Dear Bolinas-Stinson School Families and Community,
I am thrilled to report that our Board of Trustees has approved the Bolinas-Stinson Teachers Association memorandum of understanding regarding the pandemic and school opening. Our board also approved the configuration model that I shared previously, with a few minor changes. Campus/room placements have been removed, pending further discussion. Fifth grade will now be in a cohort with sixth grade with two separate teachers in separate rooms.
I will be sharing information soon about distance learning plans and getting ready for the school year. I look forward to starting another school year in partnership with an amazing staff, supportive parents, and eager students!
Grade Level Assignments for the 2020-21 School Year
I am excited to share the following grade level assignments and welcome two new additions to our teaching staff. Take a look at the stellar homeroom teacher roster below. Please forgive my affinity for alliteration!
Playful Pre-K ~ Victoria Maier and Omar Rifkin
Victoria and Omar will continue to inspire and support our pre-K students with their lively personalities, musical talents, early childhood education expertise, and engaging learning activities.
Kozy Kindergarten ~ Welcome back Karen Buckenmeyer!
Welcome to our new (but familiar and much loved) kindergarten teacher, Karen Buckenmeyer! Karen has gently supported our kindergarten students as a paraeducator for the last seven years and recently earned her multiple subject teaching credential. Karen is thrilled to be our new kindergarten teacher and already knows many of our incoming kindergarten students. She brings a wealth of knowledge about developing integrated, fun, and challenging learning units. Karen has been a resident of Dogtown for the past 24 years. Of her three children, two are graduates of the Bolinas-Stinson School! Karen recently moved “over-the-hill” to facilitate her older children's education, but considers Bolinas-Stinson-Dogtown to be her forever community and looks forward to serving this community for many years to come.
Fantastic First Grade ~ Lauren Pollak
Lauren is returning as our much loved and experienced first grade teacher. Lauren brings laughter, songs, and games to make learning fun and exciting. No matter what she is teaching, Lauren finds a way to make it interesting!
Sensational Second Grade ~ Willow Regnery
Willow is bringing her amazing project based skills and strong technology background to second grade! Willow is looking forward to getting to know her new second grade students and using her vast array of skills to enrich the second grade curriculum and make learning meaningful and fun.
Terrific Third Grade ~ Anna Tosick
Anna Tosick will be returning as our vibrant third grade teacher. Anna is looking forward to sharing her warm, island style, deep curiosity about the ocean ecosystem, and love of outdoor education with our curious third graders.
Fearless Fourth Grade ~ Rachael Dressler
Rachael brings years of experience, fun technology projects, and a deep love of teaching to our fourth grade students. Rachael creatively combines a robust fourth grade curriculum with real life hands-on projects that kids love and deepen learning.
Fascinating Fifth Grade ~ Welcome Mary Lynn Bryan!
Mary Lynn (ML for short) has been in education for over 20 years. She has taught grades 5th-9th grade and is thrilled to be a part of the Bolinas-Stinson crew. Mary Lynn has a strong project based learning background and most recently worked as an instructional coach for grades 6-8th grade at a project based learning school in Napa. She has her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, with a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning models that support the whole child. ML Loves to travel and has lived and taught in Mexico, Japan, and Brazil. When she is not working with kids, ML loves to be outside hiking, paddle boarding, swimming, or reading a good book. She is looking forward to being a part of our beautiful school and is eager to collaborate with our outstanding staff!
Sensational Sixth Grade ~ Ilie Watterson
Ilie Watterson, is moving to sixth grade! Ilie is looking forward to sharing her joy of math and science with her new students. Ilie has a wealth of experience making math real and providing projects that inspire and engage her students.
Spectacular Seventh Grade and Enlightened Eighth Grade ~ Gohar Yervandyan
Gohar is returning as our socially conscious and motivational 7th and 8th grade teacher. Gohar brings her exceptional use of restorative practices and responsive classrooms to deepen her connection with her students. She is looking forward to working with her returning and new 7th grade and 8th grade students. Get ready, because she has some really exciting plans to enliven and enrich the 7th and 8th grade curriculum!
IMPORTANT SCHOOL REOPENING INFORMATION
BSUSD Regular Board Meeting, Thursday, August 13th at 2:00 PM
Please join us for the next Special Board Meeting addressing the latest school reopening information. Zoom link with date time and joining instructions will be provided soon via email and text/notification.
Latest information on the Waiver Process:
The state and county just released more information on the waiver process. John Carroll is working with MCOE to get further clarification. Please use this link to view the latest information from the state on the California Department of Public Health website:
In-Person Learning Elementary Education Waiver Process
CDPH Waiver Notice for Local Health Jurisdictions (PDF)
VALUABLE ONLINE RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
General School Information from MCOE
The Marin County Office of Education is making every effort to keep their website updated to reflect the ever changing information affecting schools and COVID related information.
Back to School - Social Emotional Wellness Tips for families from childmind.org
Tips for Partnering With Teachers: How to set up effective lines of communication.
How to Set Priorities This School Year: What to do when you can’t do it all.
Warmly,
Michelle Stephens
Bolinas-Stinson School Principal
mstephens@bolinas-stinson.org