Dear Bolinas-Stinson School Families and Community,
I shared the latest information about possible configuration modifications for the 2020-21 school year at our parent zoom meeting last week. The Board of Trustees will be voting on the configuration options this afternoon at the board meeting. Below is a link to view the configuration models that I discussed with parents and their feedback. I hope you are able to join us this afternoon for this important conversation.
Configuration Options for the 2021-22 School Year
Parents shared the following comments about the possible configuration changes for the 2020-21 school year.
Math taught by one teacher in grades 3rd-5th and 6th-8th
Liked the idea of providing a more robust and comprehensive math program to better prepare students for high school math
Liked the idea of 6-8 math teacher being able to identify students for intervention early and provide support
Liked the idea of being able to accelerate students with an aptitude for math so they would be on track to be placed in advanced math in high school
Liked that the 3-5 grade teacher would have a strong familiarity with students’ needs when they are in 5th grade
Want to make sure that large math classes are well supported by paraeducator
Want to be sure that math in grade 6th-8th was supported by a teacher familiar with middle school math and able to prepare students for high school
Want to be sure that math teacher in 5th grade is familiar with incoming students and has a strong background teaching math
Blended Classes in Science and History/Social Studies with a thematic focus
Parents liked the blended classrooms across two grade levels for the following:
More dynamic social model, with more students to interact.
Because of the extremely small numbers in some classes
Liked the thematic/PBL/Place based learning model - more engaging.
Noted that there were a lot of absences this year because of sickness and classes were extremely small with sometimes only (3-4 students)
Having a 1st & 2nd grade combo class on the Stinson Campus
Liked this because this year’s 1st graders only got about about ⅔ of a year due to the pandemic and parents didn’t think their children were ready to move to the Bolinas Campus. They felt it would be a smoother transition for students to come back.
Liked that they would still be in the same class (hopefully) with their teacher from this year.
Liked having more students in the class
Liked that we will have an more breakout space on the Bolinas Campus for shared space for OT, Speech, Counseling, Meetings, and instruments/music?
One teacher in 5th and 6th Grade with support from Paraeducators and other teachers (math) and savings of $100,000 per year
Felt that the class was adequately balanced and supported
Financially made sense and more fiscally responsible for our school’s future - especially in light of the pandemic and many future unknowns
Wanted to be sure that the 5th/6th grade teacher not teaching math - Especially liked the new math configuration
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. I hope you are able to tune in to the zoom Board meeting this afternoon.
Warmly,
Michelle Stephens
Bolinas-Stinson School Principal
mstephens@bolinas-stinson.org
415-868-1603