Principal’s Message:
Dear Golden Owls,
January is named for Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions in Roman mythology. He is depicted as having two faces looking in opposite ways, one towards the past and the other towards the future. This is a perfect metaphor for what January represents to educators. We set goals at the beginning of the academic school year. We use January as an opportunity to reflect on the past 5 months, so we can course correct to have a successful finish.
This is also a perfect reminder as we go into Parent-Teacher Conferences next week, we should reflect on the progress our students have made, and collaboratively plan how we are going to ensure students have a successful academic school year.
As always, thank you so much for your support.
In Partnership,
Principal Taylor
Events Calendar
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1/6/2021 - Principal Office Hours, 5pm Register Here (Please note new time)
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1/11 - 1/15 - Parent Teacher Conferences Week - Minimum Day’s
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1/13 - Principal Virtual Office Hours, 4pm - 5pm Register Here
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11/18 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
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1/20 - Principal Virtual Office Hours, 4pm - 5pm Register Here
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1/21 - MVWSD Board of Trustee Meeting, 6pm - 10pm
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1/27 - Principal Virtual Office Hours, 4pm - 5pm Register Here
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1/27 - Kate Kinsella's Virtual Presentation, 6pm - 7pm Register Here
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1/29 - Principal’s Coffee (Virtual), 4pm
In this Newsletter
School News
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Golden Ticket Winners
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Material Pick-up
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CHAC - PLUGGED
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CSMA Newsletter and CSMA Virtual Art Club
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Parent Teacher Conferences
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Virtual Art Fair at Vargas!
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Principal Virtual Office Hours
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Powering Down Chromebooks
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Technology Support
District News
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Reminder from SCC Public Health: Travel = COVID-19 quarantine for 10 days
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January CAC Events
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Getting Ready for the ELPAC information sessions, Jan. 12
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Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Session - Tuesday, January 12th
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MVLA Speakers series presents “Middle School Matters” with Phyllis Fagell - Flyer
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Enrollment for 2021-22 school year begins this month
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MV Library presents: Raising Kindness and Awareness in Children - Flyer
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Parent University: Adolescent Drug Use, including the impact of the current pandemic.
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Parenting in a pandemic: Free 6th district PTA speaker series
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CHAC offers free mental health support to parents and students - Flyer
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Tester and Interpreter/Translator positions available
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Info meeting next week: MVWSD’s award-winning Preschool - Flyer
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Register now! Parent workshop: How to Build Academic Language with Kate Kinsella
PTA News
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Announcement
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Spirit Wear!
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Amazon
Golden Ticket Winners - Week 1/5/2020
Victor B RM: 1 Aruna K RM: 9
Mohammad M RM: 2 Aubrey C RM: 11
Bewinwin L RM: 3 Bella P RM: 13
Dominic M RM: 4 Samantha C RM: 14
Ada D RM: 5 Sophia K RM: 15
Samara G RM: 6 Ashley T RM: 16
Jezebel A RM: 8 Casey N 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.
Material Pick-up: 1st grade Only
Material distribution on Thursday, January 7th and Friday, January 8th from 8am to 2pm. Please come at any time during the allotted time on either Thursday or Friday to pick up your child's materials.
Please write your child’s first and last name, room number, and grade level on a piece of paper and place it on your passenger window. Please drive up to the MUR; a staff member will greet you with a mask and gloves, and place the items in your trunk.
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.
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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.
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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:
Parent Teacher’s Conferences
Please remember that we are on a minimum day schedule all next week while we hold our Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences. Students will be dismissed at 11:30am each day. If you have not been able to schedule your Virtual Parent-Teacher Conference, please contact the front office as soon as possible so that we can assist you.
Principal Taylor: [email protected]
Mrs. Evelyn: [email protected]
Ms. Silvia: [email protected]
School office phone: (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)
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
Reminder from SCC Public Health: Travel = COVID-19 quarantine for 10 days
For people who have 1) come in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, or 2) traveled more than 150 miles: you will need to quarantine (stay home) for 10 days and continue to closely watch for symptoms for 4 more days after you leave quarantine. Get tested immediately if you have symptoms on any day. If you don’t develop any symptoms, get tested on day 6 or later.
For more information about how to quarantine, as well as resources to help you stay home, visit www.sccstayhome.org
January CAC Events
Happy New Year! SELPA 1 CAC and the Learning Challenge Committee are your groups for special education and broader learning challenge needs. We are ALL having learning challenges right now, and CAC and LCC are here to help. If you have questions about learning challenges and special education needs, email [email protected] or check out www.selpa1cac.org
We encourage families to learn about the sensory needs all children may have during distance learning: Try a Sensory Diet
Parent Chat, 10 am January 12 - Support for parents of teens with mental health challenges. A great place for help and support for challenges with your teens. Please contact [email protected] for Google Meet invite.
January 13, 10 am Morning Let’s Talk - IEP/504 support group. Have questions about the process to get help for your child? Have an IEP but are not sure how to make changes? Need to vent? This is your confidential group. Please contact [email protected] for the Zoom link for this meeting or sign up on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-talk-iep504-support-tickets-135554074887
February 1, 9 am- General Parent/Community Meeting with Special Ed. Directors & Staff, Zoom at 9:00 am for LCC and 9:30 am for CAC. We will be planning for the year, discussing upcoming programs and discussing distance learning and learning challenges. For our agenda, please join our Google group, https://groups.google.com/g/selpa1cac. For the Zoom link for this meeting, email [email protected] or sign up on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/general-cac-meeting-tickets-135550478129
Getting Ready for the ELPAC information sessions, 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:
5:00-5:30 in English: https://zoom.us/j/93307939185
5:30-6:00 in Spanish: https://zoom.us/j/93709174683
Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Session - Tuesday, January 12th
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.
Please note: Programs are currently remote and will remain so until students are back in school and the school district permits volunteers in the classroom
All volunteers must be high school graduates.
Date: Tuesday, January 12th
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Online via Zoom (URL provided upon registration)
Register: REGISTER ONLINE
Questions: [email protected]
Information: www.MentorTutorConnection.org
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
Enrollment for 2021-22 school year begins this month
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
MV Library presents: Raising Kindness and Awareness in Children - Flyer
Wednesday, January 20, 7 pm - 8 pm. Learn about fostering “kindness activism” in your children. Aila Malik, author, parent activist, social justice warrior, and kindness advocate will present practical ideas and engaging perspectives on activating humility, empathy, action, and togetherness within your family. Free. Flyers attached. Registration is required. https://mountainview.libcal.com/
Parent University: Adolescent Drug Use, including the impact of the current pandemic
Join us on Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 from 5:30 to 7:00 P.M. for our next Parent University event: Adolescent Drug Use, including the impact of the current pandemic. While this event is geared toward parents of children ages 10 to 18, all are welcome.
The presenter, Alum Rock Counseling Center (ARCC), has been in place for 46 years in the Bay Area and addresses the academic, social and mental health needs of the at-risk youth and families. This important workshop will include such topics as:
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Overview of trending substances used by youth (vaping, marijuana, alcohol, opioids, etc.)
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Signs and symptoms
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Why teens are using and the impact of COVID-19
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How families can discuss substance use and support their children
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Alternatives for substance use and ideas for prevention
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Resources
Spanish interpretation will be provided.
Register here: http://mvw.sd/Jan20
Parenting in a pandemic: Free 6th district PTA speaker series
Thursday, January 21, 2021, 7pm, “Navigating School During Uncertain Times” with Challenge Success - Laura Easley. For other offerings in January and February, please see the attached flyer. Cost: free. For more information and to reserve your seat visit https://capta6.org/parenting-in-a-pandemic/
CHAC offers free mental health support to parents and students - Flyer
For parents: CHAC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable and accessible mental health services, supports parents in several ways. Please see the attached flyers for more information.
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Info meeting next week: MVWSD’s award-winning Preschool - Flyer
Is now enrolling for full-day and part-day for the 2021-22 school year. Join us for an informational meeting online on January 14 @ 3:00 pm at http://mvw.sd/preschool2. Please see the attached flyer or https://www.mvwsd.org/preschool for more information.
Register now! 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:
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/
Vargas PTA
Announcement
Parents! It's that time of year again to search for new officers for the PTA Executive Board! If you are looking to take on a more active role and have more say about what happens at JA Vargas next year, this is for you! No experience is necessary, we will help you! It is a great way to meet other families within the school community as well as take on an active role in your child's education! There are several positions on the board that need to be filled for next year! We have a few returning parents but several "retiring" parents and without YOU there simply won't be a JA Vargas PTA!
If you have any interest, please complete this formhttps://forms.gle/nQfpsMCv2y5BUBSG8 and the PTA will be in touch to discuss how best you can help!
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.)
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.