1971: "Ohlones Plan"
Minutes from the June 21, 1971 School Board Meeting in which James Mathiott, Principal of Ohlones School, discusses the "Ohlones Plan".
1985: Farm Proposal
Proposal to build the Farm from Principal Jim Mathiott to Superintendent Dr. Newman Walker.
1996: Happy Memories
Teacher Joyce Bryson shares her recollections of Ohlone for the 20th Anniversary.
1996: Jim Mathiott on Ohlone at 20
Jim sends his regrets on not attending the 20th anniversary Spring Picnic.
2010: Lunar New Year
Video and Photos of the 2010 Lunar New Year celebration. Email summary of the parent planning that went into the event.
2014: Peace Corps Mural
Meredith and Dan Miller Vostrejs (RPCV E. Caribbean 95-97, they met in the Peace Corps) bought supplies and Dan outlined the map. The kids painted it all in over several days in May 2014. It was an open invitation for all students, and they had about 50 people participate. The kids, current students and even some Ohlone alum, ran the show!The map is painted at the entrance to the school, and celebrates the diverse community (culturally and geographically), and supports their goal of raising glob
2025/26 Updated Core Values
In the fall of 2025, the staff at Ohlone, in partnership with the Core Values Committee, set out to revisit the Core Values and the Goals of an Ohlone Education. Our charge was to reshape current Ohlone Core Values & Goals into a clear, cohesive set of 3–5 Core Values that reflect our school’s vision and culture for today and tomorrow. Considerations:The committee was charged with incorporating broad input at every stage of the process as well as thinking carefully about how the goals would both
A Short History of Mandarin Immersion From Its Inception to Implementation
A Short History of Mandarin Immersion From Its Inception to Implementation at Ohlone Elementary School in Fall 2008
Alum, Parent, & Farm Science Teacher Tanya Buxton
Tanya Buxton inspired generations of students to become connected to the land and engaged citizens of the world.
Alum John Kraiss
John Kraiss still has vivid memories of the mix of excitement and trepidation on his very first day of kindergarten in 1988.
Alum Shana Segal
For Shana Segal and her parents, Darlyn and Mike, Ohlone was the right choice.
Condensed History of the Ohlone Farm April 2014
1984-85Organic garden and farm, founded by teachers Bill Overton and Jana Littlefield, started as a tool for teaching students about like cycles, scientific observation, responsibility for living things, (including animals) and other values and academic goals including hands on practice of arts, mathematics and social studies.The farm was a unique facility that include a vegetable garden, an orchard, a pumpkin patch, a native with a pond, a green house, a large gathering area that includes a sta
Don Bartel Multi Purpose Room
COMMENTS MADE BY SUSAN HAHN ON THE OCCASION OF DEDICATING THE MULTIPURPOSE ROOM TO THE MEMORY OF DON BARTELJUNE 8, 1984When I first met Don Bartel, he was doing one of the things he did very well, urging kids to be involved, to try, and to try to do their best. Don was coaching a basketball team and invited our son David to join it. Don worked with him and his teammates. He encouraged them and he praised them, he encouraged them and he taught them, and then he encouraged them some more. Being on
Teacher Frankie Murray
Frankie Murray, a former K-1 teacher at Ohlone Elementary School, is dedicated to progressive teaching methodologies.
Guide to the 2/3 Ohlone Indian Simulation
Description of the 2/3 cluster Ohlone Indian simulation from the files of teacher Rick Ehrhorn.
Guide to the 2/3 School 100 Years Ago Simulation
Description of the 2/3 cluster School 100 Years Ago simulation from the files of teacher Rick Ehrhorn.
Happy 40th Birthday to our Ohlone Farm!
On September 10, 1985, Ohlone principal Jim Matthiott conducted an opening ceremony on the new farm – a chain-link fence around a bare patch of dirt. With the vision of teachers, parents and students, the farm grew into the thriving learning environment we know today. Over the past four decades—and through innumerable hours of parent volunteer work—the farm has become the amazing outdoor classroom we’ve inherited in 2025. From the first apple trees planted in memory of the Challenger astronauts,
Life Long Learners: Simulations
Colonial Simulation: Life Long Learners. Senior project by Ohlone alum Jack Brook, Paly HS grad.
Lofts in the Classroom
Wanting more square footage and a quiet workspace in classrooms designed with high ceilings, several Ohlone teachers arranged for lofts to be constructed, even including older students and parents in the actual construction. The bottom of the lofts were about eight feet from the floor, railings were provided to assure safety and ladders were secured to allow for access to the “upstairs” space, about 100 sq. feet. The floors were carpeted and the area included beanbag chairs for comfortable readi
March 2, 1976 PAUSD School Board Ohlone Alternative Status Approval
BOARD OF EDUCATION PALO ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Enclosure No. 2 Agenda Item 2-B Date 3-16-76 Note for Meeting of March 2, 1976A Regular Meeting of the Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education was held on March 2, 1976 in the Board Room at 25 Churchill Avenue, Palo Alto. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Mrs. Rebecca Morgan. Members present: • Mrs. Rebecca Morgan, President • Dr. Royce Cole, Vice-President • Mrs. Jean Amick • Mr. Donald Hammond • Mr. James Stee
Memorandum to Establish Ohlone as an Alternative Elementary School
MEMORANDUM February 26, 1976To: Board of Education From: Newman Walker, Superintendent Subject: Recognition of Ohlone as District Alternative School Having followed the Board approved procedures for determining alternative status for Ohlone Elementary School, I wish to inform you that Ohlone has met all the criteria established by the Board in its policy regarding alternative elementary schools. At the close of the registration period on February 20, 1976, it was determined that the majority of
Ohlone Docushort: Life Long Learners
Ohlone Elementary School 50th Anniversary_2026Ohlone: Life Long Learners, a documentary short film was created by former Ohlone parents, students, and teachers as a gift to future school communities. We came together to share news of the 50th school anniversary and friendraise donations to create a film about what makes Ohlone special for so many people, in so many ways.The project was inspired by the work of two cinematographers who created unique stories about the Ohlone culture and its colorf
Ohlones A-Z 1972-73
This booklet highlights some of the many activities, events, and features of the first years of the Open School experiment at Ohlone.
Parent Grace Mah
As a parent and advocate, Grace was instrumental in the establishment of the Mandarin Immersion program at Ohlone.
Parent Nerissa Wong-VanHaren
Narissa Wong shares her story about creating the Lunar New Year festival and Dragon Dance.
Teacher and Principal Bill Overton
Bill Overton, a former teacher and principal, shares his insights on fostering empowerment in education.
Principal Dawn Yoshinaga
The former Ohlone principal reflects on what makes the school special and resilient through tough times during the pandemic.
Principal Dr. Winfield Scott Christiansen
A Founding Father of Ohlone Elementary School, Remembered by an Ohlones Alum, Erika Berg
Programs for/by Ohlone Parents (POP)
In early 1981, three parent and teacher meetings were held between March and April, sparked by a school-wide "desires of parents" survey con
Project Based Learning: Projects
A collection of projects from over the years from former Ohlone teacher Otak Jump
Roots and Growth: A Journey through the Ohlone Farm
Dive into the history and wonders of Ohlone
The Ohlone Pumpkin Patch
The Ohlone Pumpkin Patch (2005-2006)View Original DocumentKim Prescott and I were approached by farm parents to pursue an Environmental Teaching Certificate through UC Santa Cruz. A grant was available upon completion for several thousand dollars.The pumpkin patch was my project to complete the course work. Kim created an "Alphabet garden" around what became the covered seating area in the garden. The funds from the grant were used to build the outdoor kitchen among other projects. The idea for
