November 14, 2024
Dear Stingray Parents and Guardians,
Please join me at the Principal and Superintendent Coffee at 8:15 am. in the MUR on Friday, Nov. 15th. You can also join via Zoom. Our Interim Superintendent, Kevin Skelly, will be joining in the discussion. In addition to leadership changes, we will also be discussing iReady strategies, and the input process for Outdoor Learning and Prop 28.
Due to the passage of Proposition 28, California schools will now receive additional funding for arts and music each year! In addition to our current arts programs, our school will soon have an additional annual budget of approximately $ 53,000 to spend on more arts and music experiences for students, and we need your ideas!
There will be two main ways to share your thoughts:
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Please click here for a brief survey about potential future arts programming. (The students and staff will be given similar surveys at school). This survey will be open until December 15, however I would appreciate your input by Nov. 30 so we can review the survey input at the school-wide meetings.
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Come and hear more about Prop 28 and give input on this topic at these upcoming meetings:
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Prop 28 Arts and Music Input Meeting, Dec. 3 6:30 p.m. (both Zoom and in person) OR Dec 13 at 8:15 a.m. at the Principal’s Coffee (Note: these two meetings are combined with the input sessions for the draft design plan for ST Outdoor Learning).
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ELAC Meeting, Dec 4 6:00 p.m. in person
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SSC Meeting Dec. 16 5:30 p.m. via Zoom
Your input is valued and an important part of our process. To learn more about Proposition 28, click here.
Last but not least, thank you for all the well wishes on my upcoming retirement! We have 2.5 more months together and I will be working closely with the interim principal to support them in closing out the remaining weeks of the school year. I have every confidence in the Pact Board and in our staff to have a strong third trimester!
Warm Regards,
Terri Lambert
Principal, Stevenson Elementary
IMPORTANT DATES
2024-2025 MVWSD School Calendar
Thursday, November 14th
-SSC Thurs. Nov. 14 at 6:00 p.m. -Zoom
Friday, November 15th
-Principal’s and Superintendent’s Coffee @ 8:30am - In person in the MUR and also via Zoom
Wednesday, November 20th
-Science of Reading K-2 Parent Workshop in MUR @ 5:30pm
Thursday, November 21st
-Board of Trustee Meeting @ 6pm - Zoom
Monday, November 25th - Friday, November 29th
-No School - Thanksgiving Break
Tuesday, December 3rd
-Outdoor Learning and Prop 28 Parent and Community Input meeting @ 6:30pm - Zoom
SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
2024-2025 Stevenson Bell Schedule
November 2024 Lunch Menu
School Year Calendar - plan your 24-25 vacation using the school vacation times!
Principal Coffee Tomorrow @ 8:15am - Hybrid, MUR & Zoom
Notice of construction starting 11/18 on Montecito
Please see message from construction company:
"We are scheduled to start off-site work in the street in front of our site at 1265 Montecito Ave on 11/18/2024.
This work will be 2 consecutive weeks in the street (11/18-12/2). During this time there will be traffic control in place starting at 7:30am-4;30pm directing thru traffic.
Signs, flaggers, and cones will all be in place for easy access and easy flow of traffic. Please advise all parties to slow through the cone zone and allow a little extra time for drop-offs and pickups.
Safety first.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation."
Science of Reading K-2 Parent Workshop - Wednesday, November 20th @ 5:30pm
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Science of Reading workshop! This engaging session is designed for parents and caregivers who want to support their children's literacy development. You will learn about the latest research on effective reading instruction and discover practical strategies to help your child become a confident reader at home and in the classroom.
Join us to explore how children learn to read and how you can play a vital role in fostering a love for reading. We can't wait to see you there!
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
Parenting Tweens & Teens in the Digital Era - Supporting Dialogue and Strategies for Building Healthy Tech Habits
Date and Time: November 19, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Registration: mvw.sd/pu111924r
My Digital TAT2 returns to Parent University with updated topics! This workshop will empower parents with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of raising tech-savvy, digitally responsible children. We will address common tech issues such as texting dilemmas, online friendship drama, and the “Sephora Kids” phenomenon. You’ll also learn a helpful strategy called The Digital Loop that can help you and your family build awareness around each person’s tech use.
To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your questions during the session.
Parent University Speaker Series: Understanding Your Child’s Score Reports
Date and Time: December 3, 2024, 5:30-7pm Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/pu120324r
Understanding your child’s district and state test scores is a key part of building a foundation of excellence. Join Swati Dagar, our Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment as she discusses how to (i) access and interpret score reports and (ii) use the information to engage in a productive partnership with your child’s teacher(s).
To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
Better Together: November & December
As we enter the vibrant months of November and December, our school community embarks on a meaningful journey exploring the rich tapestry of cultures that make our community unique and special. During these months, we focus on three important themes that help us understand and celebrate our differences while building stronger connections with each other: Celebrating diverse communities while acknowledging Native American Heritage Month and Special Education Awareness Month. Through these themes, we'll discover that our differences aren't just something to accept – they're something to celebrate. Together, we'll learn how understanding and appreciating each other's unique qualities makes our entire community better. For more information about Better Together, visit mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD.
Attention, GOOGLERS!
It's Giving Day Season, a perfect time and opportunity to consider including MVEF!
With Google’s upcoming end-of-year Benevity campaign, Google employees can donate an additional $400 to the non-profit of their choice using the special Google voucher between November 11 - 22. Please consider donating to MVEF and encourage your Google co-workers to support local public education by donating their voucher also to MVEF! Thank you in advance for your support! Learn more about MVEF here.
Also, have you used your corporate matching programs to double your impact? Check whether your company offers corporate matching! Just click here and follow your employer's instructions.
PACT FOUNDATION UPDATES
The Family Giving Tree Holiday Wish Drive is here!
Participating is completely voluntary, so there’s no pressure—but if you feel like spreading a little extra cheer during your holiday shopping, please consider choosing a gift for a community member in need. There are wish tags for babies, children, teenagers, and seniors, each hoping to receive something special. For many, this might be their only gift, so please keep the value between $25-$50 to ensure a fair experience for everyone. My kids love selecting a tag then finding the perfect present to give.
Wish tags are available in the office, and gifts should be returned by December 3rd. Our Stevenson community has always been incredibly generous, so I requested even more tags this year to meet the enthusiasm!
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Katy Crain on Konstella or at [email protected]. Thank you for making the season brighter!
Update from FUNdraising
Sunday 11/17: Diwali Party
Also- new tee shirts have arrived. Contact Rachael Feldman for details!
Library Fundraiser at Books Inc. on Dec. 9
Don’t miss our annual fundraising event Monday, December 9 from 5pm-8pm at the Mountain View Books Inc. Mrs. Donahue will have grade-level wish lists that families can purchase from to donate to classroom libraries. The Stevenson Library receives a minimum of 15% of every purchase made in store during the event. Books make great holiday gifts, so be sure to tell your friends and family!
FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Learning Challenges events for Fall 2024
For local coverage of issues related to learning challenges and special education, please check out the Learning Challenges Committee http://learningchallenges.lamvptac.org/
For broader coverage, look into the Northwest SCC SELPA CAC
Who’s Who is Serving Our Little Ones? - Planning and Strategies for Children 3-5
From Department of Developmental Services and Palo Alto CAC
November 14, 6-7 pm on Zoom. Register: http://bit.ly/DDSTraining2
Evening Let’s Talk Parent Support group
November 19, 7 pm on Zoom.
IEP/504 support group. Have questions about the process to get help for your child? Have an IEP but are not sure how to make changes? Need to vent? This is your confidential group. Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtfu2hrj0pG9zqGFeTzEnqs1U7cVxTcfl-
Learning Challenges Committee Meeting
December 3, 7:30 pm on Zoom
The LCC is working on providing a support group for parents, and planning to create a wish list for teachers throughout Mountain View and Los Altos for classroom supplies to support sensory needs. Would you like to help? Other ideas to support students and families with learning challenges? Join us here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUld-usrj8tEtNskynSpmorDiYZNt9_KAgq
Morning Let’s Talk Parent Support group
December 19, 10 am on Zoom.
IEP/504 support group. Have questions about the process to get help for your child? Have an IEP but are not sure how to make changes? Need to vent? This is your confidential group. Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrduupqD0vEtSpweFX71KvNAcKW8Csy4D3
Missed past Parent Education events?
We have a YouTube channel with many of our past events including the recent talk on Assistive Technology, info on summer camps and recreational activities, Anxiety and Depression in Children with Learning Challenges, SMART Goals and IEP Troubleshooting, and more. Channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuy7IcVz-4LTDxv2Jaq13nw
MV Public Library: Print Arts Workshop
Join the Mountain View Public Library for a Printmaking Workshop with Calixto Robes on Saturday, November 16 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. You will have the opportunity to create take home print-art with prepared screens. Calixto Robles is a painter and printmaker whose art reflects his Oaxacan heritage. Register here for a start time.
MVLA Speaker Series: BoyMom with Ruth Whippman
Join the next MVLA Speaker Series presentation, “BoyMom: Exploring the Challenges of Raising Men in the Modern Age,” with feminist writer and mother of three boys Ruth Whippman on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 7PM at the Los Altos High School Eagle Theater. Whippman digs into the impossibly contradictory pressures boys now face; and the harmful blind spots of male socialization that are leaving boys isolated, emotionally repressed, and adrift. With wit, honesty, and a refusal to settle for easy answers, Whippman charts a new path to give boys a healthier, more expansive, and fulfilling story about their own lives. Register for this free event here.
MVHS Spartan Turkey Trot
MVHS Sports Boosters is proud to host the 15th Annual Spartan Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning (Thursday, November 28, 2024) at the Mountain View High School Track (3535 Truman Ave, Mountain View, CA). People of all ages are encouraged to participate in the 5k Run & Walk and the Spartan Mile (1-mile). Kids are welcome to participate in the 5k and/or Spartan Mile + the 60/400 yd dash races (aka kids races). All proceeds benefit the MVHS athletics department and supporting teams/clubs. Register at https://www.spartanturkeytrot.com/.
MVHS Tree Lot
MVHS Sports Boosters will be opening up the Annual Spartans Tree Lot on Friday, November 29 at 10 AM for the 2024 season at the Mountain View High School Stadium (3535 Truman Ave.). Spartans Tree Lot offers premium, top-quality trees ranging in size from 3 feet to 12+ feet, holiday decorations, and supplies. In person and online delivery options are available. All proceeds benefit Mountain View High School Athletics. For more information, head to SpartansTreeLot.com.
The View Teen Center: November
The View Teen Center is a free facility in Mountain View (263 Escuela Ave) for all Mountain View and Los Altos 6th - 12th grade students. Drop-in hours are Monday - Friday, 3:15 - 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 1 - 6 p.m. (Closed Monday, Nov. 11 and Nov. 28-30. Extended hours, 1-6 p.m., Nov. 25-27.), and the center features a game room, makerspace, kitchen, computer/study room, and outdoor area. November events include Thanksgiving-themed activities, an improv class, crafts, and much more. For more information, click here.
FLYERS
Turkey Trot
Parenting in DIgital Era
Spartans Tree Lot
Printmaking workshop