PVSD News Sept. 4, 2019

Portola Valley School District Parent Newsletter

September 4, 2019

Message From the Superintendent

We've been in school about two weeks now and what a great start it has been! I hope your family has settled in well to the new year. Our schools got off to a great start with 550 students, compared with 574 students last school year, a decrease of 24 students. We are proud to welcome five new teachers to our district: Josina-Els Bol, CMS band; Azadeh Malek, CMS math; Christine Hollies, CMS sixth grade core; Tiffany Hsieh, CMS English language arts; and Priscilla Auer Welsh, Ormondale first grade.

The Portola Valley Schools Foundation truly helps us make our school extraordinary places for learning! Stay tuned for more information about PVSF’s generous funding of FANfare 2019 projects. Here is a sneak peek...

At Ormondale School, staff will be continuing work on a Zero Waste Initiative started last school year. The schools foundation helped fund new bins purchased to help children learn how to properly sort their recyclable materials from landfill and compost.

At Corte Madera school, Brook Coffee will teach students about the environment and plants in the school's garden. Topics include aromatherapy, the health benefits of gardening and maintaining and designing a garden.

And, in case you missed it, The Almanac has recently reported on our district’s upcoming board election and board member resignation . I would like to thank all of our dedicated board members for their service to our district!

Roberta Zarea, Portola Valley District Superintendent

There is a rising tide of stress and anxiety surrounding our youth today, with unprecedented pressure to achieve at all costs. Join Challenge Success for an evening of education and inspiration with best-selling author and psychologist, Lisa Damour, to learn more about the value of healthy stress, the risks of unhealthy stress, and practical solutions for how families and schools can support kids to have balanced and fulfilling lives through K-12, college, and beyond. Students, parents, and educators are welcome to attend.

Purchase Tickets to the Event Here

District CAASPP Results

CAASPP - the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress - are computer-based assessments in English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics. Last spring, PVSD students in grades 3-8 participated in the 2019 CAASPP and completed two Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBAC) - one in English Language Arts/Literacy and the other in Mathematics.

In Portola Valley School District, in all tested grades, 87% percent of students met or exceeded California’s English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) standards and 84% percent of students met or exceeded State standards in Mathematics.

For more information about CAASPP Results, click here

CAASPP Student Score Reports

Soon you will receive information on how you can access Student Score Reports electronically through the parent portal on PowerSchool.

The Student Score Report shows scores for ELA and mathematics. It includes an overall score for each subject and information about how well your child did in different areas. Students in grades four through eight who took the test in previous years will also see past scores so you can see your child’s progress over time.

To learn more about your child’s scores, go to the new parent web page called Starting Smarter .

For more information about CAASPP Student Score Reports, click here

Construction & Facilities

The roofing at Ormondale is now complete! Over the summer, the metal barrel roof of the MUR sealed and coated to prevent further leaks. New gutters were installed and the low slope built up roof was replaced and the existing ductwork on the rear of the MUR was restored.

Over the summer, numerous areas of dry rot were repaired on the buildings at Corte Madera School. The south facing side of the main office building was repaired, rotted beams on the 500 and 700 wing were replaced and a failed section of the fascia on the District Office was replaced.