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Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Hello Gardner Bullis Families,
Welcome to Gardner Bullis Elementary School! Whether you are a brand new family or a returning one, our neighborhood school welcomes you. Gardner Bullis is a special place for our students to learn, enjoy many different experiences, and thrive. We are a small neighborhood school where students are supported by an ongoing professionally-developed staff, an engaged and passionate PTA, and a robust-student-centered Los Altos Education Foundation (LAEF). Because of the teachers, staff, parents, and LAEF’s support, our education program is not only rigorous and personalized for students, it also includes a curriculum that engages the whole child. Your child will not only learn all things literacy in English language arts, math, science, and social studies, but will experience STEM, dance, art, music, physical education, technology, and library science. We are also a school that believes in the social-emotional wellbeing of students and staff. With the PTA’s support and the continuous professional development for teachers, our students practice and experience mindfulness, Zones of Regulation, Project Cornerstone, and so much more social-emotional learning all within a classroom that is grounded in Responsive Classroom practices. Please see below for more information about our school. If you have any questions, please reach out and I will be very happy to meet with you.
Sincerely,
Katherine Schermerhorn
Principal
School Agreements
Grizzlies are:
- Kind
- Safe
- Respectful
- And, do their Best!
As a student-focused staff and data-driven educators, the teachers and principal meet weekly to collaborate in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). When we come together, we focus on the following four essential questions:
- What do we expect our students to learn?
- How will we know they are learning?
- How will we respond when they don’t learn? (Intervention support)
- How will we respond if they already know it? (Extension learning)
It is because of this weekly collaboration that we are able to better support all students and personalize learning in a way that creates student success.
The official LASD Mastery Rubric - Student-Friendly Version
PTA: Gardner has an amazing group of parents who work tirelessly for our PTA. I am so grateful for all they do. Please be sure to read all of their information in their welcome letter as it is full of important information for the kick-off of the school year. If you have any questions for your PTA you can contact them at PTApresident@gardnerbullis.org. You may also find information at Gardner Bullis website
About Me
As the principal of Gardner Bullis, my vision is for us to be a community who works together to reflect our mission and commitment to all students.
Background
Mrs. Schermerhorn (pronounced sker-mer-horn) has been a member of the Los Altos School District since 2012. During her time in LASD, she has established a fulfilling career supporting students and teachers and has held a wide range of teaching and leadership positions. She received her Master of Science in Applied School Leadership in 2017 and is thrilled to join the Gardner Bullis community as principal.
Mrs. Schermerhorn believes in the importance of building meaningful and supportive relationships with students, staff, and community members, as relationships provide the foundation of effective communication and partnerships. As the Gardner Bullis community works together to empower all students to become leaders of tomorrow, Mrs. Schermerhorn is excited to guide student growth in a campus culture that not only supports student success, but also nourishes compassionate critical thinkers.
Outside of work, Mrs. Schermerhorn loves to hike, camp, and travel. She is a newly-minted backpacker and enjoys the challenge of trying new things. Her dog, London, keeps her active and holds her accountable for daily walks and play time. Mrs. Schermerhorn also enjoys playing board games with her husband and friends, and is always looking for new game recommendations! She welcomes everyone to stop by and say "hello" anytime.