BUENA PARK : Graduating On . . . to Kindergarten

The graduation ceremony had all the trappings of a high school commencement, except the graduates were 4 and 5 years old. They wore caps and tassels and received diplomas.

Even though the ceremony took place at Buena Park High School, the graduates were 32 Lil’ Coyote Preschool students who took part in a yearlong course in which 75 high school students learned parenting and teaching skills.

The graduates had just completed a 13-week session aimed at teaching the older students how to care for children and to teach preschoolers how to spell their names, tie their shoes, learn colors and count all the way to five.

Altalagi Valentin, 16, gave hugs and kisses to some graduates while her classmates cheered and slapped hands. Some cried as they watched the young students graduating.

After the graduation, Altalagi sat 2-year-old Penelope Brown on her lap while giving her cake. The pair later held each other and sang a song first in English, then Samoan.

“I wanted to take this class because I like being around kids. But I didn’t think I would get so attached to them,” Altalagi said. “All the drawings they did for me, I keep up on my wall at home. They’re my pride and joy and I’m grateful for the experience.”

The class is not mandatory but its popularity grows each year, said home economics teacher Barbara Bressler, the program’s creator and director. She started the course 10 years ago.

She said the program has received national recognition when it was twice nominated for a top educational award, and also helped her get “Teacher of the Year” honors from local civic groups.

Bressler said 40 children and grandchildren of Buena Park teachers, employees and residents are enrolled in the preschool. The remaining preschoolers will graduate when they are old enough to go to kindergarten.

Bressler said most of the students who take the class plan to become teachers. She explained the program’s increased popularity to its “real-life” lessons and experiences.

She works with area preschools, where she arranges volunteer jobs for her pupils. She also finds baby-sitting jobs for them and gets local businesses to donate snacks for the preschoolers.

Robert L. Schoner, assistant principal, said students are attracted to “good programs.”

“We keep (the program) because it’s a worthwhile learning experience,” he said

The students “are learning how to be responsible and organized,” Bressler said. “And, they learn what it takes to be a parent.”

Nicole Johnson, 17, said she was sad to see her class coming to an end. “I hate to watch the kids graduate because I won’t get to see them everyday and I just love them. They’re so cute.”