Dear Bolinas-Stinson Families,
It was fantastic to see our second and third grade students return to in-person learning on the Bolinas Campus this week! Our second and third graders loved interacting with their teachers and classmates and were enthusiastic about being back in person. When I asked our second graders what they liked best about in-person learning, they all said, “Hanging out with my friends!”
Our third graders got to go on nature walks to investigate the attributes of native plants and observe what the local flora and fauna looks like in late autumn. I was lucky enough to tag along on their walk through the Bolinas Lagoon trail during a king tide. It was magical to share this experience with our students.
Watching our kids excitement just reaffirms for me how important the social component of school is for our kids, especially the younger ones. I am overjoyed that we have been able to carefully return to in-person learning and begin to provide a bit of normalcy for our students.
Important School Schedule Updates ~ Please read the following schedule carefully
I will keep parents updated on any changes that may affect your child's cohort in terms of personnel leaves or necessary quarantines as they arise. Even though we are planning for in-person learning, we know that we need to remain flexible with the possibility of returning to distance learning if necessary.
Monday, December 21st, 2020 - January 1st, 2021 ~ Winter Break
Monday, January 4th - January 8th, 2021 ~ Distance Learning for all BSUSD students in observance of health and safety quarantine recommendations.
Monday, January 11, 2021 ~
Stinson Campus: Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade In-person learning (Monday-Thursday); Distance Learning Friday.
- Bolinas Campus: 2nd, 3rd, 4th/5th, and 6th grade: In-person learning (Monday-Wednesday); Distance Learning Thursday & Friday.
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 ~ (No school on Monday, January 18, due to MLK Day) 7th & 8th grade: In-person learning (Tuesday-Wednesday); Distance Learning Thursday & Friday.
Monday, January 25, 2021 ~ PreK-8th grade: In-person learning (Monday-Thursday); Distance Learning Friday.
To view more detailed schedule information please use the following links:
- Stinson Campus In-Person Learning Schedules 2020-21
- Bolinas Campus In-Person Learning Schedules 2020-21
Intent to Return to In Person Learning Commitment Due December 28th, 2020
As we gradually move back to in-person learning, we recognize that some families may choose to continue with distance learning. For this reason, our teachers have been preparing plans to accommodate both in-person and distance learning. This is a complex process to address the diverse learning needs of all our students.
In order to provide consistency of instruction, we are asking families to commit to either in-person learning (when it becomes available) or distance learning for the second trimester. If you would like your child to continue with only distance learning for the second trimester, please let your child’s teacher and the office know no later than December 28th, 2020.
Parents who choose to continue with distance learning will be notified if they are at risk of losing their spot for in-person learning due to increased enrollment in their child’s cohort. They will be given the opportunity to return to in-person learning at that time.
Families that choose the distance learning option will be given another chance to revisit this decision for the third trimester, on March 1st, 2021. For families that choose to commit to in-person learning for the third trimester, students will return to campus on Monday March 15th (as space in individual cohorts permits).
Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions as we transition back to in-person learning. As always, I wish you and your family much love and laughter during the winter break and look forward to seeing you and your child(ren) in person in the new year!
Michelle Stephens