Principal’s Message:
Hello Golden Owls,
Read-A-Thon
Sunday, April 3, 2022, is the official last day of our 3rd Annual Read-A-Thon. The last day to turn in minutes is Wednesday, April 6, 2022. At this time, we have achieved about one-third of our reading goals for minutes and money raised. Please encourage your child to continue to read as much as possible to help contribute to the classroom and school reading goals. Our school reading goal is 275,000 collective minutes. Even if you cannot raise the funds, students can meet the reading goals!!!!
That being said, money raised during this fundraiser supports our school by providing enrichment activities including field trips, extra materials for classroom teachers, Golden-Ticket prizes, community-building activities, assemblies (Virtual and in person), and after school classes. If you have the ability to gather donations and fundraise, it will greatly benefit our school community. Our fundraising goal is to raise $25,000. You can track minutes by clicking here
Also, don’t forget to join us for Outdoor Movie Night on the field! It promises to be an enchanting night!
In Partnership,
Principal Vern Taylor
Events Calendar
30 - Principal Office Hours - Virtual, 4:00pm - 5:00pm - Register Here
1 - Hidden Villa Field Trip
1 -Outdoor Movie Night: Encanto, 7:00PM, Vargas Field
5 - Deer Hollow Farm Field Trip
6 - Principal Office Hours - Virtual, 4:00pm - 5:00pm - Register Here
7 - MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:00pm - 10:00pm -
8 - Superintendent Community Check-in, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
11 to 15 - Spring Break - No School
20 - Principal Office Hours - Virtual, 4:00pm - 5:00pm - Register Here
25 - CAASPP Testing Starts
27 - Principal Office Hours - Virtual, 4:00pm - 5:00pm - Register Here
29 - Principals Coffee, 8:30am - 9:30am
4 - Principal Office Hours - Virtual, 4:00pm - 5:00pm - Register Here
5 - MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:00pm - 10:00pm -
6 - Superintendent Community Check-in, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
11 - Principal Office Hours - Virtual, 4:00pm - 5:00pm - Register Here
18 - Principal Office Hours - Virtual, 4:00pm - 5:00pm - Register Here
18 - SSC Meeting - Virtual, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
19 - MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:00pm - 10:00pm -
20 - Superintendent Community Check-in, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
25 - Marine Science Institute Field Trip
25 - Principal Office Hours - Virtual, 4:00pm - 5:00pm - Register Here
27 - End of Trimester - Minimum Day - Dismissal at 11:50am
27 - Principals Coffee, 8:30am - 9:30am
30 - Memorial Day Holiday - No School
2 - MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:00pm - 10:00pm -
3 - Last Day of School - Minimum Day - Dismissal at 11:50am
3 - Superintendent Community Check-in, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
In this Newsletter
School News:
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Golden Ticket Winners
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Autism Awareness Month
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Ramadan
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Campus Update: Trees
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COVID update: Masking, other protocols changing on March 28 - Flyer
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For grades 5-7: Select Middle School electives before April 8
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Outdoor Movie Night: Encanto
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CAASPP Testing in Grades 3-5
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Parent University: Preparing for Middle School
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Coaches Corner: Crafting from Books
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Parking at Google School and Respectful Parking Behavior
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Principal’s Virtual Office Hours
Flyer:
District News:
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CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program & SCC COVID Assistance Program: Expiring 3/31 - Flyer
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COVID vaccinations at Graham: April 5
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InPlay Summer Program Guide - Flyer
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MVLA Speech and Debate Info Session
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MV Public Library: Intro to Game Design Workshop - Flyer
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Speaking respectfully about mask choices - Flyer
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Join MVEF's Spring Gala “The Art of Words” on April 23rd!
PTA News:
Golden Ticket Winners - Week of 3/28/2022
Isaac S. RM: 1 Matilda K-F. RM: 10
Katherine D. RM: 2 Ivan F. RM: 11
Isabella A. RM: 3 Aanya R. RM: 13
Angel G. RM: 4 Maria Z. RM: 14
Rushil M. RM: 4 Mya R. RM: 15
Anita S. RM: 5 Danna Z. RM: 16
Ruhaan O. RM: 6 Boyuan C. RM: 17
Noelle R. RM: 8 Mrs. Bisbee RM: 7
The Vargas Way - Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be an Upstander.
What are Golden Tickets?
Students earn Golden Tickets from teachers and staff when they are following the Vargas Way. What is
The Vargas Way? Click here for an in depth view.
Autism Awareness Month
Autism Awareness Month in April aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition that occurs in one in every 54 children as of 2020 in the United States. Autism is a complex developmental condition affecting a person’s ability to interact, communicate, and progress.
Autism Awareness Month emphasizes the need for public awareness to promote acceptance, celebrate the differences, and be more inclusive towards autistic individuals around us. Our Librarian Mrs. O has been working with students to raise awareness about Autism and other neurodivergent individuals. She has identified some books in the library that can help our students build empathy for others who are neurodivergent. Here is a link to Ms. O reading, "I Have Autism" A Child's First Look at Autism by Pat Crissey. Our goal at Jose Antonio Vargas is to be an inclusive environment for all. Thank you for supporting us in that goal!
Ramadan
Did you know that Ramadan is a holy month celebrated by Muslims around the world? It is believed to be the month in which the Qur’an (the religious text of Islam) was revealed to the prophet Muhammed. Ramadan takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar when the first sliver of the crescent moon appears. The Islamic calendar is lunar, not solar, so Ramadan begins on a different date each year. This year Ramadan will last from April 2, 2022- May 2, 2022.
Ramadan is a quiet, reflective time of worship, prayer, helping others, and spending time with loved ones. “Ramadan Mubarek” and “Ramadan Kareem” are common greetings during the holy month and mean “Have a Blessed or Generous Ramadan.” Muslims that are 12 or older fast during Ramadan, not eating or drinking anything between sunrise and sunset. Fasting reminds Muslims to appreciate their blessings and to help those in need. Families get up for an early meal before the sun rises called suhoor, and the fast is broken with an evening meal after the sun sets called iftar. For our Muslim Vargas Families, I hope that you have a peaceful and happy Ramadan.
Campus Update: Trees
As part of the completion of our school’s solar panel installation, crews will be on site on April 1 to install irrigation and plant three new trees in the planting island near the school car entrance. Solar structures will save the district $600,000 annually in electrical costs and have provided shade to the play and lunch areas.
COVID update: Masking, other protocols changing on March 28 - Flyer
MVWSD will further loosen restrictions due to changing state and county guidance. Please see the attached flyer for the highlights of changes beginning March 28. Both outdoor and indoor masking is strongly recommended (no longer required) for students and staff. Exceptions: Masks are required on buses for all, indoors for volunteers and preschoolers, and unvaccinated persons (including adults without a booster) must wear a mask for 10 days after exposure to a positive case. Masks are required indoors for sports and performing arts spectators, regardless of vaccination status.
For grades 5-7: Select Middle School electives before April 8
It is the time of year when our incoming middle school students choose their electives for next year. All 5th-7th graders should preference their course electives online in Powerschool now through April 8, 2022. Parents, an email was sent to you on March 25 with the course catalogs and instructions that are also available on https://www.mvwsd.org/MSelectives. Please take a moment to view the catalog with your student and complete the selection in PowerSchool before April 8.
Electives selection help sessions for grades 5-7 parents (Students welcome):
Crittenden:
April 1, 9:00 - 10:00 am. Zoom meeting link
April 7: 5:00 - 6:00 pm. Zoom meeting link
Graham:
April 1, 10:45-11:45 am. Zoom Meeting link
April 7, 5:00 - 6:00 pm. Zoom Meeting link
Outdoor Movie Night: Encanto
Students and their families are invited to celebrate the end of the Read-A-Thon with Encanto! Please join us on the Vargas Field for an enchanting night of movie watching! The movie will start at 7:00PM, on Friday, April 1.
CAASPP Testing in Grades 3-5
Each spring, California students participate in the statewide testing program, the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). The tests in CAASPP provide information to teachers, parents/guardians, and students about students’ progress and readiness for college and career. Students who have a significant cognitive disability (as designated in their Individualized Education Program) are eligible to take the California Alternate Assessments (CAAs).
Because CAASPP tests are given statewide, they provide an opportunity to measure the skills of all students against the same academic standards. Given online, the tests are computer-adaptive, allowing more precise measurement of individual skills.
Children in grades 3-8 will take the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments or California Alternate Assessments for ELA (English language arts/literacy) and mathematics. The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments are online tests that measure what your child knows and is able to do. The tests include many types of questions that allow students to interact with the test questions. Results help identify gaps in knowledge or skills early on, so your child can get the support he or she needs to be successful in school. Sample test questions on the practice tests can be found on the CAASPP Web Portal.
Students in grades 5 and 8 will take the computer-based California Science Test (CAST). CAST measures students’ achievement of the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS) through the application of their knowledge and skills of the Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts.
Students in grades five and seven will also participate in the California Physical Fitness Test, also called the PFT. The PFT results provide one measure that students and their families can use, along with other information, to monitor overall fitness.
Please go to the California Department of Education Parent Guides to Understanding Web page to learn more about the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments, the CAST, the California Alternate Assessments, or the Physical Fitness Test.
Please note:
Vargas 3-5 grade students will start holding their practice tests from April 18-22. This will be our chance to support students in utilizing the testing platform, and our chance to troubleshoot any problems. Students will test in ELA on April 26-29, Math on May 3-5, and our 5th grade students will test science May 10-13. 4th and 5th graders will test before AM recess, while the 3rd graders will test after AM recess. Please avoid scheduling appointments during these times. Thank you for your support!
Parent University: Preparing for Middle School
Date and Time: April 27, 2022, 5:30pm Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/pu042722
Nervous about middle school? We get it! Change can be daunting, but it can also lead to amazing new experiences. Join us to learn how to support your children as they prepare for the next stage in their academic and social lives. We will feature a panel of staff and students from Crittenden and Graham who will offer lots of wisdom and details about grades six, seven, and eight. See you there!
To submit your questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions.
Coaches Corner: Crafting from Books
Watch your student’s favorite book characters come to life!
It’s time to get crafting! Ask your student what his or her favorite book is. Then, try creating a craft based on that book! For example, you could make a sock puppet of Curious George or make masks from Where the Wild Things Are. Some other examples are making ladybugs based on The Grouchy Ladybug or designing a brown bear out of brown boxes from Brown Bear, Brown Bear.
Your student will watch their favorite characters from classic books come to life through the craft! Get as creative as you want!
Parking at Google School and Respectful Parking Behavior
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Our neighbors at Google have requested that parents not park at the Google parking lot on Gladys Street during morning drop-off or after school pick-up.
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Our School maintains accessibility for people with mobility challenges in accordance with Mountain View’s guidelines. That includes blue reserved parking zones in our parking lot, for physically challenged drivers and passengers. Blue zones are areas reserved for parking by disabled persons. Blue means no standing or parking except by vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate or a placard issued pursuant to Section 2251.5 ("Disabled Persons' Exemption"), or Section 9105 ("Disabled or Blind Veterans"), of the California Vehicle Code.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Principal’s Virtual Office Hours
Join me for our informal Principal Office Hours (virtual) today from 4pm - 5:00pm. Feel free to drop in if you have any questions or if you just want to chat. For office hours, there is no formal agenda, it is a time for you to stop in to say hello, and for us to get to know each other better! I look forward to meeting you!
Register in advance for this meeting.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
District News
CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program & SCC COVID Assistance Program: Expiring 3/31 - Flyer
The deadline to apply for rent relief through California's COVID-19 Rent Relief program is soon approaching on Thursday, March 31st (Apply at http://HousingisKey.com). See the attached flyer for agencies in Santa Clara County that can help with applying to the state program. SCC’s Isolation and Quarantine Program also ends March 31st. If you are sick with COVID19 or have been sick in the last 90 days and need assistance because you had to isolate and quarantine, call the COVID-19 Resources Hotline: (408) 808-7770 or [email protected]. For more information about both programs, see this webinar.
COVID vaccinations at Graham: April 5
El Camino Health will host a public COVID vaccination clinic at the Graham Middle School Multi Use Room on April 5 from 3:30-7:30 p.m. The clinic will offer shots (primary series and boosters) free to all students ages 5 and older and their family members. For more information and consent form, see http://mvw.sd/vax.
InPlay Summer Program Guide - Flyer
Looking for summer fun and out-of-school opportunities? MVWSD partners with nonprofit InPlay to help you find the perfect fit for your child and for your family. Hundreds of programs, including free and reduced-cost programs and those that serve students with special needs or English learners, are nearby and can be found through this free, searchable site. Check out MV.inplay.org.
MVWSD has not reviewed the programs and does not specifically endorse them. Parents should thoroughly research all activities before enrolling their children.
MVLA Speech and Debate Info Session
MVLA Speech and Debate is hosting a parent informational session on Zoom on April 19 at 7:30pm about upcoming free public speaking education opportunities for upper elementary and middle school students. Check out this flyer for more information and registration for the Speech Information Night: https://tinyurl.com/MVLAspeechyfl2022.
MV Public Library: Intro to Game Design Workshop - Flyer
Want to create animations, stories and games? Learn the basics of Scratch, a block-based programming language, at this MVPL workshop with Pixelators Education on Thursday, April 21 4-5 p.m. on Zoom. Workshop recommended for programming beginners in grades 1-3. Parent/guardian assistance welcome. Register in advance at: https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/8915612.
Speaking respectfully about mask choices - Flyer
As mask mandates change at MVWSD, it is important to respect the decisions of individuals and families as they choose to mask or not mask at school. Staff members will support students with respectful conversations on campus. We encourage you to talk with your children about your family’s choices, and about communicating empathy and understanding for others’ choices. For tips on how students can respectfully speak up and speak out, see this helpful infographic. We know our students will be upstanders and take care of each other!
Join MVEF's Spring Gala “The Art of Words” on April 23rd!
All gala ticket sales close Wednesday, April 6. No walk-in tickets will be available. Join MVEF for a lively evening that includes dinner, fundraising, and trivia in support of our schools. You can join us in person at Michael's at Shoreline OR join us virtually from home for the trivia game and access to online fundraising.
In-person: individual tickets are $125
Virtual: join us from home with a single virtual login for trivia plus access to online fundraising for $50.
We'll also have a raffle if you'd like your chance to win one of three great prizes available!
The winners will be drawn at the gala, but you need not be present to win!
To buy tickets please send an email: [email protected]
Looking for another way to participate?
We are still looking for items to include in our silent auction catalog. Do you have a vacation home or a timeshare, season tickets, golf course access, lessons, or a special experience to share? Please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
PTA News
Readathon 3/21-4/1
We are halfway through The Readathon but only ⅓ of the way to our goal! Classes that reach their reading goals and fundraising goals will get a class prize like extra recess or pizza party! As well as individual prizes. And if we reach our school goal of 275,000 minutes Principal Taylor will get slimed! So encourage your Golden Owls to read, read, read this week!
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If you haven’t done so already, create a fundraising page for your student on 99Pledges and share with family and friends.The deadline for entries is 4/9. https://app.99pledges.com/fund/javargas2022/addme
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Direct donations can also be made outside of 99 Pledges. Contact the PTA or office if this is something you would prefer.
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Ask your kids if they are participating in the Readathon scavenger hunt on campus or come check it out after school hours. The information is posted in the bulletin board outside of office
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Have your student design their “Read Around the World” bookmark and Bingo sheet. Submit them to the office and get a raffle ticket and prize.
You can find all the information on our website: https://www.javargaspta.org/read-a-thon-2022
If you have any questions or need any assistance please contact us at [email protected]
Scholastic Book Fair - March 28 - April 1
The Book Fair is happening this week in the MUR. Here are the hours for the rest of the week:
Wednesday: 2:25-3:30pm
Thursday: 12:00-1:00pm
Friday: 2:25-3:30 and 6:00-7:00pm
Movie Night 4/1 6:45-9pm
Join us for an outdoor movie night to celebrate the end of Readathon! We will watch Encanto starting around 7pm. Concession snacks (popcorn, candy, hot chocolate) will be available for purchase.
Konstella
Konstella is our main communication tool. The PTA will post information about meetings, events and volunteer opportunities. You will also be able to communicate with other families from your child's classroom.
Use this link to register: https://www.konstella.com/cd/XGJHYL
Shannon Lundin, and the Executive Board
[email protected]