Wise Word, February 26, 2020

Principal’s Message:

Dear Golden Owls,

The Importance of Youth as Resources 

People of all ages want to feel that they make a contribution and play a meaningful role in their community, whether at home, at school, or in the neighborhood. Research shows that youth who feel valued and useful have higher self-esteem, a greater sense of personal control, reduced delinquency, greater social and personal responsibility, reduced substance abuse, and better social skills. 

Most youth in Silicon Valley don’t feel that they have opportunities to contribute to their community. In Project Cornerstone’s 2016 survey, only 54% of 4th-6th graders and 35% of 7th-12th graders reported that they are given useful roles. To help address this problem, February is Youth as Resources month in Silicon Valley. This asset focuses on including youth in decisions that affect them and creating participation and leadership opportunities where their contribution makes a difference. The following discussions can help youth recognize opportunities to serve as resources

  • What would you like to share with adults about your experiences in your home, school, neighborhood or faith community? 
  • Who are some adults that you could talk to about making positive changes? 
  • How will you know when these changes happen?
  • How would you like to be recognized for your contribution?

Keep in mind that serving as a resource doesn’t have to be a large effort. Adults can help youth serve as resources simply by asking them to share their opinions, skills, or knowledge, such as how to play a game or use technology such as text messaging. Remember, it’s important that young people’s efforts be recognized and celebrated! Be sure to create opportunities to show that you value each individual’s unique contributions. 

This article was provided courtesy of Project Cornerstone’s Asset-a-Month program. For more information, visit www.projectcornerstone.org. 

LCAP Survey

It’s important that our school gets your feedback by Friday on the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan) survey. Please complete this survey that guides the development of our District’s three-year plan and informs the update of the District’s Strategic Plan. 

Please click here to give input through February 28. https://hanover-research.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0DJUXBF9K0zC1QV?Group=Parent. If you would like a paper copy, please come to the office.

More information is found here: https://www.mvwsd.org/about/district_plans/lcap_lcff​​​​​​​


We appreciate you for supporting our school and students.

Mr. Taylor

Events Calendar

 

  • 2/26 - Spring Pictures
  • 2/27 - CSMA Spring Concert, 10:20 -11:10am, MUR
  • 2/27 - ELAC Meeting, 6:00pm - 7:00pm - MUR
  • 2/28 - Principal’s Coffee, 8:10am - 9:10am - MUR
  • 3/4 - SSC Meeting, 5:00pm - 6:00pm, Conference Room
  • 3/5 - Family Science Night, 6:00pm - 8:00pm - MUR
  • 3/6 - Project Cornerstone Meeting, 8:15am - 9:15am, MUR
  • 3/10 - Parent Workshop, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm - MUR
  • 3/11 - Fourth Grade Field Trip - 8:30 to 2: 00 pm 
  • 3/16 - Teacher in Service Day - NO SCHOOL
  • 3/17 - Staff Development Day - NO SCHOOL
  • 3/18 - SSC Meeting , 5:00 pm  - 6:00 pm - Conference Room
  • 3/25 - Kinder Field Trip - 8:45 am - 12:15 pm
  • 3/26 - ELAC Meeting, 6:00 pm 7:00 pm MUR
  • 3/27 - Principal’s Coffee, 8:10 am - 9:10 am - MUR

 

In this Newsletter

 

School News

  • Golden Ticket Winners
  • Principal’s Coffee
  • Family Science Night at Vargas
  • Lost and Found Items

District News

  • Parent Ed. Event: Crisis Prevention Strategies / Decoding Dyslexia South Bay Support Group
  • MVEF News
  • After School Activities
  • Right At School - Before and Afterschool Care for 2020-21
  • YMCA Silicon Valley Before and Aftercare for 2020-21
  • Mentor Tutor Connection
  • Understanding Mental Health 

Flyers


PTA News

  • Konstella
  • Amazon

 

Golden Ticket Winners -  Week 2/24                  

Emma                  RM: 1

Ystella                  RM: 2

Dominic              RM: 3

Aruna                  RM: 4

Ismael                  RM: 5

Jaiden                  RM: 8

Sharon              RM: 9

Omar                  RM: 10

Eliana                  RM: 19

Lucille                  RM: 20

Fangyu              RM: 21

 

 

Principal’s Coffee

Mr. Taylor will have District Guest Speaker: Rebecca Westover, Chief Business Officer to answer any questions.

 

Science Night at Vargas

Please join us for a fun Super Powers! Science Night on Thursday,  March 5 at 6:00pm in the MUR. Sponsored by the San Jose Children’s Discovery Museum.

Children and parents together will:
​

  • Discover the science secrets behind your super hero’s special powers
  • Create a superhero who uses friction to climb Up, Up and Away
  • Create a Bionic Ear to test your new-found hearing

There will be a Taco truck selling food starting at 5:30pm.

Do you love science? Please consider volunteering for this event, contact Ms Bea at [email protected]


Lost and Found Items

Please stop by the front office to check our Lost and Found box. Our box is starting to overflow, any items not claimed by Friday, March 14 will be donated. 

 


 

Vargas PTA

Konstella

Please sign up for Konstella at www.Konstella.com. This is the main parent-communication tool for the whole school. 

 

Amazon

If you shop through Amazon, please shop through the Amazon Smile portal for Vargas: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/90-1257353 A percentage of sales through this link goes back to the school

 


District News

Parent Ed. Event: Crisis Prevention Strategies / Decoding Dyslexia South Bay Support Group

>>Parent Education event: Crisis Prevention Strategies with Special Education Director Arianna Mayes. February 26 Graham Middle School Auditorium 7-8:30 PM

    Learn how de-escalation can help create a safe place for kids to express their emotions and solve problems. How managing your own emotions, staying calm, allowing feelings to happen, creating connection, self-awareness and self-advocacy can allow your child your thrive and your household to feel like a safe place for all.

Decoding Dyslexia South Bay Support Group February 26, 7-8:30 pm, Mountain View Rengstorff Community Center.


MVEF News

The MVEF Winter Gala, held on February 8th, was an incredible night, raising over $125,000 for MVWSD schools! Generous parents, community members, principals and district staff came together to go 'Full Steam Ahead' supporting all MVWSD students. After a lively live auction, MVEF announced they had secured a $25,000 challenge grant from Google. Gala guests immediately stepped up to the challenge and raised their paddles donating over $29,0000 to support STEAM in our classrooms and secure the challenge grant. Thank you parents, community members, and district staff for supporting the Mountain View Educational Foundation's goal to ensure that every child, at every school has access to a well rounded, competitive, well- rounded education.  Learn more at mvef.org.


After School Activities

There are many opportunities in Mountain View for students to enrich their learning afterschool or during school breaks. With safety and consistency in mind, our school newsletter and website will advertise only District-, school- and PTA-sponsored events and activities. While we recognize that there are many providers of enrichment activities who use our campus, we may promote only those that follow specific MVWSD parameters for safety and supervision.

The District provides inplay.org as a resource to parents who are seeking additional learning opportunities for their students. To view student enrichment activities, school break and afterschool classes in our community that are not hosted by MVWSD, please see our partner, https://www.inplay.org/r/mountain-view/. Parents may search for activities near their school by entering either the school name or the school address. MVWSD has not reviewed all programs/events found there and does not specifically endorse them. Parents should thoroughly research all activities before enrolling their children.


Right At School - Before and Afterschool Care for 2020-21

Registration for 2020-21 is open now! Right at School is a fee-based, nationally-recognized before- and afterschool program held every day that school is in session, from 6:30 AM until school starts and afterschool until 6 PM, plus drop-in and school break care. Right at School presents experiential two-week science enrichment curriculum units, such as “Icky Experiments,” “Page to Stage,” and “Young Detectives.” The program incorporates physical movement, outdoor time and homework completion. It offers 10% sibling discount, 25% discount for free and reduced lunch families and flexible 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5-day pricing options.


At: All MVWSD elementary schools, and Crittenden Middle School


For more information about Right at School, click here. 


YMCA Silicon Valley Before and Aftercare for 2020-21

The Y is a 30-year provider of childcare and is led by committed, professional afterschool leaders. YMCA afterschool programs provide a safe and fun learning environment for kids. The Y provides programming in 99 schools throughout the community. Kids enjoy fun physical activities, healthy snacks, homework help, enrichment clubs, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activities, arts time and engage in strong character development. The Y offers a 10% sibling discount, as well as financial assistance for qualifying families.


At: Bubb, Castro, Huff, Landels, Monta Loma, Theuerkauf, and Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary


The 2020-21 Kindergarten Afterschool Interest list is open now. For more information, click here to email. YMCA Afterschool Program webpage.


There are other afterschool care programs at MVWSD. Click here for more info.


Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Session - March 3rd

You can change the life of a student!

Come learn about volunteer opportunities to Mentor high school students and Tutor students in grades K-8  in our Mountain View and Los Altos schools.

Becoming a Mentor or Tutor will add joy to your life and help a student in our local community to a brighter future!

There is no obligation to sign up as a volunteer.  You're welcome to just come and learn more about what we do. 

All volunteers must be high school graduates  


Date:                 Tuesday, March 3rd

Time:               5:30 - 6:30 pm

Location:         MVLA District Office

                  1299 Bryant Avenue,  Mountain View, CA 

 Register:         REGISTER ONLINE

Questions:       [email protected]

Information:      MentorTutorConnection.org

 

Understanding Mental Health from a Youth Perspective - March 11

Representatives from the following agencies will be available beginning at 6:00 PM to provide information and resources: Allcove, Children's Health Council (CHC) Teen Wellness Committee, and Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC)


Please join us to hear from a panel of local high school students about their perspectives on mental health.  Students will give a short presentation and then answer questions including:

  • What do you think is important for parents to know and keep in mind as they guide and support their kids who might be demonstrating some signs of risk or are already struggling with their mental health?
  • What are some effective approaches and ways parents have been helpful in supporting you or your friends?
  • What role does social media play related to teen mental health issues, in general? What should the role of parents in supporting and protecting their child?
  • What advice would you give to parents with kids who have mental health needs?

All families are welcome to attend, although this event is targeted for parents and teens in grades 5-8.

 

Provided:

  • Interpretation (Spanish support)
  • Child care

 

Reserve your seat at:

Mentalhealthyouthperspective.eventbrite.com

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