Lexington School

Lexington celebrated the 100th day of school at the end of January. Our TKs and kindergarten students celebrated by dressing up as centenarians, with some help from their parents. It was extremely cute! Students also shared collections of 100 throughout the day.

Mathnasium Campbell-Los Gatos returned to Lexington to lead another interactive Family Math Night. Fisher Middle School students, including many Lexington alumni, volunteered to help run math activities and games for our students and their families. Mathnasium has been a great local supporter for developing based on input from all stakeholders. After the three-day visit, the evaluators shared their preliminary findings. They were very impressed with the progress we have made over the last five years, as well as the and governing board support for the program. IB PYP Coordinator Anna Kearney and I presented the findings to the Lexington community to celebrate. We will receive a more formal report in about six weeks that will include additional comments by IB evaluators.

Global School Play Day took place for its fourth year at Lexington. GSPD was organized by a group of educators in 2015. Their mission states: “During Global School Play Day, participants are encouraged to allow students ample time for free play without the use of screens, structured games, or adult Lexington thinkers. This year, we also enjoyed a local Smashburger food truck.

A local Ohlone expert, Keith Gutierrez, visited our third-grade classroom. He talked to students about how the original inhabitants of this area lived. He showed students how to make a fire from natural materials and how the Ohlone practiced hunting.

Two members from the International Baccalaureate organization virtually visited Lexington to evaluate our Primary Years Program. Established IB PYP schools around the world are evaluated every five years and must meet high expectations and standards to continue as an authorized school. The process began 18 months ago with a self-study reflection on our program

direction. The idea is to let children explore their creativity, problem-solving skills, and social interactions in an unstructured and spontaneous environment.” Over 81 countries participate. TK-5 students brought games, stuffed animals, dolls, building materials, model cars, and many other items from home. They wandered the entire school visiting classrooms, the lower field and garden, and made new friends of all ages.

It was a great way to collaborate, problem solve, be creative for a long period of time, and fight “boredom” without the use of electronic devices. I brought in my vintage Star Wars toys again and enjoyed watching students play with them as I did as a child. It wasn’t just a day of play for the students!

Our fifth-grade students have begun the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program Exhibition. This is the culminating project for all IB primary schools around the world. The class collaboratively developed a big conceptual “Central Idea” under a particular theme. This year, it will fall under “Sharing The Planet.” Students research a topic of their choice that they are passionate about. They work with a mentor, interview experts, decide on an action based on their learnings, and reflect throughout the process. They will present their findings to the public in the evening on May 14.