Dinosaurs once thundered through the dreams of Walteria Elementary School students. Walteria Elementary School stands here today a place of learning and growth. Let’s step back to 1959. Imagine a fifth-grade class buzzing with excitement for a field trip. The destination was the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. For many Walteria Elementary students it was a grand adventure.
Field trips were a neat thing. Teachers announced destinations a few days prior. Permission slips went home. Excitement filled the air. A big yellow-orange bus waited in the school parking lot. Parents often didn’t venture far past Torrance. Money was tight. A special treat was the Roadium Drive-In with fried chicken and RC Cola.
Mrs. Shoulder paired students up for the museum trip. It taught them to get along. She assigned responsibilities too. One student remembered handing out milk cartons with their partner. The museum stood right behind the Coliseum. The L.A. Dodgers played there. The class marched in single file led by Mrs. Shoulder. Miss Adkins brought up the rear.
The Brontosaurus skeleton amazed everyone. How could an animal be so big? Mrs. Shoulder walked among the students. She asked them questions. “Why were some dinosaurs so big?” She’d smile before beginning her sentence. Chucky Kellogg always laughed. He finally answered that some had really big teeth.
Mrs. Shoulder’s face lit up. “The dinosaurs were so big for many reasons.” She explained their immense vegetation diet. Their size helped them defend themselves. Dinosaurs were cold-blooded. Their bodies adjusted to the temperature. Scientists believed this contributed to their size.
The stegosaurus was a favorite. It had sharp plates and a razor-sharp tail. It lived over a hundred million years ago. Mrs. Shoulder said it was bigger than the bus. She didn’t smile when introducing the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Johnny Reyes growled. Mrs. Shoulder gave him a stern look. T-Rex was a fierce predator with a powerful jaw and huge teeth.
Mrs. Shoulder gathered the class after the tour. She hoped they enjoyed learning about prehistoric dinosaurs. They would visit the La Brea Tar Pits next. They would discover how scientists found and assembled the bones.
Outside the Walteria Elementary School students sat on the lawn. They ate milk and cookies. The boys imitated T-Rex. They growled. The girls grimaced. The class marched back to the bus. They returned to Walteria Elementary School.
These field trips left a lasting impression. They partly inspired the novel Portuguese Bend. The book included scenes from the Museum of Natural History.
Today Walteria Elementary School continues to inspire. It provides a safe and healthy environment. The school prioritizes social, emotional, and academic development. The mission is clear. It’s dedicated to educating the future. The school also earned the California PBIS Silver Implementation Award. The school focuses on positive behavior. It uses intervention supports.
Walteria Elementary School stands as a place of learning and community. It’s a place where students can grow.