Kindergarten

Kindergarten is a magical year at Carlthorp School as children embrace the transition from preschool to an elementary classroom experience.

With a one-week transition period of half days at the beginning of the school year, an Ice Cream Social, a mentor family/friend, and the help of their beloved 6th Grade buddies, Carlthorp School’s youngest students feel warmly welcomed into our community.

Kindergarteners are always eager to share “news” at daily Morning Meetings, which is the beginning of our children’s Responsive Classroom experience. Responsive Classroom focuses on the intersection of positive community building and academic rigor to create a fulfilling and exciting learning environment.

Academic & Social Development

Our happy Kindergarten children enjoy working and playing all year long. From Teddy Bear Picnic day to a visit from Zero the Hero on the 100th day of school to the Lunar New Year dragon dance, our Kindergarteners develop both academically and socially. In addition to the core subjects, children are taught the importance of being respectful, cooperative, creative, and adaptable. Kindergarteners also experience time with other teachers in music class, Spanish class, science class, art, library, and physical education.

Meet the Team

List of 4 items.

Elizabeth Zapler

Ms. Elizabeth Zapler (“Ms. Zap”) begins her sixth year at Carlthorp School this year. She brings experience, creativity, energy, and love for children to her role as kindergarten teacher. A Chicago native who spent her teenage years working at Wrigley Field, Elizabeth received her B.A. in English from Pomona College, an M.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Chicago, and an M.A. in Teaching from Colorado College.

Elizabeth began her career as a kindergarten teacher, transitioned to developing and teaching elementary science programs at several Los Angeles schools, and returned full circle to kindergarten, a magical time of discovery and exploration. Elizabeth aims to inspire children to pursue a lifetime of learning and to create a classroom where each child feels known and cherished.

In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her three teenage daughters, solving crossword puzzles, playing tennis, and practicing Italian every day on Duolingo.
Adrienne Rizk

Born and raised on the Central Coast, Adrienne moved to Los Angeles where she received her degree in English from California State University, Los Angeles. She went on to earn her Master of Arts degree in Literacy and Language Arts as well as her teaching credential from Loyola Marymount University. Before arriving at Carlthorp, Adrienne taught kindergarten and filled the role of Literacy Lead for kindergarten through 2nd grade at Chadwick School in Palos Verdes. More locally, she also taught at Mayfield Junior School in Pasadena and at the UCLA Lab School in Westwood. Less locally, she spent time working with students in Ghana, West Africa, where she continues to serve as a board member for a community primary school. Adrienne spends her time outside of school exploring Los Angeles with her husband and two children. At home, she indulges in her passion for literature and reading.
Caitlin Schriefer

Ms. Caitlin Schriefer is thrilled to be teaching her eighth year of kindergarten at Carlthorp School. She feels incredibly grateful to be a part of such an extraordinary year in a child's life. An East Coast native, Caitlin graduated from Villanova University with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. After teaching 1st grade in the Philadelphia suburbs, Caitlin relocated to New York City where she continued her education at Fordham University, earning a Master of Arts degree in Education with a focus in Literacy. She found a school in Manhattan to call home for eight years, St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s, where she enjoyed developing and implementing new curriculum while teaching pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and 2nd grade classes. During her time at SHSH, Caitlin had the opportunity to travel to Chengalpattu, India, to teach English to children in grades K-6. A firm believer in professional and continuing education, she was also able to organize and facilitate teaching workshops for the school’s faculty. Caitlin is thrilled to now be living near her family in sunny California. In her free time, you can find her enjoying picnic dinners on the beach with her husband and their 3-year-old twins.
Holly Hall

Originally from a small town in Ohio called South Point, Holly Hall moved to Los Angeles and brought with her a belief that the classroom should be a place where every child has the opportunity and fuel to flourish — and that teachers can be vital sources of support in children’s social-emotional growth. Holly taught TK for three years in Hollywood before moving to the San Fernando Valley to help launch a public charter school and teach first grade. As a founding teacher, she was able to help create and implement inquiry-based, social-emotional and DEI-focused curriculum and school-wide programs as well as lead professional development in phonics and math. Holly earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Ohio University and her California teaching credential from Mount Saint Mary’s University. When she’s not teaching, Holly loves being at the beach, golfing, indulging in self-care manicures, or FaceTiming with her sweet nieces and nephews.