Building Blocks Preschool

Savvy Hills and Greg Messa Building Blocks Cooperative Preschool focuses on community. We thrive on active family participation to create a nurturing environment where children learn and grow through shared responsibility, creativity, and connection.

A recent example of this spirit came is a new music wall in our play yard, designed and built by parents Georgette and Greg Messa. Drawing on their deep experience in the arts and education, the Messas transformed an outdoor wall into a dynamic, hands-on musical space where children can explore sound through movement, touch, and play.

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arts teacher, brought a deep understanding of creative expression, storytelling, and child-centered learning to the project. They thoughtfully designed the music wall as an age-appropriate and inviting open- ended space where preschoolers can tap rhythms, experiment with sounds, and collaborate with friends. The project reflects the Messas’

belief in the power of the arts to foster curiosity, confidence, and connection.. The music wall embodies the heart of our cooperative spirit: families sharing what they know and love for the benefit of all children. Children see their village actively investing in their growth.

At Building Blocks, education lives in relationships, shared projects, and everyday acts of collaboration. We thank the Messas for contributing their talents. Our generous donors include Hills Construction, Dr. Brent Lay, DDS, Diablo Ink, Redwood Estates Store, Paradise Dog Boarding, Surfnet, Mannat, Mason Tractor, Roo Studio, and Quality Pump Service.

This fall, 37 families took the time to complete LPEF’s community survey about our annual Keep Excellent Education Programs (KEEP) campaign. Candid responses represented families from kindergarten through middle-school. The feedback was thoughtful and helpful.

When families were asked which priorities should be protected even in lean years, arts, music, and small class sizes stood far above the rest. Art and music education cultivates creative problem-solving, judgment, comfort with ambiguity, and other critical skills that our children will need in an AI-infused world. Families and teachers, after several years of experience with combination-grade classes at Loma, have a strong preference to minimize combo classes and keep class sizes small at both Loma and C.T. English.

About 70 percent of respondents correctly identified KEEP as a fundraiser that supports programs the district can’t afford through government funding. That shared understanding is encouraging. At the same time, many families asked for more transparency about how priorities are set and what would be lost without KEEP funding.

LPEF publishes articles in MNN and the LPEF blog that attempt to answer questions openly and clearly. We’ll continue building this library of information at LPEF.org/blog. One clear message we heard is that families want a stronger voice in how decisions are made. This year, we’re inviting the community to help the LPEF board prioritize funding for the 2026–27 school year. We’ll share clear context about which programs or positions are potentially on the chopping block, what those programs mean for students, and what tradeoffs exist when funding is limited. We’ll ask families to vote on what matters most. This input will directly inform how LPEF approaches funding decisions for the coming year.

Families also made it clear that broad participation in the KEEP campaign matters more than a few large donations. While quite a few respondents identified full participation as the ideal, more than 80 percent believe that strong participation, involving at least three-quarters of all families, is essential to the health of the school community. This year, our campaign will be about inclusivity and momentum.

One survey question captured what’s at stake: If LPEF stopped raising funds, how would your family feel about larger class sizes and the loss of programs like library, art, and music? Over 90 percent of respondents said it would matter a great deal. Families understand what’s at risk, and they also want a more direct role in protecting what makes Loma and C.T. English special. Your feedback is already shaping how LPEF makes decisions. Read the full survey results at LPEF.org/blog. You can also email us at