Stevenson Stingray News 08/19/20

08.19.20


Dear Stingray Parents,


A special thank you to all your Stingray staff and parents on a successful start to a new school year with Distance Learning! Over the first few days, I have been able to join in on many of the classroom Zoom sessions. It was exciting to see our stingray students connecting with each other, share stories about their summer, and start to learn how to use their Chromebooks for distance learning. Our amazing teachers and staff have worked really hard to open up the school year. We will continue to learn and grow together as a community to support our stingray students with virtual learning. 


Sincerely,

Ryan Santiago

Principal, Stevenson Elementary


School Announcements


Materials Distribution - 2nd Round

Back To School Night

Volunteer Guidelines

Old Chromebooks (last year)

Stevenson Lunch Program

School Photos


Materials Distribution (2nd Round)

Stevenson will have its second round of materials distribution on the following dates…

  • Thursday 8/20 from 2:00-5:00pm

  • *Friday 8/21 from 2:00-3:30pm - Change of time for parents to attend Superintendent Community Check-In

  • Monday 8/24 from 2pm-5pm

The same process will be used for picking up materials. We will be providing Social Studies and Science consumables and other grade level supplies that were not delivered last week. Please note, schools are still waiting for headphones to be delivered. We will be scheduling more distribution days over the next few weeks as grade levels may want to provide additional materials and resources that align with their instruction. Another special thank you to our staff and parents that are helping organize and distribute our materials. Thank you!


For volunteers and staff helping with distribution: Due to the poor air quality, we will be taking the following safety measures:

  • Face masks and face shields will be provided.

  • Staff and volunteers will stay indoors in the MUR as much as possible.

  • We will be requesting more volunteers to provide shorter shifts for parents and volunteers to be outside.


Pick-up Procedures

Car Pick-up

  • Cars will enter the parking lot and stop near the front of the MUR.

  • Car windows are to remain up. Only if needed, please remember to keep 6 ft. distance for communication.

  • Parents will place a paper sign up in their car that includes their child's grade level and first & last name clearly written for a staff member to read. 

  • A staff member will then locate the child's bag in the MUR.

  • Parents will pop open or unlock the trunk of the car.

  • Staff will then place the bag of materials in the trunk.


Walk-In Procedures

  • A sign will be placed near the front office for parents walking to get student materials. There will also be markings on the ground for 6 ft. social distancing.

  • Parents will wait at the indicated sign.

  • A staff member will be 6 ft. away and ask for the child's grade level and  first & last name.

  • A staff member will then locate the student's bag and place the bag on a table at a safe distance.

  • Parent will then pick up the bag.


Back To School Night - Wednesday, August 26th

Families, you are cordially invited to our annual Back to School Night on Wednesday, August  26, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. BTSN is an opportunity for families to connect with each other, learn about their children’s virtual classrooms, grade level programming, and general expectations.  Teachers will be sharing a Zoom link to attend Back To School Night. We look forward to seeing our families on August 26th!


Volunteer Guidelines

Last week, volunteer guidelines were provided in our District’s weekly newsletter.  Our teachers and school staff are excited to partner with our parent community to continue parent volunteering and our school’s programs.  We will be planning with parents and our PACT Foundation to implement parent participation while in distance learning.


Old Chromebooks (Last School Year)

If you have a Chromebook from last year, you may drop off the Chromebooks during our materials distribution days. We will have bin outside the MUR for parents to place the Chromebooks.


Stevenson Lunch Program (Located at Theuerkauf Elementary)

Stevenson Elementary’s lunch service will be located at Theuerkauf Elementary (1625 San Luis Ave., Mountain View 94043) during Distance Learning.  Theuerkauf Elementary is located around the corner from Stevenson. Lunch pick up will be grab-and-go in the main parking lot of Theuerkauf.


Please see information in the District News section of this newsletter for more information our district’s lunch program.


School Photos

This year all schools will be postponing our annual student photos to ensure the health and safety of students and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Once conditions are safer and students can return to school, we will work with LifeTouch to reschedule student photos. Thank you for your understanding.


Attendance and Absences (Repeat Information)

Even though we are in distance learning, we are still in school.  Daily attendance is required. At the beginning of the school day, teachers will have a Zoom check in meeting to take attendance and connect with students.

If your child will be absent and not able to attend Zoom instruction, please contact the front office by phone or email to inform the school of your child’s absence.


School/District Enrollment (Repeat Information)

Most of you registered your children in February, and we understand that your plans might have changed since then. Please take a moment to reply only if your children will not be attending Stevenson Elementary School. It will be a great help to our staff, other students, and their families as we prepare for the 2020-21 school year.


Distance Learning Dashboard (Repeat Information)

We will continue to be updating our Distance Learning Dashboards every Friday evening. Each classroom will have a dashboard that outlines the lessons for the week ahead. The Dashboard will include a link to your child’s Google Classroom that will have all the assignments and activities. Please note that you will need your child’s account information to access the Google Classroom. 


Get connected Stevenson Stingray Parents! (Repeat Information)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StevensonElem

School website (Programs, absence reporting and more): https://stevenson.mvwsd.org

Text alerts (emergencies,school closure): Text "Y"or "YES" to 68453 using the cell phone number that the District has on record.

PowerSchool (Enrollment confirmation, payments, electives and more): https://ps.mvwsd.org/public


PACT Foundation Updates


PACT Foundation Board Meeting - August 19th at 5pm


Parent Ed - New Families

This year, we will be hosting 3 (modified for COVID) Parent Education sessions to help you transition into our community. We hope to provide opportunities for discussion on how to ground our approach to distance learning in alignment with the PACT philosophy. 

Please save these dates and times, as all new families will be expected to attend. Sessions will be held via Zoom (link to come).

Saturday, Aug. 22nd 9:30-11am

Saturday, Aug. 29th 9:30-11am

Saturday, Sept. 12th 9:30-11am


Please RSVP using this google form.


We look forward to seeing you! Please reach out to the Parent Ed Team with any questions. 



Calendar


Wednesday, August 19th at 9:00am - PACT Foundation Board Meeting

Thursday, August 20th from 2:00-5:00pm - Materials Distribution (2nd Round)

Friday, August 21st from 1:00-2:30pm - Materials Distribution (2nd Round)

Saturday, Aug. 22nd from 9:30-11:00am - Parent Ed Session 1

Monday, August 24th from 2:00-5:00pm - Materials Distribution (2nd Round)

Wednesday, August 26th at 6:00pm - Back To School Night 

Saturday, Aug. 29th 9:30-11:00 - Parent Ed Session 2

Saturday, Sept. 12th 9:30-11:00 - Parent Ed Session 3


MVWSD News


Digital resources for parents to help students

Stuck on how to use Google Classroom? Wondering how to best support your student in Distance Learning? This summer, we’ve been at work on a new Parent U resources page full of tips for navigating the tech and procedures of the new school year. 

 

These resources are designed by and curated by MVWSD teachers to be most useful for our parents. 

Technology How-To Videos (on Chromebooks, SeeSaw, i-Ready, Clever, Zoom and more)

Supporting Distance Learning (Tips and resources)

Mental Health Tips (Managing anxiety and stress at home)

 

All are available in English and Spanish at https://www.mvwsd.org/parentu.

 

ELPAC Language Assessment

Mountain View is a beautifully diverse place where hundreds of languages are spoken. In some instances, children from households where a non-English language is spoken need additional help at school to become fluent in English. To make sure that we identify all such children, all public school districts in California are required to do an initial language assessment called the Initial ELPAC. (English Learner Performance Assessment of California).

 

A letter was sent out last week to all families with children who meet the criteria for the Initial ELPAC. The letter describes the rationale and details for the assessment and invites families to follow up with any questions they may have. Additionally, the following link is a helpful resource for parents/guardians to understand the test better and to help prepare their children.

 

A Parent Guide to Understanding ELPAC Initial English (also contains information about the Summative ELPAC, which is a similar test at the end of the school year.)

 

We understand that the beginning of the school year is a busy time, especially under these extraordinary circumstances. Based on current guidance from the California Department of Education, the Initial ELPAC this fall will be administered remotely. Details to come. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Claudia Navarrete via email at [email protected].


Free COVID testing at El Camino Healthcare

El Camino Healthcare District is offering free COVID-19 testing in Mountain View for anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in the healthcare district. You do not need to have insurance to get tested or provide proof of residency.  

Note that this is NOT the antibody test. This is a test that tells you whether or not you are positive for COVID-19 on the day of the test. Tests are required to be scheduled in advance and are available Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call 650-940-7022 to schedule your free test. For more information on testing and locations, go to elcaminohealth.org/covid19testing.

 

Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Session - September 10th

You can change the life of a student!

Come learn about volunteer opportunities to Mentor high school students and Tutor students in grades K-8  in our Mountain View and Los Altos schools.

Becoming a Mentor or Tutor will add joy to your life and help a student in our local community to a brighter future!

There is no obligation to sign up as a volunteer.  You're welcome to just come and learn more about what we do.

 

Please note: Mentor Tutor programs are currently remote and will remain so until students are back in school and the school district permits volunteers in the classroom

 

All volunteers must be high school graduates.  

Date:             Thursday, September 10th

Time:           5:00 - 6:00 pm

Location:     Online via Zoom (URL provided upon registration)

Register:   REGISTER ONLINE  

Questions: [email protected]

Information: MentorTutorConnection.org


Childcare

During the time of COVID-19 and Distance Learning, MVWSD has partnered with providers Right at School, YMCA and Newton to provide on-campus, fee-based childcare with prioritization for the children of full-time essential workers. MVWSD students in grades TK-5 may enroll. 


Please note that these are District partners, not MVWSD programs. You may contact the providers with specific questions about their programs and their health and safety protocols. Childcare subsidies may be available for parents through the state of California. Please ask Right at School, YMCA and Newton at time of registration. 


Registration for these programs will be open the week of August 3, 2020. For registration information, please click on https://www.mvwsd.org/childcare.


Cuidado de niños

Durante el tiempo de COVID-19 y el aprendizaje a distancia, MVWSD se ha asociado con los proveedores Right at School, YMCA y Newton para proporcionar cuidado infantil en el campus y basado en tarifas, con prioridad para los hijos de trabajadores esenciales a tiempo completo. Para los estudiantes de MVWSD en los grados TK-5 pueden inscribirse.


Tenga en cuenta que estos son socios del Distrito, no programas de MVWSD. Puede comunicarse con los proveedores con preguntas específicas sobre sus programas y sus protocolos de salud y seguridad. Los subsidios de cuidado infantil pueden estar disponibles para los padres a través del estado de California. Por favor, pregunte a Right at School, YMCA y Newton al momento de la inscripción.


La inscripción para estos programas estará abierta la semana del 3 de agosto de 2020. Para obtener información sobre la inscripción, haga clic en https://www.mvwsd.org/childcare.


Meals and Payments

Starting Aug. 17, paid and free and reduced price meals (grab and go during MVWSD Distance Learning) will be available at all school sites for students who registered last year for free and reduced price meals and the National School Lunch program, and full price meals will be available for students who have paid in advance online or have sent a check (including child’s school, child’s name, grade, teacher) to Food Service, Crittenden Middle School, 1701 Rock St., Mountain View, CA 94043.


Free or reduced price meal benefit status from last year can be used to pay for lunches until Sept. 30. We can assist new applicants in applying for free or reduced price meal benefits through the National Lunch Program and can process applications quickly.  The 2020-21 online application deadline is September 21, 2020.  No citizenship information is collected during the application process. Just as in the past, you will need to reapply annually.   Please go to the following website to apply online today.  http://www.ezmealapp.com (or paper applications are available at Gabriela Mistral Elementary School’s lunch service until Aug. 15). To learn more about the process for applying for the free and reduced lunch program, please click on this flyer.


Meal payment:  Full or reduced price meals should be paid online throughout the year at www.EZschoolPay.com.  New this year: You must pay in advance online. No cash or checks will be accepted in person at the meal sites or school offices. No credit will be extended. Full price meals cost $3.50 for lunch and $2.50 for breakfast (reduced price is 40¢ for lunch and 30¢ for breakfast).  


Please call MVWSD Food and Nutrition Services at (650) 903-6965 if you have any questions. 


Comidas y Pagos

A partir del 17 de agosto, las comidas pagadas y gratuitas y a precio reducido (para recoger y llevar durante el aprendizaje a distancia MVWSD) estarán disponibles en todos los campus escolares para los estudiantes que se inscribieron el año pasado para comidas gratuitas y de precio reducido y en el programa Nacional de Almuerzos Escolares, y también los de precio completo. Para los de precio completo las comidas estarán disponibles para los estudiantes que hayan pagado por adelantado en línea o hayan enviado un cheque (incluyendo la escuela del niño, el nombre del niño, el grado, y nombre del maestro) al Servicio de Alimentos, Crittenden Middle School, 1701 Rock St., Mountain View, CA 94043.


El estado de beneficio de comida gratuita o a precio reducido del año pasado se puede utilizar para pagar los almuerzos hasta el 30 de septiembre.  Podemos ayudar a los nuevos solicitantes a solicitar beneficios de comidas gratuitas o de precio reducido a través del Programa Nacional de Almuerzos y podemos procesar las solicitudes rápidamente. La fecha límite de solicitud en línea 2020-21 es el 21 de septiembre de 2020. No se recopila información de ciudadanía durante el proceso de solicitud. Al igual que en el pasado, deberá volver a aplicar anualmente. Vaya al siguiente sitio web para solicitar en línea hoy. http://www.ezmealapp.com (o solicitudes en papel están disponibles en el servicio de almuerzo de la Escuela Primaria Gabriela Mistral hasta el 15 de agosto). Para obtener más información sobre el proceso para solicitar el programa de almuerzo gratis o reducido, haga clic en este folleto.


Pago de comidas: Las comidas de precio completo o de precio reducido deben pagarse en línea durante todo el año en www.EZschoolPay.com. Nuevo este año: Debe pagar por adelantado en línea. No se aceptará efectivo ni cheques en persona en los sitios de comidas o oficinas escolares. No se extenderá ningún crédito. Las comidas a precio completo cuestan $3.50 para el almuerzo y $2.50 para el desayuno (el precio reducido es de 40 ¢ para el almuerzo y 30 ¢ para el desayuno).


Llame a los Servicios de Alimentos y Nutrición de MVWSD al (650) 903-6965 si tiene alguna pregunta.


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