Dear Bolinas Stinson School Families,
As we wind down the school year, I have been reflecting on what we learned while overcoming this year's challenges. Outdoor learning experiences at every grade level were critical in helping us to reconnect, heal and grow. After talking with staff, students and parents, we all agree that being in nature and connecting with each other through environmental activities and investigations helped to ground, connect and inspire us in ways nothing else could.
I look forward to what next year will bring with excitement and hope. I can already feel the anticipation of staff, students and families when discussing what school will look like for the 2021-22 school year. Hopefully, we will have less restrictions, a more normal schedule, and of course, a lot of outdoor learning experiences! I will be sharing more information in the coming weeks as we prepare for the new school year and receive updated health and safety information and guidance.
Keep your eyes open for my 2021-22 school year kick-off email that will contain information about new staff, teacher/room placements, daily schedules and more. We will also be hard at work updating our BSUSD website during the summer, to keep staff, students and families informed about important school programs, resources, and information. Please let me know if you would like to see something included on the website as we work to improve our communication and provide staff, students and families with helpful information and resources.
GOODBYE TO OUR MUCH LOVED STAFF MEMBERS
We have some bittersweet staffing changes for the upcoming school year. While we are sad to see our much loved staff members go, we wish them all the best and are happy for their next adventure! At the end of this school year, we are saying goodbye to Mechelle Jones Cattell, our Resource/Education Specialist, and Gohar Yervandyan, our seventh and eighth grade teacher.
Mechelle has touched the lives of hundreds of our students and families during her twenty two years with the district. She started her relationship with our school as a mom of two BSUSD students. As a parent she was an integral part of the school community attending school events like soccer, harvest fairs, bake sales.
Mechelle began in her current position as our Resource/Education Specialist in 1999. She was pivotal in opening our Learning Center, which welcomed and served all students and staff. Her warm and welcoming spirit helped to make the LC the heart of our school. She pioneered our summer learning program, school wide reading assessments, and reading programs. Mechelle has always jumped in and helped wherever and whenever needed, filling in for grade level teachers, as well as providing targeted intervention and support for hundreds of our students throughout her years at BSUSD.
We wish Mechelle all the best in her future endeavors and will continue to run the stellar programs and services she helped to develop. If you wish to send Mechelle a message, please feel free to email her or: Katie O'Callaghan.
We are also saying goodbye to our wonderful seventh and eighth grade teacher, Gohar Yervandyan. Her calm demeanor and high expectations for our middle schoolers will be missed. Gohar will be starting in her new role as a Teacher on Special Assignment with the History/Social Studies team at the San Francisco Unified School District. She will be working with a team of teachers and specialists to create a new anti-biased History and Social Studies curriculum for K-8 students, as well as mentor new teachers in the district. We know Gohar will excel in this new position and wish her all the best!
GET READY FOR THE ANNUAL BSUSD ART SHOW ~ JUNE 8TH & 9TH, 2:30-5:00 PM, BOLINAS CAMPUS
We will be hosting our annual BSUSD Art show on Tuesday, June 8th and Wednesday, June 9th. I hope you will join us for this special event. This year, our Art specialists have worked hard to create an outdoor display for all to safely enjoy. Please visit during your child’s designated time below on either day. We ask that you wear a mask and maintain a safe distance when coming onto campus.
2:30 PM - Kindergarten and 7th/8th parents
3:00 PM - 1st grade and 6th parents
3:30 PM - 2nd grade and 4th/5th parents
4:00 PM - 3rd grade parents (Both cohorts)
4:30 PM - Community members
EIGHTH GRADE GRADUATION CEREMONY
We will be hosting a small private in-person graduation ceremony for our 8th Grade graduates and their immediate household family on the last day of school, Friday, June 11th at 1:30 PM. In an effort to keep staff, graduates and their families safe, and in compliance with Marin County Health Department and Marin Schools recommendations, the Bolinas Campus will be closed during this special ceremony to all but the graduates, their immediate household family, and staff. We will provide a live stream link of this special event to the BSUSD community.
I wish you all a wonderful and restful summer and thank you deeply for all your hard work this year! As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions. I wish you and your family much love and laughter and look forward to working with you next school year.
Warmly,
Michelle