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NEWS 

 
  E.News
                  The Latest News from the Mill Valley School District

 

District News Archive

 
October 2007 Issue
Superintendent's Message
Facilities Master Plan
Strategic Plan Update
Students Learn about Maasai Culture
School Board Candidates Forum
Halloween Safety Alert
 
Superintendent's Message
It hardly seems possible that we begin the second full week of October in a school year that just seemed like it started a few short weeks ago.  Time flies when you are having fun!  "Back To School Nights" for each of our schools are behind us and the first State Staff Development Day occurs this Friday.  While the kids will be out of school, the teachers will be taking their turn at learning ways to continue their own development and benefit all of our great students in Mill Valley.

Also in full swing are very important initiatives at the Board level.  This Wednesday in the Mill Valley Middle School at 7 PM, the Board will discuss the latest draft of strategic action plan goals that will guide their work and the work of your school District through June of 2010.  Their discussion of the goals is done with an eye toward approval in November.  The Board will also continue discussions about our facilities and finances by way of important time lines for a possible bond measure as well as a parcel tax.  These discussions follow a very rigorous day of work done October 2nd at a full day retreat which focused on long range planning and sustainable facilities and finances.

Additionally, several of our teachers will be recognized at the beginning of the meeting for attaining 'permanent' status, sometimes more commonly understood as tenure.  These are teachers who provide a great example for their colleagues and are also fine examples of quality teaching in the Mill Valley School District.

I sincerely hope you can join us, if not for this meeting, for any of our meetings in the future.  They are important and focused on the most important opportunities and challenges facing the future of your school district.   Check the District website for a variety of information related to the business of the District.  I encourage you to remain informed and involved.

Sincerely,
 
Ken Benny
Superintendent
Facilities Master Plan
 
 
Strategic Plan Update

We have provided updates to the strategic action planning process over the past several months. Thank you to those of you who have provided your input and feedback to the process and to the overarching goals outlined thus far.  The draft goals have been updated and will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees on October 10 at their regular monthly meeting.

The development of the goals which will result in strategic District projects has occurred by way of community and staff feedback meetings; and by way of a dedicated and diverse core team.  The draft goals have been influenced by their work and the input of our learning community; the 2002-2007 strategic plan; the 2006 Board Goals; and current and on-going projects and initiatives within the District. 
Read on...
Maasai Dancers Share Their Culture
 
Maasai perform at Middle SchoolThe Mill Valley School District recently welcomed the Friends of Sironka Maasai Dance Troupe to Mill Valley for a week of special performances at schools and two public performances at the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival.  
 
Students were introduced to the rich culture of the Maasai people through song, dance, and storytelling performances. Many students, parents, and teachers joined the dancers on stage during performances to the delight of the students.
 
We extend our sincere gratitude to Mill Valley parent Andrea Brandeis who organized every aspect of the the Maasai visit from working with principals and PTA presidents on the performance, to placing the dancers with host families and arranging transportation. Thank you Andrea!

Mill Valley parent Tim Amyx captured a great Middle School performance on video for the District. Massai dancers show host families how to jump!
 
Thank you to the following host families for generously opening their homes to the Friends of Sironka:

Read and Patrick Adams, Jean Bolte and Carl Frederick, Toni Brayer and Craig Patterson, Myra Chow and Jay Wallace, Lizzi Cruz, Dawn Dobras and Eric Swergold, Anne and Carlos Fretes, Bill and Jill Gilmore, Linda Jankenson and Nicholas Moult, Cora Nelson, Catherine and Louis Patler, Cindy Rigatti and Brian Ashe, Carmen and Mike Sandgren, Lisa and John Scarsella, Alisa and Brian Swartz, Molly Williams and Steve Sell.

The school performances would not have been possible without the generous support of the Mill Valley Parent Teacher Associations.  Thank you to each and every PTA in the Mill Valley School District!
 
To learn more about the Friends of Sironka Maasai Dance Troupe visit www.sironkamaasai.com
 
Photos:
Top left: Dancers perform at the Mill Valley Middle School. 
Bottom right: Dancers show host families how to jump like the Maasai. Photo courtesy of Alisa and Brian Swartz.
PTA Council Hosts Candidates Forum

The Mill Valley PTA Council is sponsoring a School Board Candidates' Forum to be held on Monday, October 15 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. The forum will take place at the Park School multipurpose room, 360 East Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley.

All three candidates, Janet Miller, Judy Sherman and Nejat Duzgunes will be attending. The League of Women Voters will provide a moderator and timekeeper for the forum. Each candidate will make an opening statement, followed by questions from the audience. The forum will end with a brief closing statement from each candidate. The forum is open to the public.

Halloween Safety Alert
 
 
   

 

District News Archive                  

 

2007-08 School Year 

September 2007 E.News

 

 

 

2006-07 School Year 

Board News
Board Meeting Highlights- May 8,2007
Board Meeting Highlights- April 18,2007
Board Meeting Highlights - March 13, 2007 
Board Meeting Highlights - February 13, 2007
Board Meeting Highlights- January 23, 2007
Superintendent's Message
Superintendent's Message-June 2007
Superintendent's Message -April 2007
Superintendent's Message - March 2007
Superintendent's Message - February 2007
Superintendent's Message - January 2007