Principal’s Message:
Hello Golden Owls,
I am thrilled to share that Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary and 6 other MVWSD have been named by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to their 2024 list of America’s Healthiest Schools. The award annually recognizes schools nationwide who are leaders in promoting student health and well-being.
Vargas and the other schools were awarded for increasing family and community engagement and improving social-emotional health & learning. Theuerkauf Elementary was also awarded for cultivating staff well-being.
This award underscores MVWSD’s commitment to a Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child approach to education, in which the entire community contributes to students’ academic, physical, and social-emotional health. The families and staff of Vargas and at the 6 other MVWSD schools have been instrumental in promoting a school environment that values physical health and emotional well-being alongside academic success.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation announced the official list of this year’s 879 awardees in early September. We look forward to celebrating this accomplishment with other schools nationwide that share our commitment to prioritizing educating the whole child.
Congratulations, Golden Owl!
In Partnership,
Principal Vern Taylor
Events Calendar
September
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11th
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SSC Meeting, 5pm - Join Here
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13th
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Vargas Movie Night, 6:45pm - Vargas Field
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19th
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MVWSD Board Meeting, District Office 6pm-10pm -
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23rd
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DELAC Meeting - Castro/Mistral MUR, 5:30pm
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27th
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Principal’s Coffee - 8:10am, MUR
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October
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3rd
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Mountain View Library Field Trip
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3rd
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MVWSD Board Meeting, District Office 6pm-10pm
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4th
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Superintendent Community Check In - 3:30pm - Register Here
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10th
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Teacher-In-Service-Day - No School
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11th
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Recess Day - No School
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14th
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Lifetouch Picture Retakes
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17th
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MVWSD Board Meeting, District Office 6pm-10pm
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18th
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Vargas Walk-a-Thon
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21st - 25th
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Parent - Teacher Conference Week - Minimum Days - Dismissal 11:55am
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28th - 31st
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Walden West Science Camp
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In this Newsletter
School News:
Golden Ticket Winners
From the Library: Record a question for the author!
Item Drop-offs
Short-term Independent Study
Gift Card Donation
Flyers:
2024 -2025 School Year Calendar - Here
September Menu - Here
Calmer Connections 9/19 - Flyer
District News:
Join us on our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) journey!
Join the MVWSD Budget Advisory Committee (BAC)!
Parent University: The Science of Reading, Part 2
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: There is Help. There is Hope.
Better Together: September
Applying to be a school volunteer this year? Training and help sessions happen this month
Ask your student about their MVEF-funded classes
PTA News:
Save the Date!! - Details to come
Movie Night - Fri Sept 13
Membership Drive - ends Sept 13
Konstella
Afterschool Enrichment Classes
Spirit Wear
Website
Community Partners
MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series: Peggy Orenstein
Ravenswood Mayview Flu Vaccine Clinics - Flyer
School News
Golden Ticket Winners September 5, 2024
Faye R. RM: 1 Maxwell L. RM: 11
Marcus W. RM: 2 Veronica F. RM: 12
Vivan B. RM: 3 Matthew P. RM: 13
Matilda L. RM: 4 Taylor W. RM: 14
Yiselle R. RM: 5 Elida V. RM: 15
Maddie N. RM: 6 Vika S. RM: 16
Jaiden O. RM: 8 Alexander S. RM: 17
Ethan W. RM: 8 Kayli L. RM: 17
Enrique M. RM: 9 Grant V. RM: 18
Siddharth V. RM: 10 Mr. Green RM: 9
From the Library: Record a question for the author!
We are having the best-selling author of the Spy School series, Stuart Gibbs, speak to our students virtually next week as part of our subscription to BookBreak. Your child can submit a question for the author talk which may be shown to hundreds of schools on the nationwide livestream!
How to submit a video:
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The videos can be recorded on a smartphone. There is no need for any special equipment.
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Take the videos in landscape orientation (i.e. hold your phone sideways)
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Be aware of what is in the background. A blank wall or door is best.
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There cannot be any background noise.
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Be sure that we can see your child’s whole face straight on in good lighting.
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Students should state their first name, school name, and state. (Example: Hi, I'm Eva from Washington Elementary in California. I was wondering...)
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Only record one question per video, no more than 20 seconds long
Submit your question here by Friday, September 13. BookBreak will let us know if one of our students has been chosen. For more information, please see this flyer.
Items Drop-Offs
Snack/Lunch, music instrument, water bottle, Chromebook, and any other drop-offs
Please ensure your child has everything they need with them for school when you drop off in the morning. We are unable to assist and guarantee personal item distribution each day. I suggest a morning check-list to ensure you have all items. This can also help students build independence as they get older.
Short-term Independent Study
Short-term Independent Study is a contract that allows students to work independently when there are circumstances that make attending school difficult. Short-term Independent study can range from a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 14 days per school year. Contracts are approved on a case-by-case basis, require a 2-week notice, and require students to be in good academic and attendance standing.
While we know that some absences cannot be helped, it is important to do your best 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 (2024-2025 School Year Calendar). Our office staff can assist you with contract details: Ms. Antunez [email protected] or Ms. Silvia [email protected].
*Please note, if the contract is not approved, the days will be counted as unexcused and the student may be considered truant.
*Also note that extending vacation is not considered an excused absence. Students will be considered truant if they accumulate absences for vacation purposes.
Gift Card Donation
As you may know, there are several families in our district that need help to meet some basic needs. The district is providing meals every day. But some families need more support for providing food, clothes and shoes for their kids. There is a critical need for gift cards for these families. If you are able, please consider donating a Safeway,Target or Costco gift card to families in our own district. Thanks so much for your help! Let’s show these families how strong and supportive our Vargas community really is!
Please bring the gift cards to the office. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Bea, School and Community Engagement Facilitator – SCEF- at [email protected].
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District News
Join us on our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) journey!
We are seeking applicants to join the MVWSD 2024-2025 SEL Curriculum Adoption Committee, where our focus will be Social Emotional Learning curriculum adoption. If you are interested in being a part of this moment in our SEL journey, please complete this application by September 20, 2024.
The SEL Curriculum Adoption Committee is seeking participants from all members of our District community, however it must be primarily composed of MVWSD teachers. We will meet up to 11 times this school year between October and April, including 3 Saturdays. The objective of this committee is to examine stakeholder input, SEL curriculum options, engage in a curriculum pilot, and make recommendation(s) to the Board of Trustees for adoption. Applying neither commits you, nor guarantees a seat on the committee. Following your application, you will be provided with next steps. Apply here: http://mvw.sd/SELCommittee
Join the MVWSD Budget Advisory Committee (BAC)!
Are you passionate about education and financial transparency? Do you want to help the district allocate its resources to ensure the biggest benefit for students? The Mountain View Whisman School District announces the formation of its new Budget Advisory Committee, and we need YOU!
About the BAC: The Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) is an essential advisory group that collaborates with the District to review, analyze, and make recommendations about the budget to the Superintendent. The goal is to ensure that the district’s financial decisions align with the strategic plan and meet the needs of our diverse students, staff, and community.
Roles & Responsibilities:
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Review and Analyze: Examine the district’s budget, revenue sources, and expenditures to understand financial trends and projections.
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Provide Input: Offer feedback and recommendations on budget priorities, cost-saving measures that minimize the impact on student learning and staff welfare, and revenue enhancement opportunities.
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Engage: Serve as a liaison between the district and the broader community, sharing information and gathering input from stakeholders.
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Collaborate: Work with other committee members to develop practices that support the district’s educational goals.
Member Makeup: We are seeking a diverse group of members to ensure comprehensive representation across our district, including parents and community members
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Meetings: The BAC will meet quarterly, with additional meetings as needed during the budget season.
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Outside of meetings: Members may be asked to review data and documents, or participate in community engagement outside of regular BAC meetings
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Participation: We ask that members commit to attending at least 75% of meetings and actively participate in discussions and subcommittees.
How to Apply: Complete the online application here by September 23, 2024.
Parent University: The Science of Reading, Part 2
Date and Time: September 24, 2024, 5:30-7:00pm Registration Link: mvw.sd/pu092424r
In this second part of a two-part series, we will briefly recap part one and continue to learn more about the Science of Reading, particularly the importance of background knowledge and vocabulary for reading comprehension. We will discuss what that means for your child at school, and how you can support them at home. If you missed part one (in which we discussed phonics and word reading), you can watch or listen to the recording at mvwsd.org/parentu
About the speaker: Dr. Cyndee Nguyen is MVWSD’s Director of Early Literacy. She leads district efforts to ensure that all students, especially those of early elementary age, develop into capable and confident readers. Previously, Dr. Nguyen was a teacher and the principal of Bubb Elementary School.
To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your question during the session. Can’t make it this time? No problem - we always post the recordings a few days later at mvwsd.org/parentu
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: There is Help. There is Hope.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available to provide help and hope. This lifeline is for any need: Call or Text 988 or online at 988lifeline.org https://988lifeline.org.
Suicide impacts millions of people across the U.S., touching every community. As parents, caregivers, educators, and neighbors, we all have a role to play in preventing suicide. During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (#SPM24), it’s vital to learn how to support those around us and recognize the signs of someone in crisis.
By coming together, we can create a stronger, more compassionate community where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported. Learning the warning signs and risk factors of suicide is key to offering hope to those struggling. By listening, sharing resources, and talking openly about mental health, we can save lives.
Let’s work together to offer support, prevent tragedy, and build a future where everyone feels valued. #SuicidePreventionMonth
If you or someone you know is in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available to provide help and hope. This lifeline is for any need: Call or Text 988 or online at 988lifeline.org https://988lifeline.org.
Better Together: September
A classroom is more than just four walls and desks - it's a vibrant community where students learn, grow, and support each other. #BetterTogether in September highlights how each student contributes their unique talents and perspectives to create a rich learning environment. September 15th also marks the beginning of Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month. Look out for some additional content mid-month. For more information about Better Together, visit mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD.
Applying to be a school volunteer this year? Training and help sessions happen this month
We appreciate our parent volunteers! Please check your inbox (email dated Aug. 5) for important information about mandated training and optional volunteer help sessions coming up in the next two weeks. For an overview of the process, please visit https://www.mvwsd.org/volunteers.
Ask your student about their MVEF-funded classes
A few of your student’s favorite teachers and classes are probably funded by MVEF.
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An extra ELA teacher at each middle school means more manageable class sizes.
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Art & Music teachers from CSMA and plant science instruction from Living Classroom will begin enriching the experiences of elementary students this month.
The generosity of MVEF donors makes these things possible. To become an MVEF donor or renew your gift for the current school year, click here.
PTA News
Save the Date!! - Details to come
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Friday, Sept 13: Movie Night
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Wed, Sept 25: PTA Association Meeting, 6PM @ the Vargas Library
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Friday, Oct 18: Walkathon - Save the date to join our main fundraiser of the year!
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Friday, Oct 25: Trunk-or-Treat
Movie Night - Fri Sept 13
Join us for an outdoor screening of Inside Out 2 on the field on Friday, Sept 13th (hosted by the PTA). Concession sales (popcorn, pizza, candy, drinks (including boba milk tea) will start at 6:15PM and the movie will begin around 7:00PM. Bring a blanket or a chair and join us! Also, if you’re able to help– sign up on Konstella for a shift to help sell concessions.
Membership Drive - ends Sept 13
Support your students’ classrooms and school community by joining the Vargas PTA! Memberships cost $10 and help pay for PTA- funded programs. Members have a voice in budget and operations and help to build our Golden Owl community. We hope to raise $150 per student through membership and donations to make these programs and events possible. Our goal is to have 250 members this year and we are 80% there! Classrooms that reach 70% membership participation will get a popsicle party. First three classes to reach the membership goal will win a bonus voucher for Scholastic books. Join us– together, we can help to make our school even stronger!
Click here to join and make a contribution: https://jointotem.com/ca/mountain-view/jose-antonio-vargas-pta
To receive PTA membership fee sponsorship, contact Mr. Taylor or Ms. Beatriz Claas.
If you are interested in sponsoring membership for Vargas individuals in need, contact [email protected].
Konstella
Want to hear about the school-wise events planned by the PTA? Konstella is a free app/website– you do not have to be a member to join. The PTA will post information about meetings, events and volunteer opportunities. You will also be able to communicate with other families from your child's classroom.
To Join a Classroom
Web: Click your name at the top left corner. Click “Your Children” to add/modify your children.
Mobile App: Click the Settings icon at the top left corner. Click “Your Children”. Membership
Afterschool Enrichment Classes
The PTA has teamed up to bring a variety of after school classes this Fall. Check out the list here: https://www.javargaspta.org/after-school-programs
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NEW this year: Bay Area Chess, Coding programs, Animation, in addition to Science, BrickTech, Basketball, Run for Fun, Coach Ken Soccer, and The Green Room.
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Sign up quickly as spots are limited. Programs that don’t meet enrollment minimums are subject to cancellation.
Spirit Wear
Mondays are spirit days at JA Vargas; wear green and show your school spirit. Check out our selection of green spirit wear. Place your order online and pick it up on designated days at the office.
https://www.javargaspta.org/ja-vargas-store
Website
Find links to membership, Konstella, gear shop and volunteer opportunities on our website.
Kimberly Cheng, and the Executive Board
[email protected]
From Our Community Partners
MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series: Peggy Orenstein
Let’s Talk About Sex: How a New Generation Navigates Hookups, Porn, Love & Consent
Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 7PM, Los Altos High School - Eagle Theater
In this talk, Orenstein combines her research with voices of both boys and girls (as well as those between or beyond genders), to discuss the impact on high school and college students’ sexual scripts of mainstream media, social media and porn; hookup culture; changing expectations around consent; the politics of sexual pleasure; the diversity of sexual orientations; gendered power dynamics. With humor and compassion, she separates myth from reality, ultimately giving parents, educators and young people the conversational tools they need to ensure safe, pleasurable, mutually satisfying sexual encounters and intimate relationships. Register for this free event here.
Ravenswood Mayview Flu Vaccine Clinics - Flyer
Free Community Flu Vaccine Clinics are happening from October 5th through December 7th (schedule is below). You do not have to be a patient of Ravenswood Family Health Network to get your flu shot. Any child ages 3 years and older can receive a flu vaccine at any one of our clinics. See attached flyers or visit https://ravenswoodfhn.org/service/flu/ for more information.