Hello Golden Owls,
As the winter holidays approach, we want to remind you that students will continue important lessons, and it is important that they attend school each day so they don’t miss out. This is also an exciting time with school performances and other fun activities that you don’t want your child to miss out on. Make sure that they are at school every day so they can take part.
We know many families enjoy traveling during the holiday break. As a reminder, the winter break is December 23 - January 8. Please ensure you do not take your child out of school before that time. Please ensure they are back at school on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Have a safe and enjoyable break!
In Partnership,
Principal Vern Taylor
Events Calendar
December
4th - 8th Parent - Teacher Conference Week Minimum day all week 11:55 am
7th Planetarium Visit 8:00 to 11:50 am at the MUR
7th Board of Trustees Meeting 6:00 pm
8th Superintendent's Community Check In on Friday, Dec. 8
18th Parent U Extension: Parenting in the Digital Era 6:30-7:45 pm
22th Principal’s Coffee MUR 8:10 am Canceled
25th to January 8th Holiday Recess
January 2024
8th Teacher's Service Day - No School
9th Students return to School
22th Open Enrollment for current students
In this Newsletter
School News:
Golden Ticket Winners
Short Term Independent Study
Lost and Found
Flyers:
December Menu Here
Parent U Extension: Parenting in the Digital Era Here
2023 -2024 School Year Calendar - Here
SELPA 1 CAC Newsletter 2023-2024 Here
District News:
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6:00 p.m.
Superintendent's Community Check In on Friday, Dec. 8 at 3:30 pm
Open Enrollment for 2024-25 starts in January
Better Together: December
MVEF Update: Save us a Call
December CAC and LCC Events Here
Parent Chat - December 12, 10 am
What’s in an IEP? Advocating for your child Here
The View Teen Center: December Here
Letters to Santa Here
MV Public Library: Parenting Program Here
PTA News
Holiday Toy Drive - December 4-12
Parent Coffee- Friday Dec 8
Nominating Committee
Golden Ticket Winners November 30 , 2023
Theo B. RM: 1 Alivia R. RM: 11
Sam S. RM: 2 Eva F. RM: 12
Sophia H. RM: 3 Angel L. RM: 13
Isabel B. RM: 4 Eliana T. RM: 14
Makayla D. RM: 5 Keaton M. RM: 15
Eva N. RM: 6 Yuan L. RM: 16
Derek R. RM: 8 Jezebel A. RM: 17
Reya F. RM: 9 Remy D. RM: 18
Leyla B. RM: 10 Mr. Phan
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Short-term Independent Study Contract
It is a contract that allows students to miss a minimum of 3 days, with a maximum of 14 days per school year. It is approved on a case by case basis, requires a 2-week notice, and students must be in good academic and attendance standing. If the contract is not approved, the days will be counted as unexcused and the student may be considered truant. While we know that some absences cannot be helped, it is important to try to have your child in school as much as possible. Whenever you can, try to avoid taking trips during the school year -- or make efforts to take trips during District holidays.
Lost and Found
The lost and found rack is getting full again, please take a look to see if any items belong to your child. The last day to claim any items is Thursday, December 14th. Anything left after dismissal will be donated.
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DISTRICT NEWS
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6:00 p.m.
Some of the topics include:
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Board Policy: Use of School Facilities
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Approval of Joint Use Agreement with the City of Mountain View
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Reimagining Castro Elementary Plan Scope
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Equity Scorecard: Pilot and Future Use
For meeting details and agenda, please click here: https://www.mvwsd.org/trustees.
Superintendent's Community Check In on Friday, Dec. 8
Please join us for our Community Check-In with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, Dec. 8 at 3:30 p.m. Bring your questions. Spanish interpretation will be provided. Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/CC128.
Open Enrollment for 2024-25 starts in January
In January, the Mountain View Whisman School District will be opening student enrollment for next fall.
For CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents will be asked by email to confirm enrollment from January 22 to February 9.
For families enrolling NEW students: Please check www.mvwsd.org/register for details about virtual school information meetings held in January (http://mvw.sd/meetings), how to locate your neighborhood school, how to explore school options and the four steps to register during the enrollment period held January 22 to February 9.
Better Together: December
Join us in celebrating Human Rights Day on Sunday, December 10th. As a school community, let's empower young minds to embrace diversity, challenge biases, and stand up for justice. This special day is a perfect opportunity to engage in conversations with our kids about the importance of equality and respect for all. Together, we can shape a world where every voice is heard and every person is treated with kindness. For more information about Better Together, visit mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD.
MVEF Update: Save us a Call
The amount donated to MVEF so far this year is slightly less than in previous years. MVEF volunteers will soon be reaching out directly to inform our community about the need for donations each year. You can save us a call by donating today! Visit mvef.org/donate today!
This year, community donations to MVEF are providing:
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More than 8,500 Art4Schools lessons in 130 TK-5th Grade classrooms.
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Over 17,000 Music4Schools lessons in 170 TK-5th Grade Classrooms.
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Over 500 Living Classroom lessons for all students in TK-6th grade.
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Environmental Science lessons and field trips for all 4th and 5th graders.
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Additional English Language Arts teachers to reduce the average class size in grades 6-8.
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Supplemental funding for Performing Arts, Music, and Athletics Teams in grades 6-8.
When we achieve our fundraising goals, we can do even more for our students!
December CAC and LCC Events Here
SELPA 1 CAC and the Learning Challenge Committee are your groups for special education and broader learning challenge needs. If you have questions about learning challenges and special education needs, email [email protected] or check out www.selpa1cac.org
We encourage families to learn about the sensory needs all children: Try a Sensory Diet
Parent Chat - December 12, 10 am
Are you concerned about the emotional well-being of your child? Peer to peer support for parents of teens with mental health challenges. Every second Tuesday of the month at 10 am on Google Meet. Meeting is for 1 hour only due to Google Meet limitations. Contact [email protected] for invite.
What’s in an IEP? Advocating for your child
Presented by Gabriela Torres, Managing Attorney and Leah Kang, Senior Attorney
Fri, Jan 19, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm , Register to get your Zoom link
Join Palo Alto CAC and Disability Rights California virtually to learn what is Specially Designed Instruction and how the use of Supplementary Aids and Services can help children with disabilities achieve their education satisfactorily in the general educational environment according to LRE provision of IDEA. Flyer Questions? [email protected]
The View Teen Center: December Here
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. (on no school days or minimum days, The View Teen Center is open 1-6 p.m.), and the center features a game room, makerspace, kitchen, computer/study room, outdoor area, and much more! See attached flyer for details about upcoming events and programs in December or visit their webpage for more information.
Letters to Santa Here
This holiday season, all children who are residents of Mountain View can put together their wish lists and letters and send them to Santa! In return, Santa will mail a letter back! Letters will be accepted until Friday, Dec. 8. There are two ways for Santa to receive letters: 1) Drop off in Santa’s mailbox located at the Mountain View Community Center (201 S. Rengstorff Avenue) or 2) Mail letter to: City of Mountain View Recreation Division c/o Santa Claus P.O. box 7540, Mountain View, CA 94039. Don’t forget to include a return address! For more information, contact [email protected].
MV Public Library: Parenting Program Here
Join the MV Public Library for a book club discussion of Never Enough by Jennifer Wallace on Wednesday, January 17 on Zoom from 12:00pm - 1:00pm or in person from 7:30pm - 8:30pm. Read the book or listen to interviews with the author. Then join either meeting to discuss the effects of achievement culture on youth and ways to help teens feel that they matter and are valued. Registration is required.
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PTA News
Holiday Toy Drive - December 4-12
We will be collecting donations for Hope’s Corner, including new, unwrapped toys for children aged 0-18, from December 4-12th. Please drop off items in the provided bins in front of the office or to the front office staff during that time. All donations will go to local youth in need this holiday season, distributed through Hope’s Corner.
To view Hope Corner’s wishlist, visit: https://www.hopes-corner.org/wish-list
Parent Coffee- Friday Dec 8
Join us Friday, Dec 8, between 8am to 9am after drop-off for a coffee and pastries at Chetwood Park (345 Flower Ln, Mountain View), hosted by the PTA. Stay and chat or grab a cup and say a quick hello on your way to work!
Nominating Committee
We are looking for five volunteers to form our Nominating Committee. This is an important part of our PTA Association with very minimal time commitment. Committee members will help to find candidates for next year's open board positions. Please contact [email protected] for further information.
Kimberly Cheng, and the PTA Executive Board
[email protected]
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