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Published on 10/26/1998 All articles from this issue

State standards won't disrupt LASD science program

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By Linda Taaffe / Town Crier Staff Writer

Schools Roundup

he State Board of Education adopted science and history/social science standards Oct. 9, fulfilling the state's obligation to adopt content standards for four core subject areas by the end of this calendar year. The state passed reading/writing and mathematics standards earlier this year.

Some have criticized the science standards for being overly specific and emphasizing memorization rather than conceptual ideas.

The science standards include earth, life and physical sciences and investigative studies for grades K-8 and physics, chemistry, biology and earth sciences in grades 9-12.

Although the science standards have not yet been sent out to school districts, administrators at the Los Altos School District don't expect to dismantle the district's current science program, said Dick Liewer, assistant superintendent of curriculum.

"I think we have one of the most rigorous programs around," he said. The district program is probably strong enough without having to make major changes in the curriculum in order to meet the new standards, he said.

Liewer said the district's current program, which industry leaders such as Hewlett-Packard help support, emphasizes how to apply scientific concepts and intensive hands-on activities.

Interim principal to stay at Bullis until Spring

Joan Pierce will continue to serve as interim principal at Bullis-Purissima School in Los Altos Hills until spring 1999. Pierce, a longtime Bullis teacher who recently retired, stepped in as interim principal at the start of this school year after principal George Manthey unexpectedly resigned from the Los Altos School District to lead the Northern California Principal Leadership Center in San Francisco.

School officials had expected to hire a new principal earlier this month, but have postponed their search until next March due to a lack of applicants.

Superintendent Marge Gratiot said the district received only four applicants compared to the usual 40 the district has typically received for similar positions.

"(September) isn't a good time to think about changing schools. We'll have a much better pool in March," Gratiot said.

Almond students study marshland habitat

Third graders from Almond School can tell you what polluted water looks like under a microscope, where a salt marsh harvest mouse lives and that pickleweed tastes salty.

They observed marshland habitat firsthand at the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Alviso Oct. 14 as part of their curriculum on habitats, ecosystems and Ohlone Indians. The field trip was the first time Almond students had participated in the refuge program.

Teacher Jill Williams said she believes the day-long program, which included four hours of intensive training for the six parent volunteers who helped lead the tours, is something all 80 third graders will remember for a long time.

"It created a lasting impression even for me," she said.Students spent the day exploring the marsh and conducting hands-on experiments, Williams said.

The refuge is one of the largest urban wildlife centers in the United States, with more than 200 bird species and the endangered California clapper rail and salt marsh harvest mouse.

In brief: Second-grade students at Santa Rita School celebrated Johnny Appleseed's birthday Sept. 25 with a choral reading about the pioneer's life. Students carried apples and wore pots on their heads. In celebration of Columbus Day Oct. 12, students at Oak Canyon School in Palo Alto visited San Francisco's Maritime Museum. The Los Altos High School marching band won first place in its class and third place in the parade division during the Cupertino Band Competition earlier this month.