The Kester PTA provides our students and staff with many enrichment opportunities no longer provided by LAUSD, such as:
Of course, these “extras” are not free, so the PTA organizes many fundraisers throughout the year. These fundraisers are designed to be fun, community builders and a great way to meet other Kester families and students. You are not obligated to participate in any fundraiser, but if every Kester family participated in at least one or two fundraisers each year we could easily meet our fundraising goals.
Michelle Schnider, Integrative Health Coach and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher
The mindfulness classes at Kester teach our students about gratitude, generosity, mindful speaking and movement, relaxation breathing and so much more! We believe that our schools provide an essential opportunity for the youngest members of our community, when nurtured and supported, will grow to become positive, caring and contributing members of society. Teaching mindfulness and supporting the social-emotional development of our students can have positive effects on attention, social skills and even academic performance. It can also help reduce stress, test anxiety and impulsive behavior.
This program is funded in partnership with the Kester PTA and a grant from the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council.
Computer Lab, Enriched Minds
This year Kester PTA has partnered with Enriched Minds who customize STEAM learning plans and provide computer instructors for all grades. The lab is managed by a team of professionals for instruction, software and hardware help. We teach kids the basic skills needed to interact with a computer, iPad, Chrome books. The lesson plans and software emphasizes the individual child’s initiative and independence, allowing them to progress through an orderly series of structured learning activities at their own pace. Coding, robotics, typing and digital citizenship are all part of our curriculum.
Kester Music and K.A.S.T.
Kim Steury has been teaching music at Kester for 22 years. Kim feels very fortunate to be able to share her passion for the arts with her students, “Watching them grow up while sharing the excitement of music, dance and theater is beyond fulfilling. Being witness to them blossoming with self-confidence, knowledge and learning to work with others is magical.” Through her theater program K.A.S.T., Kim has directed productions for elementary students such as Shrek, Annie, Seussical, Honk!, Bye Bye Birdie, Grease, The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma, The Music Man and many others.
Kristin Malko, Visual Arts Teacher
Art is important for its own sake—as a source of beauty and expression as well as simply for the process of creating.
Each class gets to work with “Ms. Kristin” one hour a week for seven weeks covering topics from art history and different mediums to fundamentals like colors and shapes. Usually spanning a 2-lesson arc, Kristin selects projects where students learn about iconic figures, such as Picasso, Matisse and Van Gogh, and then experiment creating their own art using the elements of that particular style. “The key”, Kristin explained, “is to introduce a project where students can finish the work in a set time while challenging themselves to come away with something they can be proud of.”
It’s proven that art reduces anxiety in children, helps with mood and confidence; a therapeutic release that people of any age can benefit from. Through art, Kristin also aims to teach bigger life lessons to her students such as “It’s not about being perfect, it’s about the process.”
Physical Education, YMCA P.E.
Each week our students benefit from psychomotor instruction from coaches from our neighborhood YMCA. P.E. lessons include team building, agility, coordination, and endurance-as well as being just plain FUN for students of all ages, TK though grade 5. Students learn to play organized sports, take turns, and the rules of good sportsmanship. We love our YMCA partnership!
Garden Ranger & Outdoor Classroom
Partnering with Enrich LA, Kester PTA funding and a grant from Whole Kids Foundation we were able to add an Outdoor Classroom to our existing gardens in 2021. Our garden ranger teaches a STEM-based curriculum that includes: how and why plants grow, soil testing, drip irrigation, environmental stewardship and garden insects. Students take part in replanting flower boxes, expanding our edible garden, learning about composting and at the end of each session are even sent home with recipe cards and ingredients to share with their families.
