality care to medically fragile children,” said Zack Zarcone, Mike Zarcone’s son. “We are grateful to see his legacy live on in the students served in this classroom now named in his honor.”
The ceremony included the presentation of a commemorative plaque to the Zarcone family, and a certificate of appreciation to Mary Scates, SCCOE Teacher of Orthopedic Impairments. The event concluded with a tour of the Zarcone Classroom with demonstrations of the adaptive learning tools used to teach students.
 Photographed left to right are Santa Clara County Board of Education President Peter Ortiz, Zack Zarcone, Lindsay Zarcone, County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, and former Sen. Jim Beall. |
 Photographed left to right are Santa Clara County Board of Education President Peter Ortiz, SCCOE Teacher of Orthopedic Impairments Mary Scates, and County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Ann Dewan.
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 Photographed left to right are Helen Medeiros, Occupational Therapist Anne Proctor, SCCOE Special Education
Director Dr. Jennifer Ann, former Sen. Jim Beall, County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, Lindsay Zarcone-Medeiros,
Zack Zarcone, Santa Clara County Board of Education President Peter Ortiz, Tennyson Zarcone (8), Clinton Zarcone (5), and Karli Zarcone. |
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.
For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
