Wise Word, 5/5/2021

Dear Golden Owls,

Staff Appreciation Week began this week. We are very fortunate to have wonderful teachers and staff that make Vargas a great place for our students. Our staff has been working tirelessly this year to support our students and help them progress this school year. Please join me and giving a big thank you to our staff. If you haven’t already, I’m sure our staff would greatly appreciate a brief message of encouragement, support, or thanks! 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. MVWSD is prioritizing Mental Health and asking all of us to  take part in the National Alliance on Mental Illness StigmaFree Campaign.  The StigmaFree campaign is NAMI’s effort to end stigma and create hope for those affected by mental illness. Through powerful words and actions, we can shift  the social and systemic barriers for those living with mental health conditions. Please join me in taking the pledge so that we can be #bettertogether. Click here to take the pledge. 

In Partnership,

Principal Taylor

School News
  • Golden Ticket Winners
  • Kindergarten & 5th Grade Promotion
  • iReady Assessments
  • Middle School Electives - 5th grade families - Happening Now
  • Reclassification Students from Vargas
  • School Start Time
  • Principal Virtual Office Hours 
  • Technology Support 
District News
  • Unlocking Our Inner Strengths with CHAC: Registration for free May events available
  • Board Meeting Preview: May 6
  • Community Check-In with the Superintendent
  • Better Together: #MVWSD: Prioritizing Mental Health - Flyer 
  • El Camino Health Community COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic - Flyer
  • District Chess Tournament Registration Open
  • Mental Health Month: Finding your Tools2Thrive
  • MVLA Speech & Debate Summer Camp - Flyer 1, Flyer 2
  • MV Parent University: Preparing for High School - May 19th - Register here
  • MVEF is hiring: Content Writer
PTA News
  • Scholastic Book Fair
  • PTA Elections
  • Spirit Wear!
  • Amazon

Golden Ticket Winners - Week 5/3/2021
Ashley W       RM: 1          Kian S             RM: 12
Jeremy M       RM: 3          Shinee P          RM: 12
Gaius T          RM: 4          Boyuan C        RM: 14
Davika M       RM: 6          Noam S           RM: 15
David J          RM: 8          Grace J             RM: 16
Bryn B          RM: 10         Casey N           RM: 17
                                           Mr. Dechter     RM: 11
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.
Kindergarten and 5th Grade Promotion
Based on how the health of our community has progressed and improved these past 3-4 months, there were high hopes of being able to hold an in-person event.  Unfortunately, due to the many restrictions of holding an in-person event as outlined by the California Department of Public Health, we are unable to do so.  Principals have been meeting with district leadership along with collaborating with our PTA groups to brainstorm ideas and plan our special events to celebrate our promoting kindergarteners and 5th graders as well as coordinate with other schools so that parents of multiple children can attend and participate in all events.  Please stay tuned as we finalize our plans over the next week.  Parents of Kindergarteners and 5th graders will receive a formal communication via your child’s teacher with an overview of the promotion ceremony, including,  dates, times, how to plan and how to prepare. 

iReady Assessments
All Vargas students (K-5) will be taking their third round of i-Ready Reading assessments on Tuesday 5/11 and Thursday 5/13.  Students will take the i-Ready Math assessment on Tuesday 5/18 and Thursday 5/20. The i-Ready data helps us monitor student progress throughout the year. It also helps us identify standards that students have already mastered, as well as areas of focus during first instruction.  The i-Ready assessment is also one of the measures we use to determine the math placement for our middle school students. 
Roomies will be testing in-person, and Zoomies will be testing virtually.  For Roomie families, please remember that families are not proctoring the assessment for their students. Students will log in to their Zoom session with their teacher.  Students must use their district issued device to access the test. Teachers will be on Zoom to monitor in real-time your child’s participation in the assessment. As parents/ guardians, you play a very important role in supporting your children before they take the diagnostic assessments.
Below are some tips you may find useful to help prepare your child for the diagnostic assessment:
  • Explain to your child that it is important to do his/her best. (ALL Parents)
  • Remind your children to work out their problems and pace themselves (Zoomies)
  • Make sure your child has a distraction-free area to take the assessment (Zoomies)
  • Teachers will live proctor the assessment (Both Roomies and Zoomies)
  • During the Zoom assessment session, your child’s camera must be on and audio be enabled when asked by the teacher (Zoomies)
  • Do not help your child during the assessment (Zoomies)
  • Encourage your child to stay steady, focused, and do his/her best during the test. (Zoomies)
Remember that it is important to support a growth mindset by encouraging your children to try their best and then giving them the space to take the assessment and problem solve on their own.

Middle School Electives - 5th grade families - Happening Now
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. 
Please visit https://www.mvwsd.org/MSelectives for course catalogs and selection directions. All 5th-7th graders will preference their course electives online through Powerschool on April 30-May 7, 2021.

Reclassification Students from Vargas
Last Week, our district held a socially-distance, drive-through celebration for our recently reclassified students. Reclassified students are English Learners who have demonstrated proficiency in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking in English as well as achieved proficiency at grade-level standards. We are extremely proud of our Golden Owls! Way to go Beiwinwin L., Sushrut J., Hana U., Estelle G., Sophia L., Sharon L., Mateo R., and Emiliano G. 

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.

Principal’s Virtual Office Hour  
Please drop in my Principal Hours today Wednesday, May 5th from 4:00pm - 5:00pm 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.

  • 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 Register Here
  • 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   -  Kinder Promotion
  • 6/2   -  Principal Virtual Office Hours, 4pm - 5pm  Register Here
  • 6/3   -  MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting, 6pm
  • 6/4   -  Fifth Grade Promotion 
  • 6/4   -  Last Day Celebration - Mr. Softee
  • 6/4   -  Last Day of School - Minimum Day

Unlocking Our Inner Strengths with CHAC: Registration for free May events available
CHAC has opened registration for their free virtual workshops in May, which focus on unlocking our inner strengths and supporting mental wellness. You are welcome to join for any or all events. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30pm, with optional 30-minute Q&A from 7:30 to 8pm.
May 5: From Puppies to Paintings! Creative Ways to Build Lasting Connections
May 12: Self-Empowerment Through Expression: The Crucial Role of Mental Wellness in Motivating Tomorrow’s Leaders
May 19: Parenting Teens Doesn’t Have to be Painful!
May 26: Self-Care & Support Across Diverse Communities
For more information about each session and to register in advance, head to: https://funraise.org/give/Community-Health-Awareness-Council/a25a1482-56ef-448d-80f1-c36132be901c/.

Board meeting preview: May 6
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m. Some of the meeting topics include: Learning Recovery Plan, construction updates and staff appreciation. Agenda and login information are here. The meeting is also streamed on https://www.youtube.com/mvwsd.

Community Check-In with the Superintendent
Please join us for an informal, online conversation with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, May 7, 3:30 p.m. Spanish interpretation is available. Click here to register

Better Together #MVWSD: Prioritizing Mental Health -
Flyer 
This month's #BetterTogether infographic features tools and resources to help all those who work, learn, and partner with MVWSD to prioritize mental health and wellness. No one ever needs to be alone in their struggles. Together we can prioritize mental health and wellness. Click here to view this month’s calendar or visit https://www/mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD

El Camino Health Community COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic -
Flyer
El Camino Health is continuing to administer free COVID-19 vaccines – by appointment – for those aged 16 and up who live or work in Santa Clara County. Vaccines are administered at El Camino Health’s Sunnyvale Clinic Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Visit elcaminohealth.org/schedulevax to make an appointment.
See attached flier for information and scheduling assistance available in Spanish and Mandarin. If you need assistance scheduling an appointment online, please call 408-871-7460, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The County of Santa Clara announced that most County Health System vaccination sites will accept drop-ins for COVID-19 vaccines. Same-day appointments and some drop-in locations across the county are available at sccfreevax.org 

District Chess Tournament Registration Open
Registration is now open for the 18th Annual MVWSD Interscholastic Chess Tournament, to be held online again due to COVID-19 on Sunday, May 16, from 12:00 to 5:00.  The registration form and complete instructions can be found at tinyurl.com/mvwsdchess, and the deadline is May 14.  Any questions can be sent to Mark Ruzon, tournament director, at [email protected].

Mental Health Month: Finding your Tools2Thrive

Last week we identified topics that can help you build your own set of #Tools2Thrive which include recognizing and owning your feelings; finding the positive after loss; connecting with others; eliminating toxic influences; creating healthy routines; and supporting others

When it comes to your feelings, it can be easy to get caught up in your emotions as you’re feeling them. Most people don’t think about what emotions they are dealing with but taking the time to really identify what you’re feeling can help you to better cope with challenging situations. It’s ok to give yourself permission to feel. By looking for opportunity in adversity or finding ways to remember the good things about who or what we’ve lost, we can help ourselves to recover mentally and emotionally. Access a Mental Health America Tips for Success to learn more.

For each of us, the tools we use to keep us mentally healthy will be unique. But Mountain View Whisman School District wants everyone to know that mental health challenges and conditions are real, and recovery is possible. Finding what works for you may not be easy but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes. By developing your own #Tools2Thrive, it is possible to find balance between work and play, the ups and downs of life, and physical health and mental health – and set yourself on the path to recovery.

Discover your #Tools2Thrive by listening to Renee Jain and Dr. Shefali Tsabary discuss our superpowers we are born with and how to transform our biologically natural anxiety so that we are empowered by it. You can access this 18 minute conversation in English at NPR How To Help Your Kids Reframe Their Anxiety — And Reclaim Their Superpowers

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.

MV Parent University: Preparing for High School
Date: May 19, 2021, 5:30 p.m.  Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/osiVT
Is there a rising high school freshman in your home? Do you want to learn a bit more about the habits, traits, and skills students should develop to be ready for high school? Join us at our final Parent University session of the year as we meet members of staff and students at the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District to hear them talk about this ever-important topic! 
To submit questions prior to the event, please click here. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
And if you missed any of our content this year, have no fear: www.mvwsd.org/parentu has recordings of all of our Parent University sessions this year! 

MVEF is hiring: Content Writer
Mountain View Educational Foundation is Hiring a Content Writer to Help MVEF foster growth, optimize outreach, reach a wider audience, persuade the reader, and inspire action through the power of the written word. 

Can you get people excited about the work that MVEF is doing? Do you write compelling, engaging and meaningful content in a concise newsletter, post web page or direct mail? Are you a superb storyteller that can capture people’s hearts and communicate the data? Is your style personable, specific, and easy to read?

MVEF needs a writer with these skills to enhance communication, marketing, and fundraising letter solicitations. The ideal candidate will help MVEF communicate with donors and parents, meet current fundraising goals, find new funding, spread awareness, and help donors understand the full impact of their donation. 

This is a flexible, part time position.  We need you to write Bi-monthly (sometimes monthly) updates for newsletters, website, and/or social media to keep supporters, donors, and volunteers educated about the impact on the community.  We also need help with back to school marketing presentations and fundraising letters for all levels of donations.  
Please send questions, email and/or resume to [email protected]

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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