Wise Word, 12/16/2020

Principal’s Message:

Dear Golden Owls,

As 2020 comes to a close at the end of this month, I am sure we are all looking forward to what 2021 brings us. We will be closed for Holiday Recess from December 19th to January 4th.  Teachers will be spending January 4th participating in professional development and planning. We will be welcoming our students back to school when we resume on January 5th. 


Reminder that our school fields and playgrounds are closed during school days until 4 p.m., just as they’d be as if we are in a typical school year. There are student programs and staff present on campus during the school day, and for safety - especially during COVID - we need to keep our schools secure. Thanks in advance for your understanding and help with this. 


Thank you so much for your support. 


In Partnership,


Principal  Taylor


Events Calendar

  • 12/16 - Principal Virtual Office Hours, 4pm - 5pm Register Here

  • 12/18 - Principal’s Coffee (Virtual), 4pm - 5pm  Register Here

  • 12/21 - 1/1/2021 - Holiday Break - No School 

  • 1/4/2021 - Teacher in Service Day - No School

  • 1/5/2021 - Distance Learning Resumes

  • 1/6/2021 - Principal Office Hours & ELAC Meeting, 4pm Register Here 

  • 1/11 - 1/15 - Parent Teacher Conferences Week - Minimum Day’s

  • 1/13 - Principal Virtual Office Hours, 4pm - 5pm Register Here

  • 11/18 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School

  • 1/20 - Principal Virtual Office Hours, 4pm - 5pm Register Here

  • 1/21 - MVWSD Board of Trustee Meeting, 6pm - 10pm 


In this Newsletter

School News

  • Golden Ticket Winners 

  • Double your Donation with the MVEF December Challenge Grant

  • CHAC - PLUGGED

  • CSMA Newsletter and CSMA Virtual Art Club 

  • Virtual Art Fair at Vargas!

  • Principal Virtual Office Hours & ELAC Meeting Jan. 6th

  • Powering Down Chromebooks

  • Technology Support 

District News

  • CSA food distributions - Flyer

  • TK and choice schools’ meetings coming up. Open Enrollment for all MVWSD students starts in January

  • Parenting in a pandemic: Free 6th district PTA speaker series

  • Free children’s meals continue during the holidays

  • For students: PLUGGED IN - Social and Emotional Learning Skills Programs - Flyer

  • Tester and Interpreter/Translator positions available

  • MVWSD’s award-winning Preschool - Flyer

  • MVEF news: Double Your Donation with the December Challenge Grant! 

  • Better Together: Together we can appreciate our abilities - Flyer

  • Getting Ready for the ELPAC information sessions, Dec. 15 and Jan. 12

  • MVLA Speakers series presents “Middle School Matters” with Phyllis Fagell - Flyer

  • Save the date!  - Parent workshop:  How to build academic language with Kate Kinsella 

  • Recording: Virtual i-Ready parent workshop

  • Parent University


PTA News

  • Dining Out Night

  • Spirit Wear!

  • Book Fair

  • Amazon

 


Golden Ticket Winners - Week  12/14/2020
Rushil M        RM: 1          Jonathan V    RM: 11
Vivienne P     RM: 2         Selena V         RM: 12
Peyton L        RM: 3          Liz W             RM: 13
Juliette B      RM: 4          Sofia A           RM: 14
Kashvi P       RM: 5          Anthony M    RM: 15
Jhazlyn F     RM: 6          Alexa S           RM: 16      
Ismael R      RM: 8          Akash D         RM: 17
Amrita K     RM: 9          Ms. Mai          RM: 13
Aliana L      RM: 10       

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.

Double your Donation with the MVEF December Challenge Grant:  

Throughout December, every dollar donated will be matched dollar for dollar up to $47,000, through the MVEF December Challenge Grant.  The December Challenge Grant has been made possible by generous MVEF donors who are challenging you to join them in supporting MVEF. Donate today to get your donation matched by this challenge!  

 

https://www.mvef.org/donate

 

If your company has a matching gift program, you can triple your impact by donating this month! 

 

Each and every year we rely on generous donors like you to help MVEF fund programming and experiences at every school in the district, ensuring that your child and every child has an inspiring, well-rounded education. 

 

Every dollar donated makes a difference and allows the district-wide programs to be funded which is especially important now, during remote learning.  It takes donations of every size for MVEF to reach their annual goal of $800,000.  

 

These are the programs and activities MVEF is supporting during remote learning because of donors like you:

 

  • Music and Art: CSMA weekly online art and music classes for TK-5th, instrument purchase and repair, and art supply kits for all elementary schools 

  • Science:

    • Living Classroom environmental education for elementary and middle school.

    • Environmental Programs taught interactively for the 4th and 5th grades

    • Middle school science supplies for teachers

    • TechSmart coding programs from 3rd grade through middle school (through a grant from Tides Foundation)

    • Training for Elementary STEAM teachers with Discovery Education

    •  Additional Middle School funding to support the Elective Wheel classes, redesigned for distance learning!

    • Padlet licenses for teachers

    •  Online apps (Smart Music, Flat.io, and SoundTrap) for Music Appreciation classes, Band, Choir, and Orchestra

    • Music books 

    • Art Supplies

    • Robotics

    • Tech Smart coding (through a grant from Tides Foundation)

 

Even through distance learning, your donations to MVEF continue to fund art, music, and science for every student at every school!

 

Thank you in advance for your support!


CHAC - PLUGGED

PLUGGED IN - Social and Emotional Learning Skills Programs

CHAC is excited to offer two new Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Skills Programs to 3rd and 5th grade students.  Both programs are a fun and enriching way to help students navigate the unique challenges they face in these extraordinary times.


  1. CHAC's Weekly Virtual Group meetings focus on social interaction between participants.  Through collaborative lessons and fun activities students will learn emotion regulation skills, problem solving skills as well as healthy coping and self-care skills. 

  2. CHAC's Independent SEL Curriculum teaches students essential social and emotional learning skills through entertaining video lessons and a variety of fun activities that students complete independently. 

 

Click here to learn more about PLUGGED IN- CHAC’s new SEL Programs


CSMA Newsletter and CSMA Virtual Art Club

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.


CSMA will be offering virtual art clubs starting in January, registration opens on January 4th, please do not try to sign-up before. 


CSMA will host 2 different sessions: 


  • Kinder to 2nd grade - please click here for more information


  • 3rd to 5th grade - please click here for more information


Parent Teacher’s Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences are important as we partner up to support our students’ growth and development. If you have not already done so, please schedule your Virtual Parent-Teacher Conference with your teacher.  The scheduling window is now open. 


On December 9th, parents received the scheduling link via email from your child’s teacher.  Conferences are scheduled for the week of January 11-15, 2021, when we will have minimum school days ending at 11:30 am.  You will be able to select from available time slots between 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm, each day of conference week.  If none of these times work for you, please be sure to contact your child’s teacher, directly.   


If you have technical issues, please email Principal Taylor directly at [email protected]  For all other questions, please contact Mrs. Evelyn at [email protected]  or Ms. Silvia [email protected].   You can also call us in the school office at (650) 903-6952.


Virtual Art Fair at Vargas!

We are having our first Virtual Art Fair at Vargas!  Although we can’t see each other’s wonderful creations on campus, we can share and experience it virtually.  As we wrap up 2020, we would love to see your creations that express

1.       How do you express your gratitude in your culture, family, community?

2.       What are you thankful for?

Please submit photos/scans of your artwork to the following google drive folder:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17EUykYJ_mxkJVGfUENxeN8uI1VL4Bf0G?usp=sharing

Make sure that you name the photo with the student’s name, grade and a short description if desired.

For those who would like to directly add their artwork to the presentation and/or have multiple creations; you can also update the following:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cJItwyM2JzsMrBnEQdktiqdd-Nb92UR8/view?usp=sharing


Principal Virtual Office Hour  

Please drop in my Principal Hours today to ask your questions. Register Here. (Translation is available)

 

My joint Principal Hour and ELAC Meeting - Wednesday, January 6 at 4:00pm - Register Here

 

How to have a successful Parent/ Teacher Conference

Parent/ Teacher Conference is a great opportunity to learn more about your student's progress and how to help them to have a successful school year.  Please join Mr. Taylor for an informational virtual meeting to discuss what questions to ask your student before your conference, what questions you should ask during the conference, and how to debrief the conference with your student.  


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. 


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.

 


District News

CSA food distributions - Flyer  

Community Services Agency (CSA) will have three additional food distributions that families throughout Mountain View are welcome to come and pick up. Please see attached flyers in Spanish and English for details. 


TK and choice schools’ meetings coming up. Open Enrollment for all MVWSD students starts in January

School and District information meetings are coming up in December. Please visit www.mvwsd.org/register for a list of these events and for login information.


  • If your child turns 5 years old between September 2 – December 2, 2021, he/she may qualify for transitional kindergarten. TK info night is December 16 at 5:00 p.m online.


  • If you are interested in the District's choice schools, information nights are: 

Gabriela Mistral: Dual Spanish/English Immersion: December 15 at 6 pm

Stevenson: Parent Child Teacher: December 16 at 6 pm

Choice schools will also have information at the elementary schools’ info nights (6 p.m. Dec. 9).


For CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents will be asked by email to confirm enrollment from January 18- 22.


For NEW students:  Open Enrollment is from January 11 through Feb. 5, 2021 online. You can register your child for the 2021-22 school year when online registration opens here:  www.mvwsd.org/register 


Parenting in a pandemic: Free 6th district PTA speaker series

Wednesday, December 16, 7 PM. Teaching self regulation. Inclusion collaborative.

Cost: free. For more information and to reserve your seat visit www.capta6.org/parenting_in_a_pandemic/


Free children’s meals continue during the holidays

MVWSD free meals for children are available during the holidays. Meals will be available the weeks of December 21 and 28 at the Gabriela Mistral Elementary (505 Escuela Ave) location only on Monday and Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m.  On Monday, bags of Monday's and Tuesday's breakfasts and lunches are available. On Tuesday, meal bags for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are available. Regular meal service resumes on the week of Jan 4. Please note that facemasks are required when approaching the meal distribution area, and recipients must maintain 6-foot social distancing while waiting for meals.


For students: PLUGGED IN - Social and Emotional Learning Skills Programs

CHAC is excited to offer two new Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Skills Programs to 3rd and 5th grade students.  Both programs are a fun and enriching way to help students navigate the unique challenges they face in these extraordinary times.


  1. CHAC's Weekly Virtual Group meetings focus on social interaction between participants.  Through collaborative lessons and fun activities students will learn emotion regulation skills, problem solving skills as well as healthy coping and self-care skills. 

  2. CHAC's Independent SEL Curriculum teaches students essential social and emotional learning skills through entertaining video lessons and a variety of fun activities that students complete independently. 


The parents who request the PLUGGED IN Independent Curriculum will have it emailed to them immediately.  


The parents who would like their child to join a PLUGGED IN virtual group, will be contacted about scheduling options and asked to complete an online permission slip.  Groups are expected to start in early January. 


Click here to learn more about PLUGGED IN- CHAC’s new SEL Programs: https://www.chacmv.org/social-emotional-learning


Tester and Interpreter/Translator positions available

Looking for a part-time job with a positive social impact? MVWSD is now hiring organized and friendly individuals to administer English Language proficiency assessments to the district’s K-8 English language learners. To find out more, click here: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1310195


Can you speak or write in a language other than English? MVWSD is always looking for qualified interpreters and translators. If you enjoy helping families and children and are fluent in English and one of the languages below, click on https://www.mvwsd.org/jobs and then click on “Support Staff - Hourly”. We are currently looking for the following languages: Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi, French, German, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, Vietnamese.


MVWSD’s award-winning Preschool - Flyer

Is now enrolling for full-day and part-day for the 2021-22 school year. Information meetings will be held in January. Please see the attached flyer or https://www.mvwsd.org/preschool for more information. 


MVEF news: Double Your Donation with the December Challenge Grant! 

Throughout December, every dollar donated will be matched dollar for dollar up to $47,000, through our December Challenge Grant.  The December Challenge Grant has been made possible by generous MVEF donors who are challenging you to join them in supporting MVEF. Donate today to get your donation matched by this challenge! 


If your company has a matching gift program, you can even triple your impact by donating this month! 


Every dollar donated makes a difference and allows the district-wide programs to be funded which is especially important now, during remote learning.  It takes donations of every size for us to reach our annual goal of $800,000 together.   https://www.mvef.org/donate


Better Together: Together we can appreciate our abilities - Flyer

In December, we are celebrating Abilities Awareness Month. To honor our commitments in moving towards equity and inclusion, help us bring the voices of people with diverse abilities into your classroom or homes, and create a learning environment that rejects ableism. From lessons on art, activism and physical disabilities to education about new developments in Universal Design, these resources will help you and your children embrace diverse abilities and understand the injustices people with disabilities often encounter. Together, we can appreciate our abilities and celebrate our common humanity. See the attached graphics or view them on https://www.mvwsd.org/bettertogethermvwsd


Getting Ready for the ELPAC information sessions, Dec. 15 and Jan. 12

The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is administered every year to our English Learner (EL) students. To learn more about this assessment, the role it plays in the education of every EL, and how to help your child prepare, please join us for one of the following meetings: 


  • January 12

5:00-5:30 in English: https://zoom.us/j/93307939185

5:30-6:00 in Spanish: https://zoom.us/j/93709174683


MVLA Speakers series presents “Middle School Matters” with Phyllis Fagell - Flyer

Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 - 7:00 - 9:00pm | Live Online 


Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Professional School Counselor Phyllis Fagell helps parents use the middle school years as a low-stakes training ground to teach kids the key skills they’ll need to thrive now and in the future, including making good friend choices, negotiating conflict, regulating their own emotions, acting as their own advocates, and more. To answer parents’ most common questions and struggles with middle school-aged children, she combines her professional and personal expertise with stories and advice from prominent psychologists, doctors, parents, educators, school professionals, and middle schoolers themselves.


Audience:  Parents of kids grades 4 - 8

Register:  To register for this free event at https://mvla2020-21-phyllisfagell.eventbrite.com

Books:   https://www.booksinc.net/book/9780738235080


Video Available!  

Michael Reichert  – How to Raise a Boy - Event Recording from 11/17/2020

Dr. Reichert has graciously allowed us to share the How to Raise a Boy recording with parents, teachers, and other caretakers of children and teens (K - 12) within our community.  The recording will be available until December 17th. The link is https://youtu.be/K7aAVmHSd2Y

 

Video Available!  

Marc Brackett  – Permission to Feel - Event Recording from 10/29/2020

Dr. Brackett has graciously allowed us to share the Permission to Feel recording with parents, teachers, and other caretakers of children and teens (K - 12) within our community.  The recording will be available through December 10th. The link is https://youtu.be/dyGMXo8iH0s


Save the date! 

Parent workshop:  How to build academic language with Kate Kinsella 

Virtual presentation on January 27 at 6:00 pm

Hosted by Huff, Landels and Jose Antonio Vargas elementary schools

Register: http://mvw.sd/kate


Presenter Kate Kinsella, Ed.D. will talk about: 

  • After school conversation tips to use with children to encourage thoughtful responses

  • Strategies to help increase students' academic language and listening skills

 

Kate Kinsella, Ed.D., is a teacher educator at San Francisco State University and a highly sought after speaker and consultant to school districts throughout the United States regarding development of academic language and literacy across the K-12 subject areas. Her 25-year teaching career focus has been equipping children from diverse backgrounds with the communication, reading, and writing skills to be career and college ready. 

 

For more information, please visit http://drkatekinsella.com/about-us/


Recording: Virtual i-Ready parent workshop

Are you curious about the i-Ready platform and how you can support your student at home? Please view this recording of the session that provides parents with an overview of i-Ready and answers their frequently asked questions about how i-Ready elevates instruction. https://vimeo.com/490839110


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

 


Vargas PTA

 

Dining Out Night!

We are trying out a new place for our next dining out night and they do things a bit differently.

Thursday, December 17th 4:00-9:00pm.  Visit our MEAL page, RSVP we need at least 20 rsvp’s to host the event), order online, and 30% of sales goes back to our school!  https://www.groupraise.com/events/171255-jose-antonio-vargas-elementary-school-pta-at-mountain-mike-s-pizza


Spirit Wear!  

It’s getting cold out there, so don’t forget to grab your JA Vargas sweatshirts and baseball tee’s!  Click HERE to shop the JA Vargas Store.  Order by Wednesday night and do curbside pick up Friday.  (Address for pick up will be sent after you complete your order.)


Book Fair

Thanks to all who purchased books during the book fair last month!  Missed it?  No problem!  You can still shop the link and support your school all year. 😊 https://www.scholastic.com/bf/javargasfair


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.
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