Principal’s Message:

Hello Golden Owls,

Between meeting new teachers, adjusting to a new grade level, and learning new routines, many students can feel a range of feelings as the school year gets underway. Sometimes kids (and adults) can feel all the feels at once!

This month, schools across MVWSD are calling attention to resources for students feeling All The Feels, as well as resources for parents and school staff. 

A great space for mental health resources is MVWSD’s Virtual Wellness Center, which you can find at https://www.mvwsd.org/parents/virtual_wellness_center.

In Partnership, 

Principal Vern Taylor

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Events Calendar

 

September

 

October

 

 

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In this Newsletter

School News:

• Golden Ticket Winners

• September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic American Heritage Month

• Vargas Movie Night

• Item Drop-Offs

• Attendance Awareness Month: September

• Vargas Construction Updates 

• Picture Day - Wednesday, September 21, 2022

• Family Health and Wellness Fair: Sept 24

• Family Science Night

• Early Pick Up

• Water Bottles

• After School Pick-up and Drop-off

• Gift Card Donation

• Principal’s Virtual Office Hours

 

District News:

• Elevate MV: Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program - Flyer

• Now hiring: Interpreters and Translators

• MVWSD Seeks Parents & Staff Members for Health and Wellness Committee

• Why does MVWSD rely on MVEF donations for supplemental funding?

• Searching for Volunteers to Serve City of MV Community

PTA News:

• Movie Night 9/16

• Volunteering

• Membership

• Kontella

• Spirit Wear

• Website

 

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Golden Ticket Winners 9/8/2022
Maria Paz B.      RM: 1         Nika S.        RM: 11
Neev B.              RM: 2        Matilda K.    RM: 13
Inaya G.             RM: 3        Sofia B.        RM: 14
Ahn V.               RM: 4        Gavin W.       RM: 15
Maya K.            RM: 5        Alondra R.     RM: 16
Miranda M.       RM: 6        Bellnue L.      RM: 17
Jackie O.           RM: 8        Ms. Cherry     MUR
Sebastian M.    RM: 10

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School News

 

September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic American Heritage Month

We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. Our students will be engaging in activities to learn about the contributions of various Hispanic Americans.

 

Vargas Movie Night

Join us for an outdoor screening of Sing 2 on the field on Friday, September 16th (hosted by the PTA and Shining City Music Entertainment). Concessions sales (popcorn, pizza, candy, drinks) will start at 6:30PM and the movie will begin around 7:00PM. Bring a blanket or a chair and join us! 

 

Item Drop-Offs

Snack/Lunch, music instrument, water bottle, Chromebook, and any other drop-offs

Please ensure your child has everything they need with them for school when you drop off in the morning. We are unable to assist and guarantee personal item distribution each day.  I suggest a morning check-list to ensure you have all items. This can also help students build independence as they get older.

Attendance Awareness Month: September

Why is it important that students are in school regularly? Research shows that school attendance is a strong indicator of success. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit early, so they learn that going to school on time, every day, is important. Regular school attendance is required by state law. State law requires MVWSD to notify parents whose students are truant or chronically absent. The state, county, and district are monitoring attendance, both excused and unexcused absences because the goal is for healthy students to be in school as often as possible. Our schools’ goals are a 97% attendance rate.

 

Tardy Procedure

Students are tardy if they are not in line by 8:00 a.m. Although one or two minutes may not seem like it makes a big impact, there really is an impact on your child and on the rest of the class. Please aim for having your child here by 7:50 a.m. to allow for possible slow-downs on your route here. We are well into our first month of school and have gotten our routine set. I will be starting to track students' tardiness on a weekly basis, and arranging appointments with families to discuss the importance, ramification, and any support you may need to resolve this situation if I see a pattern. 

 

If your child is at school after 8:00 a.m. please remember, students must come through the office to pick up a tardy slip. 

 

Vargas Construction Updates 

The Vargas construction webpage has been updated based on last week's Board presentation. 

A few highlights:

• Vargas Tree Replacement Project

  • Last week, we completed the first stage of the tree replacement project. MVWSD is working with Canopy (non-profit) to design and install new trees at a 2:1 ratio and expand green cover into campus as space permits.

• Security Cameras

  • Camera mounts have been installed, and electrical conduit installation is ongoing after hours.  We anticipate the system to be operational in October 2022.

For complete details for all Vargas Construction projects, click here. 

 

Picture Day - Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Picture day is coming. Please check your child's backpack for ordering information in the coming weeks. If you'd like to purchase online please use the information below on Lifetouch.com

School Name: Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School

Picture Day Date: Wednesday, September 21

Picture Day ID: EVTVB2V74

 

Picture Day Procedures

Students will walk down to the MUR with their class. Pictures will be taken on the MUR stage. Your child will be the only student on stage at the time that he/she takes a picture. Pictures will take place inside. Masks are optional.  Please let us know if you want your child to keep their mask on for picture day. We have communicated with the Lifetouch photographers to alert them that some students may choose to keep their masks on. 

 

Family Health and Wellness Fair: Sept 24 

There will be a free Family Health and Wellness Fair hosted by Assemblymember Marc Berman and in partnership with El Camino Health and MVWSD on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Mariano Castro Elementary School (500 Toft St). 

 

Come for free screenings and vaccines, free school supplies, backpacks, kid’s masks, diapers, period products, bike repair and healthy snacks.

Available:

*  Kids’ health screenings: dental, vision, heart, mental health, and nutrition screenings

* Free school supplies and backpacks

* Healthy snacks

* Fun activities for kids

* COVID-19 vaccines and boosters

* Hands-on science with NASA

* COVID-19 test kits

* Fire and garbage trucks up close

* Art projects

* Bike raffle and repair 

* Casework services

 

For more information, please call (650) 324-0224 or visit http://ASMDC.ORG/CP-FHWF.

Family Science Night

We are currently planning a Science Night for Thursday, October 6th from 5:30-6:30 pm. Students and families that attend will receive and build a Kiwi Kit together. Alternatively, if you are not able to attend or if you do not feel comfortable attending an in-person event, your child will receive a Kiwi kit, and we will send video instructions facilitated by our STEAM teachers, Mrs. Bisbee and Mrs. Butchko.

Please complete the survey by September 28, 2022 and select either the Science Night for your family OR at home option.

(Repeat) Early Pick Up  

Do you need to pick up your child early? Please make sure to follow our procedure:

• An approved adult must check in and sign-out students. 

  • Please note, students are only released to those that are approved for pickup on the emergency card. Please update your emergency contact information with any new approved adults by contacting our office personnel.

• The office will call the classroom and ask for the student to come down.

• Students will be dismissed from the office. 

  • For security reasons, no one is allowed to go to the classroom to pick up students. 

  • *Feel free to call the front office to alert us that you are on your own. 

 

(Repeat) Water Bottles

Please remind your children that we want to make sure they are drinking enough water throughout the day, especially on hot days. Please remember too pack a full reusable water bottle each day. Students can refill water using the water stations inside the class. 

 

(Repeat) After School Pick-up and Drop-off

The drop-off- and pickup lane is for drop off and pick up only. 

A few reminders:

• Please do not leave your car unattended on the curb during pick up and drop-off.

• Please wait in your car until students are brought to the main gate.
  If you need to park, please use the designated spots only. Parking is limited, so if you need to park, please arrive early and park in our designated spots only. 

  • **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. 

 

(Repeat) Gift Card Donation 

As you may know, there are several families in our district that need help to meet some basic needs.  The district is providing meals every day. But some families need more support for providing food, clothes and shoes for their kids.  There is a critical need for gift cards for these families.  If you are able, please consider donating a Safeway or Target gift card to families in our own district.  Thanks so much for your help!  Let’s show these families how strong and supportive our Vargas community really is!

Please bring the gift cards to the office. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Bea, School and Community Engagement Facilitator – SCEF- at [email protected].

 

(Repeat) Principal’s Virtual Office Hours

I will again be hosting Principal Office Hours virtually on Wednesdays from 4pm -5pm. 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. 

 

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District News

Elevate MV: Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program - Flyer

Applications open September 16th for the Mountain View Elevate MV pilot program, which will give direct cash payments of $500 per month to 166 randomly selected eligible extremely low income Mountain View residents. The pilot program sets itself apart from other direct relief programs by providing unrestricted financial assistance to the most vulnerable in our community. This pilot program will be a part of a national research study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania Center for Guaranteed Income Research. For eligibility requirements and details about the program, including how to receive assistance with the application, click here. 

Now hiring: Interpreters and Translators

Are you bilingual/biliterate and looking for a way to support our families and students? MVWSD is hiring support staff to serve as interpreters and translators for multiple languages, including Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, and others. Apply now at mvwsd.org/jobs.

MVWSD Seeks Parents & Staff Members for Health and Wellness Committee

MVWSD is seeking parents and staff to lend their perspective and expertise to benefit students by serving on the Health and Wellness Committee. 

The Health and Wellness Committee aligns District efforts to support student wellness through health education, physical education and activity, health services, nutrition services, psychological and counseling services, and a safe and healthy school environment. 

Interested applicants should have experience, knowledge, or interest in the topics described above. In addition to last year’s members, we are seeking at least 1 parent and 1 certificated staff member per school and 3 representatives from community-based organizations. The committee may include up to 30 participants. 

The time commitment is approximately four meetings during the school year, beginning in October. Meetings will take place on Zoom. 

Applications are due by Friday, September 16, and may be found at this link: http://mvw.sd/health. Please direct any questions to Brian White, Coordinator for Health and Wellness.

Why does MVWSD rely on MVEF donations for supplemental funding?

This year, MVEF funding is reducing English Language Arts middle school class sizes; providing art, music, and life science enrichment; and more! Why does MVWSD rely on MVEF for this? MVWSD is “community funded” (also known as “basic aid district”), which means that budget growth relies almost entirely on increased assessed value of the property tax base within the district. California’s Prop 13 limits the growth in assessed property values, which effectively throttles budget growth that could fund supplemental public education programs. However, MVWSD works closely with MVEF so that additional enrichment is still possible for our students. To learn more, click here. To make a donation, click here.

Searching for Volunteers to Serve City of MV Community

Recruitment is open for upcoming vacancies on several City board, commissions and committees that weight in on a wide range of matters. If you have an interest or background in the City’s downtown interests, environmental planning process, library, parks and recreation, performing arts, inclusive community relations or bike and pedestrian concerns, we welcome you to apply to serve on one of these bodies. Find more information and the application form at MountainView.gov/Advisors. Questions can be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or 650-903-6304. The deadline to apply is Sept. 29 at 5 p.m.

 

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PTA News

 

Movie Night 9-16

Join us for an outdoor screening of Sing 2 on the field on Friday, September 16th (hosted by the PTA and Shining City Music Entertainment). Concessions sales (popcorn, pizza, candy, drinks) will start at 6:30PM and the movie will begin around 7:00PM. Bring a blanket or a chair and join us! Also, if you’re able to help– sign-up on Konstella for a shift to sell concessions. 

 

Donation request 

We are looking for an ipad (version 12 or up) or android tablet (version 7 or up) to use at events for gear and concession sales and membership and Konstella sign ups. If anyone has an old tablet they would be willing to donate please contact [email protected]

 

Volunteering

Visit this link  (https://tinyurl.com/VargasVolunteer2022) to see volunteer descriptions and to signup OR contact Shannon [email protected] or Kim [email protected]  

 

• We are looking for Room Parents for Rooms 14, 16, 17

• Join a committee (fundraising, community events, student enrichment, etc) and get to know other parents while enriching our students' experience.

• Don't forget to check with your company for corporate matching. Earn money for the school just by volunteering!

 

Membership

Please join our PTA. The cost is $10 a year. No strings attached! Being a member allows you to fully participate in our meetings, and helps our PTA to plan our budget and programs!

https://jointotem.com/ca/mountain-view/jose-antonio-vargas-pta

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

To Join a Classroom

Web:  Click your name at the top left corner.  Click “Your Children” to add/modify your children.

Mobile App:  Click the Settings icon at the top left corner.  Click “Your Children”. Membership

Spirit Wear 

Mondays are spirit days at JA Vargas, wear green and show your school spirit. Check out our selection of green spirit wear. Place your order online and pick it up on designated days at the office.

https://www.javargaspta.org/ja-vargas-store

Website

Find links to membership, Konstella, gear shop and volunteer opportunities on our website.

https://www.javargaspta.org/home

Shannon Lundin, and the Executive Board 

[email protected]