Building Blocks Preschool

The start of preschool is a big day, not just for our students, but also for caregivers. We welcomed families back in September to start the new school year. There’s nothing quite like watching your child walk, skip, or cling to you as they enter the classroom with their tiny backpacks. Our little learners are ready to explore a whole new world of friends, play, and community.

The first days are a mix of excitement and curiosity, as well as fear, worry, and sadness for kids and caregivers. Our wonderful teachers met families with open arms, ready to comfort and process all the feelings. We took the time to learn each child’s cues and needs, offering a reassuring hand at drop-off, a gentle reminder of what comes next in the day, or simply a listening ear when the tears come.

Digging In Together: Mountain School’s New Sandbox Roycie Nedevschi At Los Gatos-Saratoga Observation Nursery School, affectionately known as Mountain School, play is at the heart of learning, and nowhere is that more true than in the sandbox. It’s where children move from playing side-by-side to building whole worlds together, digging, hauling, and imagining as they go. After decades of love, our old sandbox had given all it could. It was time for a fresh start.

And what a start it was. Families, neighbors, and local businesses all pitched in to get it done before the first day of school. Facilities chair Melanie Smith led the charge on a tight deadline, pulling together help from every corner of our community.

Retired software engineer Michael McGee generously donated the plans and design. Paul Greathouse Excavating & Grading took out the old sandbox, equipment and fuel included. Big Creek Lumber in Davenport also stepped in with a generous price on the lumber, to help make the rebuild possible.

With the groundwork complete, volunteers gathered the following weekend to set new posts and siding, guided by Ross Poulson In the classroom, teachers create a safe, nurturing space where children know they are seen and valued. We support students by building predictable routines that help children feel secure, while encouraging independence. Teachers notice when a child needs comfort, are ready for a challenge, or simply need time to observe.

From the morning meeting to messy art projects, each moment is an opportunity to foster connection, curiosity, and confidence. Teachers guide children in making friends, navigating conflicts, and celebrating successes big and small. With every hug, smile, and word of encouragement, we remind children that they are not alone, that school is a safe place to grow, and that their feelings matter.

Does your child want to come play in the new yard? Follow us on social media to see when our play yard will be open for playdates on select Fridays during the Mountain Farmers Market. These events are a chance for you to see the play yard, ask questions about curriculum, routines, and schedules, and connect with other families starting on their preschool journey and beyond. Alumni children and Loma families are welcome to join. Please note that while a teacher will be on site for Playdates, this is not a time to leave your child unsupervised while you attend the Mountain Market.

with help from Brian Demers and Ryan McGrath, who brought his trusty skid steer. Then came the fun part. Just a week before school began, ten yards of sand landed in the middle of the school grounds, a mountain waiting to be conquered.

Melanie called a sand-filling party, and the whatever they had: beach buckets, feed buckets, even a wheelbarrow with a flat tire. Parents hauled sand while the youngest Mountain Schoolers worked just as hard with toy dump trucks and pails. Children raced up the pile, rolled down laughing, and dove straight back in. By the end of the weekend, the mountain was gone and the new sandbox was ready for play.

The sandbox rebuild is just the beginning of an exciting year at Mountain School. Upcoming events include our annual Turkey Trot at Oak Meadow Park on Sunday, November 9, the Los Gatos Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 6, and our open house on Sunday, January 25, at the school yard. For more information about our school, visit lgsons.org or email info@lgsons.

Lakeside’s kindergarten students have been studying weather. They learned to use thermometers to observe temperature variations in different spots in the school garden. They discovered that the coolest spot was under the picnic table. Later, they built and tested their own shade shelters.

The first- and second-grade class learned about the sun and how it moves and creates shadows. They used flashlights to model the sun’s movements, and to make some cool Our students experimented with different building materials and techniques. The younger students read the book Iggy Peck, Architect, and then experimented with a variety of building materials. The older students built and tested structures on a motorized shake table to test earthquake Lakeside’s art and science teacher, Elizabeth Greer, will be honored as the district’s teacher of the year at a Santa Clara County Office of Education annual recognition ceremony in late October. Elizabeth gives tirelessly of her time, energy, and creativity to provide our students with engaging, meaningful science and art curricula. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Elizabeth!

Enrichment programs like science, art, music, and physical education are made possible thanks to the generous support of the Lakeside School Community Foundation. You can support our little mountain school and enjoy some festive fall fun at our annual Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 26, from 11 a.m.

to 3 p.m., at 19621 Black Road. More