Wise Word, 4/28/2021

Principal’s Message:

Dear Golden Owls,

 

Last Wednesday, MVWSD hosted its third round of “The Talk.” In this round of courageous conversations, various Asian-American leaders from our community discussed their personal stories and histories as Asian-Americans. As I listened to the panelist discuss their experience with racism, anti-Asian bias, and various stereotypes, I felt a sense of connection to their stories and experiences. I know I will never truly know the exact experiences of the anti-Asian racism these specific panelists and their families have faced. But, as a Black man who grew up in the South, I can empathize with being otthered and connect to the feeling that comes with the dehumanization of race-base discrimination. I am very proud of the work that our district is doing to foster these types of conversations in our community. If you could not make “The Talk,” I highly recommend watching the video here. I would encourage you to watch the two prior conversations as well. (The Talk


Besides these formal conversations, I would encourage you to start the discussion with your children as well. While it can be uncomfortable and sometimes difficult to have honest conversations about race, I challenge you to take a courageous step and confront and address issues of racism, anti-bias, and stereotypes as you encounter them. It’s important to remember that we are better if we work together. 

 

In Partnership,

 

Principal Taylor


Events Calendar

  • 4/28 - Read-a-thon Price Pick-up, 8:00am - 2:00pm

  • 4/28 - Parent University: Preparing for Middle School, 5:30pm Register Here

  • 4/29 - English Learner Reclassification Ceremony at Crittenden Middle School, 5:30 - 7:00pm

  • 4/30 - Morning Session: Principal’s Coffee (Virtual), 8:30am Register Here

         Evening Session: Principal’s Coffee (Virtual), 6:30pm Register Here

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

  • 5/5   -  SSC Meeting, 5:30pm - 6:30pm Register Here

  • 5/6   -  MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting, 6pm

  • 5/11  - Superintendent Coffee with Vargas Families, 9:00am Register Here 

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

  • 5/13  - ELAC Meeting, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

  • 5/19 -  Principal Virtual Office Hours, 4pm - 5pm  Register Here

  • 5/20 -  MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting, 6pm

  • 5/26 -  Principal Virtual Office Hours, 4pm - 5pm  Register Here

  • 5/28 -  End of Trimester - Minimum Day

  • 5/30 -  Memorial Holiday - No School 

  • 6/2   -  Principal Virtual Office Hours, 4pm - 5pm  Register Here

  • 6/3   -  MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting, 6pm

  • 6/4   -  Last Day of School - Minimum Day

 



In this Newsletter

School News

  • Golden Ticket Winners

  • School Start Time

  • Middle School Electives

  • CSMA Art

  • Principal Virtual Office Hours 

  • Technology Support 

District News

  • Parent University: Preparing for Middle School 

  • May CAC Meeting

  • In case you missed it: Courageous Conversations about Equity, Anti-Asian Racism and the Model Minority Myth recording available

  • Better Together: Strengthening Communities - Flyer

  • Join the MVEF Board and make a difference!

  • MVLA Speech & Debate Summer Camp - Flyer 1, Flyer 2


PTA News

  • Scholastic Book Fair

  • PTA Elections

  • Spirit Wear!

  • Amazon

 


Golden Ticket Winners - Week 4/26/2021
Mayuka M        RM: 1         Bellneu L       RM: 11
Alivia R            RM: 3         Leah M          RM: 13
Andrei B           RM: 4         Jesus M          RM: 14
Elliot R             RM: 4         Jai R               RM: 15
Gabriel A          RM: 8         Ian L              RM: 16
Bopei C            RM: 11       Sebi J             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.

School Start Time

Just a reminder that school starts at 8:00 AM. Parents, you can drop your child off starting at 7:45. If your child enters after 8:00 AM, you child should enter through the front office to get their temperature scan. Thank you for your support in getting your child to campus on time.


Middle School Electives 

It is the time of year when our incoming middle school students choose their electives for next year. Our middle schools are currently working to provide quality offerings that we hope will pique students’ interests and a great complement to our core academics. We are requesting each child's top 5 interests so that we can provide at least one of his/her top choices.


These electives are all subject to staffing, student interest and COVID safety guidance. Your child’s preference will help us plan and schedule courses for next year. 


Look for an email to parents on April 26 with links to course catalogs and selection directions. All 5th-7th graders will preference their course electives online through Powerschool on April 30-May 7, 2021.


CSMA Art

The CSMA Kinder- Fourth Grade Art lessons have concluded for the school year - please find linked here the wonderful and amazing Vargas Virtual Art Show!!


Thank you for sharing with your students and families, and for all of your collaboration and support during our Art lessons this year. We appreciate all you do!


Principal’s Virtual Office Hour  

Please drop in my Principal Hours next week Wednesday, May 5th from 4:00pm - 5:00pmto 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.

 


District News

Parent University: Preparing for Middle School 

Date: April 28th  Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/XWF1A


Come and learn more on how to support your students as they transition to middle school. We will feature a panel of counselors, teachers and middle school students to answer questions and provide information about middle school.

To submit questions prior to the event, please click here. We will do our best to address your question during the session.


May CAC Meeting

May 3, 9:30 am- General Parent/Community Meeting with Special Ed. Directors & Staff, Zoom at 9:10 am for LCC and 9:30 am for CAC. We will be voting on officers for next year, discussing the SELPA Local Plan and planning for next years events and programs. For our agenda, please join our Google group, https://groups.google.com/g/selpa1cac. For the Zoom link for this meeting, email [email protected]


In case you missed it: Courageous Conversations about Equity, Anti-Asian Racism and the Model Minority Myth recording available

Last week, Better Together MVWSD hosted The Talk: Courageous Conversations about Equity, Anti-Asian Racism and the Model Minority Myth, a panel discussion with Asian American leaders in our community. Thank you to our incredible panelists for sharing their experiences and perspectives! A recording of this event can be found at: https://vimeo.com/540234012. (Spanish subtitles are available.) Check out https://mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD for videos of past events and our monthly infographics.

Better Together: Strengthening Communities
This month’s Better Together focus is on civic engagement and getting involved in the community. Please see the attached or https://www.mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD for the infographic, which features activities for the family, engaging books about activism for students, and more!

Join the MVEF Board and make a difference!

The Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF) is seeking new volunteers and board members to join us in supporting its mission to ensure that every child in every school has access to a competitive, comprehensive, and inspiring education.

 

Board members have the opportunity to make a difference in the experience of every child in the district, gain insight into district programming and planning, and collaborate with other parent leaders in the district. Learn more about MVEF, and its impact on your child’s school day at mvef.org. If interested, please send a message to [email protected].


MVLA Speech & Debate Summer Camp  - Flyer 1, Flyer 2

The Mountain View - Los Altos High Schools Speech and Debate Team is holding our annual summer camp from June 14–18 and June 21–25! The camp will be completely virtual, and students will learn about fundamental concepts in speech and debate in order to help them become more persuasive speakers and stronger critical thinkers. Additionally, we’re offering three different courses to accommodate for different skill levels and allow students to build off of their existing knowledge. For more information about pricing and registration, visit our website at mvlasdcamp.org.

 



Vargas PTA

Scholastic Book Fair 

Our Scholastic Book Fair starts Wednesday! It's a great time to stock up on new books for summer reading. The Book Fair will be virtual and runs for two weeks from Wednesday, 4/28th- Tuesday, 5/11.  You can find all the details and purchase books for your kids, friends and family at this link: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/joseantoniovargaselemsch.  

Feel free to share this link with friends and family who may want to purchase books to help us fundraiser.


PTA Elections

The PTA has had so many wonderful parents volunteer to be members of the PTA board and help with additional roles! At our next Association meeting on May 26th, we will hold elections for the executive board positions. The nominating committee would like to announce the following slate of officers for the association’s consideration: 


President: Shannon Lundin

Vice President: Jinny Suh

Treasurer: Anna Du

Secretary: Kristin Johnson

Auditor: Gulay Samatli-Pac


Please register for the meeting on May 26th at 7:00pm. In addition to the elections for next year’s officers, we will also be presenting changes to the bylaws as follows: 

 

  1. Adoption of online meetings due to pandemic

    1. ARTICLE IIV: SECTION 8. Members of the Association may participate in and act at any meeting of the Association via teleconferencing using equipment with which all association members participating in the meeting can communicate with each other at the same time. Participation in such meetings shall constitute attendance and presence in person at the meeting. Quorum shall be established by roll call and identification of individual member.

 

  1. Change Association Meeting Dates

    1. Standing Rules #7 Association Meeting Dates

      1. Current meeting dates are 4th Wednesday of August, October, January, March, and May

      2. Proposed change to 4th Wednesday of September, November, January, March, and May 


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.
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