important dates & district news | |
Click on the calendar to see full PTO calendar. | |
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- 11/10: PTO Board Meeting, 9am zoom
- 11/11: VETERANS DAY, No School
- Week of 11/23: THANKSGIVING BREAK
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Week of 11/9: 3rd graders return two full days per week (T, F)
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Week of 11/9: PVVA begins for 3rd grade
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Week of 11/30: In-person learning increases to four full days per week for 2nd and 3rd grade (M, T, Th, F)
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PARENT EDUCATION
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11/10: CG Speaker Series, Raising Anti-Racist Kids: Activating the Next Generation
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Week of 11/9: 5th graders return two days per week (T, F)
Week of 11/9: PVVA begins for 5th grade
Week of 11/30: In-person learning increases to four full days per week for 4th and 5th grade (M, T, Th, F)
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COVID-19 TESTING OPTIONS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
The County of San Mateo offers no-cost testing for COVID-19 for children age 5 and older — a new option that expands the County’s testing capacity. The test is a simple-to-use oral mouth swab test that is self-administered for children and families in partnership with Curative Inc., a rapid diagnostics firm based in Southern California. Curative has the capacity to test over 500 individuals each day at the Event Center with results available typically within 48 hours. Appointments for the drive-through testing at the San Mateo County Event Center are available weekdays from 1 to 8 p.m. Click here to make an appointment: https://curative.com/sites/8893?date=2020-10-20#9/37.5424/-122.2903
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FACE COVERINGS
Please remember to bring two facial coverings to school. One already properly on the face upon arrival, and one spare just in case. Remember, as Nurse Abbe says, "facial coverings are like underwear, we need to wear a clean one every day." We do have disposal masks for children who forget theirs or need a clean one. Click the button below to see a great resource that Nurse Abbe has put together for all things face covering related. From tips and tricks to get your kids to wear them to good places to buy them. Also a reminder: Neck Gaiters or Bandannas Masks with Ventilation Valves or Vents are not permitted for use at school.
One of our very generous families donated a large amount of backup masks at Ormondale. They have been getting rave reviews from the kids, if you would like to purchase your own, CLICK HERE.
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PTO DISCOUNTS & PARTNERSHIPS
Please support the PTO through our partner programs!
Amazon Smile - earn $ for the PTO with each Amazon purchase!
Escrip - earn $ for the PTO with purchases at retailers such as Bianchini's and PV Garage.
Mabel's Labels - earn $ for the PTO with purchases of labels for all your kids' stuff!
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Home Room Parents
As we move to a new model of learning (either PVVA or Hybrid) there has been some question about Home Room Parents.
We anticipate there will be a fair amount of moving from PVVA to distance learning and vice versa at each decision point. There is also a plan for students to stay in their original classes as they move in and out of PVVA. Parents that have decided to keep their children home will continue to receive PTO and school wide communications from their original HRP.
If there is communication that is specific to PVVA or community building events that are specific to PVVA we will have a designated parent to handle those tasks.
If you would like to volunteer as the PVVA liaison or if there are any questions, please contact Sara Atkins: [email protected].
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PICK UP/DROP OFF REMINDERS
Please do not drop off any earlier than your designated drop off time.
If your child arrives late they should ring the doorbell on the front door of the office so that their temperature can be taken and then be walked to class.
If driving, please drive all the way to the front of the drop-off area. Do not stop at your designated entry to let your child out of the car. This slows the flow of traffic for everyone.
Children should never be let out of the car on the driver's side. Children should always exit the car from the passenger side.
If you are walking your child to school, please do not walk them all the way to their entry. This causes congestion and makes it difficult for staff to move cars forward and get kids out of cars quickly and safely.
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PVVA THIRD GRADE STUDENTS
Monday 11/9: The Portola Valley Virtual Academy (PVVA) begins for 3rd graders who are continuing full distance learning.
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HYBRID THIRD GRADE STUDENTS
Please remember to check temperatures before leaving your home and don't forget
- Facemask (plus 1 extra)
- A filled water bottle
- Fully charged Chromebook
- Headphones
- A small healthy snack for recess
- Lunch
- Dress in layers (jacket)
- Please leave all toys at home
The drop-off window for third-grade hybrid students is from 8:25 a.m to 8:35 a.m. on Tuesday and Friday. Third grade students should be in their classrooms by 8:40 a.m. You will drop your child off in the regular drop-off area in the front of the school. They will enter campus in the area designated for them (this will be clearly marked on Tuesday). Parents may not walk their child onto campus. If you walk to school with your child they will need to enter in the designated third grade entry. If you are driving, please ensure that your child is seated on the passenger side of the car so that he/she can quickly and safely exit the car. Dismissal for third graders will be at xx a.m. in the regular pick-up area.
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Hybrid Second Grade Students
Second graders will be on campus on Monday and Thursday from 8:30am to 2:00pm (drop off between 8:15 and 8:25) this week and every week until the week of November 30th.
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5TH GRADERS
Week of 11/9: 5th grade students who have selected the hybrid option return to campus on Tuesdays and Fridays and the Portola Valley Virtual Academy (PVVA) begins for 5th graders who are continuing full distance learning.
For those returning to campus, please remember to check temperatures before leaving your home and don't forget your face covering (plus a spare), water bottle, and backpack. Please leave all toys at home and dress in layers for outdoor learning.
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PARENTS OF 8TH GRADERS
If your child is applying to a Private School, please make sure to let Susan Outland know in the front office. All materials, recommendations, transcript requests must be in by Friday, December 4th so they can be completed on time by teachers, staff and administrators. Also, there is a $25 processing fee per private school application. Checks can be made out to PVSD.
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Common Ground Speaker Series Upcoming Event
RAISING ANTI-RACIST KIDS
Activating the Next Generation
Featuring Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD
In conversation with Allison Briscoe-Smith, PhD
Tues. Nov. 10th
4pm-5:15pm PST
Online Zoom Webinar: Register to Attend (Registration closes at 2pm the day of the event)
Through generations of systemic racism, our nation has failed to protect and value Black children and families. Beyond just learning about racism and the inequity that abounds in our communities, the issue of racial justice also requires action. Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum and Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith will focus on how we, as parents, can play an active role in building an anti-racist society and supporting a future where all children are valued. Parents will hear practical advice for talking about race and inspiring kids to fight for racial equity.
For event registration and details, visit the Common Ground website.
As a reminder, prior virtual events, including videos of the Markham, College Panel and Kastner events are posted to the password protected page on Common Ground’s website. Please contact Anne Fazioli-Khiari ([email protected]) or Teri Wolf ([email protected]) for access.
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Parenting in Place Masterclass
After a well-reviewed summer series, Parenting in Place has announced their fall series of online webinars to help support parents through these challenging times.
Cost: $39 to preregister, $49 last minute registration. Please note: a community member has offered to help with financial assistance for those who would like to attend this series. Please email [email protected] to request assistance.
Timing: 8 weeks Nov 17 - Jan 19; sessions are recorded and can be viewed after the original broadcast.
Topics include conversations on:
- Screens and Social Media
- Designing Your Life
- Parenting Adolescents
- Young Children
- Race, School Culture and Anti-Racist Parenting Support
- Children’s Social and Emotional Well-Being
- Expectations, Homework, and Executive Function
- A closing moderated Town Hall
For more info or to register: https://www.parentinginplacemasterclass.com
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funding our fantastic nurse abbe
In an ongoing effort to ensure the safety of all students, the Portola Valley Schools Foundation is funding an additional day of services from District Nurse Abbe Keane.
Nurse Abbe has been part of the District for nearly two decades but for much of that time only worked one day a week. In recent years through a grant from Sequoia Health Care, she increased to twice weekly. But now with the pandemic, Nurse Abbe splits three days a week between Ormondale and Corte Madera.
Since the beginning of summer, Nurse Abbe has been involved in planning for the safety of teachers, staff and students; training staff in protocols, arranging Covid testing, and ensuring that the District complies with County safety guidelines – all while watching carefully for any signs of illness in our schools. If and when it becomes necessary, she will manage the response to any cases that develop during the year and do contact tracing. “It’s just an incredible amount of work,” Abbe says. “It’s a whole new job description for us as nurses.”
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All community news is posted on the pto website
HERE ARE THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS!
For details, click the orange Community News button below and scroll through the listings.
- DONATE YOUR TOYS TO KIDS IN NEED
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COLLECTING WARM BLANKETS FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES
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