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Art Docent program reports 700 lessons last year, expands TK and community exhibits
Summary
Art Docent Coordinator Kimberly Dickerson told the board the volunteer program delivered 700 lessons last year, returned to pre‑COVID docent counts and added new lessons tied to curriculum; art shows and a downtown Gallery 9 exhibit are planned.
Kimberly Dickerson, the district’s Art Docent coordinator, updated the Los Altos School District Board on the program’s activities and expansion, reporting 700 docent lessons delivered last year and stronger teacher participation.
Dickerson said the program, which began 55 years ago after budget cuts reduced arts instruction, achieved a 100% teacher lesson sign‑up rate and a 97% order rate in the most recent year. The program created 51 unique lessons across eight grade levels, maintains a library of about 150 video lessons for classroom use, and added three new lessons this year, with further second‑grade lessons in development.
Recent curriculum ties include a kindergarten printing lesson using cardboard and fingerprints and a sixth‑grade “Pleasing Pastels” lesson aligned to math concepts (ratios, Fibonacci). For TK the program added a “line box” lesson using tempera sticks; first grade received a light‑color collage tying into transparency/translucency/opacity and color mixing.
Dickerson said 72 returning docents were active this year (back to pre‑COVID levels) and 20 new trainees completed training. The program plans student art shows at Allman (April 3), Covington (April 24) and Loyola (May 22) during school open houses, and a Gallery 9 downtown exhibit in June.
Dickerson noted the program’s reliance on PTA funding for consumables and partnerships with district staff and LAEF. She said the program has switched to an electronic teacher feedback form, which she described as producing more detailed input for lesson improvement. The program’s current five‑year goal is to expand lessons in lower grades to eventually reach eight lessons per grade.
Board members asked about representation of contemporary and culturally diverse artists; Dickerson said the program will emphasize underserved and contemporary artists going forward. Trustees discussed display options for open houses; Dickerson said teachers already spotlight art projects in classrooms and she will explore feasible ways to expand visible displays during open houses.
No board action was taken; the item was an informational update.
