Public Speaking

I hate it. I wish I didn't. When I am not in front of crowds I can speak coherently and from the heart. I think if I had less emotional attachment to my convictions I could have been a lawyer. But instead I will give a speech at a PTO meeting. Yes, you read that right. Not even a board meeting. A PTO meeting. And I will have a lump in my throat.
Here it is.

Hi,

My name is Sarah Berkowitz and I am a mother of three young children. I grew up on the coast and went to Hatch, Cunha, and the high school. As a teacher myself I have been exposed to many different models of education as well as teaching philosophies. As a mother and an educator I wanted to share with you my experience with the looping program over the past two years. 

My husband and I had originally planned to send our children the immersion program. When I moved back to the area to teach in Pescadero I was thrilled to learn that my old elementary school had a unique program that fostered bilingual and bicultural children. The spring before my oldest son started Kindergarten we bought a house in Montara. I still had plans to send my children to the immersion program when I heard about another unique program offered at Farallone View. I always liked the idea of community schools and started asking around about the looping program. After looking closely into the looping program we changed our minds and decided to send our children to FV rather than Hatch. For the reasons I am about to share with you I couldn’t happier with my decision. Choosing the right educational fit for your child is not something that should be taken lightly. Our children are our future and like all parents my goal is to help guide my children into well-rounded, caring, and kind people. I am proud to say that the looping program at farallone view does just that.

The multi-age setting in a looping class is a microcosim of real society. Our children are exposed to different age groups that foster collaboration and understanding. The two year program develops key skills at different points. As kindergarteners our children learn to ask and accept help from their older peers. Appropriate classroom behaviors and routines are not only explained by the teacher, but perhaps more importantly modeled by their peers. The first graders seem to take great pride in knowing the drill and being mini teachers to the incoming kinders. When you step inside the class you see students of various ages, abilities, genders, and cultures all interacting for the common goal of learning. I can’t think of a better way to prepare our children for the real world.

When my son entered kindergarten he knew no one. We had lived in HMB until a few months before school so all of his friends and peers were at Hatch and El Granada. For those of you that know Charlie you know that at first he is shy, reserved and timid. He was excited about starting school but very nervous about not having any friends . I know this is the situation many kindergarten or new students face in a classroom. The difference for Charlie was that he had first graders who took him in and showed him the ropes. He has always looked up to older kids and so having experienced classmates helped him feel comfortable. As the oldest child of three he also has strong leadership skills. Now as a first grader he is the one who is able to make younger kids feel comfortable. I still smile when I think back to the beginning of the year. Everyday Charlie told me how he took this kinder to the bathroom or office or showed them what to do for kids jobs or reading and eating.

Another benefit of the looping program is the extended time our teachers get to truly know each student. As a parent I felt less pressure to have Charlie hit exact bench marks at a specific time because I knew that he is part of a two year program. Giving our teachers and our children two years allows for a deeper understanding of each child’s learning style, strengths as well as challenges. Charlie’s teacher has a very thorough understanding of Charlie as a whole. She understands his passions, his skills, his strengths, and his challenges. This has helped Charlie not only in the classroom but in our home as well. As we all know it takes a village to raise children.  It has been such a blessing to have another adult, especially an educator, know my son on a deep level. Over the past two years I have been able to build a solid relationship with his teacher. This is yet another benefit to this program. Not only do the teachers and students get two years to  build connections but the parents and teachers do too. I feel incredibly lucky to have been given the time to build a strong relationship Ms. Linda.

As this year comes to a close I look at my son and I can’t help but to feel immensely proud of his growth over the past two years. He went from a shy and timid kindergartener to an outgoing and confident first grader. I know he likes being the leader of the group but he recently told me he is very excited about second grade. When I asked him what things he was looking forward to he told me he is ready to be with the older kids again. This is the beauty of this program.  Different aged kids coming together to teach and be taught. To follow and then lead then follow again. These are skills our children will use across their lifetime.

I understand there are obstacles to making this a formal program. I understand numbers change and teachers retire. I also know this model of education isn’t for everyone. However, if there is a way to come together and create a  sustainable looping program once again at FV, I strongly feel our entire school will benefit from it. Although this is only my second year as a parent of this school, I am well aware of how special FV school is. I see the dedicated and loving teachers that  give themselves to our children. I see parents that endlessly donate their time and money to making this school better. I see a principal who is in touch with the needs of both the students and teachers. I see happy engaged kids eager to learn. I believe that with the help of the dedicated staff and administration and devoted parents, we can make the looping program a program that is celebrated, cherished and supported.

Our children deserve it.