Welcome!

There is much to be proud of at Lynwood. Lynwood Elementary is home to an innovative Dual Immersion English/Spanish Language Instruction program, an excellent instructional staff, a diverse and caring community, and an ongoing commitment to the goal that all children will be prepared for academic success beyond elementary school. In addition to the core curriculum, Lynwood educators focus on predictors of student success by establishing solid literacy skills by in both English and Spanish, implementing visual and performing arts, and emphasizing project-based learning. Lynwood Elementary School embraces family engagement with a commitment to a culture of universal achievement in which every child, without exception, will achieve our vision of academic excellence, biliteracy, and cultural competence through our elementary dual language immersion program. 

-Principal Lauren Menchavez

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Lynwood Elementary School in Novato

School Profile

Lynwood Elementary School is one of eight elementary schools in the Novato Unified School District, which serves approximately 280 students in Pre-K through 5th grades.  The school hosts an ethnically and economically diverse community and offers a variety of educational programs to meet the needs of all students.  

A winner of prestigious grant funding, Lynwood Elementary features a strong core curriculum and supporting programs including preschool, English Language Development, a Learning Center, an ASES-funded after-school program, PTA sponsored after-school enrichment opportunities, and bilingual instruction in a celebrated Dual Immersion Program.

The core academic program is supported by key personnel, including a Library Assistant, Information Technology Technician, Instructional Aides, as well as Music and Physical Education Specialists.  Staff members are encouraged to be lifelong learners, attend professional workshops and conferences.  Collaboration and cooperation are among our core ideals.

Our Mission

We are a collaborative school community, proud of our diversity, and committed as a team in guiding our children to become self-directed, independent learners who are prepared for the challenges of an ever-changing world.

Diversity

We have an especially diverse student body and believe that greatly enriches our community.  Our team works hard to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment where all students can thrive, whatever their individual needs, abilities, backgrounds and economic circumstances.

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Programs

Lynwood appreciates and strives to address the uniqueness of the surrounding community while fostering an environment that supports learning.  In addition to a strong core program, programs offered include preschool, English Language Development, a Learning Center, an ASES-funded after-school program, PTA-sponsored after-school enrichment opportunities, bilingual instruction, and other programs offered by all Novato schools.

In order to more effectively meet the diverse needs of Lynwood’s student population, teachers focus on literacy and core curriculum and grade level planning. Faculty members identify and support students with specific needs, using strategies like providing intervention classes, dual immersion learning opportunities, and homework assistance to effectively support the needs of second language learners.

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young latino boy high fiving teacher in library

Student Support

It is the top goal of Lynwood to assist students in their social, emotional, and personal development so they can flourish academically.  The school gives special attention to students who experience problems with achievement, difficulty coping with personal and family issues, trouble with decision making, or handling peer pressure.  Lynwood has partnered with Bay Area Community Resources to provide Social/Emotional Counseling at no cost to families.

Lynwood Elementary provides special education services to students who are assessed and found to be eligible for special education.  Programs and services designed to meet students’ needs are identified in Individualized Education Plans (IEP).  An IEP is a plan or program developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services. The Resource Specialist serves students with exceptional needs who are able to function in the regular classroom for the majority of the day. They receive individual, small group, or push-in classroom instruction designed to meet their identified needs.  Designated Instructional Services are provided to students who are eligible for Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Vision and other services. Alternately, 504 Plans may be developed for students with medical concerns, which are plans developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives accommodations that will ensure their academic success and access to the learning environment.

Lynwood offers English Language Learner (ELL) students assistance through the following programs:

  • Learning Center small group instruction
  • Lexia and Khan Academy
  • Language arts and math intervention support (push-in)
  • Additional support and assistance from several Spanish-speaking Instructional Assistants providing support and integrated ELD pairs ELD standards with other content area standards
  • All teachers are GLAD/SDAIE trained and use these strategies to meet student’s needs

As a district, our goal is to provide support to teachers and schools so that every student is challenged and makes significant progress during each school year. GATE is a district-designed and funded program for highly capable students. NUSD does not receive supplemental funding for our GATE program.

Novato has designed the GATE program with 5 principles in mind:

  • All educators are responsible for the education of students with gifts and talents.
  • Services should be provided throughout the day in all environments based on their abilities, needs and interests.
  • Giftedness is dynamic and constantly changing.
  • Giftedness is found among students from a variety of backgrounds.
  • Student education is focused on student outcomes rather than practices.

Lynwood hosts a Learning Center to provide targeted instruction in English/Language Arts, writing, and math for students performing below grade-level standards and may be at risk of retention.  Small group reading assistance and math assistance are provided during the day.  Additionally, all primary grade students read aloud 1:1 to Lynwood staff and/or volunteers daily.

Enrichment Activities

Students are encouraged to participate in academic and extracurricular activities such as student performances, campus leadership and community service. An After School Education and Safety (ASES) grant from the state funds after-school classes for approximately 80 students in grades 1-5.  The ASES funded Lynwood Elementary Afterschool Program, also called LEAP, enables Lynwood to host students until 6:00 pm every school day, providing academic support, enrichment, and recreational classes.  In addition, schoolwide activities such as the Kermes Fall festival, Walkathon, International Dinner, and Multicultural Dance Festival are planned yearly to build school spirit and engage the local community.  These activities along with school-wide and classroom incentives bolster positive attitudes, encourage achievement, and aid in the prevention of behavioral problems.

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Parent Engagement

Lynwood parents are committed to building a strong, inclusive community. Parents at Lynwood get involved by volunteering in classrooms, donating supplies, and helping to organize campus events such as the Kermes Festival, Walkathon, International Dinner and other fundraisers.  Lynwood’s PTA and ELAC are very active around campus, planning ways to support all students and holding periodic joint meetings to collaborate. (ELAC is an active parent organization that supports second-language families.)  Lynwood’s PTA and ELAC have supported field trips, supply distribution, the school garden, emergency preparedness, playground equipment, and countless other campus projects and happenings for many years.   Parents also participate on our School Site Council (SSC).

Facilities

Lynwood School is comprised of 37 classrooms, a gymnasium with locker rooms, indoor/outdoor stage, cafeteria, administration building, a multimedia center with a computer lab and library, a science lab, two dedicated music rooms, staff lounge, two additional kindergarten rooms, four large playgrounds, two baseball fields, and track and field disciplines; shot put, high jump and long jump.

The school’s library, staffed by a full-time Library Media Clerk, provides an extensive variety of reference and special interest materials, in addition to hundreds of educational and recreational books. Students visit the library on a weekly basis with their classes and are encouraged to visit before and after school. 33 computer workstations within the library are connected to the Internet so students are able to access resources and information online.

school library

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Technology Resources

All classrooms have at least one computer that is connected to the Internet.  Lynwood also has a computer lab with 30 computers, and four iPad carts with over 115 iPads.  The computer lab was completely renovated in 2009-10 with older computers being moved into classrooms and obsolete computers being discarded.  The lab was completely revamped for optimal efficiency and maintenance in August 2016.  In addition, the Measure G Bond funded the “One to World” project which provides Chromebooks to all students in grades 3-12, and with additional funding, laptop computers and iPad were distributed to all teachers to plan and develop curriculum.  Computer skills and concepts are integrated throughout the core curriculum and help to prepare students for technological growth and other opportunities.  Students use a variety of programs including Raz Kids, Imagine Learning, Kahn Academy, Math Arena, iPhoto, and iMovie.  

There’s a place for you, too.
Join us and thrive here.

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