WELCOME TO THE 20-21 SCHOOL YEAR!
VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION- PLEASE READ ALL!
August 12, 2020
Dear Families,
Welcome Back! It goes without saying that this has been a year like a no other, but I do hope that each and every one of you had a safe and restful break. My family and I normally venture off on one or two road trips over vacation. This year, we slept in, read books, camped and picnicked in the backyard, and Facetimed everyone we knew. We’ve missed being in the company of friends and visiting crowded beaches and venues, but it has also been a beautiful time to strengthen ourselves as a family unit. I hope that years from now, my children will look back fondly on the simple pleasures we shared together. I hope this for you, too.
If you’ve been reading my updates and watching board meetings, you already know that the road to opening school has taken many twists and turns. Our entire staff has been busily planning for our August 17th reopening. 100% of Palo Verde teachers completed the district's Modern Pedagogies professional development series in preparation for this new year. They have been in constant communication with their teaching partners- many have even begun planning and creating content together.
Throughout the year, you can expect us to remain in regular communication through a number of different channels. Teachers will communicate about what is happening in your children’s classrooms through Schoology. Principal Updates will be sent every Wednesday by me. And, while we are in this Covid-19 situation, the Superintendent’s office has committed sending weekly updates each Friday. Be also on the lookout for newsletters and information from our PTA!
Whether or not it is in person, or online we are fully committed to making this year the best it can possibly be for you and your children.
Let’s do this!
Much love,
Annora Lee
Principal
Class Placements
Your child's class placement information will be emailed today. We have had a tight turn around this year due to our changing enrollment and staffing. Thank you for your patience as we made these adjustments. Your support for our process as we consider the individual needs of all students is greatly appreciated.
Important Dates
Sadly, we are unable to reopen our campus with the same fanfare and community events as we have in the past. We are working on finding creative ways to maintain community in this age of social distancing. Until then, please mark your calendars for the following items:
- Wednesday, August 12 - Class placements sent to families
- Thursday, August 13- Welcome messages from the classroom teacher sent
- Friday, August 14 - Student Materials Pickup
- Monday, August 17 - First Day of School
- Tuesday, August 18 - Back to School Night
**For Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students: Your child's teacher will be reaching out to set up a special "Meet and Greet" session. Be on the lookout for an invitation from them :)
First Day of School - Monday, August 17, 2020
The first day of school is Monday, August 17, 2020. The school day begins at 8:30 AM via ZOOM.
Students will log into our Learning Management System, Schoology, to access their classroom Zoom link. Each teacher has a classroom Schoology course, which is how all communication with students and parents will occur. You will find assignments, teacher feedback, Zoom links to synchronous instruction, a calendar of events and assignment deadlines, and much more. Schoology is our virtual classroom platform. Teachers will also have access to SeeSaw within Schoology to use in the primary grades primarily.
Know that teachers are planning to build strong new classroom communities and positive relationships with their students during the first few weeks of school. They have creative and engaging ways to get to know each child and help students bridge the virtual divide, so they feel comfortable and excited about school. Our expert teachers will guide students through their new schedules, Schoology, SeeSaw, Zoom, and a variety of other school resources to ensure that their children feel successful learning in this new way.
Please see the sample schedules for Kindergarten and grades 1-5. Teachers will send out their weekly and daily schedules with students and parents via Schoology.
IMPORTANT!!!! TK-2nd Graders- YOU NEED A QR CODE!!!!
For students in grades 3-4, login will require children to type in their Student ID# and password.
Accessing Schoology
Distance Learning will include teachers using a variety of technology tools to instruct students, including Seesaw, Google Slides, video recording, and Zoom. Parents and students can access Schoology by logging in to the ID Portal clicking the ID Portal on our Palo Verde or the PAUSD website. Click "ID Portal" on the top left corner.
It is highly recommended that all parents take the “PAUSD Schoology Backpack” course in your Schoology account. You can watch this course with your children. Know that teachers will be walking their students through Schoology several times throughout the first few weeks of school.
Click below for instructions on how to Log In to the ID Portal!
Trouble accessing? Don't be shy- Submit a help ticket on Let's Talk!
THIS FRIDAY! Pick up your QR Code and School Supplies!!!
- Families only come at the time of their oldest child's pickup window
- Prepare a sign on your dashboard with the student's LAST NAME, along with grade levels your child(ren) is/are in. If you have signed up for a computer, also write CHROMEBOOK on the sign.
- Do not get out of your car. Someone from our distribution team will place the items in your back trunk.
Pickup Windows:
- 9-11am- Students in grades TK-2
- 11-2pm- Students in grades 3-5
Back to School Night is Tuesday, August 18th.
Back to School Night times will be staggered to accommodate families with multiple children at Palo Verde. The BTSN schedules will be sent after school resumes, and ZOOM links shred by your classroom teacher.
- 5:00-5:30- Principal's welcome
- 5:35-6:20- TK-2nd Grade Presentations
- 6:25-7:10- 3rd - 5th Grade Presentations
Join PTA and get a piece of the PiE!
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and Partners in Education (PiE) are critical parts of our school’s community. The academic and social/emotional programs they support are integral in providing every Palo Verde student with a well-rounded education. Be on the lookout for more information on how to get involved. Without the support of these partners, our school simply is not the same. Click here for this year's PTA Welcome Letter by Palo Verde co-presidents, Martha Mitchell and Na'ama Porat.
PTA's mission is to support the student experience by cultivating a strong community, we well as providing classrooms with the materials you need. The supplies sent home this Friday are just one example of how our wonderful this Parent-Teacher organization puts every dollar raised to work for our children. This year, they are asking for a $50 per/student contribution to assist with the supplies and materials. The link to pay for these essential supplies is here via our “One Check Form”: http://pvpta.schoolauction.net/1check202021/
Now more than ever, our community is in need of supportive parent voices. Please become a member! Your $12 membership entitles you to vote at all association meetings. The first association meeting will be Thursday, August 13th at 7pm. A Zoom link will be sent out in advance.
Staffing Updates
Fond Farewells~ Over the summer, longtime 4th grade teacher Trebor Winslow decided to accept a position at nearby Fairmeadow Elementary. Additionally, third grade teacher Ms. Wilde will not be teaching third grade this year. Both promise to keep in touch!
Warm Welcomes~ This year we welcome a few new faces to the Palo Verde Staff (see below for bios):
Teachers:
· Barbara Carlson ~ Transitional Kindergarten (Room 2)
· Katherine Sullivan ~ 3rd grade (Room 12)
· Jeuen “Gracie” Kim~ 4th grade (Room 14)
· Mangla Oza~ 4th grade (Room 17)
· April Nguyen ~ Education Specialist (Room 9)
Returning teachers changing grade levels:
- Athena Foley ~ 4th grade (Room 16)
- LilyAnn Stolp ~ 3rd grade (Room 13)
Introducing New Staff
Barbara Carlson
I’m Barbara Carlson and will be new to your school this fall. I’ve taught in the district for the past 15 years, but I’ve been teaching Transitional Kindergarten for the past 7 years at Greendell School. Now our team of 4 classes will be spread throughout the district and I am fortunate to be coming to Palo Verde.
I absolutely love teaching TK students and helping them adjust to school. I get to watch each student gain confidence, become independent, and develop their love of learning. This fall will be an especially challenging year for every grade and I will share that process with you.
Some of my interests are hiking, snorkeling, lingering in coffee shops to read or journal, and face timing with my family. My family lives out of state and I live alone, so I consider my colleagues at school my extended family. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you.
Grace Kim
Hellooo PALO VERDE! Super stoked to join the team!!
My name is Grace Kim and I am originally from O'ahu, Hawai'i. I did my undergrad at University of the Pacific (I was fooled by the name since it is no where near the Pacific Ocean) and got my masters at Johns Hopkins through Teach for America. This upcoming year will be my sixth year teaching, all in 4th grade! When I am not at school, you can find me at the gym, drinking coffee, or attempting my next "big" project. Can't wait to meet you all!
Katherine Sullivan
Mangla Oza
It has always been my wish to work at Palo Verde and when the opportunity came, I could not resist! I am excited to start the new school year as part of the Palo Verde community.
I am a mother, grandmother and a National Board-Certified teacher. I received my undergraduate and graduate degrees, in English Literature and Language, from the University of Calcutta in India. I received my Teaching Credential from San Jose State and have been in the education profession for 26 years. In 2003 I got National Board Certification and renewed it in 2013. I continue to grow professionally by attending conferences and workshops in new best practices.
My first experience with PAUSD was as a parent; my son attended Palo Verde! I taught fifth grade in Milpitas before moving to Palo Alto to teach third grade. After teaching at Duveneck for 17 years in grades 3 and 5, I became a TOSA and Instructional Coach for Math across PAUSD. I led the pilot and adoption of the new math curriculum from 2015-2017 and the adoption of the new social studies curriculum in 2017-2018. Working with teachers and students at all grade levels in the district has given me the insight and flexibility to work with students of all ages. I took a leave of absence in 2018-2019 school year to take care of my husband’s health and returned in 2019-2020 as a grade 4 teacher at Briones School.
I have taken many leadership roles at the school and district level: Math Lead Teacher, Literacy Lead, Member of the District Social Studies Committee, Student Council Coordinator, Conflict Manager Coordinator, GATE Lead, Art Lead, Technology Lead, and District Equity Team member. In addition, I have led and facilitated several Math, Writing, and Social Studies Curriculum Workshops for teachers at the district level. I have also helped develop curriculum materials for math and social studies.
I live in Palo Alto with my husband, and last year we were blessed with our first grandchild.
I enjoy yoga, traveling, walking, reading, cooking and spending quality time with my family and friends!
April Nguyen
Annora Lee, principal
Email: alee@pausd.org
Website: https://paloverde.pausd.org/
Location: 3450 Louis Road, Palo Alto, CA, USA
Phone: 650-856-1672