Principal’s Message:
Hello Golden Owls,
This week, we are proud to bring back our Read-a-thon. While we always want to create a nurturing reading environment for our students, we are putting maximum effort into fostering that positive reading culture. Thank you to our community members from the Mountain View Public Library, Police Department, Fire Department, and City Council as well as MVWSD Board of Trustee members Devon Conley and Laura Blakely for being guest readers to our students. Additionally, an enormous thank you to our Vargas PTA for arranging all the enrichment activities including Esteemed Guest Author Nathan Hale for students. Please don’t forget to visit the book fair, and come to our Reading Night this Thursday from 6-7. Bring your favorite book, some comfortable clothes, a blanket, and some great reading energy. In addition to family reading areas, several Vargas staff members will also be reading in their classrooms/ library.
I look forward to seeing you “Owl” there!
In Partnership,
Principal Vern Taylor
Events Calendar
March
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1st-8th
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Spring Book Fair
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4th -8th
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Read-a-Thon
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6th
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Lifetouch Spring Pictures
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7th
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Family Reading Night, 6pm - 7pm
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8th
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Electronic Report Cards are sent home
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14th
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MVWSD Board Meeting, District Office 6pm-10pm - Agenda
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21st
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Open House
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25th
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No School - Teacher Service Day
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29
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Principal's Coffee, MUR 8:30am - 9:30am
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April
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1st
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MSI Field Trip
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3rd
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Hidden Villa Field Trip
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4th
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Science Festival, 5-7pm
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8th - 12th
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Spring Break - No School
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18
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MVWSD Board Meeting, District Office 6pm-10pm - Agenda
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22nd
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Principal's Coffee, MUR 8:30am - 9:30am
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In this Newsletter
School News:
Golden Ticket Winners
Black History Month Essay Contest Winners
Women’s History Month Contest
Cell Phone and Smartwatch Use
Literati Book Fair - March 4-8
Read-A-Thon is coming (March 4-8)
Report Cards Go Home, March 8, 2024
Open House, March 21, 2024
No School Monday, March 25, 2024
The View Teen Center: March - Flyer
CAASPP Testing (Grades 3-5)
Annual Reclassification Ceremony: Thursday, April 25
5th, 8th grade promotion dates
Flyers:
School Year Calendar 2024-2025 Here
March Menu Here
Lifetouch Flyer Here
District News:
Better Together: March
National Nutrition Month
Graham Middle musical: “Sister Act Jr, The Musical” - Flyer
PIQE Family Engagement Workshops: Building Academic Success Together - Flyer
Silicon Valley Reads K-8 Career Fair - Flyer
Annual Reclassification Ceremony: Thursday, April 25
Get your tickets to the MVEF Spring Gala and join MVEF on Saturday, April 27
MVHS Spartans Sports Camp - Flyer
PTA News
Readathon & Book Fair 3/4 -3/8
Family Reading Night 3/7
Lunchtime Chess starts Wed 3/6
Vargas Night @ SJ Earthquakes vs LAFC 5/4
PTA Open Board Positions for 2023-2024
Golden Ticket Winners February 29th , 2024
Emma Y. RM: 1 Katherine D. RM: 10
Walter K. RM: 2 Julio R. RM: 11
Santiago R. RM: 3 Lynn S. RM: 14
Aya S. RM: 4 Ishkirat S. RM: 15
Elias C. RM: 5 Iris B. RM: 16
Milan H. RM: 6 Philip H. RM: 18
Derek R. RM: 8 Mrs. Peñalosa RM: 5
Miles G. RM: 9
Black History Month Essay Contest Winners
Thank you to all of those students who participated. We had several students who independently submitted essays, and we’d like to share those with you. Thank you and congratulations: Noah, Vivienne, Oscar, Hannah, Alivia, Pelin, and Genesis for your submissions. Additionally, numerous students in 1st grade submitted class essays, and theirs can be found here (Room 4 Essays and Room 5 Essays).
Women’s History Month Contest
Similar to our Black History Month Contest, we would like to have another contest for students for Women’s History Month. Students will create an art piece that showcases a woman who is important to them. Art work can be visual (drawing, painting, sculpture, etc) or performance (play, song, interpretive dance) art. Students who are interested should submit their artwork by Friday, March 22. 2024.
Cell Phone and Smartwatch Use
Cell phones: We strongly discourage students from bringing cellphones to school. If a student must bring a phone to school, the following rules apply:
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Cell phones must be completely powered off during the school day
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Cell phones must not be used during school hours unless necessary for a medically approved use, such as monitoring vital signs.
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Students may only use cell phones after dismissal or in case of emergency.
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Infractions will result in the loss of the privilege of bringing a cell phone to school, and the student’s parents will be contacted to pick up the phone.
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The school is not responsible for stolen/lost items.
Smartwatches
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Students should have their smartwatch in “airplane” mode to disable any communication features and notifications.
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Smartwatch features that enable communication and notifications must not be used during school hours unless necessary for a medically approved use, such as monitoring vital signs.
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Students may only use smartwatch features that enable communication after dismissal or in case of emergency.
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Infractions will result in the loss of the privilege of bringing a smartwatch to school, and the student’s parents will be contacted to pick up the phone.
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The school is not responsible for stolen/lost items.
Literati Book Fair - March 4-8
COMING SOON: We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Spring Book Fair, which will be held in the MUR from March 4-8! Our Book Fair is a great opportunity to support our kids' love for reading and earn rewards for our school.
You can learn more about the event, browse books and already order online via https://literati.com/store/?school=jose-antonio-vargas-elementary-school-mountain-view-ca.
Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at the Book Fair!
Read-A-Thon is coming (March 4-8)
I wanted to bring your attention to three events that will be happening early in trimester 3.
During the week of March 4, 2024, we will be having our Read-a-Thon. Students will be encouraged to read as much as possible during this week. We plan to have guest readers from local community members, class reading parties, and special prizes for top readers. Our PTA will be providing more details about the logistics of logging minutes and prizes at a later time. Secondly, Thursday, March 7, 2024 we will be hosting a family reading night as part of our Read-A-Thon. All families are invited to come and join our reading party. I hear we have a few guest staff members who will be doing read alouds of their favorite stories. Finally, to help support all of this reading, Our PTA is proud to host our Spring Book Fair the entire week of the Read-a Thon.
Report Cards Go Home, March 8, 2024
Second trimester report cards will be sent home by email Friday, March 8th. If you do not receive them or need help accessing the report card, please email us at [email protected]. If you have any questions about your child’s report card, please contact your child’s teacher.
Open House, March 21, 2024
Please mark your calendars. We will have an in person Open House on March 21, 2024 from 6:00-7:00 PM. Open House will be a chance for you to celebrate all the hard work your child has done over the past year!
No School Monday, March 25, 2024
Monday, March 25, 2024 is a professional work day for teachers. There is no school for students.
The View Teen Center: March - Flyer
The View Teen Center is a free facility in Mountain View (263 Escuela Ave) for all Mountain View and Los Altos 6th - 12th grade students. Drop-in hours are Monday - Friday, 3:15 - 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 1 - 6 p.m., and the center features a game room, makerspace, kitchen, computer/study room, outdoor area, and much more! See attached flier for details about upcoming events and programs in March or visit their webpage for more information.
CAASPP Testing (Grades 3-5)
Grades 3-5 will start CAASPP testing soon. Vargas 3-5 grade students will start holding their practice tests from April 2-5 BEFORE Spring Break. Our 5th grade students will test science on April 16-20. Vargas upon returning from Spring Break. All 3–5 Students will test in ELA on April 23-26, and Math on April 30-May 2. Students will test before AM recess. Please avoid scheduling appointments during these times.
As you know, CAASPP testing is one of the ways in which we measure our success for students. It is imperative that students are present, and do their best for testing each day. Please note that, no independent study contracts will be granted for students in grades 3-5 during this time. Thank you for your support!
Annual Reclassification Ceremony: Thursday, April 25
Our yearly celebration of former English Learner students who have reclassified as fluent in English this school year will take place on the afternoon of April 25 at Crittenden. Invitations will be sent home to families by the end of March. We are all looking forward to cheering on the students’ achievement!
5th, 8th grade promotion dates
Each year we look forward to celebrating with families as our 5th and 8th grade students are promoted to the next school level. This year, the dates are:
* 5th grade promotion: Thursday, May 30
* 8th grade promotion: Friday, May 31 (9 or 11 am, depending on school), the last day of school
Your school principal will share more specifics about the celebrations as details are available.
DISTRICT NEWS
Better Together: March
In the month of March, #BetterTogether is taking a moment to honor the women trailblazers who shattered barriers and paved the way for future generations. As a way of honoring them, students in the district will also be learning about what it means to embody the spirit of being helpers for others, especially for others facing challenges and inequities. By standing #BetterTogether and amplifying the voices of women, we honor their legacy and continue to strive for a better world. For more information about Better Together, visit mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD.
National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month! This year’s theme is “Beyond the Table”. This month, we’re exploring how our food choices extend beyond our plates, impacting our personal health, our community, and our planet. A great way to start supporting sustainable and mindful eating is by learning about the origins of our food. Check out this video about the journey carrots take from the farm to your table.
Graham Middle musical: “Sister Act Jr, The Musical” - Flyer
The Graham Middle School Spring Musical is back again, ready to dazzle you when we “Raise our Voice!" Get ready to have a nun-believable time at our performance of “Sister Act Jr, The Musical.”
All of the students, parents, and staff have been working so hard to make this show “Fabulous, Baby!” If you join us, we promise that we will “Take You To Heaven” “Here Within These Walls." You definitely don’t want to miss this opportunity to “Spread the Love Around” and watch these nuns bust a move!
Tickets are now available for purchase here. You can see the show at:
Graham Middle School Auditorium
March 15th and 16th 7:30 pm
March 17th 2:00 pm
Adult Ticket: $15
Student Ticket: $10
PIQE Family Engagement Workshops: Building Academic Success Together - Flyer
The Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) will be facilitating a free virtual, 8-week parent and caregiver course, entitled “Building Academic Success Together”. Through this course, parents and caregivers will enhance their skills and gain new tools and resources to support them with helping their child succeed in school. The series runs from March through April, with 3 different courses based upon child grade level range. See attached flyers for registration information.
Silicon Valley Reads K-8 Career Fair - Flyer
Silicon Valley Reads is holding a K-8 Career Fair on March 9, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. K-8 grade youth and their parent or chaperone are invited to attend the free career fair with professionals who have excelled in their field. There will also be a petting zoo hosted by a local 4-H club and a free book for each child who attends.
Annual Reclassification Ceremony: Thursday, April 25
Our yearly celebration of former English Learner students who have reclassified as fluent in English this school year will take place on the afternoon of April 25 at Crittenden. Invitations will be sent home to families by the end of March. We are all looking forward to cheering on the students’ achievement!
Get your tickets to the MVEF Spring Gala and join MVEF on Saturday, April 27
Come support public school education and join us at the annual MVEF fundraising gala. It is an evening of FUN, energy and great COMMUNITY-BUILDING. An excellent opportunity to have an adult night out with friends, other parents, district staff and local supporters. Individual tickets are $150. (Reduced to $125 until March 24!) Find more information at https://paybee.io/@mvef@14
MVHS Spartans Sports Camp - Flyer
Spartans Sports Camp is proud to announce that registration for Summer Camp 2024 is now open. Camp will run from June 10 - August 2 this summer. There are a wide variety of camps, and lunch and extended care is available for your convenience. 100% of camp proceeds go towards supporting athletics at Mountain View High School. For more information and to register, visit www.SpartansSportsCamp.com.
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PTA News
Readathon & Book Fair 3/4 - 3/8
The Vargas Readathon is coming back! Please mark your calendars for our Read-a-Thon from March 4-8. Students will have an opportunity to read for individual and class rewards. Look out for a Read-a-thon packet (also attached here), which includes information about the Read-a-thon activities and events, including NY Times Bestseller author Nathan Hale visit, Family Reading night on Thursday 3/7 (6-7pm), and the Literati Book Fair.
Family Reading Night 3/7
Sip some free hot chocolate while reading with your family (bring a book!) or listen to one of our many special surprise guest readers around the Vargas campus.
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The event runs from 6-7pm.
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A food truck will be open starting at 5pm.
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The Book Fair will also be open from 5-6pm for an evening shopping session.
Lunchtime Chess starts Wed 3/6
The PTA will be bringing Bay Area Chess to Vargas to provide a free lunchtime chess club, for students at all levels, starting on March 6 for 10 weeks. This was made possible through your monetary support to the PTA, thank you!
Vargas Night @ SJ Earthquakes vs LAFC 5/4
Join your fellow Vargas families and watch the SJ Earthquakes take on LAFC at Levis’ Stadium.
For each ticket purchased through this link, a small portion will go back to our school, so enjoy a fun night out while giving back to your school!
PTA Open Board Positions for 2023-2024
In March we will hold our election for PTA board members for next school year. The main position that we need to fill for next year is the Treasurer. The treasurer attends PTA meetings, prepares financial reports, issues checks and updates budgets. There is no accounting or financial experience required as there is good training and support available. The main strengths would be being organized and being able to commit to 6-8 hours per month.
We are also looking for a Parliamentarian and a Historian. A link to PTA positions and descriptions can be found here: Current PTA role descriptions 23/24
If you are interested or would like to hear more about any of these positions you can talk to anyone on the nominating committee (Franziska Romanovsky, SE Hayes, Jennifer Chan, Kevin Morrison, Shannon Lundin) or email [email protected]