October is safety month in our district. During this month, our schools will practice safety drills that are crucial for preparing us for potential crisis events. This month is an opportunity for staff and students to test our emergency response actions and make improvements.
We know some of these drills may be unsettling for parents and students. Please know that we approach our practices with sensitivity and age-appropriate activities. In these uncertain times, it is imperative that our students and staff members know what to do to keep themselves and others safe.
During this month, practices to be held:
We practice how a building would be evacuated in the event of a fire or other emergencies, and how students are accounted for.
Students and staff members practice strategies for evacuation, accounting for students, parent-student reunification, search and rescue techniques, first aid, and school operations without power, food or water.
We practice what to do in the event of a dangerous intruder or similar event on campus.
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For elementary schools, a video will be shown sometime during the week of October 21. Classes will view the “dangerous intruder” video that encourages children to stay calm, listen to trusted adults and stick to the plan. You may preview the video at www.mvwsd.org/safety.
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For information about how parents can talk with their children about school violence, please see these resources:
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
Talking to your children about lockdown drills
While talking about and practicing for events like this is uncomfortable, we believe that if students know what to do, they will feel more confident, and ultimately be better equipped to react with safety in mind. If you have concerns or questions specific to your child, please contact your principal.
Safety month is part of a much larger effort by MVWSD as it continues to work to ensure the safety of its students and staff members on its campuses. To learn more about preparation, planning and current District work on school safety, please visit www.mvwsd.org/safety.
We appreciate your support of these efforts to ensure our students’ safety.
Mr. Taylor
School News
District News
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Workshop on IEP (Individual Education Plan) for Special Education & 504 Plan
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Crittenden Performing Arts Luau
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MVLA Parent Education Speaker - Max Stossel
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Right At School - Open House
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MV Parent U: Mental Health Basics
Golden Ticket Winners - Week 9/30
Week 9/30
Matilda RM: 3
Sissi RM: 6
Yusa RM: 9
Noam RM: 10
Jeselmax RM: 20
English Learner (EL) Board Goal
Our district works hard to collect and use student performance data in order to improve instruction for student success. Preliminary CAASPP scores, which show gains for all schools and grade levels in English language arts including subgroups such as English learners, indicate that we are on the right track.
The process of using data entails looking honestly and deeply at what the numbers are telling us. Delving into data made us realize that not as many students as we hoped were reaching English proficiency at the rate we expected. We saw that many EL students were not progressing, and in fact at times regressing, in their English language development.
Recently, the Board of Trustees heard a review of English language learner progress and discussed increasing expectations. The new revised goal will focus on reclassification, rather than just proficiency on ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessments for California), which is the first step in English learner reclassification to English proficient. The hope for all of our students is that they are fully proficient in both the English language and content standards, and reclassification is the path.
Last week I talked about site plans. I will be meeting with School Site Council and ELAC to focus on English language development and revising our school goals for English learners. Site plans contain a variety of goals to support English language learners in their journey to reclassification. We will meet these goals with targeted instruction, professional development, vigilant data monitoring, and our school community’s support.
Noon Duty Supervisors
Golden Owls, We are in need of some wonderful individuals to help with Noon Duty supervision. If you are interested please Apply Here.
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10/2/19 - Joint SSC/ELAC Meeting, 5:00pm - 6:00pm - Conference Room
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10/4/19 - RESCHEDULED 04/03/2020 Coffee with the Superintendent
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10/7 - 10/11 - Minimum Day all Week due to Parent Teacher Conferences
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10/16/19 - Picture Retakes
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10/17/19 - Meeting with EL Families - 6:00pm - 7:00pm, MUR
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10/23/19 - SSC Meeting, 5:00pm - 6:00pm - Conference Room
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10/25/19 - Principal’s Coffee, 8:10am - 9:10am - MUR
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11/01/19 - End of Trimester - Minimum Day
Workshop on IEP( Individual Education Plan ) for Special Education & 504 Plan
FREE. This workshop covers the basics of the IEP/ 504 plan including some common problems, complications, solutions and suggestions. There will be a discussion about common accommodations and parental rights, and a Q & A session during this workshop. Organized by Palo Alto CAC (cacpaloalto.org), presented by H.E.A.L. (Hospital Educational Advocacy Liaisons Program from Stanford Children’s Health), and co-sponsored by PTAC. Please use this form to let us know if you are coming, especially if you would like childcare or Spanish translation.
Sat, Oct 5th, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
JLS Middle School Room 730 , 480 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto
General Meeting: Monday 10/7, 9:30 at MVWSD Office at 1400 Montecito Ave in Mtn View.
Parent Chat Support Group for parents of teens with mental health challenges. Second Tuesday of each month, 7-8:30 PM Los Altos Library.
Let’s Talk, IEP/504 Support Group Wednesday October 9, 7PM - 8:30 PM Los Altos Library
Exciting Parent Education Event!
Decoding Dyslexia CA Please come join SELPA 1 CAC as we talk about what dyslexia is, the California Department of Education Dyslexia Guidelines and the importance of early identification. The presentation will include an abbreviated dyslexia simulation so participants can gain an understanding of what it is like to be dyslexic.
Wednesday, October 16, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Springer Elementary Multi
1120 Rose Ave, Mountain View
CR performing arts luau
Crittenden Middle School will hold its annual Music Department Hawaiian Luau on Thursday, October 3rd- 5:30-8:00 in the M.U.R. at Crittenden Middle School. Tickets are $20.00 adults (pre-order) $25 adults at the door. $10.00 for students. Ticket order form is attached.
MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series presents: Max Stossel
Education in the Age of Distraction" on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 - 7:00 - 9:00pm | MVHS Spartan Theatre | 3535 Truman Ave, Mountain View, CA
Max Stossel, Head of Education at the Center for Humane Technology, will explore the ways technology is designed to be addictive and distracting, highlights how social media is impacting adolescent minds, and recommends ways to help our kids build a healthier relationship with technology.
To register for this free event, go to https://mvla2019-20-maxstossel.eventbrite.com
Sponsored by Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF), MVLA High School Foundation, Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF), and Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council.
Right At School - Open House
Right at School, a before and afterschool care program, will be hosting an open house for current and prospective families on October 22. Please see the attached flyer for more information. For information on MVWSD after school programs, please visit: https://www.mvwsd.org/academics/supporting_learning/before__afterschool
MV Parent U: Mental Health Basics
Learn the basics of mental health, including: definitions, coping with stress, when it is important to seek help, combating stigma, and how to get help in our county.
October 23, 6:30-8 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Graham MUR
A team of professionals from Palo Alto University will present foundational information about mental health and mental illness and how mental health challenges may look different in different people or cultures. Participants will engage in interactive dialogue about how to maintain good mental health, and how to combat stigma around mental illness. The training also discusses what to do when someone needs support or help.
Spanish interpretation and child care will be provided. Seating is limited and RSVPs are required for this event. Please click here to reserve your seat.
Flyers
French Classes at Vargas
Crittenden Annual Luau
MVLA Parent Education Speaker - Max Stossel
Right At School - Open House
MV Parent U: Mental Health Basics
French Classes After School
My name is Claire Curvers, mum of a student in room 8.
Starting next week, I will be offering French classes after school at Vargas.
I will need a minimum of 6 students to run the class.
You will find more information on the flyer and you can also email me at [email protected].
Here is the registration link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduqAjoKf7Su0c7emQRQvOaq-CiuHUcsp3o1WrGxaDKBKl4YA/viewform
Thanks for your interest
Book Fair
Come visit our school’s first Book Fair next week, October 7th-11th in the library.
Our Book Fair is scheduled during the Parent – Teacher Conference week, which gives you the perfect opportunity to stop by and choose some great books.
Shopping hours are 11:30-3:30 everyday. We also have special events:
Coffee & Doughnuts -Tuesday morning 7:30am-9:00am
Family Fun Night- Friday evening 4:30pm-7:00pm with food trucks and activities for the kids.
We hope to see you there. Remember, all purchases benefit our school and help to build our new library.
After School Enrichment Survey
The Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School community is looking to establish a useful and desirable on-site after school enrichment program for it students. Your participation in the survey below will help us create a program that meets you and your children's needs.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9C2WGGP
Konstella
Please sign up for Konstella at www.Konstella.com. This is the main parent-communication tool for the whole school.
Amazon
If you shop through Amazon, please shop through the Amazon Smile portal for Vargas: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/90-1257353 A percentage of sales through this link goes back to the school.