Hello Golden Owls,
Please mark in your calendar that we will have a week of minimum days, December 4-8, 2023. These minimum days will allow us to hold Parent Teacher Conferences. Parent-Teacher Conferences are important as we partner up to support our students’ growth and development. To sign up for a 30-minute conference time, your teacher will email you a calendar link. You will be able to select from available time slots between 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm, each day of conference week. If none of these times work for you, please be sure to contact your child’s teacher, directly. The scheduling window will open on 11/17/23 at 3:00 pm, when you will receive an email link from your child’s teacher.
If you have technical issues, please email Principal Taylor directly at [email protected]. For all other questions, please contact Mrs. Bea at [email protected] or Ms. Silvia [email protected]. You can also call us in the school office at (650) 903-6952.
Step-by-Step Guide to Scheduling Your Appointment
Click on the Appointment Page Link provided by your teacher via email on 11/17/23.
Click on the open appointment time slot that works best for you. Open appointment time slots will be white/gray in color.
A scheduling window will open. Please type or in person. If you would like the assistance of a translator, please indicate this by typing the language you require in the “Description” box.
For Virtual conferences, your teacher will email you the video conference link the morning of your Parent-Teacher Conference.
In Partnership,
Principal Vern Taylor
Events Calendar
November
16th MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting 6:00 to 10:00 pm
16th Happy Birds Assembly, all grades K-5- MUR 8:30 to 11:20 am
17th Kinder Friendsgiving Potluck 12:45 - 1:45 pm
20th - 24th Thanksgiving Recess - No School
27th Parent U Extension: Effective Parent/Teacher Communication 6-7 pm MUR
27th to December 01 - i-Ready Diagnostic 2 Assessments
December
4th - 8th Conference Week Minimum day all week 12:00
7th Planetarium Visit 8:00 to 11:50 am at the MUR
22th Principal’s Coffee MUR 8:10 am
25th to January 5th Holiday Recess
In this Newsletter
School News:
Golden Ticket Winners
No Place for Hate Pledge and United Against Hate Week
i-Ready Diagnostic 2 Assessments
Parent University: Effective Parent/Teacher Communication
Safety and Security on Campus (Locking Gates)
Short Term Independent Study
Flyers:
November Menu Here
2023 -2024 School Year Calendar - Here
SELPA 1 CAC Newsletter 2023-2024 Here
District News:
Thanksgiving Recess
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Nov 16 at 6:00 pm
Parent University Speaker Series: Understanding Your Child’s Score Reports
Better Together: November
MVEF Update: Save us a call
The View Teen Center: November Here
MVHS Turkey Trot and Tree Lot Here & Here
PTA News
Books Inc. and Blue Line Pizza Fundraiser - Thursday November 30, 2023
Holiday Toy Drive - December 4-12
Nominating Committee
Walkathon Results
Message for Google Employees
Golden Ticket Winners November 09, 2023
Lawrence W. RM: 1 Taylor W. RM: 11
Leo B. RM: 2 Miles C. RM: 12
Audra L. RM: 3 Emma Y. RM: 13
Alexander C. RM: 4 Juliette B. RM: 14
Ethan W. RM: 5 Abel R. RM: 15
Olivia M. RM: 6 Haylee G. RM: 16
Goldie N. RM: 8 Aliana L. RM: 17
Ahmet O. RM: 9 Anika C. RM: 18
Tyson W. RM: 10 Ms. Suryan
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No Place for Hate Pledge and United Against Hate Week
This week, our students are joining in celebrating United Against Hate Week with All MVWSD as well as many cities and towns across California. A full list of participating cities can be found here. As part of the United Against Hate Week, our students will be engaging in several activities. At Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary, our students will be taking the No Place for Hate Pledge during today’s lunch. Additionally, at tomorrow’s Morning Assembly, we will also be reciting the No Place for Hate Pledge. Our Student Council members will be scouting out students who are being kind. Connecting to our larger theme this year of supporting students becoming allies, our teachers will also be connecting to our November theme of Empathy. Students will be discussing how they can better understand what others are going through by using an activity called Circle of Concern.
i-Ready Diagnostic 2 Assessments
Students will take the i-Ready Math and Reading Diagnostic 2 during the week of November 27 - Dec 1. i-Ready is an online program that helps us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth in mathematics and reading.
Families, Below are some tips you may find useful to help prepare your child for the diagnostic assessment:
Explain to your child that it is important to do his/her best.
Remind your children to work out their problems and pace themselves
Make sure that your child is well-rested and has breakfast the day of the assessment.
Please make sure to encourage your child.
This is a diagnostic test that covers information that may be beyond their current level. Please reassure them that they should try their best even through difficult questions.
Parent University: Effective Parent/Teacher Communication
Monday, November 27, 2023 at 6:00PM in the Vargas MUR
Please join us for a thorough discussion on effective communication between home and school and tips on how to have a successful parent-teacher conference. Mr Taylor, principal from Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School, will provide helpful feedback on how to approach difficult topics when talking to your child’s teacher or office staff, and on how to prepare for our parent/teacher conferences. Parents will also learn how to navigate the PowerSchool parent portal and how to read and understand the iReady report and the school report cards.
Safety and Security on Campus (Locking Gates)
For student and staff safety, it's very important for our school to limit points of entry during school hours. As you know, in MVWSD, we have been working on enabling the locks on our field gates during the school day. For students at Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School, there will be no change in current practice, but beginning Nov. 27, the field gates on all MVWSD campuses will be locked from the outside shortly after the last morning bell rings. Parents will be able to access school when the dismissal bell rings. Tardy students and visitors should continue to enter and check-in through the main office doors.The public will continue to have access to school fields on weekends and on weekday evenings after 4 p.m. at elementary schools and after 5 p.m. at middle schools. If the gates are locked after hours, you can call (650) 526-3248 x1004. Thank you for supporting our safety procedures.
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.
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DISTRICT NEWS
Thanksgiving Recess
There is no school from Nov. 20-24th for Thanksgiving Recess. We will resume classes on Monday, Nov. 27th. Wishing you a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving break!
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 6:00 p.m.
Some of the topics include:
Environmental Sustainability Advisory Council Progress and Green Scores Report
Universal PreKindergarten
Organizational Meeting Discussion
For meeting details and agenda, please click here: https://www.mvwsd.org/trustees.
Parent University Speaker Series: Understanding Your Child’s Score Reports
Date and Time: November 28, 2023, 5:30-7pm Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/pu112823
Understanding your child’s district and state test scores is key to building a foundation of excellence. Join Swati Dagar, our Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, as she discusses accessing and interpreting score reports and using the information to engage in a productive partnership with your child’s teacher(s).
To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
Better Together: November
This month’s theme for #BetterTogetherMVWSD is Empathy. Empathy is fundamental in promoting understanding, compassion, and unity among individuals and communities. It enables us to connect with others on a deeper level, to share their joys and sorrows, and to stand in their shoes, even when we may not fully comprehend their experiences. Recognizing United Against Hate Week is an important time of year as it underscores the need to combat discrimination, prejudice, and bigotry in all their forms. By participating in this initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a community where empathy is not just a concept but a guiding principle that helps us build a world where people of all backgrounds can coexist harmoniously, free from fear and hatred. Join us as we recognize United Against Hate Week with activities and programming taking place November 13-17th at all school sites. 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:
More than 8,500 Art4Schools lessons in 130 TK-5th Grade classrooms.
Over 17,000 Music4Schools lessons in 170 TK-5th Grade Classrooms.
Over 500 Living Classroom lessons for all students in TK-6th grade.
Environmental Science lessons and field trips for all 4th and 5th graders.
Additional English Language Arts teachers to reduce the average class size in grades 6-8.
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!
The View Teen Center: November 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 November or visit their webpage for more information.
MVHS Turkey Trot and Tree Lot Here & Here
MVHS Sports Boosters will be hosting the 14th Annual Spartan Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning (Thursday, November 23rd) at Mountain View High School (3535 Truman Avenue). All proceeds benefit the MVHS athletics department. For more information about this event or to register for the 5K Walk/Run, Kids Run or Spartan Mile, visit https://www.spartanturkeytrot.com/.
MVHS Sports Boosters will be opening up the Annual Spartans Tree Lot on Friday, November 24 at 10 AM for the 2023 season at the Mountain View High School Stadium (3535 Truman Ave.). Spartans Tree Lot offers premium, top-quality trees ranging in size from 3 feet to 12+ feet, holiday decorations, and supplies. In person and online delivery options are available. All proceeds benefit Mountain View High School Athletics. For more information, head to: SpartansTreeLot.com.
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PTA News
Books Inc and Blue Line Pizza Fundraiser - Thursday November 30th
Get your holiday booklist ready and join us at Books Inc (317 Castro Street) on Thursday, November 30th from 5-8PM. Books Inc will give 10% of sales for JA Vargas back to our PTA.
Additionally, dine at Blue Line Pizza (146 Castro Street) between 11:30AM-8:30PM on the same day, and they will donate 15% of sales back to our PTA. Only applies to in-person dining and takeout; DoorDash, happy hour discounts, promotions and beverages not included in the donation.
Holiday Toy Drive - December 4-12
We will be collecting 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 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
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. Please contact [email protected] for further information.
Walkathon Results
Thanks to our hard working students and our generous community, we surpassed our fundraising goal, raising $30,381!! The students walked a total of 7,981 laps (or 1596.2 miles), roughly the distance from Mountain View to Houston, earning the reward of slime-ing Mr. Taylor. Thank you again to our Walkathon Committee, sponsors and all volunteers who helped make the Walkathon a success. This week we will be tabulating individual and grade level goals, drawing names for raffle prizes, and notifying prize winners.
Message for Google Employees
Googlers: Consider donating to the Jose Antonio Vargas PTA during Google's Holiday Giving Campaign from November 6-17. During this time, employees receive a $400 credit in Benevity (google.benevity.org) to donate to a charity of their choice. Your PTA contributions will fund student programs this winter such as in-school assemblies, classroom supplies, and field trips. Thank you in advance for your support! Email [email protected] with any questions.
Kimberly Cheng, and the PTA Executive Board
[email protected]
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