09.30.2020

Dear Stingray Parents and Guardians,

Our School District is in the process of planning to install perimeter controls around Stevenson to keep students safe during the school day.  The planned fencing is intended to help secure the school buildings and fields where the children play from unscreened members of the public.  Increasing security at all school sites in the District was part of Measure T and was expedited due to COVID. 

While we want to secure our campus, we also want to continue to share the fields and playgrounds with community members for use after school hours.  Gates along the field will automatically unlock after school and remain unlocked during the weekends so the community has access for recreation. Like Crittenden Middle School field, the fences around the district fields have not impeded public access.

Dr. Rebecca Westover, MVWSD’s Chief Business Officer, will be holding a community meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 4-5 pm to present information and to answer your questions. Please join us at the Zoom meeting at http://mvw.sd/ThSt (Registration required).

Sincerely,

Ryan Santiago

Principal, Stevenson Elementary

School Announcements

Library Update - ebooks

Stevenson Principal’s Coffee

Strategic Planning

Author Visit for 3rd-5th Grade

i-Ready - Parent Access To Student Reports

Stevenson Library Books (Repeat Information)

Construction Update (Repeat Information)

Technology Support (Repeat Information)

Students can check out ebooks from the Stevenson Library

Try this quick video that shows you how to access ebooks through Clever using students’ Chromebooks.

Kids in younger grades will need help. Students will need to know their Google name and password. Need help accessing the ebooks? Please email Mrs. Donahue [email protected].

Stevenson’s Principal’s Coffee - October 6th at 9am

We will have another Principal’s Coffee Tuesday, October 6th at 9:00am. We will continue our conversation on equity, Stage 3 Reopening, and other school related topics.

Tuesday, October 6th 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.

MVWSD Strategic Plan

MVWSD is working on a new Strategic Plan. The new six-year Strategic Plan 2027 will be completed and aligned with two cycles of the District’s 3-year Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and will build on and expand the former plan’s successes and areas of need for students.

Thank you to all the parents and staff that were able to provide input in the Strategic Planning Survey that was provided last week. This past Saturday, each school had a parent representative, teacher representative, and classified staff representative join a district wide planning session to provide more input into planning for our next Strategic Plan.

More information on our district’s strategic plan will be provided this Thursday during our district’s Board of Trustees meeting. Also, during the month of October, we will be providing the opportunities for the community to see the efforts materialize in the resulting strategic plan framework and to provide feedback. Thank you for taking the time to inform our future.

Author Visit for 3rd-5th Grade Students - Hosted by Huff Elementary

We are excited to share information about our next author visit! Huff Elementary School is sponsoring an author visit scheduled for Wednesday, October 7th from 11:00-11:30am!  The author is Chris Grabenstein, author of the Mr. Lemoncello series (and many other books). 

This virtual author visit will be on Zoom for 3rd-5th grade families district wide.  A Zoom link will be sent out the day before along with information on ordering his newest book.

i-Ready - Parent Access to Student Results (Repeat Information)

i-Ready is an online program that helps us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth in mathematics and reading. Teachers use this information to support instruction in core subjects for every student. Families can access their child’s i-Ready Reading and Mathematics score via their Powerschool Parent Portal starting October 1, 2020 (elementary school) students. 

Steps for accessing reports on PowerSchool Parent Portal: Accessing PowerSchool Parent Portal i-Ready Reports 

Please contact us if you have any trouble accessing reports.

Stevenson School Library Books (Repeat Information)

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.

Construction Update (Repeat Information)

At the last 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.
  

Technology Support (Repeat Information)

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

Walkathon 2020 Logo Contest!

School wide voting for all students is now live! Help choose this year's WAT logo designed by the 5th graders which will adorn the complimentary shirts provided to every Stevenson Stingray during the Walkathon. Along the way, we will ask for your student's t-shirt size so that they get a well-fitted shirt.

Please help your child participate in this online vote:

2020 WAT Logo Contest

Voting officially ends on:

10/04/20 Sunday

4:00 PM PST

Thanks Parent Ed!

Parent Ed completed their classes for new families (and refreshers for old). We want to extend a huge thank you to them for all of the efforts that went into the sessions for this year and the wonderful adaptations they were able to implement for this ever changing year. A big that you as well to all the families that attended these sessions. It is another great example of that PACT spirit.

Calendar

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

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

Tuesday, October 6th at 9am - Stevenson Principal’s Coffee

Wednesday, October 7th at 11am - Author Visit for 3rd-5th Grade Students

Wednesday, October 7th at 4pm - Stevenson and Theurkauf Community Meeting: Fences and Gates

Thursday, October 8th at 5:00pm- ELAC Meeting

Tuesday, October 13th at 5pm - PACT Foundation Board Meeting

MVWSD News

Check-In with the Superintendent on Oct. 2

Please join us for our Community Check-In with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, Oct. 2, 3:30 p.m. Bring your questions.  Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/TIUcn

Online Parenting Toolkit by Yale Professor Dr. Kazdin 

It’s difficult to be a parent right now. Everyday Parenting is a free, online course developed by parenting expert, Dr. Alan Kazdin. In this course, you will learn techniques supported by the highest quality science for improving your child’s behavior, increasing your child’s compliance with your requests, and strengthening your relationship with your child.  

 

Please click here to access the FREE course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/everyday-parenting?utm_source=YALE&utm_medium=institutions&utm_campaign=202004-Group-EP-Crittenden-Middle-School

*While we believe it can be helpful to families, this resource is not directly affiliated with MVWSD.

Free Student Meals: *New* Pick up meals for multiple days 

Free meals are again available to all children in the Mountain View Whisman School District age 18 and younger. No IDs required.

Daily breakfast and lunch at 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. 

Come to Graham Middle School between 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. to pick up meals for multiple days. Food items will be different from what is served during daily pickups. On Monday: Pick up for four days. On Friday: Pick up for three days.

Walk, drive or roll up to grab a free meal and go! For menus and information, please see https://www.mvwsd.org/nutrition.

MVEF news: Did you know that your donations to MVEF support CSMA art and music for your student?

Fifth grade art and music started on 9/23! TK-4 art and music started the week before! All TK-4th students will have virtual art and music classes led by a teacher from CSMA. This year 5th grade students chose instrumental music or art with CSMA.  We thank the CSMA teachers for sharing their engaging and FUN talents as well as filling a need for creativity and active learning on Zoom.

MVEF raises money to provide all MVWSD students with an educational experience beyond what is possible with public funding.  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!

Parent University: Raising Digitally Resilient Children and Teens during Quarantine (Repeat Information)

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

Distance Learning Tip: 

How can I help my child when I see him/her getting anxious and upset about distance learning?

Be proactive:  When you see your child getting anxious, let him or her know that you notice he or she may be having a difficult time.  Ask them if they would like a 2 minute break. Set a timer and then redirect him or her back to the session.

If the situation has already escalated, have your child use calming breathing exercises.  Once he or she calms down, you can discuss what your child needs to do before going back to the session.  He or she may need a drink of water, a snack or a two minute break.

You can use phrases such as: It seems like you’re having a hard time … I can imagine how difficult it must be… How can I help you?

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

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

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

 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.