Lucille M. Nixon School
from the principal
November 6, 2020
Dear Nixon Families,
I want to begin with appreciation for our classroom aides. In our always evolving circumstances, these staff members have been flexible, thoughtful and creative in helping us figure out ways to support our students. They join online class sessions and work with individual or small groups of students. They have spent many hours preparing materials, keeping records of which students have been given which books and bagging it all up for the Book Fairy deliveries. They help both online and in person in our kindergarten classrooms where assistance is often needed with the many hands-on activities. They also provide supervision at recess and lunch. Their ideas and experience have been invaluable as we have worked out how to have half the students eating while the other half plays (in carefully delineated zones) and then smoothly switch the groups while social distancing and get hands washed in the transition. Several of these generous members of our school team have also helped to deliver the boxes of books to our Book Fairies on their own time. The teachers and I are enormously appreciative of the contributions of these staff members to our success in educating the children.
I ask you to keep this in mind as you consider making a contribution to our education foundation, Partners in Education (PiE). Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE) is an incredible partner of our school. Having classroom aides in our schools is only possible because of the generosity of our community in their donations to PiE. In addition to classroom aides, PiE also funds art and music programs and our school counseling. The difference in the school with PiE’s support is remarkable. It would be a very different place without this additional funding.
If you have already donated to PiE this year, thank you for your support. If you have not, I ask you to please consider making a donation now. If you donate or pledge by November 16th, your donation will be matched by a Challenge Grant.
I will be making a donation. Please join me and know that a donation, in whatever amount makes sense for your family, makes a difference to our community and our school.
You can find out all the ways to make a contribution on PiE's website.
For Hybrid Families
It has been a great benefit to have had beautiful weather during the first four weeks of our return to campus. Now our Indian summer seems to be transitioning into fall. I even saw a bit of rain in the forecast. Despite the chillier temperatures and the possibility of rain, we will still want to keep classroom doors open as much as possible. Please be sure to send some warm layers of clothing with your children who are attending in person since they may need a jacket in the classroom.
I can reassure you that our district has gone to considerable lengths to confirm that each of our classrooms exceed the code recommendations for air filtration and ventilation. The district set its own standard at twice the recommended levels for fresh air per occupant. The recommended Merv 13 filters were installed at Nixon. An independent company was hired to test and certify each classroom that is being occupied by students. The tests were all performed with the windows and doors closed to ensure these high standards are met even if the weather makes us want to close things up. Labels have been affixed to each classroom door indicating that they have passed the testing process.
Measure O Parcel Tax
I hope you saw the news that our PAUSD Measure O Parcel Tax passed by a significant margin. These funds are the major reason that we are able to keep class sizes at the elementary level lower than 30-32 students per class. Thanks to everyone who supported this. Have a pleasant weekend. Maybe the presidential election will be resolved!
Take care,
Mary Pat
Lucille M. Nixon School
Email: moconnell@pausd.org
Website: lmnixon.org
Location: 1711 Stanford Avenue, Stanford, CA, USA
Phone: 650-856-1622