This school year on Aug. 19, 2026, EARThS Elementary introduced transitional-kindergarten [TK] classes required by the district for students between four years old and birthdays before Sept. 1.
EARThS is a K-5 magnet school for integrated math and science located on Michael Dr. in Newbury Park and is part of Conejo Valley Unified School District [CVUSD]. The school focuses on environmental science, and hands-on learning.
In 2021, California drafted the “Assembly Bill 130,” which expands TK into a universal program for four-year-olds. This was approved on June 30, 2025, so now all elementary schools have TK at their campuses. EARThS was the last of the 17 CVUSD elementary schools to add TK.
Leticia Pletcher, TK teacher at EARThS, has taught for 20 years in the district, and is very excited for TK.
“We’re spending a lot of the day helping students problem solve, helping them resolve conflict, and helping them to collaborate even at a young age,” Pletcher said.
The TK teachers help the students by visiting the Life Lab and the gardens, which helps them learn about plants and food.
“We give four-year-olds the opportunity to come and learn with hands-on experiences, including the life lab and the garden,” Pletcher said.
The new TK area is located near the office, and consists of three classrooms. The TK classes use the same equipment as the kindergarten students, however they have a separate area for lunch.
By adding the TK, younger students are given the opportunity to learn earlier in an organized school environment. Heather Warme, a TK teacher at EARThS, appreciates the school’s ability to assist students in their transition into school.
“[TK] helps [students] become involved at a younger age, the parents, and getting everybody acclimated to the school,” Warme said. “A lot of times the younger siblings want to emulate and copy what their older siblings are doing, and it’s helpful to parents.”
Alexandra Seligman, TK teacher at EARThS, appreciates how the school’s curriculum coincides with activities EARThS offers around campus.
“The garden we have on campus can let the students integrate math and science into it. We talk about different shapes, plants and these topics expand throughout the grade levels,” Seligman said. “And when they get older, they’ll be like, ‘I learned that when I was in TK.’”
No matter the challenges the teachers face, they are always ready to make the best of any situation.
“Allowing parents to have their younger students here makes it more of a family friendly environment,” Pletcher said.
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