Learning Flows Through the Primary Classrooms Watershed

During our recent campus updates—big and small—we had the opportunity to make our Primary classrooms feel even more connected to the place where we live and learn. Instead of the old alpha-numeric names (P1, P2, P3) which caused some confusion for families, each classroom now has its own identity inspired by Marin’s beautiful, interconnected aquatic systems. It’s a meaningful way for our youngest students (ages 3–5) to feel rooted in their environment right from the start.

Our three Primary classrooms are now named Creek, Marsh, and Bay! 

Students will have a chance to learn what their classroom names mean, and their importance to our community. A creek–marsh–bay ecosystem is like nature’s teamwork in action. Freshwater from creeks flows into tidal marshes, which then connect to the larger bay. Together, they create essential habitat for wildlife, act as natural filters for the water, and even protect us from flooding. 

Now each of our classrooms has its own unique identity—and maybe we’re imagining it, but our students seem extra proud when they get to share their classroom’s name!

Lead Teacher Kathleen with students in the Creek classroom

Marsh classroom students enjoy some time outside

Teacher Kyle with friends in the Bay room

Our local watershed is a living classroom for students

Lead Teacher Kelley Gallardo in the Marsh classroom shared that her students will be visiting a marsh this year! As part of their study of Zoology and Botany, they will be learning about all of the animals, insects, and plants that make their home in the marsh.

Cataract Creek © Frank Schulenburg / CC BY-SA 4.0

Our Mount Tamalpais–to–Bay ecosystem is a complete watershed, carrying water from the mountain’s streams all the way to the sea and connecting distinct environments along the journey. Mount Tamalpais feeds many creeks, with water flowing west and south into the Pacific Ocean and east into San Francisco Bay. Along the way, it nourishes two major marshes—Bothin Marsh in Richardson Bay and the Corte Madera Marsh Ecological Reserve. Our watershed is a vital water source for much of central and southern Marin County.

Physical Education Teacher Joel explains to Seventh Grade students how water drains from Mount Tam into the Bay. 

PE Teacher Joel guides our middle school students on hikes from the top to the bottom of our watershed. Last Spring, they travelled to Muir Beach and learned about the restoration of Redwood Creek where it meets the ocean (we may see coho salmon spawning again here soon!)

At Muir Beach