Dear Golden Owls,

October is safety month in our district. During this month, our schools will practice safety drills that are crucial for preparing us for potential crisis events. This month is an opportunity for staff and students to test our emergency response actions and make improvements. 

We know some of these drills may be unsettling for parents and students. Please know that we approach our practices with sensitivity and age-appropriate activities. In these uncertain times, it is imperative that our students and staff members know what to do to keep themselves and others safe. 

During this month, practices to be held:

• Fire drill: Monthly. 

We practice how a building would be evacuated in the event of a fire or other emergencies, and how students are accounted for.

• Earthquake drill: Annual. To be held the week of October 14.

Students and staff members practice strategies for evacuation, accounting for students, parent-student reunification, search and rescue techniques, first aid, and school operations without power, food or water.

• Active shooter/dangerous intruder practice: Annual in October.

We practice what to do in the event of a dangerous intruder or similar event on campus. 

• For elementary schools, a video will be shown sometime during the week of October 21.  Classes will view the “dangerous intruder” video that encourages children to stay calm, listen to trusted adults and stick to the plan. You may preview the video at www.mvwsd.org/safety. 

• For information about how parents can talk with their children about school violence, please see these resources:

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers

Talking to your children about lockdown drills

While talking about and practicing for events like this is uncomfortable, we believe that if students know what to do, they will feel more confident, and ultimately be better equipped to react with safety in mind. If you have concerns or questions specific to your child, please contact your principal. 

Safety month is part of a much larger effort by MVWSD as it continues to work to ensure the safety of its students and staff members on its campuses. To learn more about preparation, planning and current District work on school safety, please visit www.mvwsd.org/safety.

We appreciate your support of these efforts to ensure our students’ safety.

Mr. Taylor

School News

• Golden Ticket Winners

• English Learner (EL) Board Goal

• Need Noon Duty Supervisors

District News

• Workshop on IEP (Individual Education Plan) for Special Education & 504 Plan 

• Crittenden Performing Arts Luau 

• MVLA Parent Education Speaker - Max Stossel

• Right At School - Open House

• MV Parent U: Mental Health Basics

Golden Ticket Winners - Week 9/30

Week 9/30                   

Matilda     RM: 3

Sissi          RM: 6

Yusa         RM: 9

Noam        RM: 10

Jeselmax   RM: 20

English Learner (EL) Board Goal

Our district works hard to collect and use student performance data in order to improve instruction for student success. Preliminary CAASPP scores, which show gains for all schools and grade levels in English language arts including subgroups such as English learners, indicate that we are on the right track. 

The process of using data entails looking honestly and deeply at what the numbers are telling us. Delving into data made us realize that not as many students as we hoped were reaching English proficiency at the rate we expected. We saw that many EL students were not progressing, and in fact at times regressing, in their English language development.

Recently, the Board of Trustees heard a review of English language learner progress and discussed increasing expectations. The new revised goal will focus on reclassification, rather than just proficiency on ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessments for California), which is the first step in English learner reclassification to English proficient. The hope for all of our students is that they are fully proficient in both the English language and content standards, and reclassification is the path.

Last week I talked about site plans.  I will be meeting with School Site Council and ELAC to focus on English language development and revising our school goals for English learners. Site plans contain a variety of goals to support English language learners in their journey to reclassification. We will meet these goals with targeted instruction, professional development, vigilant data monitoring, and our school community’s support. 

Noon Duty Supervisors

Golden Owls, We are in need of some wonderful individuals to help with Noon Duty supervision.  If you are interested please Apply Here.

• 10/2/19 - Joint SSC/ELAC Meeting, 5:00pm - 6:00pm - Conference Room 

• 10/4/19 - RESCHEDULED 04/03/2020  Coffee with the Superintendent

• 10/7 - 10/11 - Minimum Day all Week due to Parent Teacher Conferences

• 10/16/19 - Picture Retakes 

• 10/17/19 - Meeting with EL Families - 6:00pm - 7:00pm, MUR

• 10/23/19 - SSC Meeting, 5:00pm - 6:00pm - Conference Room 

• 10/25/19 - Principal’s Coffee, 8:10am - 9:10am - MUR

• 11/01/19 - End of Trimester - Minimum Day

Workshop on IEP( Individual Education Plan ) for Special Education & 504 Plan 

FREE. This workshop covers the basics of the IEP/ 504 plan including some common problems, complications, solutions and suggestions. There will be a discussion about common accommodations and parental rights, and a Q & A session during this workshop. Organized by Palo Alto CAC (cacpaloalto.org), presented by H.E.A.L. (Hospital Educational Advocacy Liaisons Program from Stanford Children’s Health), and co-sponsored by PTAC. Please use this form to let us know if you are coming, especially if you would like childcare or Spanish translation.

Sat, Oct 5th, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

JLS Middle School Room 730 , 480 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto

General Meeting: Monday 10/7, 9:30 at MVWSD Office at 1400 Montecito Ave in Mtn View. 

Parent Chat Support Group for parents of teens with mental health challenges. Second Tuesday of each month, 7-8:30 PM Los Altos Library.

Let’s Talk, IEP/504 Support Group Wednesday October 9, 7PM - 8:30 PM Los Altos Library

Exciting Parent Education Event!

Decoding Dyslexia CA Please come join SELPA 1 CAC as we talk about what dyslexia is, the California Department of Education Dyslexia Guidelines and the importance of early identification. The presentation will include an abbreviated dyslexia simulation so participants can gain an understanding of what it is like to be dyslexic.

Wednesday, October 16, 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Springer Elementary Multi

1120 Rose Ave, Mountain View
​

CR performing arts luau

Crittenden Middle School will hold its annual Music Department Hawaiian Luau on Thursday, October 3rd- 5:30-8:00 in the M.U.R. at Crittenden Middle School. Tickets are $20.00 adults (pre-order) $25 adults at the door. $10.00 for students. Ticket order form is attached.

MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series presents: Max Stossel

Education in the Age of Distraction" on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 - 7:00 - 9:00pm | MVHS Spartan Theatre | 3535 Truman Ave, Mountain View, CA

Max Stossel, Head of Education at the Center for Humane Technology, will explore the ways technology is designed to be addictive and distracting, highlights how social media is impacting adolescent minds, and recommends ways to help our kids build a healthier relationship with technology.

To register for this free event, go to https://mvla2019-20-maxstossel.eventbrite.com

Sponsored by Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF), MVLA High School Foundation, Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF), and Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council.

Right At School - Open House

Right at School, a before and afterschool care program, will be hosting an open house for current and prospective families on October 22. Please see the attached flyer for more information. For information on MVWSD after school programs, please visit: https://www.mvwsd.org/academics/supporting_learning/before__afterschool

MV Parent U: Mental Health Basics

Learn the basics of mental health, including: definitions, coping with stress, when it is important to seek help, combating stigma, and how to get help in our county.

October 23, 6:30-8 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Graham MUR

A team of professionals from Palo Alto University will present foundational information about mental health and mental illness and how mental health challenges may look different in different people or cultures. Participants will engage in interactive dialogue about how to maintain good mental health, and how to combat stigma around mental illness. The training also discusses what to do when someone needs support or help.

Spanish interpretation and child care will be provided. Seating is limited and RSVPs are required for this event. Please click here to reserve your seat. 

Flyers

French Classes at Vargas

Crittenden Annual Luau

MVLA Parent Education Speaker - Max Stossel

Right At School - Open House

MV Parent U: Mental Health Basics