05.20.2021
Dear Stingray Parents and Guardians,
Have your children been enjoying our Wednesday Wiggles!?! Let’s continue to move and have some fun by joining our International Dance Party on Zoom this Friday at 5:30pm! We look forward to celebrating diversity with our community.
We are also excited to share that students can keep their Chromebooks over the summer to continue learning. Our district will be sending out information before summer break on the programs that students will be able to continue to access. See below in the School Announcements for more details on Chromebooks.
Stevenson is looking for parent members to join either our School Site Council (SSC) or English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC) for the 2021-2022 school year. Please see the School Announcements section for more information on becoming a member of these committees.
The CDC recently announced recommendations to relax face covering guidelines for individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While this news is encouraging, it’s important to remember that we are still required to comply with state and local health orders, which have not yet relaxed requirements on face covering guidance. Until that time, all of our schools and district sites must continue to practice the use of face coverings by all individuals while on school property. We will update you regarding any changes that impact school operations. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ryan Santiago
Principal, Stevenson Elementary
School Announcements
-Community Check-In with the Superintendent: May 21
-Returning students can keep Chromebooks this summer. Non-returning students should bring them back
-Principal’s Coffee
-Stevenson School Site Council Elections for 2021-2022 School Year
-Stevenson English Learner Advisory Council Elections for 2021-2022 School Year
-5th Graders with District Borrowed Instruments
-5th Grade Graduation
-2021-2022 Newton After School Enrollment
-Technology Support (Repeat Information)
Community Check-In with the Superintendent: May 21
Please join us for an informal, online conversation with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, May 21, 3:30 p.m. Spanish interpretation is available. Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/AKE7h
Returning students can keep Chromebooks this summer. Non-returning students should bring them back
Thank you for your support of the District’s Chromebook program and distance learning this year. If your student is not returning to a MVWSD school next year, please return your student’s Chromebook to your school office by June 11, 2021 (or sooner). Students who will return to MVWSD schools can keep Chromebooks this summer. Students who are moving on to MVLA and plan to use their Chromebooks in high school are welcome to keep them. We will send specific instructions on how 8th-graders can access the MVLA network on their current Chromebooks.
Chromebooks will not be usable by students who are not enrolled in MVWSD or MVLA next year.
School offices are open weekdays from 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. When dropping off, please wear a mask and practice social distancing. For questions, please contact Jon Aker at [email protected].
Stevenson’s Principal’s Coffee
It was great to see and hear from our parents at the last principal’s coffee last Friday, May 14th. If you were unable to join us, you may view the video recording.
The Principal’s coffee that was scheduled for May 25th has now been rescheduled to Wednesday, June 2nd at 4pm. Principal Santiago will hold a 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.
School Site Council (SSC) Meeting and Parent Elections
Stevenson’s School Site Council is comprised of five parents and five staff members. The School Site Council helps develop goals and actions for Stevenson’s School Plan for Student Achievement (site plan). Stevenson School Site Council will be electing three new parent members to join SSC. If you are interested in running to be a member of our SSC, please complete this Self-Nomination Google Form by Tuesday, May 25th. A hard copy will also be available in the front office. The following week, parents of Stevenson will have the opportunity to vote for the three (3) parent members for SSC.
Our last School Site Council of the meeting of the year is next Thursday, May 27th at 3:30pm. If you would like to join us, please use this link to register in advance of the meeting.
English Learner Parent Members for ELAC 2021-2022
Stevenson will be electing three (3) parents for the 21-22 school year. If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete this Self-Nomination Google Form by Tuesday, May 25th 2021. Elections will be held the following week. Meetings are held virtually once a month on Thursdays from 5-6 PM.
What is an ELAC?
Every public K-12 school in California that has more than 21 English Learner students must have an ELAC. The ELAC consists of parents and teachers that work together to support English Learner students with their education.
What is ELAC's purpose?
ELAC's purpose is to advise the principal, school staff, and the School Site Council on programs and services for English Learners. They also work with the school to provide information to the parents and give a voice to the English Learner community so that these families' questions and concerns can be carried back to the principal, school staff, and School Site Council.
If you have any questions, please contact Principal Ryan Santiago at [email protected] or (650) 903 6950 or Stevenson parent, Elena Garcia (Spanish Speaking), at [email protected]
5th Graders with District Borrowed Instruments
If you borrowed an instrument from the district for your child to participate in the 5th grade instrumental music program during the 2020-21 school year, we will be collecting the instruments beginning June 3rd and continuing through June 11th. Instruments will be collected at the District Office portables, 1400 Montecito Ave., Mountain View, CA 94043 in room 1.
Please follow the steps outlined below to return your child’s instrument:
-Please make an appointment on the following link
-At the time of your appointment, please bring the instrument without any personal belongings (e.g., pencils, papers, clips, cleaning rugs, etc.,) with it.
-Before you arrive, please ask your student to make sure that all pieces of the instrument are in the case.
-For your safety and the safety of our staff, please be sure you wear a mask during your appointment.
-Please follow social distancing rules and markers while waiting for your appointment.
-You’ll have only a 10-minute slot, so please be on time.
PLEASE NOTE:
If your student is in the Honors Summer program with CSMA, please do not return the instrument. We will email you the date the instruments should be returned upon completion of the program.
If your child has selected an instrumental elective in 6th grade, the middle school will send information about instruments in August 2021.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns to Raquel Hernandez at [email protected]
5th Grade Graduation
An email was sent out to 5th grade parents last week providing details, dates, and times of our end of year 5th grade celebrations. If you are a 5th grade parent and did not receive the information, please contact Principal Santiago at [email protected]. We are excited to celebrate the accomplishments of our fifth grade Stingrays and families.
2021-2022 Newton After School Enrollment
Registration is now open for after school care with Newton for the 2021-2022 school year. Note, in the event that Stevenson PACT Foundation offers extra curricular programs, Newton will coordinate the transfer of enrolled students to and from their respective course.
For more detailed information about Newton’s program, please see this flyer.
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
Thursday, May 20th
-MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting- Zoom link
Friday, May 21st
-International Dance Party at 5:30pm - Zoom Link
-Community check in with the Superintendent- Zoom link
Tuesday, May 25th
-SSC and ELAC Self-Nomination Due
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
Wednesday, June 2nd
-Principal’s Coffee at 4:00pm- Zoom link
Friday, June 4th
-Minimum Day-Last Day of School: Dismissal at 11:50am
PACT Foundation Updates
International Dance Party
We are having an International Dance Party on ZOOM Friday,May 21st 5:30-7:00 PM to celebrate the DIVERSITY of our community! Add your favorite dance songs from your culture or background to our Spotify playlist or add them to this google doc and we'll add it for you!
RSVP HERE! You may also join the party via our Zoom Link.
MVWSD News
-View and comment on MVWSD’s Local Control Accountability Plan draft
-Board meeting preview: May 20
-MV Parent University: Preparing for High School
-Better Together #MVWSD: Prioritizing Mental Health
-Mental Health Awareness: Sustaining your Tools2Thrive
-COVID Vaccine now available for students 12 years and older
-COVID testing available for students and families
-Unlocking Our Inner Strengths with CHAC: Registration for free May events available
-CalFresh Program for grocery assistance
View and comment on MVWSD’s Local Control Accountability Plan draft
The District is finalizing its draft of the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). This is the District’s three-year plan that will correspond with the first three years of the District’s new Strategic Plan 2027. These documents are the blueprints that guide all of the District’s work for the benefit of our students.
Stakeholders are welcome to comment on the draft LCAP plan. Please read the presentation and supporting materials at mvwsd.org/lcap, and click on the form link there to submit any comments. The comments form closes on May 26. Stakeholders may also attend the public learning during the Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, June 3 at 6 p.m. on Zoom (the link is here: http://mvw.sd/fRqB5).
Board meeting preview: May 20
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, May 20 at 6:00 p.m. Some of the meeting topics include the Expanded Learning Opportunities grant and construction update. Agenda and login information are here: https://www.mvwsd.org/about/board_of_trustees/board_meetings. The meeting is also streamed on https://www.youtube.com/mvwsd.
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 Awareness: Sustaining your Tools2Thrive
We highlight mental health awareness one time per year, but the work to maintain our mental wellness is an everyday endeavor. Building self-care habits into each day contributes to our own personal wellness and models these habits for those around us. As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to remember that mental health, like physical health, is important to care for. Find the activity or practice that works for you and build time into your day to engage in it. For some people this means some sort of physical activity like walking the dog or practicing yoga. For others this might mean reading a book or listening to music. And for some others this may mean spending time with friends and family. As we choose healthy behavioral practices to enhance our mental health, we also model these for those around us. We may not all have the same interests, but we can all practice good self-care.
Discovering what works for us may mean trying a few different things. Continue to try new things until you find the right fit for you. If you would like to learn more about Living Mentally Healthy, Mental Health America provides a webpage with many resources. If you would like some ideas or to learn more about self-care, you can read Sam Dekin’s article on “How Does Self-Care Affect Mental Health?” or access Mental Health America’s “Taking Good Care of Yourself”, NAMI’s “Taking Care of Yourself”, or ActiveMinds “Self Care”.
As always, MVWSD stands with our students, staff, and families to be #StigmaFree and in support of Mental Health Awareness. We wish you wellness.
COVID Vaccine now available for students 12 years and older
Families can schedule an appointment for their children 12 and older to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for this age group. Among other options around the county, Levi's stadium has evening appointments and the Mountain View Community Center is open during the day. Vaccination appointments for these locations can be made here: https://vax.sccgov.org/.
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.
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 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/.
CalFresh Program for grocery assistance
Need help buying groceries? You might qualify for CalFresh, a free EBT card you can use to buy food at most stores and select online retailers. If you receive CalFresh benefits, you may also be eligible for P-EBT, a grocery benefit that provides $375 per child 18 and under over the summer months. To find out if you qualify, call 1-800-984-3663, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or scan the QR code (flyer attached) to request a call. We speak English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin and Tagalog. Second Harvest can also connect you to other food programs in your community.