Preschool calls it a snow day
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Darleene Barrientos
A snowstorm struck La Crescenta on Tuesday, much to the delight of
children.
Despite the clear skies and bright sunshine, students at La
Crescenta Presbyterian Church’s Center for Children donned mittens,
scarves, galoshes, jackets and beanies to slide, run and play in the
five tons of snow trucked onto the school’s basketball courts.
Students went out to the snow pack in groups of about 20.
Even infants got a chance to experience the cold, wet snow,
brought to them in a tray, school director Pat Chambers said.
The church is catering to an extra-large crowd this week, as
students in its after-school program are on spring break this week,
and many are spending a full day there.
“We know it’s an experience the kids don’t get very often,”
Chambers said. “We love things that get their senses involved. Later,
we’re going to have snow cones.
“It’s a good group experience. It’s a good way to broaden their
horizons.”
The 3- and 4-year-old students shrieked with joy as they launched
themselves into the snow, throwing handfuls of the white stuff at
their fellow classmates and teachers. They soon discovered the snow
at the edges was softer and easier to scoop up -- and throw.
“See how smart these 3-year-olds are,” Chambers said, watching
from the sidelines.
A few students, like 3-year-old Kyra Kauffman, had never seen snow
before and giddily threw snowballs.
“But it’s just a little bit cold,” Kyra said.
Other students took the opportunity to taste the snow, either
directly or by tasting their wet mittens or gloves. Jenna Ouelette,
3, tasted her purple mittens.
“I saw snow in Ohio,” Jenna said. “It’s the same kind.”
Teacher’s assistant Elson Wong distributed gloves in the school’s
courtyard to the 4- and 5-year-old students who were anxious to check
out the snow.
“They want to just jump in and have a snowball fight,” Wong said.
* DARLEENE BARRIENTOS covers education. She may be reached at
(818) 637-3215 or by e-mail at darleene.barrientos@latimes.com.