02.25.2021
Dear Stingray Parents and Guardians,
It was wonderful to see our Stingray students at our first Wednesday Wiggles morning assembly! All grade levels came together to have fun singing and dancing together! We will be holding Wednesday Morning assemblies for the remainder of the year.
Yesterday was also our first day of welcoming some of our students back on campus as we started our in-person Wednesday PE sessions! A special thank you to our amazing PE teacher Ms. Wilson, our front office staff, and recess supervisors. They all helped students transition and keep our students safe and healthy. Thank you!
Please take a few minutes to review our school and district updates. There is important information about our reopening learning options survey and MVEF’s annual Gala Fundraiser.
Sincerely,
Ryan Santiago
Principal, Stevenson Elementary
School Announcements
- Learning Options Survey
- MVEF Virtual Gala - March 6, 2021 - Get your Tickets Today!
- Principal’s Coffees
- Report Cards - Trimester 2
- Technology Support (Repeat Information)
Learning Options Survey
The Learning Options survey gathers family preferences for student learning options if the district returns to in-person instruction. MVWSD’s reopening target date is two weeks after Santa Clara county enters the Red Tier in California’s color-coded COVID-19 tracking system.
The learning options for students are blended in-person/distance learning (Option B) and 100% distance learning (Option C). Parents should choose the option that works best for their family. Please complete this survey no later than Feb. 28th. If you haven’t completed it, please look for an email reminder with your survey link sent on Feb. 22.
Please note:
- Only one parent or guardian can submit this survey
- If you do not complete this survey for your child by the deadline, he/she will be assigned to distance learning.
- FAQ's can be found at mvw.sd/W8kbU
Please let us know if we can help you.
MVEF Virtual Gala - March 6, 2021 - Get your Tickets Today!
While we are not able to gather in person, we hope you will join us for a lively evening of trivia, toasts to our teachers, and fundraising for our schools. Now more than ever, the programs funded by your donations to MVEF help to create a well-rounded education for our children that includes art, music, technology, and science exploration. A significant portion of MVEF funding this year is being directed to support distance learning. All funds raised from the Gala help us meet our goal of raising $800,000 this school year. Help us to support every child at every school in the Mountain View Whisman School District!
You may join us for only the trivia OR enjoy the addition of appetizers and drinks (wine or cocktails) delivered to your home. Food and drink delivery is only available to Mountain View, Los Altos, Sunnyvale and Palo Alto.
Reservations for food and drink deliveries MUST be made before Friday, February 26th. Ticket sales for trivia close Wednesday, March 3.
To purchase tickets, https://www.mvef.org/virtualgala. For questions, please contact Dena Seki ([email protected]) or Andrea Maes ([email protected]).
We also have a raffle going on if you would like to take your chance at one of 4 great prizes! The winners will be drawn at the gala, but you need not be present to win. Ticket Prices 1 ticket: $5, 5 tickets: $20, 20 tickets: $60
To buy tickets please send email: [email protected]
Principal’s Coffees
Over the past few weeks, we have held two principal’s coffees to provide information and answer questions about reopening schools. If you were unable to attend the coffees, we have recorded each of the meetings for parents to view.
Principal’s Coffee - February 11, 2021
Principal’s Coffee - February 23, 2021
Report Cards - Trimester 2
Report cards will be emailed to families next Friday, March 5th. Please be on the lookout for them and reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions.
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.
If it's not device/hardware related or account related, and more about using a program, please contact Marissa Hamaguchi, Tech Coach, ([email protected]) or call/text (650) 336-5863.
PACT Foundation Updates
imPACT Blacktop Discussion
The next blacktop discussion will be Thursday, March 11th at 8pm.
Zoom link is: https://pausd.zoom.us/j/92217918911
Calendar
Thursday, February 25th
- Mountain View Board of Trustees Meeting at 6:00pm- Zoom link
- Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Session
Thursday, March 4th
- Mountain View Board of Trustees Meeting at 6:00pm- Zoom link
Friday, March 5th
- Community Check in with Superintendent- Zoom link
Saturday, March 6th
Wednesday, March 10th
Thursday, March 11th
March 11th and 12th
- Stevenson Materials Distribution from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, each day
Monday, March 15th
- No School - Teacher & Staff Service Day
MVWSD News
Open House Cancelled
Due to COVID-19, our schools will not be holding Open House events this spring, as we traditionally do in April. This year is different since our students’ work has been done at home, and gathering in groups at school is not permitted. We certainly will miss seeing all of the amazing work from our students and teachers, and look forward to a time we can gather to celebrate students’ work.
Black History Month
Even before children can talk, they are learning about the world and about race through the words and actions of others. Parents, teachers, and caregivers have the unique opportunity to frame their child's first attempts to understand and talk about race. Talking about race matters because (1) everyone has a racialized identity, (2) racialized identity significantly impacts a person's life, and (3) race is a defining social construct in America.
This Black History Month, use the Better Together infographic to begin racially-focused conversations with children acknowledging that conversations about race will look different for each family and classroom and there is no single way to talk to children about race. Have honest conversations with your students about the history of privilege and oppression as it relates to Black History and, where appropriate, connect this to local community and larger global issues.
Together, we can explore Black History. Together, we can become anti-racist.
For a closer look at the graphics, click on the attached flyers or visit https://www.mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD
Parent University: The Special Education Team - Who We Are and How We Support Our Schools and Students
Join us on Wednesday, February 24th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for our next Parent University event: The Special Education Team - Who We Are and How We Support Our Schools and Students.
Arianna Mayes (Director) and Acantha Ellard (Coordinator) of MVWSD's Special Education Department will facilitate a panel discussion with Special Educators and professionals who support MVWSD schools and students. The discussion will include who and what the team does and how students are supported both in-person and during distance learning. Additionally, you can submit your own questions beforehand via this Google Form.
Zoom link: Register in advance for this meeting: http://mvw.sd/4JMka
Spanish interpretation will be provided.
**Please also take a look at recordings and materials from our previous Parent University sessions at www.mvwsd.org/parentu
Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Session - Thursday, February 25th
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: Our 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, February 25th
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Location: Online via Zoom (URL provided upon registration)
Register: REGISTER ONLINE
Questions: [email protected]
Information: MentorTutorConnection.org
InPlay’s summer program search guide
Looking for summer fun and out-of-school opportunities? MVWSD partners with nonprofit InPlay to help you find the perfect fit for your child and for your family. Hundreds of programs, including FREE and reduced cost and those that serve students with special needs or English learners, are nearby and can be found through this free searchable site. Check it out at mv.inplay.org.
Los Altos High School Writers Week Community Read: Julie Lythcott-Haims discusses her new book, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult (MIDDLE SCHOOL ONLY)
From March 1-5, Los Altos High School is holding the 36th annual Writers Week event, which brings a diverse and inspiring lineup of writers, poets, and journalists to LAHS English classrooms. This year, the events are all virtual, but we are still holding our annual free evening event to which the entire community is invited. This year’s Community Read features New York Times bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haims in discussion with a panel of LAHS students about her new book, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult--a follow-up to her bestseller How to Raise an Adult. This event will be held on Zoom on Wednesday, March 3 at 7 p.m. Please RSVP via this Eventbrite link to be sent the Zoom information and to be entered to win a copy of this new book when it is released on April 6! You can also pre order your own copy from Linden Tree HERE.
Everyone is invited to attend, and this special event is likely to be particularly helpful to students on the verge of adulthood (and their parents) as well as adults struggling with some aspect of adulting. Please feel free to share with any recent high school graduates, as well!
Read more about our other Writers Week visiting writers here: https://lahs.mvla.net/Student-Activities/Writers-Week/index.html
Parenting Program: Developing Social Skills in Children While Social Distancing
The MV Public Library will be hosting a free parenting workshop on Wednesday, March 10 from 7-8pm. Join Susan Stone of Parents Place to learn about developing social skills in PreK and elementary school students while social distancing. Register in advance at: https://mountainview.libcal.com/
K-8 Virtual Career Fair with SCCOE
The SCCOE K-8 Virtual Career Fair is being held Thursday, March 11 from 1-3p.m. The event theme is Connecting Passions to Careers and will feature guest speakers from various fields and industries, who will encourage students to follow their passions and dream big. The career fair is a part of the Silicon Valley Reads community engagement initiative. More information and registration is at: http://bit.ly/careerfair2021reg