September 07, 2005

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Publication Date: Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Back to School 2005: Las Lomitas School District

By Marjorie Mader

Almanac Staff Writer

For the first time since Mary Ann Somerville became superintendent of the Las Lomitas School District nine and one-half years ago, she won't have to face the worries and upheavals of remodeling aging classrooms and building new libraries and more classrooms.

"It's made a big difference," says Ms. Somerville. All the renovations and new construction has been completed at the district's two schools -- Las Lomitas, K-3, in Atherton and La Entrada, grades 4-8, in Menlo Park. The schools look like new inside and out and sparkle with fresh paint.

Scheduled for early completion around Thanksgiving is the new gym at La Entrada, funded by a school bond measure. The 12,000 square foot building faces a new parking area and has access to a courtyard plaza, tennis courts, amphitheater and playing fields.

Just last week, Superintendent Somerville and the district staff moved out of their temporary digs in a classroom at La Entrada School, where they've been since May 15, and into the remodeled district office across the soccer field. The interior of the original modular building was gutted and redesigned, providing offices for the administration, business and special education departments and an enlarged conference room that also will be used for school board meetings.

Now, Superintendent Somerville looks forward to what she enjoys most: focusing on education, continuing to maintain and improve programs for the district's 1,060 students, and working with a "wonderful" staff and parents.

"Our kids do very well," she said. "We have a strong staff and supportive parents, but everything is being pushed down a grade level," as a result of the state's curriculum requirements. For example, all eighth-graders will take algebra instead of waiting until high school. There will be extra support for those who find algebra difficult.

The district will adopt new social studies materials this year and begin reviewing the science curriculum for grades K-8.

A major change for the district is having its own director of student services instead of sharing this position with the Menlo Park district. On board is Seth Ceely, a former school psychologist and special education coordinator for Santa Clara County schools.

The district also has hired its own occupational therapist, Claire Adarlo, who will work with students and teachers.

"We're excited, happy and ready to go," said Ms. Somerville as school got off to a smooth start August 25.

With thanks to the Las Lomitas Education Foundation, which donated more than $900,000, the district is able to maintain small class sizes and a broad spectrum of curriculum and elective offerings. It also continues to attract and retain a high quality staff, she said.

Following are the reports on the district's two schools, where classes started August 25.
Las Lomitas

299 Alameda de las Pulgas Atherton

Phone: 854-5900 Dr. Jerry Traynor, principal

Grades: K-3

Enrollment: 515 students, 22 more students than last year.

Classes. A bulge in enrollment at first and second grade has resulted in the creation of a combination K-1 class and a grade 2-3 combo. There are 6.5 kindergarten classes, seven first-grade classes, 6.5 second grade classes and 6.5 third-grade classes. Classes have 20 or fewer students.

Assistant principal. Sue Sartor, who went to Las Lomitas schools as a young girl and whose children also went to the same schools, was appointed the new assistant principal. She has taught kindergarten and first grade at Las Lomitas and also was the specialist in the language lab. With enrollment growing at the school, the district re-activated the position of assistant principal.

Teachers. Four teachers have joined the faculty. They are: first-grade teachers Nancy Kaneshiro from Redwood Shores and Tami Gangelhoff ; Maya Giamona from the San Mateo-Foster City district, second grade; and Robert Olds, who interned at Nixon School in Palo Alto, third grade.

Specialists. Experienced specialists, new this year, are: Miriam Schroeder, special education resource; Jill Schwartz, speech therapist; Claire Adarlo, occupational therapist.

Back from leaves. Returning from maternity leaves are Jenny Waddell and Jill Ohline, who will job-share a first-grade class.

English-immersion class. The teaching team of Courtney Corkery and Rebecca Garcia will be in charge of the English language development program that helps 60 students who speak 13 different languages learn English. The students, whose families often have ties to Stanford University, come from all over the world. "It's the only full-time English-immersion class in the area, said Principal Traynor.

Focus. "We're going in depth on what we already have in place in the curriculum," said Principal Traynor. "It's like continuing to unpeel the onion." Staff development training for new and returning teachers will continue. The Literacy Collaborative and Math Cadre programs also are continuing.

Facilities. With the remodeling of the campus completed, the courtyard is landscaped and plans call for getting rid of the asphalt surfaces.

Centennial reminder. A time capsule, filled with notes, photos and momentos of Las Lomitas School's 100th birthday, has been buried near the school flagpole. A bronze plaque has been installed recently to commemorate this historic occasion.

Parent Information Night. Thursday, September 8, starting at 6:30 p.m. for parents of second- and third-graders and at 7:15 p.m. for kindergarten and first-grade parents in their students' classrooms.

Family picnic. Thursday, September 22, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the school playground. Families may pre-order dinner or bring a picnic supper.

La Entrada Middle School

2200 Sharon Road Menlo Park

Phone: 854-3962

Dee Brummett, principal

Grades: 4-8

Enrollment. 554 students, about the same as last year. Of the 20 students new to the district, some entered this year at the sixth-grade level.

Class sizes. Core classes have about 23-24 students.

New teachers. Three teachers have joined the faculty. They are Nancy Olson, eighth-grade English teacher, and John Ertola, who will teach sixth- and seventh-grade math. They both taught at Kennedy Middle School in Redwood City. Joanne Tinkham, who comes from a private school, will teach sixth-grade science half-time. He's back. Colin Cooper, a Fulbright teacher from Canada who exchanged places with La Entrada music teacher Howard Rappaport two years ago, is returning to teach instrumental music for the upper grades and music classes for fourth and fifth grades. Mr. Rappaport has resigned. Leaving the district. Mary Lou Holding, the well known and respected algebra teacher, has retired. Heather Amanatullah has resigned.

New programs. All eighth-graders will take algebra this year. The introductory "point-5" algebra class has been discontinued. Math support classes are being introduced this year in grades 6 and 7. All other programs will continue except the photography and speech and debate electives, said Principal Brummett.

Parent information night. Thursday, September 15, from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Family picnic. Families can bring a picnic supper or pre-order food for the annual back-to-school picnic on Thursday, September 29, on the playground, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
DISTRICT INFORMATION