Kester Enrichment

Students and teachers are learning mindfulness skills and practices that can be applied to situations in the classroom, at home and in the community. 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.  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.  

This program is funded in partnership with the Kester PTA and a grant from the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council.  

Computerwise Kids follows the ISTE standards of Technology Education and 2018 CA Computer Science Standards. 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. 

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!

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.”