Back to School: Las Lomitas School District Back to School: Las Lomitas School District (September 01, 2004)

The school district prepares to observe its 100th anniversary

By David Boyce
Almanac Staff Writer

The days of temporarily relocating classes during construction are now a thing of the past -- albeit the recent past -- for the students, teachers and staff of the Las Lomitas School District, which includes Las Lomitas Elementary School and La Entrada Middle School.

The two schools may look unchanged from the outside, but it's noticeably different inside. Some of the changes can be seen and felt; others are less tangible.

For starters, all classrooms and offices will be air-conditioned for the first time. The classrooms have new cabinets, floors and wall coverings, many of which are tackable fabric -- designed to hold objects such as artwork when placed against the surface.

Behind the walls are many new electrical and plumbing fixtures, updated from the 1950s-era fixtures that had been back there.

Along with some new faces in the classroom seats, there will be several new ones up at the front of the room, and some from the last school year that won't be back. Las Lomitas -- which had three teachers retire and three go on maternity leave -- is bringing in 10 new teachers this year, including one returning from La Entrada, which itself has hired five new teachers and a counselor.

Chess players at Las Lomitas have little to fear but their opponent's skill. The after-school program is continuing, and the achievement levels earned in the last school year will be carried into this one, Principal Jerry Traynor said.

At La Entrada, the photography elective for seventh- and eighth-graders is returning along with two new electives: a speech and debate class and a humanities class, said Principal Dee Brummett. For grades 6 through 8, the school is adding four support classes for reading and writing.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the school district. The celebration on October 16 and 17 will include the ground-breaking for a new gym at La Entrada and the sinking of a time capsule at Las Lomitas. There will be a carnival, parent and alumni dance, and a day (Sunday, October 3) at Raging Waters theme park in San Jose.

Las Lomitas Elementary School District ,
1011 Altschul Ave., Menlo Park.
Superintendent: Mary Ann Somerville. Call 854-2880. www.llesd.k12.ca.us

Las Lomitas Elementary School
299 Alameda de las Pulgas
Atherton
Phone: 854-5900
Gerald Traynor, principal
Grades: K-3

School opens Tuesday, August 31.

Enrollment. 493 students, 23 more students than last year and with some 30 new families in the district.

Programs. The after-school chess program is continuing with the same number of sections as last year, and students' past levels of achievement in the game will be carried into the coming year. Las Lomitas will continue its Literacy Collaborative and Math Cadre programs. There are no new programs planned. "We're going to stay the course," said Principal Jerry Traynor. "We're good because we stay the course."

New facilities. The remodeling on campus is complete, with Cano Hall, the main office and all the classrooms now air-conditioned and equipped with new fixtures, floors and cabinets. The school courtyard has been expanded and there are new benches around the flagpole.

Departing staff. Three teachers retired last year: music teacher Marcia Mehl, speech-and-language teacher Linda Daniel, and first- and second-grade teacher Gerry Thompson. Three teachers left for maternity leave: kindergarten teacher Tracy Gray and third-grade teachers Jill Ohline and Tami Chamness. Second-grade teacher Marjorie Recotta did not return, and first-grade Laurie Scott moved away.

New staff. The school has nine new teachers and one returning to the school, Mr. Traynor said. The three new kindergarten teachers are Joy Iwanaga, Kelly Tyler and Kristin MacInnes, back from La Entrada Middle School. The three new first-grade teachers are Jodi Brown, Noreen Chin, and Tara DeCristoferi. Leslie Leong and Katie Sullivan will teach third grade. The new speech teacher is Erin Raleigh, and Marjie Van Gunten will teach music.

Parent information night. Thursday, September 9, from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. in the students' classrooms.

Family picnic. Thursday, September 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the school.

La Entrada Middle School
2200 Sharon Road
Menlo Park
Phone: 854-3962
Dee Brummett, principal
Grades: 4-8
School opens Tuesday, August 31.

Enrollment. 550 students -- including 38 new students -- are expected at La Entrada -- about the same enrollment as last year.

New programs. La Entrada will initiate two electives this year for seventh- and eighth-graders: a speech and debate class and a humanities class, said Principal Dee Brummett. The photography elective is returning after its debut last year. For grades 6 through 8, the school is adding four support classes for reading and writing.

Departing staff. Among the teachers and staff who won't be returning are resource specialist Tracy Calhoun, substitute teacher Renee Child, music teacher Colin Cooper (who returned to Canada after a year here on a teacher-exchange program), substitute teacher Lisa Deal, Kristin MacInnes (who returned to Las Lomitas Elementary School), and counselor Annie Merrill.

New staff. There are six new staff members this year: resource specialist Maggie Janssen, language arts support teacher and longtime substitute teacher Fehmeen Khan, counselor Tracy Lee, fourth-grade teachers Jennifer Montalvo and Jennifer Thalen, and music teacher Howard Rappaport, who returned here after a year in Canada on a teacher-exchange program.

New facilities. As of June 2004, the school office, Jensen Hall and all the classrooms were remodeled. Among the improvements are air-conditioning, new cabinetry and new technology. The classrooms walls are now covered with tackable fabric, making it easy to hang objects such as artwork on the walls, Ms. Brummett said.

Parent information night. Tuesday, September 14, beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Family picnic. Thursday, September 30, in the playground and beginning at 5:30 p.m.

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