Miraloma Elementary School

TOUR - Introduction

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 14:50:26 -0700

We are happy you are considering Miraloma Elementary for your child’s education. This set of podcasts will give you an opportunity to visit our school online--and they are also valuable should you join one of our tours at the school. By downloading the whole set, these podcasts can be viewed on any iPod that supports video (or audio only on any iPod), while you walk through the school. You will get direct information about the programs at the school, as you walk through it. Play them in alphabetical order at the school--or skip around if you view them on the web.

TOUR A - Library

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 14:45:08 -0700

Welcome to our library. All children visit at least once a week to checkout books, hear a story, study, or conduct research. Our librarian Paula and parent/guardian volunteers help by shelving books and keeping our 6000 (and growing) book collection accessible for everyone. In the spring, the library is the site of our annual Book Fair and Read-a-thon. Come inside and take a look or read a book!

TOUR B - Auditorium

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 14:40:19 -0700

Our Auditorium has been fantastic for events that draw our school community together. The kids experience sing-a-long weekly. Also, they have participated in talent shows, musical theatre, Shakespeare, and musical performances. It is also home to science assemblies, visiting musicians, and after school activities.

TOUR C - Student of the Week

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 14:35:18 -0700

Learn about our Student of the Week program and the school calendar.

TOUR D - Community Service

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 14:30:28 -0700

The children, teachers, and parents have an impact on the world outside of our school too!

TOUR E - Classroom Boards & Art

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 14:25:25 -0700

Communication from your teacher is posted outside of each classroom. Numerous art programs fill our hallways with color and imagination and fill our school with activity.

TOUR F - Education Garden

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 14:20:59 -0700

In Miraloma’s Educational Garden, students dig in the earth, plant seeds, and nurture vegetables and fruit. They taste and appreciate diverse edibles, discovering the source of the food we eat and the science of how it grows.

Like our garden, this educational program is successful and growing. In recent years, we have built a greenhouse, rainwater irrigation systems, and installed drip irrigation. We have raised chickens from eggs too!

TOUR G - A Day in Kindergarten

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 14:00:47 -0700

Our kindergarten teachers describe a typical day in your child’s experience in school.

TOUR H - Kindergarten Yard

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:50:05 -0700

The kindergartners have their own playground, opening directly to two of the three K classrooms. It is beside the first grade playground, and they share facilities. We also get a description of the TRIBES program.

TOUR I - Upper Yard & Morning Circle

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:45:32 -0700

Our upper yard provides a stunning view of the Bay, the Oakland hills, and the Peninsula. Sunrise is spectacular! The upper yard is large and is used for Morning Circle and Physical Education. It will soon be renovated to add trees and new structures.

TOUR J - Academics & Test Scores

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:40:51 -0700

Let’s talk about Academics as we travel down the 4th/5th grade hallway. Miraloma has had rapid growth in it’s academic ratings in San Francisco.

TOUR K - Cafeteria

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:35:51 -0700

The cafeteria is very versatile and connects directly to the upper playground and the gymnasium. Breakfast and hot lunch are available, and the kids eat in shifts to allow everyone the opportunity to eat inside.

TOUR L - Gym

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:30:37 -0700

Miraloma has a dedicated gymnasium, a rare feature for an elementary school in the City. Our gym recently underwent a $50K renovation, which was accomplished by parent-led fund-raising and corporate sponsorship. New soundproofing makes the gym a more pleasant, athletic environment for physical education, sports, and dance classes.

TOUR M - Closing

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:25:10 -0700

Thank you for visiting Miraloma Elementary School. There are additional Miraloma Community Podcasts on our website. These Podcasts are not part of the point-to-point academic and facility tour, but available to expand your knowledge of our overall Miraloma Community.

LGBT (audio only)

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:05:59 -0700

Miraloma has active support for all kinds of family diversity. Let’s look at support for our LGBT community.

Chickens in the Garden

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:02:42 -0700

We hatched chicks in Kindergarten and some upper grade classrooms. The kids learned about embryo development, and they were amazing compassionate “parents” to their new wards. Some of the hens are now part of our Garden program.

Cooking & Eating in the Garden

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:01:53 -0700

Allison, our Garden Teacher, has been expanding our kids’ experiences by cooking items directly from the garden. The discovery allows them to try new tastes and show them how food can come directly from their planting.

Japanese Culture & Geography

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:00:06 -0700

First-grade teacher, Ms. Kelly Lehman, traveled to Japan on a Fulbright Scholarship and now integrates what she learned about this amazing country into her classroom. Join us as the kids explore Japanese customs, fish printing, pen-pals, and new exploration of the world. We also visit her for “Flat Stanley” who has traveled the world from the first grade classes.

This is one of the Miraloma Community Podcasts. It is not part of the point-to-point academic and facility tour, but provided to expand your knowledge of our overall Miraloma Community.

Garden Mural - Art by the Kids

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 12:55:52 -0700

The students have created ceramic tiles which represent their view of nature and growth in the Educational Garden. Walk around in the garden, and see how this lovely project illustrates the food they grow both above and below the garden. Congratulations to our ceramics instructor, Aileen Barr, for her guidance creating these tiles and installing the mural. She plans to continue to expand the mural in future years.

Brownies & Girl Scouts

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 12:50:21 -0700

Our Brownie Troop has provided girls with fantastic social skills and increased their responsibility. The trio of Brownie Troop Leaders have given the girls a wealth of experiences. Since this podcast was created Brownies have now graduated to Girls Scouts--and have adventures including kayaking on the bay, horseback riding and more camping.

Chinese New Year

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 12:49:12 -0700

Miraloma students participated in the Chinese New Years Parade. They rehearsed in Chinatown, learned about Chinese culture, and joined each other for dinner after the parade.

TOUR - “Kinder” Creatures

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 12:45:55 -0700

Let’s see how one of our Kindergarten Teachers integrates creatures into the classroom.

Auction Quilts

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 03:25:44 -0700

Parents find a variety of ways to get involved in education. Caroline Cory and others create quilts from art projects the students complete. The quilts are sold at the school’s auction in the spring to raise funds for PTA programs.