Kindergarten Information

Welcome to Kindergarten! This is truly a special year for your child. Below are some fast facts about Kindergarten at Tam Valley School. 

2025-2026 Kindergarten Teachers

We are so fortunate to have our dedicated and beloved kindergarten teachers. Each classroom also has an aide that works to support both the teachers and students.

• Elena Garton // egarton@mvschools.org // 415-389-7731 x2025

• Mari Mountsier // mmountsier@mvschools.org // 415-389-7731 x2030

• Zandra Marulanda //zmarulanda@mvschools.org // 415-389-7731 x2012

Kindergarten Class Size

Kindergarten classes typically vary from 20 to 24 students per class.

Kindergarten Hours

Students attend from 8:15am to 2:35pm daily, except for Wednesdays when dismissal is at 1:45. 

Kindergarten Curriculum + Instruction

Classes provide a balance of teacher-directed and child-initiated activities. The learning process is active, cooperative, and filled with hands-on experiences. Reading, writing, and math concepts are central to classroom instruction. Classroom learning is supplemented by Kiddo!-!-supported art, music, dance, PE and PTA-supported Garden,

Communication with Kindergarten Teachers

There will be many opportunities for you to communicate with your child’s teacher. These include Back to School Night, teacher and student-led conferences, and regular ParentSquare communications. Of course, you can also communicate with your child’s teacher 1:1 as needed.

Kindergarten Volunteering

There will be opportunities for you to volunteer in your child’s classroom throughout the year. Your teacher will share specific opportunities at Back-to-School night. This is a great way to see your child in the school environment, get to know your child’s teacher and foster a home/school connection.

Additionally, in early August, the PTA will recruit Room Parents for your child’s classroom. Two parents serve as Room Parents per classroom and work throughout the year to support your teacher, work as a liaison between the classroom and the PTA, organize very important Tam Valley traditions for your class, and organize parent meet-ups. Room Parents also create WhatsApp groups for each class which are optional and non-formal ways of staying in touch. The WhatsApp groups are mostly meant for out of school socializing and quick questions that parents might have for other parents.

Kindergarten Supplies

The Mill Valley School District will provide school supplies and/or classroom supplies that are needed on the first day of school. All children will need to bring a school-sized backpack each day. (Pre-school sized back-packs are not large enough to accomodate weekly folders, library books, and lunch boxes.)