Principal’s Message:
Dear Golden Owls,
Just as a reminder, Senate Bill 820 prohibits any person, including parents, from making any audio, video, or digital recording of our school’s live or synchronous distance learning instruction without the prior consent of the teacher and myself.
Reminder
Friday, November 6, 2020, is the end of the trimester and is a minimum day. Classes will end at 11:30.
Elections: Maintaining positive school climate
The upcoming presidential election has provided teachable moments and an opportunity for students to learn about our democratic process, as well as a myriad of strong emotions.
The safety of our school community is our first priority and we will work to provide a safe, inclusive environment for all.
Please emphasize with students that:
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School remains a welcome, safe space for all students (resource: MVWSD diversity is our strength)
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We respect diverse perspectives and uphold the respectful exchange of ideas (resource: Better Together MVWSD)
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School is a safe space for talking about feelings with trusted adults, including counselors, teachers, principals, etc.
Education is our priority, and we are here foremost to serve students. It is our responsibility to maintain a positive district climate to ensure learning can occur. All school employees will continue to work to provide a positive school climate and a space for respectful exchange of ideas that is mindful of diverse perspectives. Additionally, parents/guardians are key partners for helping to engage students in thoughtful and civil discourse.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your support and partnership.
Mr. Taylor
Events Calendar
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10/28 - Principal’s Virtual Office Hours, 4pm - 5pm Register Here (translation available)
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10/28 - SSC Virtual Meeting, 5:30pm -6:30pm Register Here
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10/29 - The Talk: Race and policing, 6:30pm http://mvw.sd/talk
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10/30 - Vargas Spirit Day - Dress as Favorite Book Character
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10/30 - Afterschool Virtual Halloween Parade, 2:45pm Link will be in Google Classroom
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10/30 - Principal’s Coffee (Virtual): Afterschool Enrichment - 4pm - 5pm Register Here
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11/4 - Principal’s Virtual Office Hours, 4pm - 5pm Register Here
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11/5 - MVWSD Board of Trustee Meeting, 6pm - 10pm
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11/6 - End of Trimester - Minimum Day
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11/11 - Veteran’s Day Holiday - No School
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11/18 - Principal’s Virtual Office Hours, 4pm - 5pm Register Here
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11/18 - SSC Virtual Meeting, 5:30pm -6:30pm
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11/20 - Principal’s Coffee (Virtual), 4pm - 5pm
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11/25 - 11/27 - Thanksgiving Recess - No School
In this Newsletter
School News
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Golden Ticket Winners
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Shutting Down Chromebooks
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CSMA Newsletter - Click here
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Please consider substitute teaching: Info fair on Oct. 29
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Spirit Day: October 30, 2020 - Favorite Book Character
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After School Virtual Halloween Parade 10/30 @ 2:45pm
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Principal Virtual Office Hours
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Technology Support
District News
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The MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series presents: Permission to Feel: The Power of Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Well-Being and Success on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 - 7:00 - 9:00pm | Live Online - Flyer
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MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series: Jeff Selingo event recording
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Application help for free healthcare coverage - Flyer
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Police Interactions, Race and “The Talk:” A Panel Discussion
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Halloween: Have fun but stay safe
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Get a flu shot: Not the flu!
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Parent University
PTA News
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PTA General Association Meeting TODAY!
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October 2020 Newsletter! - CLICK HERE
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Did you miss the Superpower Activity Kit pick up?
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Vargas Spirit Wear
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Amazon
Golden Ticket Winners - Week 10/26/2020
Mayuka M RM: 1 Mila F RM: 9
Vishnu N RM: 2 Sharon L RM: 11
Aiden D RM: 3 Teo P RM: 13
Angel L RM: 3 Anika L RM: 14
Aubrey V RM: 4 Maxine B RM: 15
Joshua S RM: 5 Emily K RM: 16
Sophia L RM: 8 Heily G RM: 17
You can stop by the office to pick up your prize! You may stop by on Monday or Wednesday from 11:30am to 2:00pm.
Powering Down Chromebooks Daily
Reminder to please power down your child's chromebooks daily. Powering down Chromebooks daily or every other day helps the system update and run smoother. Please remember to close all tabs then shut down.
CSMA Newsletter - Click here
This Art Newsletter is to let families know what is happening in their child's Art classes (complete with a few lesson links), and a letter regarding art supplies and spaces.
Please consider substitute teaching: Info fair on Oct. 29
The Mountain View Whisman School District is seeking substitute teachers. We need you! Please consider this flexible, fun, dynamic work that has a big impact on our students!
Join us to learn more about how you can become qualified to substitute teach.
Substitute Teaching Fair
Thursday, Oct 29, 2020 9:30-11 AM.
Register in advance for this meeting: http://mvw.sd/yrhZ4
Click here to learn more about substitute teaching. We can help you through the steps.
If you are already qualified, you may view jobs and apply online on our website. For information, call 650-526-3555.
Spirit Day: October 30, 2020 - Favorite Book Character
As a way to build community, Vargas will have our first Spirit day on October 30, 2020. Come to your Virtual classroom dressed as your favorite book character. For some inspiration from our teachers, Click here!
Afterschool Virtual Halloween Parade 10/30 @ 2:45pm
We are having a virtual Halloween parade! The virtual Halloween parade will take place afterschool at 2:45 on October 30, 2020. Our teachers will include the link in the Google classroom. Can’t wait to see OWL of you!
Principal Virtual Office Hour
Please drop in my Principal Hours today to ask your questions. Register Here. (Translation is available)
Technology Support:
If you are having problems with the chromebook you can contact: [email protected] to create a ServiceNow ticket or call the Tech Department at
(650) 526-3252.
If it's not device/hardware related or account related, and more about using a program, please contact Marissa Hamaguchi, Tech Coach, ([email protected]) or call/text (650) 336-5863.
District News
The MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series presents: Permission to Feel: The Power of Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Well-Being and Success on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 - 7:00 - 9:00pm | Live Online - Flyer
Join us for an insightful evening with Marc Brackett, as he explores the value of our emotions and why what we do with our emotions is especially important. Marc Brackett, Ph.D., is the Founder and Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and a Professor in the Child Study Center of Yale University.
The goal of this presentation is to (1) inspire a new mindset around the power of emotions to transform our lives, (2) describe the five key underlying skills of emotional intelligence, known as the “RULER” skills, and (3) provide innovative strategies and tools for developing emotional intelligence so that our emotions help, rather than hinder, our well-being and success at home, in school, at work, and in everyday life.
Audience: Parents with children K - 12; teachers, and counselors
Register: To register for this free event, go to https://mvla2020-21-marcbrackett.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.
MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series: Jeff Selingo event recording
We would like to share the recording of our first event, Jeff Selingo speaking about Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions. Mr. Selingo has graciously allowed us to share the recording with our community for those who were not able to attend. It will be available for six weeks.
The link is https://youtu.be/lj5HNmFd_6Y
Application help for free healthcare coverage - Flyer
Free application assistance for healthcare coverage for families in Santa Clara County is offered by the Healthier Kids Foundation. Your family may qualify for medical, vision, dental, prescription and mental health services. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Police Interactions, Race and “The Talk:” A Panel Discussion
Date: Thursday, Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom: http://mvw.sd/talk
For Black children, the “talk” about how to interact with police is a rite of passage. Join MVWSD for a panel discussion with parents, the Mountain View Police Department and other leaders about what this means for policing for all of our children and families in our community and schools.
For more information about how MVWSD is working to support equity in our community, please see https://www.mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD. For more information about the City’s racial equity and inclusion efforts, please click here.
Halloween: Have fun but stay safe
Just a reminder for Halloween that local and state Health Officer Orders are still in effect. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department strongly recommends alternative festivities in lieu of traditional activities. Rather than trick-or-treating or costume parties, consider focusing on decorating, limiting activities to the people with whom you do not reside, and opting for virtual costume parties. Click here for more information and ideas.
Get a flu shot: Not the flu!
Free flu Shots on Saturdays at the Fairgrounds in San Jose on Saturday, October 31, 2020, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and every Saturday through mid-December
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Car entrance for general parking: Gate D, 2542 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95111
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No appointment needed
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All are welcome regardless of immigration status
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No cost
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Shots available at this location for everyone age 3 years and older. Children aged 3 - 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Younger children should get a shot from their regular pediatrician.
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Right next door to free County COVID-19 testing. Get a COVID-19 test at the same time!
More Free Flu Shots in Your Neighborhood
Parent University
Missed the last one? Fear not: all of our 2020-21 events are recorded and posted online. Come check out our learning sessions - mental health, distance learning, literacy at home, raising digitally resilient kids - at www.mvwsd.org/parentu. And, mark your calendars for the next event on November 18 at 5:30 p.m. about supporting math at home, featuring former math teacher and coach, Principal Heidi Galassi of Landels Elementary. Details to come soon!
Vargas PTA
PTA General Association Meeting TODAY!
Today, at 4:30 pm the PTA will hold its second general meeting. We would love your input if you are a current PTA member. Find the Registration Link and Meeting Agenda HERE
October 2020 Newsletter!
Did you miss it at the Superpower Activity Kit pick up day? CLICK HERE
Did you miss the Superpower Activity Kit pick up?
You can still pick up these awesome kits from the MUR this week from 8:00am-2:00pm. We urge you to pick up these free kits provided to every single student.
Do you have your JA Vargas Spirit Wear yet?
Do you have your JA Vargas Spirit Wear yet? Lots of great options and make sure your students wear Vargas Green on Mondays to show our school spirit! Here's a link to purchase spirit wear that supports your school! Easy and flexible curbside pickup!
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.