Hidden Valley Hawk Talk Newsletter, Issue #5

Friday, September 16th, 2022

Sep 16
Fun Run Kick Off
Sept 16
Boots & BBQ, 5:30-8:00PM
Sept 23
PTO Meeting 8:20 am

Bike/Pedestrian Safety Improvements Moving Forward on the Butterfield Corridor
Hello Hidden Valley parents, staff and friends,
We want to make sure you are aware of some key safety improvements for bikers and pedestrians that are in process for Butterfield Road and to thank all of you that have chimed in on these important topics and efforts. See below for some background as well as an update on the efforts moving forward and where to go for more information. Note that improvements are planned for both the Town of San Anselmo portion as well as unincorporated (County of Marin) portion.
Background
The Butterfield Corridor Safety Committee, a subcommittee of Butterfield Corridor Safe Streets, has been hard at work over the past year identifying the community’s long-standing concerns and coming up with improvements to address them. This collaborative group includes representatives from the Sleepy Hollow Homes Association, the County of Marin Department of Public Works, the Town of San Anselmo Public Works, local schools, Safe Routes, the Marin County Bicycle Coalition and interested residents.
The Committee conducted public outreach to gain community feedback. An online poll (https://bit.ly/ButterfieldSurvey) was conducted between January 17, 2022, and February 7, 2022, and an online public meeting was held on April 21. Both the survey and community meeting indicated strong support from residents for two major improvements – creating a “real” bike lane on the County portion of Butterfield Road and a crosswalk at Irving near the community center.
Project Update
Unincorporated Portion of Butterfield
At the recent August 23 public meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved moving forward with both the bike lane (from San Anselmo/County line to Sleepy Hollow Drive) and the crosswalk concept at/near the community center. The “no parking” signage and striping/bike stencils will be installed by mid-September as well as green paint in areas most needed. Signs reading “No parking, bike lane” will be installed at approximately 200-foot intervals along both sides of the road. Parking will still be available off-pavement as space permits and, this fall, the committee will be working with homeowners on Butterfield to create more off-pavement parking with focus on the school zone. Please note that the bike lane, shoulder and approximately 20 feet beyond the pavement are all in the County right of way so parking off pavement is not encroaching on your neighbor’s property. The crosswalk concept will now be further developed and cost estimated. Funding will need to be secured for this work.
San Anselmo Portion of Butterfield
The Town of San Anselmo has rolled out a comprehensive safety campaign on the southern side of Butterfield, including pavement patching in the bike lane, a slurry seal over the whole stretch of Butterfield Road from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to the County Limit, wider bike lanes, additional speed limits signs, and targeted green bike lane markings at intersections. The Town plans to also be installing a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at the crosswalk at Woodside Drive, and a radar speed feedback sign near the fire station.
For more information, visit the Butterfield Safe Streets webpage at and review the County of Marin staff report (item CA7d) for the 8/23 Board of Supervisors meeting. You can also visit Marin County Bicycle Coalition’s website for a great read with pictures!
For any questions, contact nvernon@marincounty.org.
Here’s to a safer Butterfield Road!
Butterfield Corridor Safe Streets/Butterfield Corridor Safety Committee
A collaboration of Sleepy Hollow Homes Association, County of Marin Department of Public Works, San Anselmo Department of Public Works, Marin County Bicycle Coalition, Safe Routes, local schools, law enforcement and concerned residents

We have Disabled Parking near our MP Room, this parking spot is specifically for those individuals or families in need of disabled parking. Please do not park in the Disabled Parking (or the white striped area near it) for convenience.

We are excited to welcome you to campus tonight at 5:30 pm for the return of Boots & BBQ! Bring your whole family down to Hidden Valley for this fun event where we kick off the school year with free food, fun and games.
​
See ya’ll soon!
​
If you would like to share your photos from Boots & BBQ for the yearbook to use, please email them to hvhawkphotos@gmail.com. With your help we can further capture HV moments both in the classroom or at these awesome special events!

TK Aide (Part Time)
Do you love kids? Have you ever wanted to work at the best school ever and make an impact on the lives of children? Hidden Valley is hiring a TK Aide 4 hours/5 days week. We would love to have you on our team! See district job posting below.
https://www.rossvalleyschools.org/cms/lib/CA50000038/Centricity/Domain/37/InstructionalAide.pdf
​
Open PTO Positions
Recess Enrichment Coordinator - Do you have a passion for art, legos, or an interest working with kids? Do you have a special skill you’d like to share such as knitting or origami? Help us bring back enrichment options for students at lunch recess.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​

Yard Duty Support Needed
Thank you to all who have signed up as regulars and/or the sub list! Stay tuned for an exciting neon update to your wardrobe ;)
T TH for grades 1-5 and M T W for TK/K
We still urgently need support for:
TK/Kindergarten classes. M T W
Grades 1-5: T TH
You don't have to be a parent of a specific class student to join!
​
contact Jenni Gelman for questions or to sign up;
email: jennigelman@gmail.com
text: 415-250-0305

On your mark... get set... fundraise!
Help your student sign up for a free Fun Run profile on our online fundraising platform. Students are entered into weekly contests just for creating a page and most creative pages. Fundraising is as easy as:
-
Go to https://hiddenvalleyfunrun.myevent.com/3/fundraiser.htm
-
Register and create a page for your student by filling out the online form
-
Note: Previous logins/pages are reset so please reregister all your students. Pro tip: Stop by the Fun Run Photo Booth at the Boots & BBQ to take an updated picture for your student’s page.
-
-
Send the page and an update on your student’s year to all your friends and family near and far. Here is some sample wording you can use to reach out.
-
Read the weekly Hawk Talk to hear about the weekly contests and contest winners.
-
Run: On Friday October 14th, we will culminate with our Fun Run out on the field with all the students. We want everyone to wear his or her wackiest Hawk gear and school colors for the run!!!
It’s Hidden Valley’s one and only fundraiser and the money goes directly to the school. Think lunch clubs, school garden, PE equipment, special assemblies, library books and much more.
This year our goal is $40,000 and every student to create a Fun Run page. Your classroom Fun Run reps will send you more information on classroom progress and adult volunteer/day of cheering opportunities.
Deadline for donations is Noon on 10/13. Thank you so much for your support of our school! Your involvement makes a difference.
Week 1 contests are as follows:
-
Set up a page this week and be entered into a raffle for a bag of Hawk Gear.
-
The class that has the most % of pages created will earn a free homework pass/or extra class choice time
-
Most creative student Fun Run page (picture/quote etc) will get to pick a joke, that will be broadcast over the school PA system
Let the Fun Begin!

Zones of Regulation Update
It was a delight to be back in the classrooms with the Hidden Valley kiddos and teachers. Hidden Valley is a very special place!
The next two weeks students will be focusing on recognizing what zone they are in and what zone others are in. We will also be working on strategies to help move from one zone to another. Be sure to check in with your child what zone you are in at various times throughout the day. Check this link out to learn more about the zones.
This is a glossary of terms that will be used throughout the lessons on the Zones. Please reach out if you have any questions or check this link out to learn more about the zones.


Walk and Roll Wednesdays are in full swing! It isn’t too late to return your Active4Me form to obtain a scan tag! Pick up extra forms in the office. We hope to have the form available online soon.
Join us on Wednesday mornings to help scan tags! It is easy and is done through an app on your phone. Join us once or join us several times. Sign up here.

Welcome to Diversity & Equity Insight !!
This new section of the Hawks Newsletter invites you to explore and understand the Hidden Valley's diversity, the benefits it brings to our school community, and the challenges we, as a school community, have to overcome to provide a more inclusive, equitable, and safe school for every student. We will look closely at how the school staff and teachers are engaging in this work and reflect on how parents can contribute to improving the Hawks community *.
* HAWKS community is a welcoming, kind, and safe community built with hard work and accountability where everybody belongs
.
What a fantastic opportunity to launch our first issue during the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Each year, from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the contributions Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, Central, and South America, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean have made to U.S. society and culture. ( here and there for a brief history of Hispanic Heritage Month, here for the proclamation on National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2022 from the White House )
This year's theme, "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation" encourages us to ensure that all voices are represented and welcomed to help build stronger communities and a stronger nation.

You may wonder who chooses the Hispanic Heritage Month's theme and poster. The answer: the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers ( NCHEPM). Click on these links to learn more about this year's theme, poster, and the artist behind it, Ms. Irene Matos Chan.
Hispanic, Latino/Latina, or Latinx ?
-
Hispanic refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone who is from, a Spanish-speaking country.
-
Latino and Latina refer to a person from, or a descendant of someone from Latin American countries and cultures, regardless of whether the person speaks Spanish.
-
Latinx is a gender-neutral alternative for Latino/a.
Visit dictionary.com for more background
​
Which one to use? and when? This Pew Research Center's study offers some insights and data. This article from Wikipedia provides information about the history and the uses of the term Latinx and the controversy around it.
More resources addressing the use of the Hispanic, Latino/Latina, and Latinx by the Hispano- and Latino-Americans from Politico, New York Times, History
​
This is just to get you started. The web contains many comprehensive and engaging information, resources, and stories about Hispanic Heritage month and the Hispanic-, Latino- and Latinx communities. Go Explore!


Hidden Valley Spirit Day Wednesdays
​
Hey-Hey-Hey Hawks! Show your Hawk spirit every Wednesday! Students are encouraged to wear Hawk gear or sport our school colors, orange and blue. If you wish to purchase our amazing Hawk gear, go to our online store here: https://apparelnow.com/hidden-valley-hawk-spirit-wear-apparel
Let’s show everyone how Hawktastic we are!

Did you know we have a lost and found at Hidden Valley? It is filling up fast! The location is in the entrance to the multipurpose room. Please encourage your children to check there for lost items. Parents should check regularly, as well, and please label everything.
Hidden Valley PTO

Parent Square
Interested in Hawktalk or if you have any feedback, please use this link