Lexington School News

We recently helped organize the third- annual International Baccalaureate Bay Area network “Job-a-Like” gathering. It was hosted by the Silicon Valley International School in Palo Alto. Educators from IB in San Jose, Watsonville, Oakland, the East Bay, and San Francisco came to visit classrooms, eat lunch with fellow educators, and gather in small topic-based afternoon sessions.

Two Lexington teachers, Ms. Kajsa and Ms. Kristin, led a session focused on the importance of play in the early years using an IB lens to encourage inquiry. This annual event helps build our local IB community by exchanging ideas and teaching strategies.

The annual Lexington play, written and directed by former Librarian Barbara Lougée and supported this year by Theatre in the Mountains, was a success. Third- through fifth-graders performed for the community and students in the Not-so-Nasty Tales of the Sisters Grimm. It was a great experience for our students.

Lexington staff and students showed their appreciation for our many parent volunteers at a volunteer-appreciation breakfast. Parents enjoyed homemade breakfast items made by the teachers. Then, students gathered in the multi-purpose room to perform skits and songs, read poems, and share art to thank parents. Parent volunteers make a huge difference at Lexington. They drive on field trips, support classroom activities, and organize fundraising and community- building events.

One such event is the Lexington Home and School Club’s annual gala fundraiser, held this year at our neighbor’s property. The theme was “Bollywood Meets Hollywood.” Adults could dress up in the glamorous fashions one might see in either of these two film industries. There was excellent Indian food, a DJ, and a live and silent auction that brought in funds for Lexington’s students. The event could not have happened without many hours of work by our parent volunteers.

Lexington celebrated its third International Drumming Week. San Jose Taiko kicked off the week, teaching students about the power of the drum. On another day, Mike Fair and his partner Jules demonstrated drum rhythms from different parts of Africa. The Singing Marimbas

from Santa Cruz performed during lunch while students danced and staff soaked in the fun vibes. James Henry and his partner Ronaldo concluded the week with an amazing presentation using Brazilian- and African-inspired rhythms. It was interactive, enlightening, and a lot of fun.

Lexington students met their fundraising goal for the Wildcat Color Run, Lexington’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Their reward was a visit by Kona Ice. Every student enjoyed a cool treat after a week of drumming. It was a great way to kick off If you’re looking for something to keep your children busy and active this summer, look no further. Kids & Company’s “Mythical Summer” day camp will be open on the Loma Prieta school campus, June 8 through July 24. Each week will bring exciting activities, including a fun field trip, swimming, games, crafts, science lessons, and an optional dress-up day.

Campers will learn and practice knot- tying, travel skills, and map reading. Our summer camp program includes time for science, history, and nutrition lessons as well as the 5Rs—readiness, responsibility, resourcefulness, resilience, and reflectiveness. Our child-to-staff ratio is14:1 on days when the campers remain on campus, and 7:1 on field trip days.

Every family has different needs, so our program is flexible. Your child can enroll for the entire summer, attend only certain information or to register. Scholarships are available for those who qualify. If you would like to learn more about Lexington’s unique TK-5 IB Primary Years Program, visit our fifth-grade exhibition and open house on Thursday, May 14, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Our fifth-graders will introduce their yearlong inquiry projects.