Neighborhood School

I ran out of time to post all of my CA adventures while I was there...here's one last post about my trip:

When I am in town one of my favorite things to do is to walk the kids to and from school. They are fortunate to have an excellent elementary school only 3 blocks from their home. It energizes me to see the kids, sometimes with parents or grandparents, sometimes accompanied by the family dog, walking to and from school. 

The school, like so many others, outgrew its original buildings and over the years portable classrooms were added here and there. The buildings surround a courtyard, mostly paved, but some areas left as gardens for classes to work in, or to sit outside on particularly nice days. There are a number of nooks and crannies among the buildings and portables for more outside learning opportunities. 

As soon as we arrive in the courtyard, my granddaughter heads towards one of the fifth grade portables. You can see her, in her purple cape,  heading on her way with a friend. 

Classes line up outside of the classrooms, and enter when the bell sounds. 

Apparently this class began the day with an outdoor activity.

The buildings are decorated with a lot of student art.

Both inside the courtyard....

 

....and outside.

Mother Nature has also added her bit of color to scene.

It looks like a very cheerful place to learn, 

and a throwback to simpler, safer times.