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Message from Superintendent Paul Johnson
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 Dear Mill Valley School District Community,
I would like to draw your attention to the photograph directly below.
At last month's meeting, the board recognized the key stakeholders that have made the Shared Solutions approach to our budget crisis so effective. A tremendous thank you to Kiddo!, PTA, and our MVSD employees for stepping forward to help the district get through rough financial waters!
During the months of February and March, we will be busy working on a Strategic Plan refresh. This is a great opportunity to undergo visioning for the future. All parents will receive a strategic planning survey in the next week asking for input. I encourage all families to offer up feedback about the future direction of our great school district.
The world is changing around us and in order for the United States to continue leading the way on the world stage, our school system must lay the foundation for future success. Where else in the State would there be a better place for laying such a foundation than in Mill Valley? Look for further information about our strategic planning efforts in this issue of E-News and in upcoming communications from the District.
Thanks for your ongoing support of the Mill Valley School District!
Yours in education,
Paul Johnson, Superintendent
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The MVSD Board recognized our PTA's, Mill Valley Teachers Association (MVTA), our Classified School Employees Association(CSEA) and Kiddo! for working collaboratively on finding solutions to the District's financial challenges. Representatives from each group took a moment to celebrate at a reception prior to the January School Board meeting.
Bottom row-From left to right: Tracy Ferron, Park School PTA; Erin Conklin and Linda Brune, MVTA; Stacy Wooley, CSEA; Kim Kirley, MVTA; Lisa Baldwin, PTA Council, Sophia Ferro, Middle School
PTA.
Middle row: Kira Keane, Kiddo!; Alex Norris and Jennifer Forshan, Strawberry Point PTA; Robin Moses, School Board; Trisha Garlock, Kiddo!; Jackie Broad, Kiddo!; Dawn King, Tam Valley PTA; Mari Allen, Edna Maguire PTA; Leslie Wachtel, School Board; Caroline Joachim and Karen Meezan, Old Mill PTA.
Top row: Raoul Wertz, School Board; Evan Lloyd, MVTA; Dave Rintelman, CSEA; Bob Jacobs, School Board; Paul Johnson, Superintendent.
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Strategic Plan Refresh
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Mill Valley School District's current Strategic Plan consists of four main goal areas: High Levels of Student Learning, Excellent Staff, Sound Finance and Infrastructure, Communication and Community Inclusion. See details here. This current plan is due to expire at the end of this school year which provides an opportunity to assess our current progress and plot our forward direction for the next three years. There will be a combination of online surveys for parents, Town Hall meetings, and focus groups for the school community to provide input.
Join us at a Town Hall Meeting!
Town Hall Meeting #1 February 25, 6 PM, Middle School Library
Town Hall Meeting #2 February 26, 9 AM, Middle School Conference Room
Take an Online Survey!
The Strategic Plan online survey will be sent out in the coming week and will be available on our website.
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Edna Maguire on the Rise!
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At the Edna Maguire campus there are some exciting developments. A massive crane has arrived to assist construction workers in building the gymnasium and library/classroom complex. In addition, the steel frame is starting to rise from the foundation!
For more facilities modernization news visit our website
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Kindergarten Registration Dates in February | |
Time to Register for Kindergarten! 
When: Thursday, February 7, 1:00-7:00 PM
Monday, February 11, 1:00-7:00 PM
Where: Mill Valley School District Office, 411 Sycamore Ave. (Adjacent to the Mill Valley Middle School entrance.)
A child is eligible for public school Kindergarten if he/she will be 5 years old on or before October 1, 2013. For important information about Kindergarten registration including required forms click here.
Questions about Kindergarten registration? Please email Barb Kent, Registrar at bkent@mvschools.org or call 415-389-7700.
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Tam High Students Honored for Their Volunteer Work at Tam Valley
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The Mill Valley School District Board was pleased to recognize Tamalpais High School students Ben Fritz and Carlos Lopez, and their teacher, Jane Hall, for their extraordinary dedication and service to the second grade students at Tam Valley Elementary School. Ben and Carlos have been volunteering in the classroom for the last couple of years and the students look forward to their visits. Tam Valley School Principal Gail van Adelsberg and second grade teachers Linda Brune and Andrew Thompson spoke of Ben and Carlos' patience and dedication in helping the 2nd graders each week. They also suggested these two students pursue a career in education! Thank you Ben, Carlos, and Jane!
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From Left to Right: Tam High student Ben Fritz, Superintendent Paul Johnson, Tam High student Carlos Lopez, Tam High teacher Jane Hall, School Baord Member Bob Jacobson, Tam Valley Principal Gail van Adelsberg, Tam Valley teacher Linda Brune, School Board member Raoul Wertz, School Board member Robin Moses, Tam Valley teacher Andrew Thompson, School Board president Leslie Wachtel.
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How the Measure B Parcel Tax Affects Our Schools |
- The purpose of Measure B is to retain our highly qualified teachers and maintain our core academic programs. The measure will be used to maintain MVSD programs, not to enhance them.
- This parcel tax cost $196 per parcel and will generate 1.96 million per year in revenue for the next 8 years.
- This funding does not replace categorical program funding taken away by the State.
- Every dollar raised by the parcel tax stays right here in our community and cannot be taken away by the State.
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Immigration Day at Old Mill
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 | Old Mill 2nd Graders aboard "the steerage" on their passage to
the United States as part of Old Mill's Immigration Day. |
As part of a second grade social studies unit, students at Old Mill School learn about family history and immigration through books and related activities. Immigration Day is an immersion activity related to this unit of study. On this day all second grade students dress up as an immigrant ancestor and take part in a role-playing situation. They leave the old country, board a ship to America, and arrive at Ellis Island, circa 1900. They go through customs where they are questioned, examined by medical doctors, subjected to various tests, and quizzed for their eligibility for US citizenship before being admitted.
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Stay Healthy! Everyday Preventative Actions That Can Help Fight Germs | |
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a three-step approach to fighting influenza (flu). The first and most important step is to get a flu vaccination each year. But if you get the flu, there are prescription antiviral drugs that can treat your illness. Early treatment is especially important for the elderly, the very young, people with certain chronic health conditions, and pregnant women. Finally, everyday preventive actions may slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory (nose, throat, and lungs) illnesses, like flu.
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