LASD Board Highlights

Oak Avenue Elementary School proudly showcased their Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program, highlighting their commitment to child-centered, inquiry-based learning that aligns with best practices in early childhood education.

TK teacher Allison White along with her students and some TK parents, presented a compelling example of how the TK experience embraces student curiosity and fosters deeper learning. From January through May, students are embarking on an exciting investigation about bald eagles after observing a live nestcam at Big Bear Lake.

What began with simple observations of eagles Jackie and Shadow before eggs were laid blossomed into a months-long project driven by students' natural curiosity. Children generated thoughtful questions: "How many eggs will Jackie lay?" "How long until they hatch?" "How does Jackie stay warm when it snows?" and "When do the babies leave the nest?"

The classroom walls display evidence of this inquiry-based learning journey, with shared writing charts documenting both their questions and their ongoing observations. Students are tracking significant events like egg-laying dates and nest conditions, creating authentic opportunities for literacy, scientific observation, and data collection.

This eagle investigation exemplifies the guiding principles shared in the presentation:

• Children exercising choice and agency within a structured learning environment

• Students becoming active constructors of their own understanding

• Children initiating and regulating their learning activities

As noted in the presentation: "Children are born eager to learn; they take delight in exploring their world and making connections." The eagle project demonstrates how Oak's TK program nurtures this natural curiosity.

The presentation also highlighted how creativity and dramatic play are integrated into the curriculum. Students don't just learn about eagles through observation—they engage with the content through creative expression and imaginative play, deepening their understanding while developing social-emotional skills.

Oak School's TK program exemplifies developmentally appropriate practice that creates joyful learning experiences while building a strong foundation for academic success. By fostering wonder, critical thinking, and student agency, they're preparing children not just for kindergarten, but for a lifetime of learning.

We're thrilled to announce the grand opening of our student wellness centers at both junior high campuses! Thanks to dedicated grant funding, we've created thoughtfully designed spaces where students can take a mindful break from the school day, access self-directed calming and regulation tools, participate in specialized well-being workshops, and connect with mental health resources and support. The "Thrive and Vibe Center" at Blach and the "Wellness Center" at Egan will initially welcome students during lunch periods, with plans to expand availability throughout the school day in the future. These centers represent our commitment to supporting the whole student - academically, emotionally, and socially. Join us in celebrating this important addition to our school community!

After a thorough application and interview process, the Board has approved a contract with Cumming Group to provide Bond Program Management Services for the District. We are thrilled to begin this transformative journey that will reshape the educational landscape for our students and community!

Cumming Group will collaborate closely with District staff and the Board to prioritize projects, draft a comprehensive budget, and schedule work for future Measure EE Bond Projects. This bond, approved by voters last November, will fund critical infrastructure upgrades at our beloved neighborhood schools and support the construction of new buildings where necessary. We are excited to modernize our schools, replacing outdated portables with permanent, state-of-the-art facilities designed for 21st-century learning. The transition of our junior high campuses to welcome 6th graders in the coming years represents an inspiring evolution in our educational approach—one that will create more cohesive middle school environments and expand opportunities for our learners. This marks the beginning of a bright new chapter for our district as we build learning spaces worthy of our students' potential and our community's aspirations!