As our district reviews math curriculum and pathways, I wanted to offer my perspective on how a student's math journey can unfold in high school and beyond. The good news: middle school math placement matters, but it’s not a make-or-break decision. Students have opportunities to accelerate, adjust, or shift direction throughout middle and high school . Below is one framework for thinking about math pathways. Keep in mind that every student’s path is different based on their

Everyone's talking about e-bikes, which have quickly become popular among students, and for good reason. They encourage biking instead of driving, give students more independence (while freeing up parents) , and make that ride up to Altschul a little easier. There’s also a social component: e-bikes are popular, and many students want what their friends are riding. Why Safety is a Growing Concern At the same time, our community is increasingly concerned about safety . E-bikes

If you're a parent today, you've probably wrestled with questions about technology and your kids . When should they get their first phone? How much screen time is too much? You're not alone—we've been having a lot of these conversations across the LLESD community lately. Community Conversations Last month, Principal Wickstrom hosted a discussion on The Anxious Generation , which argues that the shift from play-based to phone-based childhood has contributed to rising teen anx

For decades, California lawmakers have tried to close the significant funding gap between school districts across the state. This year, districts like Las Lomitas have drawn renewed attention as conversations about funding fairness ramp up again in Sacramento—with new research, policy ideas, and proposals on the table. How School Districts Are Funded Las Lomitas is one of California’s "community-funded" (or “basic aid”) school districts. Unlike more than 85% of districts

Recently, the parent of a student with celiac disease contacted the school board with concerns about her child’s experience in our...

This month, I'm sharing more of my perspective on what it's like to serve on the school board. (Last month I gave you my two cents on...

One of the most common questions I get as a school board member is about the time commitment required to serve as a district trustee. In...

Why are school board meetings so darn formal, unlike any other meeting you've attended in your work or volunteer life? Some of this...

A sure-fire way to feel like an outsider is to be part of a conversation that includes acronyms and specialized terms you don't understand. The list below is my back-to-school gift to you! ​​ Adolescent Counseling Services ( ACS ) partners with our district to provide trained therapists for onsite student counseling at no charge to families. (This is in addition to the support of our school guidance counseling staff.) Teachers, counselors, administrators or parents can refer

The Surgeon General's recent advisory on social media and teen mental health outlined some pretty concerning trends: Teens who spend 3+...

The Las Lomitas Elementary School District (and many of our neighbors) are fortunate to be community-funded. Below, I explain a little...

Why is everyone talking about teacher housing these days? Schools across California struggle to retain staff, whose publicly funded...

The process by which school districts and labor unions agree on employment contracts is called “collective bargaining.” It's a very organized, methodical process defined by a state law that Governor Jerry Brown signed into effect in 1975. (Fun fact: the author of the bill, Senator Al Rodda, was the former president of his local teachers union.) Which unions represent employees in the Las Lomitas Elementary School District? The Las Lomitas Education Association (LLEA) repres

How our understanding of the LGBTQ+ rainbow impacts student wellness.

Even in normal times, educators make enormous investments in our children . In a typical year, the period after winter break and before...

Today, three elementary school districts serve students in Menlo Park: Ravenswood City School District, Menlo Park City School District,...