August 2, 2023
Greetings,
The bright blue skies of summer always bring me clarity and an expansive sense of space and time where anything feels possible. I have enjoyed swimming, running, and envisioning our upcoming school year. As I begin my fifth year at Bolinas-Stinson School I am delighted to serve as the Interim Principal. Having grown up in West Marin, I have a deep appreciation of the simplicity and vibrancy that is found in small communities. I have been an educator for over 25 years. My goal is to work collaboratively with the staff to inspire our students to reach academic excellence and grow into healthy human beings, immersed in the rich community that surrounds and supports them.
Now that August is upon us we are in full swing in the office getting ready for the upcoming school year. Our dedicated staff is preparing to greet your children on the first day of school, August 16th. This year’s Instructional Staff includes:
Pre-K & TK ~ Julie Hartman, Pre-K Director & TK Teacher; Omar Rifkin, Pre-K Instructor & TK Support; Nicole Amanson, Pre-K Instructor & TK Support
Kindergarten ~ Karen Buckenmeyer, Teacher & Joy Von Thaer, Paraeducator
1st Grade ~ Lauren Pollak, Teacher & Kathy Oakander, Paraeducator
2nd & 3rd Grade ~ Rachael Dressler, Teacher & Colin Schlitt, Paraeducator
4th & 5th Grade ~ Anna Tosick, Teacher & Charlie Lopez-Alvarado, Paraeducator
6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Math & Science ~ Zach Metz
6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Humanities ~ ML Bryan
Teacher on Special Assignment supporting Grades 2-5, Willow Regnery
Learning Center ~ Britton Walker, Educational Specialist & Tato O'Callaghan, Paraeducator
Bi-literacy Teacher, English Language Development Teacher, and Family Liaison ~ Gabriela Fuentes
Performing Arts Teacher ~ Julia Chanin
Physical Education Teacher ~ Ashley Rich
Art Shop Specialists ~ Nuria Lee, Multimedia; Janis Yerington, Painting & Drawing; Charlie Lopez Alvarado, Ceramics; Oliver Whitcroft, Steam Enhanced Wood Shop
Library & Counseling ~ Grace Godino
Please mark your calendars for these important fall dates and note daily school hours for your children.
August Dates:
August 14: All Staff Work Day
August 15: All Staff Work Day
August 16: First day of school for all students
August 16- September 1: Gentle Start for TK & Kindergarten, 1:05pm dismissal
August 21: No School, Staff Development Day
August 25: All School Assembly, 8:40am
August 30: Stinson Back to School Night, 5-6:30pm
August 31: Bolinas Back to School Night, 5-6:30pm
Bell Schedule:
Weekly Hours | Stinson Preschool | Stinson TK | Stinson K | Stinson 1st | Bolinas 2nd-8th |
Monday | 9:00-12:30 | 8:40-2:50 | 8:40-2:50 | 8:40-2:50 | 8:25-3:05 |
Tuesday | 9:00-12:30 | 8:40-2:50 | 8:40-3:05** | 8:40-3:05 | 8:25-3:05 |
Wednesday | 9:00-12:30 | 8:40-1:50 | 8:40-1:50 | 8:40-1:50 | 8:25-2:05 |
Thursday | 9:00-12:30 | 8:40-2:50 | 8:40-3:05** | 8:40-3:05 | 8:25-3:05 |
Friday | 9:00-12:30 | 8:40-2:50 | 8:25*-2:50 | 8:25-3:05 | 8:25-3:05 |
Minimum Days | 9:00-12:30 | 8:40-1:05 | 8:40-1:05 | 8:40-1:05 | 8:25-1:20 |
* Kindergarten drop off on the Bolinas campus **Kindergarten pick up on the Bolinas campus
I look forward to continuing my connections and collaborations with our school community as we move into a new school year. I hope your children are enjoying these final weeks of summer. Please stop and say hi when you are on campus.
Best,
Ilie Watterson