Schools

Monday Celebration Set For Susan Prescott Kavinoky

With 45 years under her belt, the Spanish and German teacher has taught a few generations of Los Altans, who are capping an illustrious career with a gathering at La Estrellita.

Written by L.A. Chung 

¡Qué lástima! 

Señora Kavinoky is retiring from the Los Altos School District. 

Find out what's happening in Los Altoswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Susan Prescott Kavinoky, affectionately known as "Miss Prescott" for much of her teaching career at Covington, then Egan Jr. High, is hanging up the tildes, the umlauts and the acentos—professionally, that is.

After 45 years teaching Spanish and German, all at LASD, Kavinoky's last day is Wednesday, when school ends.

But first, students, parents, colleagues and alumni are gathering Monday night from 6 to 8 p.m. to wish her well at La Estrellita Restaurant at 971 N. San Antonio Road—a 55-year-old Los Altos institution itself.

Kavinoky is one of several teachers retiring from the district this year, but perhaps the only one with as many years at LASD—and as formidable of a reputation.
 
She started at Covington Jr. High School after first getting her undergraduate degree at University of Oregon, and graduating with her Master's Degree in Education at Stanford, according to a story that appeared on iNewswire in 2008. She moved to Egan some years later. 

"She has taught ... 12- to 14-year olds for all these years in her own unique, indefatigable style," wrote Beth Wang to Patch. She is legally blind. 

"Over 8,500 students have passed through her classroom, and there is even a Facebook page for those grateful students to publicly share 'I Survived Miss Prescott's Class!'" 

Both Los Altos and Los Altos Hill declared May 30, 2008 "Miss Prescott Day," Wang added. That's when Egan alumni held a surprise reception for her at the Los Altos Youth Center to celebrate her 40th year and passing the 8,000-student mark. 

She married Larry Kavinoky, who lived next door in her College Terrace neighborhood in Palo Alto in 2008. 

"She was just teaching foreign language how she knew best," Wang wrote. "And it has been the best."

The gathering Monday night from 6 to 8 p.m. at La Estrellita is a casual event and food and drink will be available for purchase, organizers said.
Organizers say they are compiling a memory book for her. Those who want to write a note of well wishes or share a memory are asked to email missprescottday@gmail.com


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