Superintendent Newsletter

Many of our students' favorite moments of the school year are the hands-on, garden-based lessons with our amazing Living Classroom program. Staffed by volunteers, Living Classroom lessons are integrated with our new Twig science curriculum, as well as our math and English Language Arts curricula, reinforcing what students learn in the classroom with a fun and memorable outdoor, hands-on experience.

Living Classroom launched a new website this year, full of descriptions of each grade-level lesson your students will enjoy this year. One new addition is salsa making during the 3rd grade two-part lesson series called "Life Cycle of a Tomato." During this lesson series, students study the life cycle of a tomato plant as they save seeds from heirloom tomatoes and plant them in late winter/early spring. This lesson is aligned with our LASD science and social sciences curriculum.

Living Classroom is always looking for parent volunteers to teach and assist with their fun, hands-on lessons and help care for the school gardens. If you're interested in getting involved, check out the volunteer information page here. See below for our video on the Living Classroom program.

Young people and teens in our community face unprecedented stresses in our modern era. LASD is committed to supporting our families and students as they navigate many challenges, including substance use. We know parents and caregivers are eager for helpful information to prevent addiction and overdose, spot warning signs, and support their children in making healthy and safe choices.

The Los Altos School District, in collaboration with the Los Altos Library, Santa Clara County, and the City of Los Altos, will be hosting an important evening to provide critical information parents need to help prevent substance use. Our expert speaker, Isaac Gutierrez, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from the Department of Substance Use Treatment Services of Santa Clara County, will share a presentation and answer your questions.

When: Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 6:30pm

Where: The Los Altos Public Library, Oak Room

13 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, CA

What: A presentation and Q&A with Isaac Gutierrez, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from the

Department of Substance Use Treatment Services of Santa Clara County

COVID Protocols: Participants will be asked to wear masks for this indoor presentation

Thank you to our staff, students, families and amazing parent-volunteers for helping to make our lunch program a success. Although there are still some hurdles to clear, we have made a lot of progress in our processes and things are running a lot more smoothly.

Most importantly, we are thrilled to be providing a full breakfast and lunch for all students who would like one. Just a reminder, the new meal program is not a PTA-funded program, but is part of the national school lunch program and a requirement of the State of California. The Los Altos School District is funding and staffing the program for all students who would like to access free meals at school. The program has many requirements, including eligible food service vendors, in order to be in compliance with the national school lunch program.

Although our food service providers do their best, we know not every child will love every meal that is served. Participation in this mandatory, and partially-funded, national school lunch program costs the district up to $1.1 million per year out of the operating budget, depending upon the number of meals served. . Your child may prefer a lunch from home on a day they do not like the two lunch options. You and your student can check the school lunch menu here, which is updated monthly. Please remember outside vendors (such as DoorDash) are not allowed on campus.

Thank you again for your help in making this program so successful and ensuring all of our students have the nutrition they need.

Email: superintendent@lasdschools.org
Website: lasdschools.org
Location: 201 Covington Road, Los Altos, CA, USA
Phone: (650) 947-1150