Kindergarten Area

An aerial map of the school, labeled "Cornerstone at Pedregal, Virtual Tour." Includes a marker pointing at the "Kindergarten Area," located at the bottom right corner of the map.

Kindergarten Classrooms

  • Cornerstone's three kindergarten classrooms are set up to focus on small group learning.

  • The three kindergarten teachers are incredibly warm, welcoming, and dedicated. They truly embrace the participation model that sets Cornerstone apart.

  • Tables are arranged to allow Teaching Parent (TP) volunteers to help lead stations and small group rotations. Having these extra hands and eyes in every classroom helps ensure each child gets plenty of one-on-one attention.

  • The classrooms have libraries, and areas for group learning and pretend play that are switched out regularly.

  • Kindergarten also has four separated bathrooms located inside the classrooms for convenience and independence.

  • SmartBoards and air conditioning have been provided in every classroom by the generosity of the Cornerstone Booster Club.

Outdoor Areas

  • The Kindergarten Area is completely enclosed and separated from the rest of the school. Along with the three classrooms, there is a large outdoor space which includes a grassy area, play structure, swings, sandbox, playhouse, tricycle path, and garden.

Kindergarten Gate

A little boy with a backpack cleaning his hands with a wipe before entering a gate.
Four children walking in a line towards the kindergarten gate, getting ready for school.

  • This gate is the entry point to the enclosed Kindergarten Area. After a short adjustment period following the first day of school, parents are encouraged to say goodbye at this gate. This helps foster confidence and independence in Cornerstone's littlest students.

  • Hand wipes are provided at the gate, and children are expected to clean their hands before entering the yard and classrooms - this helps to minimize any outside allergens entering the space.

Kindergarten Playground

  • The yard, play structure, sand box, tricycle path, playhouse, and swings keep Cornerstone's youngest students engaged and entertained.

  • TPs provide extra eyes and assistance to the Yard Aides, and each TP has predetermined dedicated "zones" and yard responsibilities.

View of the kindergarten playground and play structure. The playground is empty.
Dozens of children playing together in the school yard. They are all looking in the same direction and waiting for something.

Kindergarten Garden

Children gathered around a garden, listening to their teacher talk about the plants. Some students have plants in their hands.
Two girls looking at the growing garden. One has a watering can in her hand and is tending the garden.

  • The kindergarteners get to test out their green thumbs in their very own garden.

  • Students are responsible for taking care of their own plants, and are able to grow, harvest, and sample their own fruits and vegetables.

  • The garden provides hands-on learning about growth cycles, sustainability, and soil nutrition.

Kindergarten Lunch Tables

  • Snack and lunch times are supervised by Yard Aides and TP volunteers.

  • Multi-step allergy protocols are in place, including separated tables and hand cleaning routines both before and after break times.

  • Brand new lunch tables were recently paid for and replaced by the Cornerstone Booster Club. Cornerstone is fortunate to be one of the only elementary schools that has a Booster Club in addition to a PTA to help raise funds and support the school.

Children gathered around lunch tables eating food together. One parent volunteer supervises them.
Children gathered at a lunch table, dressed in native american clothing that they have made out of paper. They have plates of food in front of them.

Kindergarten Parent Workroom

The teaching parent workroom, showing the space parents gather to work on crafts. The space includes a paper cutter, cabinets, and organized bins of paper.

  • The Kindergarten Parent Workroom contains many of the supplies needed to do background support and project prep for teachers - paints, construction paper, paper cutters, etc.

  • TPs check this room at the beginning of their shifts to see the agenda for the day, check the teachers' to-do lists, and see the shift schedule for the month.

  • Kindergarten maintains a solid TP rotation, as helping hands are critical for this grade. TPs not only provide clerical support and assistance with group learning, they also make possible large scale immersive activities that make school memorable. Please see the Highlights section for more information on the incredible events each year.