Idella Lietz Elementary School Academic Studies

Some Highlights of Our Instructional Program

Technology integration at Lietz is a top priority. All classrooms are equipped with a document camera and projector. Teachers use district-issued laptops to instruct using a variety of software applications and web based applications. Students have access to computers both in class and in our Media Center. In 2009 the Home and School Club purchased a mobile laptop computer lab which houses a class set of laptops that can be rolled into a classroom and used right at students' desks.

Flexible Reading Program

In 2008 Lietz teachers in grades 1-5 began a flexible reading program to provide targeted reading instruction to students. During reading instruction, students are grouped among the teachers at a particular grade level and receive instruction based on assessed needs. We are finding great success with this program.

Homework Center

Provided through a grant from the City of San Jose, the Homework Center operates four days a week after school to assist students to complete homework.

Accelerated Reader Program

Accelerated Reader is a computerized program that tests reading comprehension. Once the reading level is determined, students select books based on their appropriate reading level, read independently or with a buddy, and take an independent comprehension test on the computer. The program tracks their progress throughout the school year.

The current list of books in the program is now available in PDF format, sorted by either Title, Author, or Book Level.

Art Vistas and Create with Clay

Lietz Elementary students receive Fine Art instruction and participate in hands-on art workshops 6 times per year with Art Vistas, Unlimited trained docents.

All docents are required to attend training programs provided by Art Vistas, Unlimited. Lietz Elementary hosts it's own Art Vistas Art Show each May, where student art from each classroom can be observed and appreciated in a gallery format.

First time docents are required to attend one general training session in addition to the grade level training. The general training session dates are Wed. Sep. 22nd from 7-9:30pm and Sat. Sep. 25 from 9-11:30am.

Grade Level Training Dates 2010-2011

Grade Level	Date
Kinder	Oct 05 (Tue)
1st	Oct 06 (Wed)
2nd	Oct 07 (Thu)
3rd	Oct 12 (Tue)
4th	Oct 13 (Wed)
5th	Oct 14 (Thu)

All grade-level training is at 7-9pm at the Union School District office, 5175 Union Ave (near Los Gatos-Almaden Blvd). Kindergarten training is in the boardroom. Other grades are in the M&O building.

Formed in 1984, Art Vistas, Unlimited's purpose is to provide instruction and enrichment in Art History, Art Appreciation, and Art Techniques for all children in the Union School District.

The organization is served district-wide by an elected executive board, a head docent from each participating school and school docents for each classroom. All members of Art Vistas, Unlimited are volunteers and are usually district parents.

Create with Clay

This ceramics program was established in 2004 at Lietz to allow students an avenue for creativity using clay as a medium. It also helps to improve students' hand-eye coordination. The students are taught everything from basic ceramic skills to forming and glazing the clay.

This is a parent/guardian/grandparent volunteer run program. Classrooms must have at least 1 trained volunteer to participate. We provide basic training and all supplies.

You DO NOT have to be an artist to become a volunteer! Each classroom typically creates 2-3 projects per year. Each project takes about 1 1/2 hour in total. We do all of the firing of the clay for you. If you are interested, you must complete 2 training sessions. Please contact your child's teacher to sign-up or for more information on this program contact Aaryn Church at createwithclay@yahoo.com.

Lietz School Choir

Our Choir Program is directed by Ms. Karen Hulme accompanied by Ms. Vivian Hounshell. There are two concerts during the year, one before the Winter Holidays and a second in the Spring.

5th Grade Science Camp

Our fifth grade students spend a week each year at science camp. The students learn about science while staying in the outdoors at one of the science camps run by the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

Student Council

Our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students are elected to serve as members of our Student Council. Student Council provides activities for the school for such events as Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, and service to the school and community through events like the food drive.

School Garden Project

The Garden Project was started in 2006 with a grant from the City of San Jose. The teachers are using it in conjunction with their life sciences curriculum for hands-on learning. It is behind the YMCA portable, next to the pond and the grassy field at the back of the school. Check out the garden blog for the latest information: http://geocities.com/lietzgarden/index.html