Every student's wellness is a priority for the Los Altos School District (LASD). Your student's physical and mental health is nurtured through caring teachers and staff at your school, along with programs such as:

• Parent Education Speakers 
• PE classes
• On-Site School Psychologists
• On-Site Mental Health Counselors
• Project Cornerstone
• Morning Meetings
• Safe Spaces

Parent Education Speakers
Throughout the school year, parents of LASD students can attend the MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series, offering seven nationally and internationally recognized experts who discuss a wide range of topics relevant to parenting. Funded by LAEF, PTA, MVEF Educational Foundation, and MVLA High School Foundation, these talks are free to parents in our school districts. Topics this school year include: “The Orchid and the Dandelion: Why Some Children Struggle and How All Can Thrive”, “Education in the Age of Distraction”, “Hot Topics in Adolescent Health and Well-being”, and more.

Physical Education (PE) Classes

LASD elementary school students attend PE class with a certified PE teacher, funded by LAEF, at least twice a week. With additional PE taught by classroom teachers, students meet the California state-required number of PE minutes. The focus is for students to enjoy activities while increasing endurance, strength, flexibility, and knowledge. 

Each year, students are taught a nutrition concept. By 6th grade, students have learned about healthy food choices, energy consumption, and expenditure, tracked their food habits, planning healthy meals, and dehydration.

Junior high PE classes help students develop a better understanding of a healthy and fit lifestyle­­ physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially. Classes include health guidance that covers nutrition and exercise, anti-bullying, cybersafety, mindfulness, and study skills.

On-Site School Psychologists 

Each LASD school has a school psychologist on campus to support both the special education department and the general welfare of students. Psychologists work closely with classroom teachers to create safe learning environments. They may lead social skills groups with targeted students, teach problem-solving skills in a classroom, or counsel students in their office who are struggling to access their education due to anxiety or depression.  

On-Site Mental Health Counselors

Every LASD campus has Counseling and Mental Health Services (CHAC) therapists available to help students referred by the school psychologist or principal. CHAC therapists are trained, experienced professionals who strive to remove barriers to learning so students can get back in the classroom. With funding from LAEF and other sources, CHAC provides individual and group counseling for students, along with Grief and Crisis Intervention services. CHAC therapists for junior high are trained in the unique needs of students this age. Additional parent consultation and family services are available at the CHAC Clinic in Mountain View. 

Project Cornerstone's Asset Building Champions (ABC) Program seeks to promote a healthy social and emotional environment at LASD elementary schools.  With funding from your school's PTA, this program is led by committed volunteers, who are trained monthly to deliver lessons that teach empowerment skills through reading stories, class discussions and fun activities. Team and esteem building are paramount.  

Students have a chance to feel like they are “not alone” when it comes to being bullied and they learn skills to speak more effectively to their peers through Project Cornerstone's common language.
Watch this inspiring video to learn more about Project Cornerstone, founded by the Silicon Valley YMCA. 

Morning Meetings
Elementary school students have a "Morning Meeting" in their classroom where they gather in a circle at the beginning of each school day and proceed through four sequential components: greeting, sharing, group activity, and morning message.

Morning Meetings are a student-centered practice that originated from the Responsive Classroom model, which is based on the idea that students' social-emotional growth is just as important as their academic growth. Teachers adapt the Responsive Classroom model of a morning meeting to fit their classroom needs, using it to create a classroom culture where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. 

Safe Spaces

Students at each junior high school have a space where they can relax and de-stress. Egan has the "Zen Den", and Blach has "The Lounge". With help from Project Cornerstone and additional funding from the PTA, students have a calm space to relax, eat, hang out, and connect. Some elementary schools offer safe spaces as well.

LAEF funds the Parent Education Speaker Series, elementary school PE teachers, and CHAC mental health counselors.
Thank you for contributing to LAEF this school year.