ROLL THOSE TV CAMERAS VALLEY KIDS TO STAR AS EVERYCHILD ON NBC'S 'TODAY' FOR NEXT 13 YEARS LOST TEETH, DISNEYLAND MORE IMPORTANT TO TOTS.

Byline: NAUSH BOGHOSSIAN

Staff Writer

Their adorable, innocent faces peered out from television screens across the country Friday morning, but the 20 tots in Mrs. Tepper's kindergarten class were oblivious to their debut.

As NBC broadcast the first of what will be hundreds of shows on the San Fernando Valley children over the next 13 years, the tykes chattered as if nothing unusual were happening.

Asked whether they knew they were part of an ambitious project called the "Class of 2020," they responded as any 5-year-old might when the truly important things in life don't yet include the concept of national fame.

"I lost my tooth today," Zenzele said, pointing to the little gap in her bottom teeth. "I can talk different ways if my tooth is out."

Do you know why there's a cameraman here?

"Yesterday I went to my aunt's house ... and I went to McDonald's to get food."

Reported by NBC News' Natalie Morales, the first broadcast Friday on the "Today" show kicked off a series that will document the 20 kindergartners for 13 years as they make their way through the public-school system.

The Valley school was chosen because it mirrors an average public school. The name of the school -- and the students' last names -- are being withheld to protect their privacy.

The project is similar to the British "Up" documentary series in which director Michael Apted chose about a dozen 7-year-olds and reported on their lives every seven years.

Curtis Vogel, producer of "Class of 2020," said he hopes to provide insight into the lives of educators, students and their families, as well as chronicle key milestones in the teaching and parenting process.

"It has to do with really good teachers and rather than tell it in a flashback, I want to actually see it happen, especially in a public-school system," he said.

"The idea of someone changing, maturing and growing is very intriguing, and where they're going to be 13 years from now is certainly fascinating."

Parents echoed Vogel's enthusiasm, saying the benefits of the series will outweigh any drawbacks.

"We can always opt out of it, but when I saw the piece today it confirmed in my mind that this'll be a good thing," said Kirsten, mother of one of the students.

"I don't have any concerns anymore. I don't worry so much because it's more of the classroom setting than their personal lives and it's a show that adults watch, so it's not something that even teenagers or children are going to be watching.

"It's not that Hollywood spin on it."

Kim, another mother, echoed Kristen's view.

"My husband and I talked about it and we think it's more of a positive thing and I trust (the producer) has their best interest at heart," she said. "I believe it's good for self-esteem."

Kim, whose daughter, Mackenzie, was in the show Friday morning, said the series will provide an invaluable documentation of her child's growth.

"I'm excited I'll have that footage because I get an insight into what she's doing when I'm not around," she said. "And I'm thrilled I'm going to have that to say, 'Look at your first day of kindergarten,' when she's older."

Los Angeles Unified School District officials hope the series will highlight both the successes and challenges of public schools.

"This is a great opportunity to educate the national community about the opportunities, challenges and complexities involved in delivering a high-quality education in an urban environment," LAUSD Superintendent David Brewer III said.

For her part, Tepper said she's looking forward to segments that highlight the educational and social elements in a full-day kindergarten class as well as the teacher's role.

"It's not just practicing academic things, but learning how to ask for help, how to share and how to solve conflicts," said Tepper, who's been teaching for 14 years.

"From an educational standpoint, I hope people in the country will see that teaching isn't about executing the perfect lesson, but every student is so unique that we as teachers have to tap into that gift."

For now, however, the children in Tepper's class are not aware that their lives hold so much at stake.

"The big lights were in my eyes. But they didn't watch me brush my teeth," Kristen's daughter, Lauren, said of the cameramen.

Then she moved on to a topic she found far more interesting.

"I went to Disneyland. It was my sister's graduation and I fell asleep," she said.

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

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CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Kindergartner Zenzele shows a "Today" show camerman the new gap in her teeth during taping Friday.

(2 -- color) Kindergarten student Lauren, 5, pats the head of mom Kristen while teacher Mrs. Tepper and Principal Joanie Freckmann watch after taping of the "Today" show early Friday morning at a Valley elementary school.

(3) Mackenzie, 5, is filmed by the "Today" show Friday. She and her classmates will be followed for 13 years by the show to see how they -- and the school system -- grow and mature.

(4) Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Tepper waves goodbye to a parent after filming for Friday's "Today" show. Both students and the teacher are not being fully identified, nor is their Valley school.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer