I have always viewed the Los Alamitos Unified School District as a star among California school districts. I’m sure its excellent reputation has had a lot to do with keeping the Sun Region a desirable place to live and home values high.
Because I worked in Seal Beach when my children were young, they were eligible to attend LAUSD. My daughter Casey was specifically fortunate to attend McGaugh Elementary School, where I had the impression that the teachers care about the students and their education. The interview below appeared in the Sept. 8, 1994 issue of the Sun Newspaper.
Q: Well, Casey, are you scared about going to first-grade?
A: I was afraid I would have to read whole books, but I heard they don’t make you do that, so I’m not afraid anymore.
Q: I see, I see. So what is good about going back to school?
A: I’m so glad I’ve got these new Power Ranger sneakers I can wear for P.E. (Physical Education) class.
Q: So you like gym class?
A: Jim who?
Q: I mean do you like P.E. class?
A: I like the P.E. teacher, Mr. Thomas. He’s handsome.
Q: Handsome? More handsome than your dad?
A: No, you’re the handsomest.
Q: Very good. Now tell our readers, Casey, what will you miss about kindergarten?
A: You get to do things that are fun, like on your shade day you get interviewed by Tille and Buster.
Q: Who are they?
A: They’re the puppets (McGaugh kindergarten teacher) Mrs. (Donna) Chafe had. Tille would look in your mouth for teeth that fell out and Buster would interview you.
Q: Sounds fun. So this isn’t your first interview?
A: No … but it’s the best.
Q: You’re smart, Casey, I think you’ll do well in school. Will you have the same friends as in kindergarten?
A: Some of them. Rebecca will be there. She’s real funny.
Q: So, first-grade will be a lot of laughs?
A: No, you work hard and learn how to read and write.
Q: What do you like about McGaugh?
A: The teachers are nice and sometimes they make music.
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: An actress. They have to read whole books of scripts.
Q: Do you think first-grade will be hard work?
A: Only in P.E. class. Mr. Thomas makes you work hard.
Q: Not him again. Well thanks for the interview, Casey.
A: Can we go to McDonald’s now?
Q: You drive a hard bargain, don’t you?
A: I’m a first-grader now.
Casey Lee Kaiser is now 23 years old. She is a licensed cosmetologist and is currently in her third year of nursing school.
Dennis Kaiser is the editor of the Sun Newspapers.
