Stevenson Stingray News 09.23.2020

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09.23.2020

Dear Stingray Parents and Guardians,

It was wonderful to see the vibrant colors of chalk art and messages in front of the school to show our school community’s appreciation to our teachers and staff.  Thank you for taking time out of your weekend to express your appreciation for the hard work and dedication that our staff continues to provide to our students. We miss you all and are so grateful for all your support as well!

 

As you know our school and district are planning for Stage 3 Reopening Learning Options.  All schools will offer both Distance Learning and Hybrid In-Person learning options for students. Sites will tailor these options to the needs of the learning community based on student and staff needs with support from our district office. This means that it is now more likely for all of our students to stay at Stevenson whether they choose the Hybrid In-Person or the Distance Learning option. This also means that it is more likely that teachers and staff will remain with their school community. Please know, however, that there may still be student, teacher, and staff movement across schools as needed, but it is now more likely that students and staff will stay within their school community.

A friendly reminder to please take time to complete the Learning Options Survey by Friday, September 25th. Please see information below in this newsletter for more information. 

Please refer to our school district’s Academics During COVID webpage for FAQs and other information on the Stage 3 Learning Options Survey. Also, you can join me at tomorrow’s Stevenson Principal’s Coffee to further discuss Reopening Stage 3 Learning Options.

 

With appreciation,

Ryan Santiago

Principal, Stevenson Elementary

School Announcements

Planning for School Reopening: Learning Options Survey

Stevenson’s Principal’s Coffee

Materials Distribution

School Site Council

Construction Update

Library Books

Reopening Checklist 

Safety Reminders

Technology Support

Planning for school reopening: Learning Options Survey

Thank you for supporting your children in “Connected 100% Distance Learning” due to COVID-19. As you know, planning for potential school re-opening has been ongoing since March.

Our tentative plan: MVWSD is considering in-person learning beginning with the first group of our youngest, specific special education students and our at-risk students. However, we will not open schools if the process poses too great a risk to our students’ or employees’ health and safety. 100% Distance Learning will remain an option. Click here to read more about the two options:  www.mvwsd.org/academicsduringcovid.

In order to proceed, we want to hear from you. Many of the specifics of what school reopenings will look like in the future depend on our families’ responses. Please complete the updated Stage 3 Learning Options Registration survey (sent to you in email on Sept 18) before Sept. 25. Your survey link is unique to each of your students and can be completed only once.


More information is in Dr. Rudolph’s update to the Board of Trustees on Sept. 17. (The video is posted here . Tune in at timestamp 2:33).

Stevenson’s Principal’s Coffee

We will have our next Principal’s Coffee tomorrow, Thursday, September 24th at 9:00am. I look forward to connecting with our stingray community to provide updates and having a conversation about Distance Learning, Equity, Construction Updates, and discuss planning for Stage 3 Reopening of schools.

Thursday, September 24th at 9:00 a.m.

Register in advance for this meeting by clicking here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Materials Distribution- Thursday 9/24 and Friday 9/25

Stevenson will have its third round of materials distribution on the following dates:

  • Thursday, September 24th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm
  • Friday, September 25th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Materials provided will vary by grade level based on instruction needs. Materials provided will vary by grade level based on instructional needs. Please note that classroom teachers will reach out to families if there are no materials that will be provided during this round. Schools are still waiting for headphones to be delivered. We plan to host materials distribution every other week moving forward. A special thank you to our staff and parents that are helping organize and distribute our materials. Thank you all for your continued support and partnership!

New Information for Materials Distribution

We will also host a Materials Station. Families can come pick up needed miscellaneous items like paper, sharpie, crayons, pencils, etc. This will be separate from any item teachers provide as a grade level. This is separate from materials provided by grade level teachers. We will also have an allocated drop off zone for any materials families find that they do not need, or have too much of, and would like to return so that it is available to others.


Please refer to this document for pick-up protocols that follow our county’s health and safety guidelines. These are the same procedures that we have used in past distributions.

School Site Council (SSC) Meeting

Our next meeting is this afternoon at 3:30pm. The School Site Council helps develop goals and actions for Stevenson’s School Plan for Student Achievement (site plan). All are welcome to come to hear more about our school goals and development of our school plan.  If you would like to join us, please use this link to register in advance of the meeting.

Construction Update

At last week’s board meeting, our district provided an update on the Measure T Priority 1 construction projects. I am excited to share the construction updates that will be occurring or are in consideration for Stevenson Elementary. Please visit our district website for more information on Stevenson Measure T Priority 1 updates.

  • Extra Storage - Stevenson will be getting multiple 400 square foot custom storage sheds! The storage sheds will be designed to match the style of our buildings. The number of and location is still to be determined, but we are excited about these additional storage sheds.
  • Gates (Perimeter Controls) - Gates are being installed in order to secure campuses and make COVID screening more efficient. Two gate areas will be installed on the street of Montecito to enter into Stevenson Field and Stevenson campus. The gates will be self-closing with automatic locks. Access to Stevenson field will continue to be open to the public outside of school hours. 
  • Site Lighting - Each school will be surveyed to determine lighting needs. The lighting will be the style of bollard lights to make for safe nighttime pathways on campus. Each campus will have a photometric survey to determine the location of the bollard lights
  • Bottle Filler/Water Fountain - Stevenson will be getting an additional bottle filler/Water Fountain similar to the blue one located near the MUR.  Location is to be determined.
  • Solar Panels - There are plans to have a solar panel installed in our courtyard. This will also be used as a shade structure for our students in the courtyard.
  • Surveillance Cameras - Placement of between 16 to 36 surveillance cameras per site (quantity varies based on size and layout of site) and associated network-based security monitoring and recording system. The quantity of cameras is subject to change once board policy is established.
  • Outdoor Learning Spaces - Our school district also recommended the project of Outdoor Learning Spaces to be included in priority 1. We will be connecting with our school community to begin receiving input and feedback on providing schools with outdoor learning spaces.

Stevenson School Library Books

Have any school library books at home? Sarah Donahue, our school librarian, has placed a friendly reminder in the bags that will be provided during this round of materials distribution. If you are able to locate the books, we will have a bin in front of the main office from 8am-4pm each day to drop off any books. Thank you and please feel free to contact Sarah Donahue at [email protected] if you have any questions.

School Reopening Checklist

The health and safety of our students, staff, and families is our top priority. Stevenson Elementary, and all schools in MVWSD, will be reviewing and posting a reopening checklist weekly on our school website to help keep our community informed on the safety measures taken due to COVID-19.

Friendly Safety Reminders

As a reminder, our campus remains closed due to COVID-19. When necessary, appointments may be scheduled for materials pick-ups. When coming to campus, please wear a mask and maintain at least 6 feet of social distance at all times. Additionally, please perform the following self-check prior to coming on campus:

1. Do you have any of these symptoms that are not caused by another condition?

  • Fever or chills • Recent loss of taste or smell • Cough • Sore throat
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • Congestion • Fatigue
  • Nausea or vomiting  • Muscle or body aches • Diarrhea • Headache

2. Within the past 14 days, have you had contact with anyone that you know had COVID-19 or COVID-like symptoms? Contact is being 6 feet (2 meters) or closer for more than 15 minutes with a person, or having direct contact with fluids from a person with COVID-19 (for example, being coughed or sneezed on).

 

3. Have you had a positive COVID-19 test for an active virus in the past 10 days?

 

4. Within the past 14 days, has a public health or medical professional told you to self-monitor, self-isolate, or self-quarantine because of concerns about COVID-19 infection?

 

If you answer yes to any of the questions, please contact the school, and we will arrange for an alternate delivery method for your family.

 

Technology Support

If you are having problems with the chromebook you can contact: [email protected] to create a ServiceNow ticket or call the Tech Department at (650) 526-3252.

PACT Foundation Updates

Annual Family Donation 

Your generous donation enables us to cover all the Foundation expenses that arise throughout the year like: providing ALL back to school classroom supplies for students and teachers (and ongoing supplies throughout the year), enabling our unique Arts Focus curriculum, and supporting progressive education initiatives like Project Based Learning (PBL), Hands on Learning, virtual Off-site Learning Experiences (OLEs, a.k.a. field trips), virtual Learning via visitors (virtual visits from critters, poets, authors, re-enactments, etc), STEAM Events, any distance learning requirements and more. These programs (and many others) are not possible without your generous donations, so thank you!

Though we have a financial goal to meet in order to support our school, the PACT Foundation also strives to meet our goal of 100% of families supporting our school in whatever way they can. So, while our suggested donation is a $300 tax-deductible donation per child, donations at every level are appreciated and we ask that you give in a way that is comfortable for your family. Your donation will have an immediate and tangible impact on our students. THANK YOU for your investment in our school!

You may submit donations online now or download and print the paper form to submit a check to the office. 

 Online donations and/or installments 

 Paper form for payments made by check

 Company matching (Many companies match donations, some even match your volunteer hours with a monetary donation, so please check at this link.)

Committee Sign-up 

Each Stevenson PACT family is asked to support one of our wonderful school’s committees. While all committees are important in enriching the education for our kids, a number of committees directly support classroom education and we are greatly appreciative of our parents' time and efforts to support our students and teachers.

If you have not signed up for a committee yet, please sign up at 2020-2021 Committee Request Form.

Calendar

Wednesday, September 23rd at 3:30pm - School Site Council Meeting

Wednesday, September 23rd at 5:30pm - Cafecito con el Superintendente

Thursday, September 24th at 9:00am - Stevenson’s Principal’s Coffee

Thursday, September 24th - Last Day to participate in Distance LearningThought Exchange

Thursday 9/24 & Friday 9/25 from 2pm-5pm - Materials Distribution

Thursday, October 1st at 6:00pm - Board of Trustees Meeting

Friday, October 2nd at 3:30pm - Superintendent Community Check-In

MVWSD News

Strategic Plan Survey is open now

MVWSD is working on a new Strategic Plan. We want to ensure this new six-year Strategic Plan 2027  builds on the strengths and assets of our school system, while addressing the most promising opportunities to enhance our work.


We need your help! Parents, students and staff members will be asked to engage in several steps during the strategic planning process in meetings, focus groups and surveys.


Here is your first opportunity to give input.  Please take 10 minutes to respond to this survey by midnight on Sept. 24. https://www.research.net/r/MVWSDStratPlan

The survey is managed by a third-party consultant.  All responses will go directly to them and will be anonymous. 


Next steps: This information will be used to shape our future strategic direction. In October you will have the opportunity to see your efforts materialize in the resulting strategic plan framework and to provide feedback. 


Thank you for taking the time to inform our future.

 

Parent University: Raising Digitally Resilient Children and Teens during Quarantine

Kids are online more than ever in this post-COVID world, with increased use of digital technology for academics, entertainment, and social connection.

 

Join My Digital TAT2 for a highly engaging and informative webinar at the MVWSD Parent University event on Wednesday, October 7th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Hear how young people are affected by the latest news, trends, and data from the world of technology. Get tips and strategies for how to teach responsibility and balanced and healthy use of the internet and social media.

 

Click here to register for this event on Zoom.

 

Recommended for all adults who support youth and want to learn thoughtful and supportive ways to navigate media with children. For more information about My Digital TAT2 and their mission, please visit: www.mydigitaltat2.org

Together We Are a Better MVWSD: Hispanic Heritage Month (Flyers attached)

We are excited to announce that this month marks the beginning of a monthly offering towards MVWSD’s equity goals titled Together We Are a Better MVWSD.  Each month you will receive an infographic in both English and Spanish that offers educational tools and community guidance inspired by a national diversity calendar. This month is National Hispanic Heritage Month.

You’ll see:

  • Lessons provided by grade level that are designed to be used by teachers to enhance work they are doing in the classroom. 
  • Activities provided to parents, which are meant to help bridge the gap between lessons at school and conversations at home. 
  • Organization spotlights to help us engage with our community and learn more about organizations doing equity work.
  • Children’s books by authors who have either the lived experience or scholarly background to contextualize this topic for children and adolescents.

Please see mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD

Together We Are a Better MVWSD: Hispanic Heritage Month  

Cafecito con el Superintendente on Sept. 23

Join us for an informal meeting for Spanish-speaking parents on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 5:30 p.m. Translation will be provided.

Please register in advance for this meeting here.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Distance Learning Tip: What’s the easiest way to help my child upload pictures of student work?

First, create a child’s folder in a parent’s Google Drive (only has to be done once. Requires parent to have a gmail account.)

-download google drive app on smartphone

-create a folder with child's name (ie "Emma’s Schoolwork”)

-share the folder with child’s school email address. (Note: Students in grades TK-5 will not get an email notification of this share. The child does not have to access his/her email account. The folder automatically will appear in student’s “shared with me” folder on their Drive after parent “shares” with the student’s email address.)

After that set up, its as easy as this:

-open google drive app

-open the shared folder

-push + button and select “use camera” to take picture (this uploads it automatically)

-child now has the pic on his/her school drive in the parent/child shared folder (under "shared with me" in child’s drive). They can also upload these images to other programs, such as SeeSaw.

 

Free Student Meals Available Again

The free meal program has been extended! During Distance Learning, free meals are again available to all children in the Mountain View Whisman School District age 18 and younger. No IDs required. Locations: All schools, except Stevenson (pickup for Stevenson is at Theuerkauf). Times: 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. at the elementary schools. 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the middle schools. Walk, drive or roll up to grab a free meal and go! Parents should continue to go here https://secure.ezmealapp.com/ to apply for free or reduced price meal benefits through the National Lunch Program, if needed.  

 

Please Support Our Students and Teachers!

MVEF raises money to provide all MVWSD students with an educational experience beyond what is possible with public funding. We hope you saw the MVEF brochure with your school supplies or watched the video during Back to School. Please see the website at https://www.mvef.org/ for more information and to donate online. Please consider joining our team of volunteers or emailing us with any questions at [email protected]. Thank you for your support!

Mountain View Public Library presents “Sea Otters” (Flyer attached)

Mountain View Public Library presents “Sea Otters: Author Talk for Kids” (ages 7-12) on Wednesday Oct 14 - 4-4:30 pm. See attached flyer. Free. Sign-up at https://mountainview.gov/librarycalendar

Mountain View Public Library presents “Sea Otters” 

Parent Ed Speaker Series - Jeff Selingo on Oct 1st (Repeat Information)

The MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series presents: Jeff Selingo on "Who Gets In and Why:  A Year Inside the College Admissions Process" on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2020 - 7:00 - 9:00pm | Live Online | Zoom

Join us for an insightful evening with journalist and higher education expert Jeff Selingo, as he dispels entrenched notions about the college admissions process. 

While many have long believed that college admissions decisions are driven largely by merit, Jeff presents a more complicated truth.   Embedded in three distinctly different admissions offices — a selective private university, a leading liberal arts college, and a flagship public campus — Jeff closely observed college admission officers as they made their often agonizing and sometimes life-changing decisions.

Based on a year of reading applications and sitting through committee meetings where up and down votes were taken, Jeff reveals what really matters to the gatekeepers and how their ultimate decisions are often based on a college’s priorities.  Following interviews with students, testing agencies, marketers, and ranking organizations, Jeff also shares practical advice and helpful strategies for navigating the confusing, chaotic, and often-times stressful college application process.  

Audience:  High school parents and students; teachers and counselors

Register: To register for this free event, go to https://mvla2020-21-jeffselingo.eventbrite.com

Book:  Jeff's new book, Who Gets In and Why, will be released Sept. 15th and is available with free shipping from Books, Inc.  Jeff is generously offering our community a 30% discount + free shipping for pre-orders made directly through him. If interested, use code MVLA30.

Event Login:  We will send the Zoom link via Eventbrite email, Thursday afternoon, October 1st. 

If you have not used Zoom before, please make sure to allow a few extra minutes before the event to download the free Zoom app.    

Sponsored by Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF), MVLA High School Foundation, Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF), and Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council.


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