LASD HAPS ABOUT CAMPUS

Let's face it—kindergarten is so cute!! We all look at those little faces and sigh, remembering just how wonderful our own experiences were when we were that small.

I still remember my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Harrington, at Sweet Briar Elementary in New York and how she lovingly taught us all sorts of songs, and how the room had this HUGE play house (at least to us it was huge!) that we all took turns playing in. It's where I met my very best friend Laura K. and how we are still close confidantes more than 40 years later!!

Little did I know in the midst of all the fun I was having, I was actually learning everything from math and science to reading and writing, so many necessary and important skills that I would take with me throughout my school career.

Kindergarten really is the foundation for all education. It's where children start building a positive relationship with academics, where they start to discover and problem solve, where they learn to love learning.

And Los Altos School District kindergarten teachers are no exception, but rather, exceptional at making connections with students in the classroom, so that each child feels successful in a safe environment. Not only do many kinder classrooms include alphabet and word boards, reading and writing corners and fun with numbers areas, many also have classroom pets and play kitchens, creative building tools, and their own private playgrounds with swings and bikes and recreational structures.

And teachers take a unique approach to teaching to the whole child. For example, each fall Loyola kindergarten teachers conduct a butterfly parade throughout the whole school to conclude their unit on the life cycle of a butterfly which includes students actually raising butterflies and setting them free in the school's Secret Garden. To celebrate, the kindergarteners create special hats and paper butterflies and parade through each Loyola classroom singing songs which reinterate all they learned throughout the unit, thus combining science, art, music, social and study skills all in one.

While most of the kindergarten classes are half-day programs, Gardner Bullis offers full-day kindergarten for district students.  With more time at school, the kinders are able to play together at lunchtime, develop more friendships, and participate fully in celebrations and enrichment activities. One of the highlights for kinders each week is a trip to the school library where students explore their own interests and check out a book they choose.

Gardner Bullis kindergarten teacher Laura Wiley said, "When I was a kid, I had a few books that I always wanted my parents to read to me, “Goodnight Moon,” “Run Away Bunny” and “The Big Red Barn." My parents probably read these to me a million times!"

The LASD will hold its Kindergarten and New Family Information Night at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 6 at all of the neighborhood elementary schools including: Almond, Covington, Gardner Bullis, Loyola, Oak, Santa Rita and Springer elementary schools. Principals will present information on how LASD is revolutionizing learning for all students, and will include elementary school highlights. For a sneak preview on the schools' kindergarten program and its dedication to academic excellence, please view this new video that gives a glimse at life as a kinder in district schools. Beware:  It's very CUTE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm20C5xT_ic

Please attend the information night at your neighborhood school; if you are not sure of which school you should attend, visit the site below for boundary guidelines.

http://www.losaltos.k12.ca.us/files/user/1/file/Adopted_attendance_boundaries_6_18_07.pdf