September 13th, 2024
Dear Stingray Parents and Guardians,
We have completed 4 weeks of school already! It has been very inspiring to see the smiles of the students and the change in their maturity in their new grade. Stevenson teachers are tremendously dedicated and are adapting to a new ELA curriculum as well as gearing up for the first PBL project of the year. We are looking forward to the classroom volunteers beginning in just 2 weeks. Thank you in advance to those who have volunteered to support core instruction during the school day!
Cooking and Gardening will start in October, as soon as there are enough volunteers that have chosen to help their child's grade level. We are still short several volunteers at each grade in order to implement the cooking and gardening enrichment program. Please remember that you can volunteer for a different grade level as well. And if you know of any alumni parents, please reach out to them to ask them to help us out with these 4 lessons per grade level. Every class in a grade level must have volunteers before the grade level can begin cooking or gardening. And keep in mind that you do not need to have prior knowledge of cooking or gardening in order to help out as a volunteer!
Warm Regards,
Terri Lambert
Principal, Stevenson Elementary
IMPORTANT DATES
2024-2025 MVWSD School Calendar
Saturday September 14th
-Parent Support Session 2 in MUR @ 9am
Wednesday, September 18th
-Principal Coffee @ 8:30am
Thursday, September 19th
-MVWSD Board of Trustee Meeting @ 6pm - Zoom Link
-ImPACT Training in RM 7 @ 7pm
Monday, September 23rd
-ELAC Meeting @ 4:15pm - Zoom Link
Tuesday, September 24th
-Picture Day!
SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
2024-2025 Stevenson Bell Schedule
September 2024 Lunch Menu
School Year Calendar - plan your 24-25 vacation using the school vacation times!
From the Library: Record a question for the author!
We are having the best-selling author of the Spy School series, Stuart Gibbs, speak to our students virtually next week as part of our subscription to BookBreak. Your child can submit a question for the author talk which may be shown to hundreds of schools on the nationwide livestream!
How to submit a video:
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The videos can be recorded on a smartphone. There is no need for any special equipment.
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Take the videos in landscape orientation (i.e. hold your phone sideways)
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Be aware of what is in the background. A blank wall or door is best.
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There cannot be any background noise.
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Be sure that we can see your child’s whole face straight on in good lighting.
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Students should state their first name, school name, and state. (Example: Hi, I'm Eva from Washington Elementary in California. I was wondering...)
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Only record one question per video, no more than 20 seconds long
Submit your question here by Friday, September 13. BookBreak will let us know if one of our students has been chosen. For more information, please see this flyer.
Picture Day - Tuesday, September 24th
Mark your calendars for picture day on Tuesday September 24th!
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook
- Instagram - @stevenson__elementary
- Facebook - @StevensonElem
Reporting Absences
Please call the office at (650) 903-6950 or email Stevenson Attendance [email protected] to report an absence or late arrival. Provide the following information: date of absence, student’s name, grade and room number, reason for absence, name and relationship of the person reporting the absence.
MVWSD News
Parent University: The Science of Reading, Part 2
Date and Time: September 24, 2024, 5:30-7:00pm Registration Link: mvw.sd/pu092424r
In this second part of a two-part series, we will briefly recap part one and continue to learn more about the Science of Reading, particularly the importance of background knowledge and vocabulary for reading comprehension. We will discuss what that means for your child at school, and how you can support them at home. If you missed part one (in which we discussed phonics and word reading), you can watch or listen to the recording at mvwsd.org/parentu
About the speaker: Dr. Cyndee Nguyen is MVWSD’s Director of Early Literacy. She leads district efforts to ensure that all students, especially those of early elementary age, develop into capable and confident readers. Previously, Dr. Nguyen was a teacher and the principal of Bubb Elementary School.
To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your question during the session. Can’t make it this time? No problem - we always post the recordings a few days later at mvwsd.org/parentu
Join us on our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) journey
We are seeking applicants to join the MVWSD 2024-2025 SEL Curriculum Adoption Committee, where our focus will be Social Emotional Learning curriculum adoption. If you are interested in being a part of this moment in our SEL journey, please complete this application by September 20, 2024.
The SEL Curriculum Adoption Committee is seeking participants from all members of our District community, however it must be primarily composed of MVWSD teachers. We will meet up to 11 times this school year between October and April, including 3 Saturdays. The objective of this committee is to examine stakeholder input, SEL curriculum options, engage in a curriculum pilot, and make recommendation(s) to the Board of Trustees for adoption. Applying neither commits you, nor guarantees a seat on the committee. Following your application, you will be provided with next steps. Apply here: http://mvw.sd/SELCommittee
Join the MVWSD Budget Advisory Committee (BAC)
Are you passionate about education and financial transparency? Do you want to help the district allocate its resources to ensure the biggest benefit for students? The Mountain View Whisman School District announces the formation of its new Budget Advisory Committee, and we need YOU!
About the BAC: The Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) is an essential advisory group that collaborates with the District to review, analyze, and make recommendations about the budget to the Superintendent. The goal is to ensure that the district’s financial decisions align with the strategic plan and meet the needs of our diverse students, staff, and community.
Roles & Responsibilities:
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Review and Analyze: Examine the district’s budget, revenue sources, and expenditures to understand financial trends and projections.
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Provide Input: Offer feedback and recommendations on budget priorities, cost-saving measures that minimize the impact on student learning and staff welfare, and revenue enhancement opportunities.
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Engage: Serve as a liaison between the district and the broader community, sharing information and gathering input from stakeholders.
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Collaborate: Work with other committee members to develop practices that support the district’s educational goals.
Member Makeup: We are seeking a diverse group of members to ensure comprehensive representation across our district, including parents and community members
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Meetings: The BAC will meet quarterly, with additional meetings as needed during the budget season.
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Outside of meetings: Members may be asked to review data and documents, or participate in community engagement outside of regular BAC meetings
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Participation: We ask that members commit to attending at least 75% of meetings and actively participate in discussions and subcommittees.
How to Apply: Complete the online application here by September 23, 2024.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: There is Help. There is Hope.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available to provide help and hope. This lifeline is for any need: Call or Text 988 or online at 988lifeline.org https://988lifeline.org.
Suicide impacts millions of people across the U.S., touching every community. As parents, caregivers, educators, and neighbors, we all have a role to play in preventing suicide. During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (#SPM24), it’s vital to learn how to support those around us and recognize the signs of someone in crisis.
By coming together, we can create a stronger, more compassionate community where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported. Learning the warning signs and risk factors of suicide is key to offering hope to those struggling. By listening, sharing resources, and talking openly about mental health, we can save lives.
Let’s work together to offer support, prevent tragedy, and build a future where everyone feels valued. #SuicidePreventionMonth
If you or someone you know is in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available to provide help and hope. This lifeline is for any need: Call or Text 988 or online at 988lifeline.org https://988lifeline.org.
Better Together: September
A classroom is more than just four walls and desks - it's a vibrant community where students learn, grow, and support each other. #BetterTogether in September highlights how each student contributes their unique talents and perspectives to create a rich learning environment. September 15th also marks the beginning of Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month. Look out for some additional content mid-month. For more information about Better Together, visit mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD
Ask your student about their MVEF-funded classes
A few of your student’s favorite teachers and classes are probably funded by MVEF.
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An extra ELA teacher at each middle school means more manageable class sizes.
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Art & Music teachers from CSMA and plant science instruction from Living Classroom will begin enriching the experiences of elementary students this month.
The generosity of MVEF donors makes these things possible. To become an MVEF donor or renew your gift for the current school year, click here.
PACT FOUNDATION UPDATES
Parent Support continues this week
Parent Support runs a 3 module course to help all new families integrate into our tight knit community and prepare you for in class volunteering. One person from each new family is expected to attend all 3 modules. Returning families should attend 1 module. Our second module delves into Responsive Classroom, the Stevenson conflict resolution process, and specifics for volunteering during lunch and recess.
Module 2: Thursday 9/12 from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM OR Saturday 9/14* from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (sign up for babysitting by 9/9)
Module 3: Thursday 10/3 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM OR Saturday 10/5 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (sign up for babysitting by 9/30)
*We will have a fingerprinting vendor on site at our Saturday, September 14 session. Please come to the session with your live scan form from the district. Cost is $62 by credit card. Sign up here.
FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series: Peggy Orenstein
Let’s Talk About Sex: How a New Generation Navigates Hookups, Porn, Love & Consent
Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 7PM, Los Altos High School - Eagle Theater
In this talk, Orenstein combines her research with voices of both boys and girls (as well as those between or beyond genders), to discuss the impact on high school and college students’ sexual scripts of mainstream media, social media and porn; hookup culture; changing expectations around consent; the politics of sexual pleasure; the diversity of sexual orientations; gendered power dynamics. With humor and compassion, she separates myth from reality, ultimately giving parents, educators and young people the conversational tools they need to ensure safe, pleasurable, mutually satisfying sexual encounters and intimate relationships. Register for this free event here.
Ravenswood Mayview Flu Vaccine Clinics
Free Community Flu Vaccine Clinics are happening from October 5th through December 7th (schedule is below). You do not have to be a patient of Ravenswood Family Health Network to get your flu shot. Any child ages 3 years and older can receive a flu vaccine at any one of our clinics. See attached flyers or visit https://ravenswoodfhn.org/service/flu/ for more information.
FLYERS
Flu Clinic Flyer