History

LGSONS was founded in 1956 by Betty Peck as a farm school and named after its caretakers, the late Harold and Louise Easterbrook, who owned property including a farm with hillsides of sheep, pigs, chickens, rabbits, horses and orchards between Austin Way and Bainter Avenue, behind the Quito Fire Station on Los Gatos Saratoga Road.  She started the school for her own children, Bill and Anna, and Anna's children have now both been through the school.  In 1958 when the original farm was sold,  the school moved to Saratoga Springs Park where we still meet today in the fall and spring for approximately 6 weeks each season.  In 1973 classes began to meet at Lakeside School for the winter months where we continue today as well. 

Parents have always attended, writing  observations from the very first years.  Montessori materials have been used as part of the curriculum for a long time although we are not a montessori school.  The school was established to include parent education as well as nursery school activities for children from 2 - 5 years and has had a long association with the Los Gatos Saratoga adult education department.  In fact they sponsor our school as part of their offerings to the community and pay the head teachers' salaries as well . 

The Sat. morning class for 2s was added in 1977 and the Sat afternoon class for 3,4,5s was added in 1998 so that working parents would also have an opportunity to participate in the school. 

As always the focus remains on play, on being outside in a natural setting and learning to get along with others.

Read more about the school in the Los Gatos Weekly Times.

 

Parent Participation Requirements

1. Attend 1 entire class session per week. There are 32 weeks in the school year. 
   If you are enrolled in a two-day program, you are required to care for one other child during class, one day per week.  If you are enrolled in a three-day program, you are required to care for two other children during class, one day per week (see Carpooling & Partnerships below)
2. Participate in 12 evening parent education meetings (per family) per year.
3. Write 20 in-class observations per year.
4. Work 4 hours (per family) on scheduled maintenance day per year.
5. Participate in the school's major fundraising activity; serve on an auction committee, contribute $50 worth of goods or services, and purchase two tickets to the fundraising event.  You may buy out of your fundraising requirement for $450.00.

 

Carpooling & Partnerships

(Does not apply to 2-year-old classes or the Saturday afternoon class)

Carpools will be arranged at the first evening (Circle) meeting of each class.  Carpooling allows you to come just one day per week with your child and provides opportunities for your child to develop a special relationship with his/her carpool partners.  Carpooling is an important and enriching part of our curriculum.  It is strongly encouraged that you participate in this activity.  

 

 

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Last modified: November 13, 2009