05.12.2021
Dear Stingray Parents and Guardians,
Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness month? Our school district is prioritizing Mental Health by asking us to contribute a moment of our time to the StingmaFree Campaign put together by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). This campaign is NAMI’s effort to end negative stigmas and stereotypes and create hope for those affected by mental illness. Through powerful words and actions, we can shift the social and systemic barriers for those living with mental health conditions. Please join me in taking the pledge so that we can be #bettertogether. Click here to take the pledge!
Library News
At our last week’s author visit with Remi Lai, we had over 760 students in our district attend! Thank you to Ms. Donahue and our district librarians for organizing this author visit..
We're also excited to share that Remi Lai graphic novels may still be purchased here until this Sunday, May 16th: https://www.hicklebees.com/RemyLai
Sincerely,
Ryan Santiago
Principal, Stevenson Elementary
School Announcements
-School Site Council Meeting
-ELAC Meeting
-Materials Distribution - Thursday, May 13th
-Principal’s Coffees
-Stevenson/Theuerkauf lighting meeting
-District Chess Tournament
-Cafecito with the Superintendent
-i-Ready Assessments (Repeat Information)
-5th Grade Promotion Update (Repeat Information)
-Technology Support (Repeat Information)
-Apoyo Tecnológico (Información se Repite)
School Site Council (SSC) Meeting
Join Stevenson’s next School Site Council meeting this afternoon, Wednesday, May 12th at 3:30pm. We will meet virtually. Our topics of discussion will be School Site Lighting, Stevenson Equity Working Group Update, and an Update our district Learning Recovery Plan. If you would like to join us, please use this link to register in advance of the meeting.
English Language Advisory (ELAC) Meeting
Join Stevenson’s next School Site Council meeting next Thursday, May 13th at 5:00pm. We will meet virtually.
Our topics of discussion will be School Site Lighting, Stevenson Equity Working Group Update, and an update of our district Learning Recovery Plan.If you would like to join us, please use this link to register in advance of the meeting.
Materials Distribution - Thursday, May 13th
We will host a Materials Distribution for our Zoomie students this coming Thursday, May 13th from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. Please note, there will be no pick up of materials on Friday afternoon.
Upcoming Stevenson’s Principal’s Coffees
There will be two principal’s coffees this month. This Friday, May 14th at 9am Principal Santiago will be holding a principal’s coffee providing information on upcoming summer construction projects on Stevenson campus, i-Ready assessments, and answering parent questions. Please use this link to register and attend.
Tuesday, May 25th at 5pm, Principal Santiago will hold an additional principal’s coffee to provide an update on Stevenson’s Equity Working Group and provide opportunity for community feedback on the Group’s work and focus. Principal Santiago will also be sharing overall trends from the ThoughtExchange that our community participated in from last month. Please use this link to register and attend.
Stevenson/Theuerkauf Lighting Meeting
Monday, May 17 at 4 p.m. on Zoom: http://mvw.sd/lighting2
Join us at a community meeting to hear more about potential new lighting on campus to improve safety as part of Measure T. New lights and/or bollard style light posts to illuminate pedestrians’ path of travel between campus and parking lots is an important safety measure for staff members and guests using the campus in the evenings and winter late afternoons.
District Chess Tournament Registration Open
Registration is now open for the 18th Annual MVWSD Interscholastic Chess Tournament, to be held online again due to COVID-19 on Sunday, May 16, from 12:00 to 5:00. The registration form and complete instructions can be found at tinyurl.com/mvwsdchess, and the deadline is May 14. Any questions can be sent to Mark Ruzon, tournament director, at [email protected].
i-Ready Assessments (Repeat Information)
At the end of each school year, our teachers provide assessments to students so we can see how each student has progressed throughout the year and also prepare for next school year. As you may have read in the latest MVWSD district communication, as a result of the pandemic, MVWSD now has the flexibility to choose the most viable testing option for our students. The California department of education state testing will not be administered this school year for our 3rd-8th grade students. As a result, we will be administering i-Ready tests in math and language arts. We will be using our i-Ready diagnostic assessments for Reading and math to monitor and report student progress instead of the CAASPP English Language Arts and Mathematics tests. I-Ready diagnostics are aligned to the California Common Core State Standards.
All k-5th grade students will be taking the i-ready assessments on the following dates:
◆i-Ready Reading Diagnostic will be provided on 5/11 with make-up days on 5/13 and 5/14.
◆i-Ready Math Diagnostic will be provided on 5/18 with make-up days on 5/20 and 5/21.
Our roomies will be provided the assessment in-person and zoomies will take the assessment from home. A friendly reminder to our Zoomie parents that families are not to help with proctoring the assessment for their students. Students will log in to their Zoom session with their class. Teachers will be able support and monitor in real time your child’s participation in the assessment using Securly and Zoom.
Below are some tips and reminders you may find useful to help prepare your child for the virtual diagnostic assessment:
◆The assessment is adaptive, some questions might be easy and could be challenging for students at times. It is okay if your child does not know how to answer some of the questions. They can try their best and move on to the next question.
◆Remind your children to work out their problems (solve problems on paper) and pace themselves.
◆During the Zoom assessment sessions, students will have their camera on and audio ready when asked by the teacher
◆Please do not help your child during the assessment
◆Encourage your child to stay steady, focused, and do his/her best.
Fifth Grade Promotion (Repeat Information)
Our staff and parents are excitedly planning for our fifth grade promotion! Due to the many restrictions of holding an in-person event as outlined by the California Department of Public Health, we will be celebrating the accomplishments of our fifth grade students and families virtually. Please stay tuned as we finalize our plans over the next week. Parents of fifth grade students will be receiving formal communication today that will provide details, including the dates and times, on the virtual promotion ceremony and other information end of year celebrations to acknowledge our amazing fifth grade students.
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.
Calendar
Wednesday, May 12th
-SSC Meeting at 3:30pm - Zoom Link
-Cafecito with the Superintendent at 5:30pm- Zoom link
Thursday, May 13th
-Stevenson ELAC Meeting at 5:00pm - Zoom Link
-imPACT Blacktop Discussion at 8:00pm- Zoom link
Friday, May 14th
-Principal’s Coffee at 9:00am- Zoom link
Monday, May 17th
-Stevenson Community Meeting - Site Lighting at 4:00pm - Zoom Link
Wednesday, May 19th
-MV Parent University: Preparing for High School at 5:30pm
Friday, May 21st
-International Dance Party at 3:30pm
Tuesday, May 25th
-Principal’s Coffee at 5:00pm- Zoom link
Thursday, May 27th
-Stevenson School Site Council Meeting at 3:30pm
Friday, May 28th
-Minimum Day-End of Trimester: Dismissal at 11:50am
Monday, May 31st
-No School- Memorial Day Observed
Friday, June 4th
-Minimum Day-Last Day of School: Dismissal at 11:50am
PACT Foundation Updates
imPACT Blacktop Discussion
The next blacktop discussion will be Thursday, May 13th at 8pm.
Zoom link is: https://pausd.zoom.us/j/92217918911
MVWSD News
-MV Parent University: Preparing for High School
-Better Together #MVWSD: Prioritizing Mental Health
-Mental Health Month Tools2Thrive: Connections, routines and self care
-COVID testing available for students and families
-InPlay’s summer program search guide
-District Chess Tournament Registration Open
-Unlocking Our Inner Strengths with CHAC: Registration for free May events available
-El Camino Health Community COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
-MVEF is hiring: Content Writer
MV Parent University: Preparing for High School
Date: May 19, 2021, 5:30 p.m. Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/osiVT
Is there a rising high school freshman in your home? Do you want to learn a bit more about the habits, traits, and skills students should develop to be ready for high school? Join us at our final Parent University session of the year as we meet members of staff and students at the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District to hear them talk about this ever-important topic!
To submit questions prior to the event, please click here. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
And if you missed any of our content this year, have no fear: www.mvwsd.org/parentu has recordings of all of our Parent University sessions this year!
Better Together #MVWSD: Prioritizing Mental Health
This month's #BetterTogether infographic features tools and resources to help all those who work, learn, and partner with MVWSD to prioritize mental health and wellness. No one ever needs to be alone in their struggles. Together we can prioritize mental health and wellness. Click here to view this month’s calendar or visit https://www/mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD
Mental Health Month Tools2Thrive: Connections, routines and self care
We are at the halfway point in our Mental Health Awareness Month. So far we have learned about #Tools2Thrive and pledged to be #StigmaFree. It also is true that connections and the people around us can affect our overall mental health. It’s important to make connections with other people that help enrich our lives and get us through tough times, but it’s equally important to recognize when certain people and situations in life can trigger us to feel bad or engage in destructive behaviors. Identifying the toxic influences in our lives and taking steps to create a new life without them can improve mental and physical health over time. And we know that work, paying bills, cleaning, getting enough sleep, and taking care of children are just some of the things we do each day - and it is easy to be overwhelmed. By creating routines, we can organize our days in such a way that taking care of tasks and ourselves becomes a pattern that makes it easier to get things done without having to think hard about them. In other words, building good habits to care for ourselves, care for others, and care for our environment is a #Tool2Thrive.
Share your #Tool2Thrive gifts with others by printing and using the “Take What You Need” poster.
COVID testing available for students and families
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
* Graham Middle School. Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Graham MUR (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.
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
Unlocking Our Inner Strengths with CHAC: Registration for free May events available
CHAC has opened registration for their free virtual workshops in May, which focus on unlocking our inner strengths and supporting mental wellness. You are welcome to join for any or all events. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30pm, with optional 30-minute Q&A from 7:30 to 8pm.
May 12: Self-Empowerment Through Expression: The Crucial Role of Mental Wellness in Motivating Tomorrow’s Leaders
May 19: Parenting Teens Doesn’t Have to be Painful!
May 26: Self-Care & Support Across Diverse Communities
For more information about each session and to register in advance, head to: https://funraise.org/give/Community-Health-Awareness-Council/a25a1482-56ef-448d-80f1-c36132be901c/.
El Camino Health Community COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
El Camino Health is continuing to administer free COVID-19 vaccines – by appointment – for those aged 16 and up who live or work in Santa Clara County. Vaccines are administered at El Camino Health’s Sunnyvale Clinic Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Visit elcaminohealth.org/schedulevax to make an appointment.
See attached flier for information and scheduling assistance available in Spanish and Mandarin. If you need assistance scheduling an appointment online, please call 408-871-7460, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The County of Santa Clara announced that most County Health System vaccination sites will accept drop-ins for COVID-19 vaccines. Same-day appointments and some drop-in locations across the county are available at sccfreevax.org.
MVEF is hiring: Content Writer
Mountain View Educational Foundation is Hiring a Content Writer to Help MVEF foster growth, optimize outreach, reach a wider audience, persuade the reader, and inspire action through the power of the written word.
Can you get people excited about the work that MVEF is doing? Do you write compelling, engaging and meaningful content in a concise newsletter, post web page or direct mail? Are you a superb storyteller that can capture people’s hearts and communicate the data? Is your style personable, specific, and easy to read?
MVEF needs a writer with these skills to enhance communication, marketing, and fundraising letter solicitations. The ideal candidate will help MVEF communicate with donors and parents, meet current fundraising goals, find new funding, spread awareness, and help donors understand the full impact of their donation.
This is a flexible, part time position. We need you to write Bi-monthly (sometimes monthly) updates for newsletters, website, and/or social media to keep supporters, donors, and volunteers educated about the impact on the community. We also need help with back to school marketing presentations and fundraising letters for all levels of donations.
Please send questions, email and/or resume to [email protected]