Hello Golden Owls,
I know it’s been a few weeks since our Walkathon, but our fabulous PTA was finally able to calculate all the totals. With that, I am proud to announce that:
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The school collectively walked 7981 laps and raised $30,381 for PTA programs!
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Since we exceeded the school-wide goal of 4000 laps, I, Mr. Taylor, will be slimed this coming Friday! I will be slimed by the top student fundraiser from each class, along with additional students pulled from the prize drawing.
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There were 44 prizes total given through the prize drawing. Please note that physical prizes were already distributed in November.
A full review of all prize winners can be found here. On behalf of our entire community, I wanted to extend a special thank you to our Walkathon Committee. Co-Chairs: Sandy Wen and Sukie Grewal, Course and Prizes: Kate Odell, Mindy Stark, Concessions: Amanda Zack, Elena Herrera, Clarissa Exantus, Decorations: Franziska Romanovsky, Yuju Lee, Donations: Kim Cheng, Jennifer Chan, Volunteer Coordination: Shannon Lundin, and Spanish Translation: Elzbieta Sanjuan. Thank you so much for helping to make Vargas a Special Place.
Check out our new school video
Get a glimpse here of the dynamic learning that happens at our school! Many thanks to the staff, students, families, and entire community that makes our school such a wonderful learning community. Please share this video and the registration link (https://www.mvwsd.org/register) with potential new parents. We'd love to share what makes our school community special.
In Partnership,
In Partnership,
Principal Vern Taylor
Events Calendar
December
18th Parent U Extension: Parenting in the Digital Era 6:30-7:45 pm
18th Student Site Council 4:00 - 5:00 pm
22nd 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
16th ELAC Meeting (ELPAC Info) 8:00 - 9:00 am MUR
22th Open Enrollment for current students
In this Newsletter
School News:
Golden Ticket Winners
A Message from our Librarian
iReady Score Reports
December Celebrations
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:
Open Enrollment for 2024-25 starts in January
MVEF Update: Save us a Call
December CAC and LCC Events Here
What’s in an IEP? Advocating for your child
The View Teen Center: December Here
MV Public Library: Parenting Program Here
PTA News
ACE After-school Programs Starting Jan 2024
Blue Line Pizza/Books Inc Fundraiser Update
Nominating Committee
Golden Ticket Winners December 07 , 2023
Kathryn G. RM: 1 Connor R. RM: 11
Ali U. RM: 2 Estrella G. RM: 12
Armaan V. RM: 3 Andrew G. RM: 13
Angelo M. RM: 4 Israel R. RM: 14
Aadi S. RM: 5 Alexander S. RM: 15
Emily L. RM: 6 Sophia L. RM: 16
Rohan W. RM: 8 Antonio R. RM: 17
Maya K. RM: 9 Rizwan H. RM: 18
Valentina S. RM: 10
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A Message from our Librarian
As we start a new year, I want all of our Golden Owls to start on a good foot! Over the past month, I have noticed a few trends that make it difficult for everyone to enjoy the library. There are many damaged and lost books. When books are damaged or lost, other students cannot enjoy the books in the future. Additionally, many students are being disruptive and noisy during the library. This really creates an unpleasant environment for all students to enjoy the library. I appreciate your partnership in reminding your child/ren to be responsible and respectful while on campus.
Mrs. O
iReady Score Reports
Knowing students' strengths and areas for improvement is a great way for parents to support students at home. Parents can access their child’s i-Ready Diagnostic 2 reports beginning at 4 p.m. on Dec. 15 on the PowerSchool Parent Portal (https://ps.mvwsd.org/public/). Steps for accessing PowerSchool Parent Portal i-Ready Reports are here: https://www.mvwsd.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=418858&pageId=13218267#powerschool Learn more about how to read these helpful reports in the recording of the Parent U presentation, "Understanding your Child's Score Reports," available: English (https://vimeo.com/889703339) & Spanish (https://vimeo.com/889996575) And, as always, reach out to your child's teacher with questions!
December Celebrations
Over the months of November and December, many of our classrooms have been engaged in learning about the different traditions that are celebrated by different groups of people across the world. We have a diverse community, and it is great to see all of our students learning about the different holidays and celebrations that exist around this time including, Santa Lucia (December 13), Las Posadas (December 16-24), Hanukkah (December 7-15), Christmas (December 25), and Kwanzaa (December 26-January 1).
If you want to know more info about some holidays our students have been learning about, click here to see a presentation prepared by our Kindergarten team.
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
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.
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
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 flier for details about upcoming events and programs in December or visit their webpage for more information.
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
ACE After-school Programs Starting Jan 2024
Planning for after school enrichment programs, starting in January, have begun. While some programs are still being finalized, you can begin registering here: https://www.javargaspta.org/after-school-programs
Contact [email protected] with any questions.
Blue Line Pizza/Books Inc Fundraiser Update
Thank you, Vargas community, for your support! Through your contribution, we raised $445 at the Dine Out/Books Inc fundraiser. All funds will be used to support the enrichment of our students.
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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