04.21.2021
Dear Stingray Parents and Guardians,
I hope all our Stingray families had a wonderful Spring Break! Here at Stevenson, we are already planning for next school year. Over the next few weeks, our school will be providing opportunities for our community to provide feedback and engage in discussion as we prepare. We hope that you will be able to attend some of our next community meetings or provide input through our surveys. Thank you and we appreciate your continued partnership!
Extended Learning Ideas and Feedback
Stevenson Elementary, along with schools in our district, are planning for ways that we can support our students both academically and social emotionally due to the impact of school closures and remote learning. As we plan, we are seeking input and feedback from staff, parents/guardians, and our students. Our teachers and staff will be reviewing the input and help guide our school in creating plans for next year. Parents and guardians will have multiple opportunities to engage.
Principal’s Coffee - Today, Wednesday, April 21st at 5pm (Zoom Link)
ELAC & SSC Meeting - Friday, April 23rd at 5pm (Zoom Link)
Extended Learning Survey - Provide input by end of day Saturday, April 24th
Focus Groups: Equitable Access to Stevenson Elementary School
Since 2016, the Board of Trustees has supported various equity efforts, culminating in strategic initiatives as part of the new Strategic Plan 2027. Thank you to our Stevenson parents and staff community for taking time to provide input in ThoughtExchange that was provided before Spring Break.
Your voice is important. MVWSD wants to understand the priorities of parents and staff members as we examine ways to ensure equitable access to choice schools for all district families. The district is facilitating multiple focus groups to better understand the perceptions, thoughts, and experiences of our families when accessing educational opportunities for their children, especially as it relates to enrollment in our choice schools (Stevenson Elementary).
Our district is seeking 6-8 current parents/guardians of Stevenson to be part of one of the focus groups. Please share your interest by emailing Principal Santiago at [email protected] by end of day Monday, April 26th.
Focus Group: Current Stevenson Parents/Guardians
When: Monday, May 3rd at 5pm
Where: Virtual focus group meeting
Who: District Equity Coach Megan Henderson will be facilitating these focus groups
Ryan Santiago
Principal, Stevenson Elementary
School Announcements
-
Distance Learning Enrollment Confirmation Survey is due April 25
-
Principal’s Coffee
-
School Site Council and ELAC Meeting
-
Library News
-
Picture Day - Wednesday, April 28th (Repeat Information)
-
COVID Testing Available for students and families (Repeat Information)
Distance Learning Enrollment Confirmation Survey is due April 25
As more people get vaccinated and COVID-19 cases remain steady or trend downward, we anticipate the 2021- 22 school year will look more like a typical school year, but with a few differences. Distance learning, in the form of the new MVWSD Distance Learning School (DLS), will be an option for families who prefer it for their students.
Distance Learning Enrollment Confirmation Survey is due April 25: This is your opportunity to enroll your child in the Distance Learning School for next year. Please look for the survey in your email dated April 9, and a reminder on April 19. Information to help you with your choice is available on https://www.mvwsd.org/academicsduringcovid
Principal’s Coffee
Join Mr. Santiago on Wednesday, April 21st at 5:00pm for a Principal’s Coffee. Please register in advance for this meeting here.
Principal Santiago will be providing information and answering questions on 2021-2022 Distance Learning School Enrollment, Equity Work at Stevenson, and other topics parents would like to discuss.
School Site Council and ELAC Meeting
We will host a combined School Site Council and ELAC Meeting this Friday, April 23rd from 3:15 to 4:15pm. During this time we will be requesting parent input on the learning gaps and SEL challenges that have taken place due to the school closures. Our district and schools are planning on how to use extra funds that the state is providing to help with SEL and the learning gaps that have occurred over the past school. Register for Friday’s meeting here.
If you are unable to attend, this will also be a topic at today's principal's coffee.
The next School Site Council Meeting will be held, Wednesday, May 5th at 3:30pm. The next ELAC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 13th at 5:00pm.
Library News
Save the date: Tuesday May 4th, 1pm
We're so excited to have author Remi Lai visiting with our 3-5th graders. You can preorder one of her charming graphic novels here: https://www.hicklebees.com/RemyLai
Picture Day - Optional - Wednesday, April 28th
Picture Day will be on Wednesday, April 28th. Please note Picture Day is optional this year, and we will not have a make-up day. This will be the only opportunity for school pictures for the 2020-2021 school year.
Please see our safety guidelines and reminders to help maintain a safe environment.
-
Kindergarten to 2nd Grade Students: 1 parent is permitted into the MUR with their student
-
3rd-5th Grade Students: Parents will wait for their student outside of the MUR.
-
See the Picture Day Schedule below. For families unable to attend during the designated time, please feel free to bring your student for a photo during a time that works best.
-
Order photos here. Please reference the Picture ID:EVT8Q9ZKM
-
Come “camera ready!”
|
Time
|
Last Name
|
|
1:30-2:30pm
|
A-F
|
|
2:30-3:30pm
|
G-M
|
|
3:30-4:00
|
Photographer Break
|
|
4:00-5:00pm
|
N-R
|
|
5:00-6:00pm
|
S-Z
|
COVID testing available for students and families (Repeat Information)
Regular, asymptomatic COVID testing for students is not required at this time however, parents may want to have students tested, especially after travel, to ensure that they are not carrying the COVID-19 virus.
Free, asymptomatic testing is available for students and parents at:
* El Camino Hospital or MV Center for Performing Arts. Dates: Ongoing. Schedule through El Camino Health at https://www.elcaminohealth.org/landing/schedule-covid-19-test?s=mapPin.
* Graham and Crittenden Middle Schools. Dates: Tuesday March 30 at Graham MUR; Tuesday, April 20 at Crittenden MUR and Wednesday, April 28 at Graham MUR. You should register here. You also may schedule an appointment by calling 650-940-7022 and use option 4. Please mention you are with the Mountain View Whisman School District when calling.
If your child has symptoms of COVID or has had a known exposure to someone who may have COVID, please contact your child's pediatrician for testing information. If you do not have a health care provider, make a symptomatic testing appointment with a county provider here: https://scl.fulgentgenetics.com/appointment/screen/landing.
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
Earth Week Walk/Bike/Scoot Raffle!
Zoomies and Roomies can walk, bike or scoot during Earth Week (Apr 19-23) for eco-prizes to any destination of your choice (including Stevenson). Enter your child’s name here for Eco raffle prizes for all walk/bike/scoot adventures that you take during that week (one entry per student per day). Raffle winners will be announced the following week. And please share photos of your adventures to help populate our yearbooks.
Stevenson Family Trivia Event run by Fun Team Events
Saturday, April 24: 3:00pm- Zoom link
The Zoom room 15 minutes early and play music as your teammates arrive. Plan to join a few minutes early so we can get settled before the event begins.
Join us for a fun time with the entire family. We will be working in "teams", randomly assigned, but each family will also be answering questions individually as well. Questions are geared towards a wide range of ages and there will be some special "Stingray" questions.
Calendar
Wednesday, April 21st
Thursday, April 22nd
Friday, April 23rd
Saturday, April 24th
Monday, April 26th
Wednesday, April 28th
Wednesday, May 5th
MVWSD News
-
The Talk: Anti-Asian Racism and Model Minority Myth on Wednesday, April 21st
-
Parent University: Preparing for Middle School
-
In case you missed it: Haben Girma Parent University event recordings available
-
Better Together: Strengthening Communities
-
Last one! Resilience Pause Series
-
Join the MVEF Board and make a difference!
-
MVLA Parent Speaker Series, “The Power of Showing Up: What Kids Really Need from Adults,” April 22 from 7:00 - 9:00pm
-
Upcoming MV Public Library Programs: Product Design, Parenting Program
-
Virtual Earth Day Events with the City of Mountain View
-
Virtual Family Concert for Children's Day with MV Public Library
The Talk: Anti-Asian Racism and Model Minority Myth on Wednesday, April 21st
Racism and bias-related violence has been on the rise against Asian-Americans, in part due to the racist rhetoric surrounding Covid-19 and its affiliation with Wuhan, China. It’s never been more evident that there is a desperate need for improved and more inclusive education about AAPI people, communities, cultures, and histories. Mountain View is not immune to these occurrences or this ignorance.
Join MVWSD Better Together for our next Roundtable event, The Talk: Courageous Conversations about Equity, Anti-Asian Racism and the Model Minority Myth, a panel discussion with Asian American leaders in our community.
Panelists:
Ellen Kumei, Mayor of Mountain View
Margaret Abe Koga, Former Mayor of Mountain View
Geoff Chang, Director MVWSD, Title I and Special Programs
Chris Hsiung, Chief of Police, Mountain View
Anne Hsieh, Parent and community member
Trisha Lee, Moderator, Principal of Monta Loma Elementary
When: Wednesday, April 21 from 6pm-7pm
Registration: http://mvw.sd/7qkeq
Parent University: Preparing for Middle School
Date: April 28th Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/XWF1A
Come and learn more on how to support your students as they transition to middle school. We will feature a panel of counselors, teachers and middle school students to answer questions and provide information about middle school.
To submit questions prior to the event, please click here. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
In case you missed it: Haben Girma Parent University event recordings available
MVWSD had the pleasure of getting to hear from Haben Girma, the first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, earlier this month through Parent University. Hear her inspiring story! English and Spanish recordings of this event can be found at: https://mvwsd.org/parentu.
Better Together: Strengthening Communities
This month’s Better Together focus is on civic engagement and getting involved in the community. Please see the attached or https://www.mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD for the infographic, which features activities for the family, engaging books about activism for students, and more!
Last one! Resilience Pause Series
The 30-minute, online Community Resiliency Model Resilience Pause sessions for adults (parents and staff members) are scheduled during this transition in our school year to assist participants with building resilience throughout return to in-person instruction. Participants can learn strategies on Mondays and build habits towards resilience during the week. These sessions are designed to teach life-long habits that help us to self-regulate during stressful moments.
April 26, 4pm: “Help Now!” A Reactive Strategy
Sessions can be drop-in or attended in a series. To join: http://mvw.sd/HAjbz
Join the MVEF Board and make a difference!
MVEF is looking for board members! With as little as 5 hours a month, you can support a well-rounded education (arts, science, wellness) for all students in the district. MVEF needs your voice and opinions for living our vision, from promoting MVEF at back to school night, to crafting a survey for our donors. Attend our next meeting or email [email protected] to learn more.
MVLA Parent Speaker Series, “The Power of Showing Up: What Kids Really Need from Adults,” April 22 from 7:00 - 9:00pm
MVLA will be hosting their last Parent Speaker Series event for the season, “The Power of Showing Up: What Kids Really Need from Adults,” on Thursday, April 22 from 7:00 - 9:00pm with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, a psychotherapist and best-selling author.
Parents worry. It’s what we do. Reassuringly, the latest brain and attachment research is clear on how best to make a difference in our child’s life over the long run: we simply need to show up. Offering plenty of warmth and humor, Dr. Bryson will explore what showing up means, sharing stories and simple strategies for honoring the Four S’s - helping kids feel secure, seen, soothed, and safe. She'll discuss practical advice for supporting anxious kids, hitting the reset button on parenting, and creating a safe harbor at home for children of all ages. Registration for this free event can be found at: https://mvla2020-21-tinapaynebryson.eventbrite.com.
Upcoming MV Public Library Programs: Product Design, Parenting Program (flyer attached to email on 4/2)
The Mountain View Public Library will be hosting two events:
Design an Amusement Park for Dogs: Thursday, April 22, 4pm - 5pm for Grades 3-5 on Zoom. Learn about the product design process and create your own amusement park ride with Product Designer and Author Vicky Fang. Registration required. Sign up at https://mountainview.gov/librarycalendar
Building your Child’s Self-Confidence and Personal Power: (English) Wednesday, April 28, 7pm - 8pm on Zoom. (Spanish) Wednesday, April 21, 7pm - 8pm on Zoom. Presenters from CHAC Family Resource Center will discuss ways to raise a confident child with inner strength and health self worth. For parents of children ages 2-12. Registration required. Sign up at https://mountainview.gov/librarycalendar
Virtual Earth Day Events with the City of Mountain View
We know that Earth Day (4/22) is looking a little different this year, so it’s going virtual here at the City of Mountain View! We’re holding two contests with multiple gift card prizes (a short video competition and a student poster contest), all centered around creativity and how you restore the Earth in your own way. For both contests, the deadline for entries is Monday, April 16th, 2021 no later than 5pm. Submissions can be made at: this link; see attached flyers for more information.
Additionally, please join us on Thursday, April 22nd from 6pm-8:30pm for our Virtual Earth Day Event! We’ll be having speakers from the Planet Bee Foundation, Acterra, Recology, and Cool Block. Community members will also be giving 5-minute ‘micro talks’ about how they’re “Restoring the Earth.” And finally, we’ll be announcing the winners of the video and poster contests live during the event. Please visit this link for details.
Virtual Family Concert for Children's Day with MV Public Library
In Celebration of Dia De Los Ninos/Children's Book Day, Mariela Herrera will perform an interactive and lively concert over Zoom of songs in English and Spanish for children of all ages. The event is on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 from 6:30pm - 7:00pm, and registration is at: https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/7613746.