Welcome to Room 21

Hello and Welcome!

My name is Mr. Donis, and I’m so excited to welcome you to both Calabash Charter Academy and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) for the 2025–2026 school year! I look forward to partnering with you to ensure your child has a joyful, engaging, and well-rounded TK experience.

I began my journey in education in 2004 as a classroom aide in the LAUSD School Readiness Language Development Program (SRLDP), a preschool program that sparked my passion for working with our youngest learners. It was there that I discovered the joy of helping children build strong early foundations, and I knew I had found where I belonged. Now, over 20 years later, I still absolutely love what I do.

It’s a true privilege to teach our little Calabash Cubs as they take their first steps into school. In TK, we focus on nurturing your child’s development through a play-based program that builds early literacy and math foundations, supports social-emotional growth, and encourages curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning in a structured yet flexible classroom environment. Watching their growth over the course of the year is both rewarding and inspiring.

As a parent, you might be feeling a mix of emotions such as excitement, nervousness, maybe even a little worry. That’s completely natural. I want you to know that your child is stepping into a nurturing, safe, and supportive environment where they will be celebrated and encouraged every day. Soon, you’ll see those early nerves turn into smiles, laughter, and a love of learning.

You’ll likely have questions throughout the year, and that’s a good thing. Open communication is key, and our entire TK/Kindergarten team is here to support both you and your child. Below this message, you’ll find helpful links to school webpages and portals you’ll be using this year. If you’re interested in volunteering, I highly encourage you to complete the LAUSD volunteer application because classroom support from families makes a big difference.

Once again, welcome to Calabash and Transitional Kindergarten! We’re thrilled to have you as part of our school community, and I can’t wait to start this exciting year with you.

Sincerely,

Mr. Donis

My School Email:  [email protected] 

School Phone Number:  818-224-4430