Principal’s Message:

Hello Golden Owls,

Please note that Friday, February 17th marks the end of the trimester and it will be a minimum day. School will end at 11:55am. Monday, February 20th through Friday, February 24th will be Winter Break. School will resume again on Monday, February 27th. 

The District has begun its annual process of updating the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). The input collected will guide and update our District plan for the 2023-24 school year. Your participation in the process will help our school by ensuring that our school's needs are considered as the LCAP is revised for the 2023-24 school year.

If you have not already, please take a moment to complete the survey about the plans' goals. You can access the survey through the link in your email.

 

Please join me to learn more about the LCAP process at Friday’ Principal’s Coffee at 8:30am. To register, click here.

 

More information about LCAP is here: https://www.mvwsd.org/lcap

Finally, the PTA is looking for a few key positions for next year. Here is a link to the role descriptions. Please contact Sandy Wen:  [email protected] or Shannon Lundin [email protected].

In Partnership, 

Principal Vern Taylor

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Events Calendar

February 2023

March 2023

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In this Newsletter

School News:

• Golden Ticket Winners

• Bookmobile February 09 Flyer

• Returning students: Enrollment in MVWSD for next year

• 5th grade promotion date

• Not Returning Students for 2023-2024 School Year

• Principal’s Virtual Office Hours

Flyers:

• February Lunch Menu - Here

• 2023-2024 School Year Calendar - Link here

District News:

• Board of Trustees Thursday Feb 09 @ 6:00 pm

• Parents: We need to hear from you before Feb 10 - Childs enrollment in MVWSD for next year

• In case you missed it: Incoming 6th grade information night for parents

• We want to hear from you! LCAP survey

• February Better Together Infographic Flyer

• Bond Oversight committee seeks community representatives

• MVEF Gala Sponsorships are available!

• Inplay: Find Camps and after school activities

• February CAC Events and Announcements Flyer

• Health and Wellness Parenting Tip: Shaping

• City of MV Parent’s Night Out: Feb. 11 - Flyer

• MVLA Parent Math Night - Flyer

• The View Teen Center: February Events Flyer

• MVLA Parent Ed: Live Longer, Happier, and Healthier with the Groundbreaking Science of Kindness

• Parent U SEL Recording Available

• MVEF needs your help!

PTA News:

• Walkathon Committee

• PTA Executive Board Elections

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Golden Ticket Winners 2/2/2023

Isabel B. RM: 1           Mailen L.       RM: 11

Myra S. RM: 2           Mia K.       RM: 13

Ava P. RM: 3           William B.       RM: 14

Ahn V. RM: 4           Sara A.       RM: 15

Prithika S. RM: 6           Leah M.           RM: 16

Andrew C.  RM: 8           Ashley B.         RM: 17

Juan P.     RM: 9           Mrs. Harris       RM: 14 

Philip H. RM: 10              

Anika C. RM: 10

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School News

Bookmobile February 09 Flyer

It's that time again! We realize that with our rotating schedule it may be four or more weeks before the bookmobile returns to your school. To make things easier, I'll be sending a reminder a few days in advance of each stop so that you can remind your students that we'll be here and prepare the parking spot, if necessary. I'm attaching a flyer with this week's stop date so you can post or distribute. Thank you again for your support of the library and the bookmobile service.

(Repeat) 5th Grade Promotion Date

Each year, we look forward to celebrating with families as our 5th grade students are promoted to middle school. This year, the 5th grade promotion date is Monday, June 5. We will share more specifics about the celebration as details are available.

(Repeat) Not Returning Students for 2023-2024 School Year

If you plan on moving during the summer or know your child will not return to our District for the 2023-2024 school year, please email our school secretary at [email protected].

(Repeat) Returning Students: Enrollment in MVWSD for next year

MVWSD enrollment for next fall for returning students is open.

 

For CURRENTLY enrolled students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Starting Jan. 24, parents can log on to the PowerSchool Parent Portal to enroll their children for next year. Look for an email in your inbox dated Jan. 24. If you have difficulty signing in to PowerSchool, please contact your school office. For more information, call 650-526-3500 or go to https://www.mvwsd.org/register.

(Repeat) Principal’s Virtual Office Hours

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

The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 6:00 p.m. 

Some of the meeting topics include:          

Outdoor Learning and Greening Project at Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School

Transportation Study Report

Resolution: Climate Change and Green Schoolyards

For meeting details and agenda, please click here: https://www.mvwsd.org/trustees.

Parents: We need to hear from you before Feb. 10 about your child’s enrollment in MVWSD for next year

For CURRENTLY enrolled students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Before Feb. 10, parents must log on to the PowerSchool Parent Portal to enroll their children for next year. Look for an email in your inbox with directions.

Important: 

• Choice school parents: If you have incoming Kindergarteners and would like them to participate in the 2023-24 Choice School lottery, you must submit their enrollment application during Open Enrollment (before February 10.)

• Incoming middle school parents: Students currently in grades 5-7 will not be able to select their elective classes for next year until parents confirm their enrollment through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. 

If you have difficulty signing in to PowerSchool, please contact your school office. For more information, call 650-526-3500 or go to https://www.mvwsd.org/register.

In case you missed it: Incoming 6th grade information night for parents

If you will have a 6th-grader next year, please check these links for the 6th Grade Information Night materials shared at the January 23 meeting. 

Crittenden Middle School

Graham Middle School

We want to hear from you! LCAP survey responses due Feb. 17

Have you clicked on the link in your inbox to complete the LCAP survey? We need to hear from every family in the district as part of the annual process of updating the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). Your input will guide the update of our District plan for the 2023-24 school year.  Your responses are confidential. More information found here: https://www.mvwsd.org/LCAP

February Better Together Infographic (flyer attached to email on 2/6)

In February, we honor Black History Month. As educators and parents, we can help our young people imagine a world where they are active participants in the dismantling of racist and oppressive forces. We can help them imagine a future where we are all #BetterTogether. Please see the attached flyers or visit http://mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD.

Bond Oversight committee seeks community representatives

The District is seeking qualified persons to serve on the Bond Oversight Committee for the District's Measure T Bond Program.

Representatives monitor, provide oversight and ensure accountability to the funds received by the District, including an annual report to the Board regarding the actual uses of such funds.

Applications can be mailed to: Mountain View Whisman School District, Attn: Dr. Rebecca Westover, Chief Business Officer, 1400 Montecito Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043 or emailed to [email protected].

Link to Application: Bond Oversight Committee

Questions? Please call Dr. Rebecca Westover, Chief Business Officer, at 650-526-3500.

MVEF Gala Sponsorhips are available!

MVEF is currently accepting sponsorship donations for the annual Gala, happening April 29, 2023. With approximately 150 in-person attendees and a goal to raise $100K, the MVEF Gala is an opportunity for residents, district parents, business leaders and community members to come together and support local schools. This year’s event will include dinner, fundraisings activities (including a raffle plus live and silent auctions), and community-building.

MVEF offers 4 Gala sponsorship levels to community business and individuals. Each level includes different benefits for the sponsoring entity. To learn more and to complete a sponsorship application, click here: https:www.mvef.org/galasponsor.

InPlay: Find camps and afterschool activities

February break and spring break are just weeks away. Even summer break is just around the corner. Looking for activities or camps for your children? InPlay offers a free searchable program guide for parents, with filters for age, location, price (including free or reduced cost), and more. To find programs local to Mountain View, head to: https://www.inplay.org/r/mountain-view. Available programs include those that serve students with special needs or English learners.

February CAC Events (flyer attached to email on 1/23)

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: Try a Sensory Diet

Parent Chat

February 14, 10 am

Are you concerned about the emotional well-being of your child?  Peer to peer support for parents of teens with mental health challenges. Every second Tuesday of the month at 10 am on Google Meet. Meeting is for 1 hour only due to Google Meet limitations. Contact [email protected] for invite.

Palo Alto CAC Resource Fair for Summer Camps and Afterschool Activities

Tue, Feb 28th 6-8 pm 

Focus will be on hosting providers serving Palo Alto, Mountain View and Los Altos.

Place: JLS middle school cafetorium in person only

Coming up in March!

General meeting on March 6 and we are happy to announce:

Behavioral Panel of Experts - Challenging Behaviors and Strategies at different ages

Presented by SELPA 1 CAC / Palo Alto CAC

Wednesday March 22, 7 pm on Zoom

Does your child have behavioral challenges at school and at home?

Behavior is communication. Join the CAC and expert panelists from CAPTAIN and PENT for a presentation on strategies to help with behaviors at different ages. Although CAPTAIN is focused on those students with autism spectrum concerns, these insights are suitable for all students. Have a specific question - submit your question ahead of time to our panel here: Questions for the Panel

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkduCurTorHNSOp-szKwNTJdpzNXprqunq

Missed our Parent Education events last year?

We have a YouTube channel with many of our past events including last year’s Inclusive Fun Fair for summer camps and recreational activities, Anxiety and Depression in Children with Learning Challenges, SMART Goals and IEP Troubleshooting, and more. Channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuy7IcVz-4LTDxv2Jaq13nw

Health and Wellness Parenting Tip: Shaping

We all tend to avoid tasks that we do not enjoy. Unfortunately, many of the tasks that we ask of our kids, such as working on homework or doing chores, are not enjoyable. Shaping can help make some of these tasks more manageable.

Shaping involves rewarding small behaviors that build toward the final behavior you wish to see. To do this:

Try this with a few tasks that your child has struggled to complete. For example, you could try praising your child for working on their homework for 10 minutes, then 20 minutes, and so on. You could also try rewarding your child for completing one step of their chores, then two steps, and so on. With practice and patience, those unenjoyable tasks will become easier and easier to complete. 

These tips came directly from the free, online Everyday Parenting program created by parenting expert, Dr. Kazdin.

To learn more parenting tips click here. 

These tips came directly from the free online website NPR: Life Kit.

City of MV Parent’s Night Out: Feb. 11 - Flyer

The City of Mountain View is hosting a Parent’s Night Out on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM at the Mountain View Community Center. Need a night off? Drop your kids off and treat yourself to a parent's night out. You can feel good leaving your child in a safe, fun environment complete with games, art projects, pizza, and a big-screen movie. Register here.

MVLA Parent Math Night - Flyer

MVLA will be hosting their Math Night for parents on February 16, 2023 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Staff will share information about the high school math pathways and math preparation for college and beyond, in addition to the computer science and engineering pathways. Register for the webinar here.

The View Teen Center: February Events (flyer attached to email on 2/6)

The View Teen Center is a free facility in Mountain View (263 Escuela Ave) for all Mountain View and Los Altos 6th - 12th grade students. The center is open Monday through Friday: 3:30 - 7 p.m. and Saturday: 1 - 6 p.m, and features a game room, makerspace, kitchen, computer/study room, outdoor area, and much more! February Teen Center events include Winter Break drop in hours (February 21-24, 1:00 - 6:00 p.m) and field trips, including an Ice Skating & In-N-Out Trip and a Bike To Boba. See attached flyer for details about upcoming events and programs or visit their webpage for more information.

MVLA Parent Ed: Live Longer, Happier, and Healthier with the Groundbreaking Science of Kindness 

Join MVLA Parent Ed on February 28 at 7:00 PM in the LAHS Eagle Theater for an evening with Dr. Kelli Harding  – author of The Rabbit Effect – as she discusses ways for school communities to help foster cultures of kindness and positive social connection. Groundbreaking new research shows that love, friendship, community, life’s purpose, and our environment can have a greater impact on our health than anything that happens in the doctor’s office. Harding presents a new model for you to take charge of your health. Register here for this free event.

Parent U SEL Recording Available

In case you missed it, recordings of the most recent Parent University event, “Social Emotional Learning at School and Home,” are available. English (https://vimeo.com/765795126) and Spanish (https://vimeo.com/765899241). Find recordings of past Parent U presentations at https://www.mvwsd.org/parentu.

MVEF needs your help!

MVEF has raised $885,000 towards the goal of $1,200,000! As MVEF annual funding continues to grow, we will be able to fund additional programs in MVWSD schools. In order to keep growing, we need more volunteers to help us spread the word about "why MVEF." We will soon be coordinating a training and development program for our volunteers, so if you're interested please contact us soon. Volunteer opportunities include: 

- Additional school "influencers" at every school site

- Volunteers to donate Gala auction items

- Volunteers to help with check-in and other tasks at the Gala 

- Governing board members

To learn more about these opportunities, please email [email protected]. 

Finally, don't forget to complete the MVEF Programs Survey by Jan 31: bit.ly/3XnfMGx

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PTA News

Walkathon Committee

JA Vargas will be doing our first Walkathon this spring and we are looking for volunteers to help us plan the event. We are looking for general volunteers and also someone with art/ graphic art skills for making promotional materials. If you would be interested in helping us plan for this event please contact Sandy Wen:  [email protected] or Shannon Lundin [email protected]

PTA Executive Board Elections

We will hold elections for next years’ PTA Executive Board in March and we have started looking for members to help fill positions that will be open next year. Joining the PTA Board is a great way to make an impact at our school; helping to plan for programs and events that provide enrichment and foster belonging for students and families. The three main positions we need to elect for next year, President, Vice President and Auditor. Other positions will also be available. See a list of open positions with a summary of the role and timeline here and/ or contact Shannon Lundin [email protected], Kim Cheng [email protected]