Principal’s Message:
Hello Golden Owls,
Yesterday we celebrated the 100th day of school. As we start the last half of this school year, we are also preparing for the next school year. We know that this is a busy time of the year, but we do need your help as we plan for next school year.
First, enrollment for next fall for all students in the Mountain View Whisman School District is open now at www.mvwsd.org/register.
For CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents, click on the link in your email to confirm enrollment before February 7 or login to your parent portal. Whether your family plans to return to MVWSD or relocate over the summer, please complete the survey. It provides an option to inform us of your plans either way.
If you need assistance completing the survey, we invite you to join us for our Registration Help Night tomorrow, 1/30/2025, from 5 PM to 7 PM in the MUR. Please remember to bring proof of residency to complete the process.
For families enrolling NEW students, please check www.mvwsd.org/register to locate your neighborhood school, how to explore school options and the four steps to register before February 9.
Second, the District is updating the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). Your responses to the survey will guide the update of our District plan for the 2025-26 school year. Please click on your unique survey link sent to your email. Your responses are confidential. Students in grades 4-8 will also be taking the LCAP survey. More information found here: mvwsd.org/LCAP.
For more information about LCAP and our Dashboard, please join me at Friday’s Principal’s Coffee at 8:10 AM in the MUR!
Both of these things will help ensure that we are able to plan for next school year. As you may know, we determine our staff based on accurate enrollment. To make sure that we have the best data, please complete enrollment by February 7, 2025.
Additionally, the LCAP survey provides us insight into how we are doing as a district, and as a school. This allows us to update the programming at our schools as best as we can to improve the experience for students. Please complete the survey before February 14, 2025.
In Partnership,
Principal Vern Taylor
Events Calendar
January 2025
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30th
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Student Registration Help Night, 5pm - MUR
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30th
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MVWSD Board Meeting, District Office 6pm-10pm
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31st
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Principal’s Coffee, 8:10am - MUR in person
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February 2025
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10th
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Mountain View Library Field Trip
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13th
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Happy Hollow Assembly
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13th
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MVWSD Board Meeting, District Office 6pm-10pm
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14th
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End of Trimester 2 - Minimum Day Dismissal at 11:55am
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17th - 21st
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Presidents/Winter Break - No School
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28th
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Principal’s Coffee, 8:10am - MUR in person
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28th
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Steam Museum Assembly
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In this Newsletter
School News:
Golden Ticket Winners
Lunar New Year
Lost and Found
Playdate January 31st
Flyers:
2024 -2025 School Year Calendar - Here
2025-2026 School Year Calendar - Here
January Menu - Here
District News:
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Jan. 30.
Open Enrollment for 2025-26 starts January 21
LCAP survey opening on January 27
MVWSD Preschool Program: Apply now for August
MVEF - SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR SPRING GALA ON SAT., APRIL 26TH, FROM 6-10 pm!
MVEF IS SEEKING NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES
PTA News:
Upcoming Events
Friendly Reminder: School-Wide Playdate – National Backward Day! Fri Jan 31st, 4-6pm
Save the Date — “Dance on the Wild Side” - Feb 13th, 5:30-7:30pm
Winter Afterschool Enrichment Classes (Starting January 2025)
Community Partners:
SCCOE Tobacco Use Prevention Education - Flyer
MVLA Speaker Series: Accountable with Dashka Slater
Silicon Valley Reads 2025 Program
School News
Golden Ticket Winners January 23, 2025
Emmanuel Q. RM: 1 Keily M. RM: 11
Alex H. RM: 2 Aquilles V. RM: 12
Alyssa P. RM: 3 Erika F. RM: 13
Lawrence W. RM: 4 Emma Y. RM: 14
Mateo V. RM: 5 Hannah C. RM: 15
Oliver D. RM: 6 Nika S. RM: 16
Olivia C. RM: 8 Venya M. RM: 16
Eva N. RM: 9 Keaton M. RM: 17
PArker H. RM: 10 Ms. Mai RM: 13
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Lunar New Year (Flyer)
Today, January 29, over 2 billion humans will celebrate Lunar New Year (or “Spring Festival”) across multiple East / Southeast Asian countries, and around the world. Lunar Calendars have existed for over 30,000 years, and many families have reunions during this period (akin to Thanksgiving). The Zodiac will transition from the Dragon Year (2024) to the Snake Year (this upcoming year). Festive foods to celebrate include Rice Cakes, Fruit Platters, Desserts, and Fish. Red is considered a very prosperous color, and other festivities can include Fireworks or Dances. Live Long and Prosper!!
Flyer courtesy of Alvin Lin, parent of a 4th grader.
Event
Our parents will be hosting a lunch time event on Friday, January 31. If you are interested in helping out please reach out to Ms. Bea at [email protected].
Lost and Found
The lost and found rack is getting full, please take a look to see if any items belong to your child. The last day to claim any items is this Friday, January 31st. Anything left after dismissal will be donated.
Play Date January 31, 2025 4-6 PM
Thank you to our PTA for hosting our school-wide play date on Friday, January 31 from 4-6. It is always National Backwards Day, and you are invited to wear your clothes backwards, if you’d like!
Black History Month
Saturday, February 1, 2025 is the beginning of Black History Month. As we think about the significance of having months like Black History Month. It is necessary for not only our Black Golden Owls, but all of our Golden Owls, to recognize and celebrate the significant achievements of Black individuals. I encourage you all to start discussions with your children at home as well. You can start by asking the following questions. Why is there a Black History Month? How can we celebrate Black History all year? Why is it important to celebrate Black history all year long?
Again, I appreciate all your partnership and support in helping to make our community inclusive.
If your family would like some resources, please see these resources by PBS.
District News
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Jan. 30. Closed session will begin at 5:00 p.m., and open/public session begins at 6 p.m.
Some of the topics include:
For meeting details and agenda, please click here: https://www.mvwsd.org/trustees.
Open Enrollment for 2025-26 starts January 21
The Mountain View Whisman School District will be opening student enrollment for next fall on January 21.
For CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents will be asked by email to confirm enrollment from January 21 to February 7.
For families enrolling NEW students: Please check www.mvwsd.org/register for how to locate your neighborhood school, how to explore school options and the four steps to register during the enrollment period held January 21 to February 7.
Transitional Kindergarten Info Meeting: Jan. 22, 6:30 p.m.
Meeting link: http://mvw.sd/TK122. Click here to watch a video about TK and learn about our programs for young learners: mvwsd.org/kinderready
For Fifth-Grade Families: Middle School Info Night on January 22, 2025
Please join us at this fun and informative virtual event. It is an opportunity for you and your fifth-grader to learn about middle school life next year as sixth-graders. You will have the opportunity to hear from our principals, learn about classes, hear tips on how to be successful at middle school and ask any questions you may have. Students are encouraged to attend!
Crittenden at 5:30 p.m. Meeting link: http://mvw.sd/CR0122
Graham at 6:30 p.m. Meeting link: http://mvw.sd/GR022
LCAP survey opening on January 27
The District is updating the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). Your responses to the survey will guide the update of our District plan for the 2025-26 school year.
Parents, please click on your unique survey link that will be sent to your email address on Jan. 27. Your survey link is unique to your household and only one parent/guardian can complete it.
Your responses are confidential. Students in grades 4-8 will also be taking the LCAP survey. More information found here: mvwsd.org/LCAP
MVWSD Preschool Program: Apply now for August
Explore our flexible, low-cost and convenient options for all families in our high-quality preschool program. Preschool offers affordable tuition and an 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. class, in addition to extended/full-day class until 3 p.m. and part-day (3 hour) classes.
Our preschool offers age-appropriate early math, language, literacy and science inquiry instruction, as well as social-emotional development. Children who will be 3- or 4-years old are eligible (Minimum age: 3 years old by December 1, 2025. Maximum age: 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2025.)
Learn more at these parent meetings:
January 29 @ 4:00 pm (English) Zoom link: http://mvw.sd/PK129
February 6 @ 4:00 pm (Spanish) Zoom link: http://mvw.sd/PK26
Preschool is currently located near Castro/Mistral Elementary Schools (1850 Latham St.) and Theuerkauf Elementary (1625 San Luis Ave.)
For more info go to www.mvwsd.org/preschool or call 650-526-3560.
MVEF - SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR SPRING GALA ON SAT., APRIL 26TH, FROM 6-10 pm!
Join Us to Celebrate 40 Years of MVEF! 
Four decades of empowering students and strengthening our community - let's celebrate together! Save the date for an evening of fun, entertainment, inspiration and connection.
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for ticket info and more event details. It’s a great chance to unwind, connect with friends and other community members to support our students. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 
Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 06:00-10:00 pm | Los Altos Community Center
MVEF IS SEEKING NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES
Are you passionate about public education, our local community and want to make an impact in our community? Or do you have any recommendations for board members from your community or the district community?
MVEF is actively recruiting new Board members or School Representatives! Learn more here or email [email protected] for any interest! If you recommend anyone, our recruiting committee will follow up with candidates directly.
PTA News
Upcoming Events:
Fri Jan 31- School-wide Playdate, 4-6pm
Thurs Feb 6 - Campus Clean-up 12:20-1:00pm
Thurs Feb 13 - “Dance on the Wild Side,” 5:30-7:30pm
Friendly Reminder: School-Wide Playdate – National Backward Day! Fri Jan 31st, 4-6pm
Join us this Friday, January 31st, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM for a fun-filled school-wide play date to celebrate National Backward Day!
Don’t forget to bring your water bottle to stay refreshed and some snacks to keep your energy up.
Get into the spirit by:
See you on the playground! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Sukie Grewal at [email protected].
Save the Date — “Dance on the Wild Side” - Feb 13th, 5:30-7:30pm
In the Fall, we “Walked on the Wild Side.” Now it’s time to “Dance on the Wild Side!” On Thursday, February 13th, from 5:30-7:30 in the MUR, there will be games, crafts, and a little “tiger tango.” Save the date, more details to come!
Winter Afterschool Enrichment Classes (Starting January 2025)
Most Winter afterschool enrichment classes are starting next week! Visit our website for more information: https://www.javargaspta.org/winter-after-school-programs
* Contact [email protected] with any questions about programs or scholarships.
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Monday: Basketball (all grades), Lando Engineering (gr 1-3), Amusement Park Engineering (Snapology, gr 1-4)
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Tuesday: Creative Coding with Scratch (Lando, gr 1-3), Creative Writing (gr 3-5)
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Wednesday: Fantastic Forces by Mad Science (gr 1-5), Code for Fun (grades 4-5)
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Thursday: Bay Area Chess (gr 1-5), Green Room Musical Theater (gr 1-5), Coach Ken Soccer (all grades)
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Friday: Run for Fun (all grades. free trial offered), Star Wars with LEGO (Bricktech, gr K-2), Creative Clay Academy (gr 1-3)
Kimberly Cheng, and the Executive Board
[email protected]
From Our Community Partners
SCCOE Tobacco Use Prevention Education - Flyer
Join the SCCOE Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program for a bilingual event on the harmful effects of vaping and cannabis on adolescent health. This session will provide you with essential knowledge and resources to guide and support your children in making informed decisions. Learn strategies for starting conversations about these issues and connect with other parents dedicated to fostering a healthier environment for our youth. Sessions will be held at 5:30pm on January 28, February 6, April 2, and April 9. See flyer for more details or contact Alison Medeiros at [email protected].
MVLA Speaker Series: Accountable with Dashka Slater
Join the next MVLA Speaker Series presentation, “Accountable: The True Story of a Local Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives it Changed,” with Dashka Slater on Tuesday, February 4 at 7PM at the Mountain View High School Theater. Join the author for a discussion of the propulsive and thought-provoking true story about the revelation of a racist social media account that changes everything for a group of high school students and begs the question: What does it mean to be held accountable for harm that takes place behind a screen? Register for this free event here.
Silicon Valley Reads 2025 Program
Silicon Valley Reads is a community engagement program that features books and an annual theme to bring people together by providing more than 150 free, public events each year in February and March. The 2025 theme is "Empowering Humanity: Technology for a Better World." We will learn from those on the forefront of the AI movement, explore ways in which technology impacts our daily lives and future, address questions related to ethics, and discuss how we can create a positive impact using the tools that are rapidly becoming accessible to each of us. For the featured books for adults and children and 2025 calendar of events, visit https://www.siliconvalleyreads.org/.