Our School

Doctor Shamida in front of a map of the world

Welcome to Downey Unified School District’s Leap family! We are committed to providing a quality educational program that enhances the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of each child.

We believe that it takes a village to effectively raise a child and understand that parents are the first and most important educators for their children. You play a crucial role in partnering with us during this important time in your child’s development. We want you to remain informed and comfortable communicating with us regarding your child’s needs.

We look forward to providing a quality Early Education program for your child and hope that you continue to experience success and pride in being part of our Downey Unified family!

ABOUT ME:

Hi, I’m Charlene Shimada. I have taught for over 20 years, fourteen of which were here in Downey. As the principal of Alameda Elementary for 9 years, I oversaw Downey Unified’s Early Childhood Special Education preschool program. I graduated from USC with my EdD in educational leadership. I’ve had the unique opportunity to work closely with staff and families to ensure their success and plan on doing the same at Leap.

Fun facts about me: I married my high school sweetheart; I’ve known him since I was 8 years old. We have two children and all of us are USC graduates and avid Trojans! I love meeting people and enjoy watching little people learn and grow.

Dr. Charlene Shimada
Program Coordinator

Meet Our Team

Kailyn Ortiz, Instructor K2

Hello, my name is Kailyn Ortiz. I have been in the field of education since 2015 and have worked with a wide range of students in a variety of settings. I live in Bixby Knolls, Long Beach. I love to go to farmers markets and drink coffee at my favorite coffee shop, the Bixby Joe. If I’m not hiking with my dog Ladybird, I’m snuggled up with a book and my little cat, Prim. I’m so excited to be teaching at Leap and am looking forward to an amazing school year.

Yajaira Duque, Instructor K1

My name is Yajaira Duque. I am passionate about educating our future leaders and enriching the lives of students and their families. I have been in the field of Early Childhood Education since 2007. My preschool leadership roles include everything from a preschool teacher to a preschool director with each experience positively adding to my passion for education.

I have 3 wonderful children of my own, ranging in age from elementary to college students who are all part of our Downey Unified family. I enjoy spending time with my kids, going to the movies, visiting amusement parks and taking family trips. I am thrilled to be part of our Downey Unified family!

Eugenie Lambert, Instructor A3

I am a proud product of the Downey Unified School District, from Williams Elementary to Warren High School. I earned my CDA Credentials and my California Teaching Permit in 2013, and have been in the field of Early Childhood Education since 2014. I taught for the City of Downey as the instructor of the Wee-Three program for several years prior to joining the DUSD team with Leap in 2021.

I am a mother of three AMAZING young adults with my very loving and supportive high school sweetheart. As a family, we love to go camping and travel with our trailer to new campsites in California. I also speak fluent French, oui oui!

Jennifer Parra, Sr. Clerical Assistant

After 18 years in accounting and working for our family business for four years, I am thrilled to have made a career change and join the Leap team in the 2023-24 school year as the Senior Clerical Assistant.

My husband and I are proud parents of a daughter who attends Downey Unified and a preschool-aged son. I’m a Peloton fanatic and I share the love for swimming, travel, and the occasional theme park with my husband, children and parents. We also have a playful 2-year-old Goldendoodle.

I look forward to growing with Leap and seeing our students enjoy the beginning of their educational journey within the Downey Unified School District.

Sample of Our Daily Schedule

8:00-8:15 Arrival, Hand Washing

8:15-8:30 Breakfast

8:30-9:00 Outdoor Choice Time and Toileting

9:00-9:20 Morning Meeting

9:20-9:40 Whole Group Instruction

9:40-10:20 Choice Center Activities

10:20-10:40 Small Group Instruction

10:40-11:00 Whole Group Reflection

11:00-11:15 Clean-Up, Toileting, & Hand Washing

11:15-11:45 Lunch

11:45-12:15 Outdoor Choice Time

12:15-12:30 Toileting & Hand Washing

12:30-2:00 Nap Time & Quiet Time

2:15-2:30 Snack

2:30-3:00 Outdoor Choice Time

3:00-3:15 Afternoon Meeting

3:15-3:45 Choice Center Activities

3:45-4:00 Group Dismissal Routine

Inside a Leap Classroom

Learning through play

A passion for learning starts at a young age, and what better way to introduce students to skills and concepts than through play? At Leap, we spark the excitement for school and learning by using fun games that enhance specific skills. Below are a few examples of some of the many activities where children develop their skills all while having a good time!

Learning to follow directions

Project: Making Yogurt Fruit Dip

The object of this activity is for students to measure various ingredients, put them into a cup and start mixing.

This enhances their skills to compare and measure objects as well as follow directions.

Understanding numbers and shapes

Activity: Pom Pom Numbers

The object here is for students to use tweezers to pick up the pom-poms and place them on the circles inside the numbers.

This activity enhances fine motor strength and coordination as well as understanding numbers and shapes.

Learn to classify and sort objects

Activity: What Goes Together?

Using our special activity box, students have to find the item that best relates to the image on the worksheet.

This activity enhances skills in sorting and classifying, as well as comparing and contrasting.

Develop fine motor skills

Activity: Cut Along the Line

The object of this activity is for students to use scissors to cut along the line until they reach the circle.

This activity enhances fine motor strength and coordination by using their fingers and hands.

Keeping parents involved

We understand that entering the Leap program is a big transition for both children and parents alike. This is why we are constantly in touch with our families, letting them know what is going on in our classrooms so they can discuss concepts learned at school with their children at home. Parents receive weekly Creative Curriculum for Preschool lesson plans, shared through the Teaching Strategies app.

Leap also provides parents with plenty of at-home resources. Included in the price of tuition, Leap parents gain access to the ReadyRosie English and Spanish video library. ReadyRosie is an early education platform that includes family workshops, videos and mobile technology to build powerful partnerships between families and educators to ensure a child’s success.