The Wise Word 03/22/2023

Hello Golden Owls,

I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow at Open House. 

During this time, you and your child will get a chance to celebrate the learning that has happened over the past year. 

Please remember that Open House is not a time for individual conferences with the teacher, but a chance to celebrate all the learning that has occurred over the last year. 

If you have concerns or want to discuss your child’s individual progress, please work with your child’s teacher to set up a meeting to address these concerns. 

After you visit your child’s class, please also make sure to visit the MUR to see the CSMA art show, which is made possible by MVEF.

In Partnership, 

Principal Vern Taylor


Events Calendar

March 2023

23th

Vargas: Music Notes Safe Routes To Schools assembly

23rd

CSMA Art - Show 

23rd

Open House - 6:00pm - 7:00pm

28th

Digital TAT2 - Parent University, 6:00pm Register Here

29th

Principal’s Office Hours, 4:00 PM Register Here

31th

Principal’s Coffee Hours, 8:30am  Register Here

31st

Walkathon, 3:00pm - 6:00pm

April 2023

4th

Deer Hollow Farm Field Trip 

5th

DeAnza College Planetarium Field Trip

6th

MVWSD Board of Trustee Meeting, 6:00pm Agenda

10th - 14th

Spring Recess - No School

19th

SSC Meeting, 5:00pm Register Here

28th

Principal’s Coffee, 8:00am

May 2023

1st

Kinder Reading Night, 5:30pm

4th

PTA International Festival, 5:00pm

23rd

ELAC Meeting, 6:00pm

24th

SSC Meeting, 5:00pm

26th

End of Trimester - Minimum Day dismissal at 11:55am

29th

Memorial Day - No School 


In this Newsletter

School News:

  • Golden Ticket Winners

  • Safety Reminders

  • Electives Selection for Grades 5-7 Opens soon

  • Earth Hour  - March 25th

  • J A Vargas Helps Our Community

  • Fuel for the Future: National Nutrition Month

  • Parent University: My Digital Tat2: Parent Education for Setting Healthy Boundaries Around Technology Use02

  • 5th grade promotion date

  • Not Returning Students for 2023-2024 School Year

Flyers:

District News:

  • Get Important Text Message about your School

  • Introducing MVWSD Plus*

  • Seeking Members for the Sustainability Task Force

  • Fuel for the Future: National Nutrition Month

  • Crittenden Middle School Spring Musical: Matilda Jr. Ticket Order Form here

  • Graham Middle School Spring Musical: Moana Jr. Flyer here

  • Parent University: Preparing for Middle School 

  • Have you donated to MVEF to support this school year?

  • Living Classroom: Docent Training Date Change Flyer here

  • Health and Wellness Parenting Tip: Anxiety Curve

  • March 2023 CAC Events

  • CTE Summer Exploration Program Flyer here

  • Find Your Fit: Teen Career Day Flyer here


PTA News:

  • Walkathon - Save the date - Friday March, 31st, 3:00 to 6:00 pm

  • Square One Art PTA Fundraiser

  • Donation Request


Golden Ticket Winners March 15, 2023

Tehara A.           RM: 1          Taylor W.       RM: 10

Myra S.                   RM: 2           Lynn S.       RM: 11

Jesus R. RM: 3           Angela L.      RM: 14

Zen N RM: 4           Brandon P.    RM: 15

Milles G RM: 5           Sofia R.       RM: 16

Shalom C RM: 6           Layla A.        RM: 17

Kiernan P    RM: 8           Ms. Barrie     RM; 15

Parker B RM: 8              

Martin D. RM: 09


School News

Safety Reminder:

We have seen an increase in tardies over the past few weeks. Students need to be inside the school gates, lined up, by 7:59 am each day. If a student arrives after the gates close at 8:00, they must walk through the front office to get a late slip. This is critical so that we can account for them and mark them present; otherwise, they may still be marked absent in the system.

If you are running late, please remember SAFETY FIRST.  Do NOT have your child run across the street or parking lot.  Do NOT allow your child to exit the car while you are still in traffic--wait until you get into the appropriate drop-off lane.

Electives selection for grades 5th to 7th opens soon

It is the time of year when our incoming middle school students (grades 5-7) choose their elective courses for next year. All 5th-7th graders should select their course electives online by April 7, 2023 through the PowerSchool portal. Fifth- through seventh-grade parents, please look for an email in your inbox dated March 24 with links to course catalogs and directions. Please talk with your student and then log in to your PowerSchool portal account (either student’s or parent’s) beginning March 27 to help your student select his/her electives.  If you have difficulty with PowerSchool, please contact your school secretary. If you have not confirmed your child's enrollment for the 2023-24 school year, elective course selection will not be available.

Earth Hour  - March 25th

Every year, at 8:30 pm local time on the last Saturday of March, supporters in over 190 countries and territories unite, taking action on and raising awareness of the issues facing our one home. 

But Earth Hour is more than just an hour for Earth - it's a movement for our own futures, for the benefit of people and planet.

And it's not only a symbol of solidarity - it's a catalyst for change, harnessing the power of the crowd. 

Here are some ways you can give your hour:

  • Pick up litter in your local area

  • Go for an outdoor walk

  • Spread awareness

  • Cook a sustainable meal

  • Read an article about the environment or ways to take action

Let us know what you'll be doing using #MyHourForEarth! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niZ54wV6QdE


J.A. VARGAS HELPS OUR COMMUNITY

Ronald McDonald House gives families with a sick child what they need most—each other

Their mission is simple: provide critically ill children with communities of support, access to medical care and the healing power of family and home. Their objectives are clear: ease the emotional and financial burden families endure.

 

Vargas is asking for donations to create care kits for families. Please bring your donation to the classroom or to the office by Friday, March 31.

 

Remember: All items must be new and in original packaging.

  • Toiletry Kits: (Travel-sized)

      Shampoo, Conditioner, Bar soap, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Deodorant

 

  • Snack Packs: (Individually packaged, non-perishable snacks)

      Pretzels, Fruit snacks, Granola bars, Cookies, Chips, Small waters/drinks

 

Fuel for the Future: National Nutrition Month

Stay Nourished and Save Money

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive - it’s an important part of taking care of yourself and your family. Here are some ways to stay nourished while saving money: 

  • Plan your meals ahead of time and use a grocery list

  • Choose seasonal fruits and vegetables, which are often less expensive and more flavorful 

  • Resources like SNAP, WIC, and local free food programs can provide additional assistance for healthy food options. 

Eating Right on a Budget (Spanish)


(Repeat) Parent University: My Digital Tat2: Parent Education for Setting Healthy Boundaries Around Technology Use

Date: 3/28/23  

Time: 6:00-7:15 pm  Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88165554763

Kids are online more than ever in this post-COVID world, with increased use of digital technology for academics, entertainment, and social connection.

 

Join My Digital TAT2 for an engaging and informative live webinar on Tuesday, March 28th from 6:00 - 7:15 PM. This event will be presented in Spanish and translated into English.

 

Hear what young people are doing online and how they are affected by the latest apps and trends from the world of technology. Get strategies for how to support responsible, mindful, and healthy use of the internet, social media, and gaming. Learn what you can do to stay connected with your child as their online lives expand.

 

Recommended for all adults who support youth and want to learn thoughtful and supportive ways to navigate media together. For more information about My Digital TAT2 visit: www.mydigitaltat2.org

To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your question during the session.

(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].


District News


Get important text messages about your school!

We send text messages infrequently for the purpose of notifying you of emergencies or with important, time-sensitive information, such as we did last week during the power outages. Make sure you are signed up to receive them. You can subscribe to receive text messages from the District at any time by texting "Y" or “YES" to 67587 using the cell phone number that the District has on record.

Introducing MVWSD Plus+  

We are pleased to introduce a new district program that aims to provide qualifying students with enriching summer and after-school care. Two opportunities are coming soon:


+Summer Camp 2023

Summer learning is getting a makeover! +Summer Camp will be hosted at district sites and operated by partners YMCA and Right At School. These full day camps will feature YMCA’s and RAS’s award-winning programs as well as exciting and enriching workshops led by MVWSD teachers, CSMA Art and Music instructors, and Canopy outdoor educators.  


+Afterschool for the 2023-24 School Year

Qualifying students will be able to attend Right At School, YMCA, or Beyond the Bell after school clubs free of charge. These programs will support students from the end of the school day until 6pm and full-day during certain school year breaks, such as Thanksgiving week.


Who qualifies? 

Students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and/or English Learners. If you have questions or think you may qualify, contact your school office.


For more details, check out our MVWSD Plus+ website and please look for individualized applications by the end of March.


Seeking members for the Sustainability Task Force

MVWSD is seeking members for a Sustainability Task Force to work on current and future environmental and sustainable practices at our schools and campuses. The goal of the group is to give meaningful feedback to the superintendent and support MVWSD towards achieving its goals of becoming more green in its facilities and practices. 


We are seeking a combination of district-level leaders, principals, teachers, staff members, and parents who represent the interests of both elementary and middle schools. Committee members will be expected to attend and participate in meetings held every other month (on average) online during the school year in the evening hours. Applications are due by March 23 and found at this link. More information is at https://www.mvwsd.org/about/committees


Fuel for the Future: National Nutrition Month

Eat a variety of foods from all food groups.


Eating a variety of foods from different food groups is important for getting all the necessary nutrients our body needs. It’s also a great way to add flavor to our meals, incorporate family traditions during mealtime, and create a balanced and sustainable diet. 


MyPlate.gov (MiPlato en español) is a nutrition guide developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help people make healthy and balanced food choices. It provides guidance on the types and amounts of food we should eat to meet our daily nutritional needs.


Crittenden Middle School Spring Musical: Matilda JR. Buy Tickets Here

Crittenden Middle School proudly presents the story of a girl who dreams of a better life, and the children she inspires. This show will have audiences rooting for the "revolting children" who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson.  Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda JR. is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.


Showtimes:

Friday, March 24th – 7:30 pm: http://ow.ly/qLRI50NcySz

Saturday, March 25th – 7:30 pm: http://ow.ly/ghOL50NcySx

Sunday, March 26th – 2:00 pm: http://ow.ly/XKZ850NcySw

Performances will be held in the Crittenden Middle School Auditorium, 1701 Rock Street. 

Parental Guidance Note: This show may not be appropriate for children under the age of 7. 


Tickets may be purchased in advance online (see the links on the attached flyer) or by dropping off your payment and order form at the Crittenden Front Office, no later than Monday, March 20th at 2:30pm. If shows are not sold out in advance, tickets will be available for purchase at the Box Office 30 minutes prior to showtime.  See the attached Ticket Order Form for details on pricing and online ticket purchases.


Graham Middle School Spring Musical: Moana Jr. Flyer Here

Get ready to set sail on a musical adventure with "Moana Jr."! Featuring beloved songs like "How Far I'll Go" and "You're Welcome", this musical is a must-see for fans of all ages! 


The students, staff, and parents have been working so hard for months to present the best performance. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of "Moana Jr." on stage! 


Tickets are now available for purchase here. The show information is as follows:

Graham Middle School Auditorium

March 24th and 25th 7:30 pm

March 26th 2:00 pm

Adult Ticket: $15

Student Ticket: $10


Parent University: Preparing for Middle School

Date and Time: April 4, 2023  5:30 - 7:00 p.m.  Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/pu040423

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

Have you donated to MVEF to support this school year? 

MVEF still needs to raise an additional $250k to achieve the goal of $1.2MM by June 30, 2023. If you haven't made a donation yet during the current school year, please donate ASAP to help your school site achieve the goal to get an average of 10 new donors per school by April 15!  Donations of any amount are meaningful in helping to reach the goal!  CLICK HERE TO SEE WAYS TO DONATE

During the next few weeks, MVEF is partnering with school sites and PTAs across MVWSD to welcome all families, including newly-enrolled families, to our schools. After several years of virtual or modified events, this is the first year that MVWSD families will experience on-site Spring Open House and Welcome events which will feature additional information about how MVEF supports MVWSD. We hope to see you at one of these events soon!

Thursday March 23 - Elementary School Open House Nights
Thursday March 30 - Middle School Open House Nights
Friday April 21 - Crittenden Middle School Welcome Potluck for New Families
Saturday April 29 - MVEF Spring Gala

Living Classroom: Docent Training Date Change Flyer here

Do you enjoy spending time with kids and being outdoors? Volunteer with us to teach fun, engaging STEM-based lessons in your local school! Living Classroom teaches science by using our school gardens as our classroom. No prior teaching experience is necessary. Bring a friend and join the fun!

 

Come to our training sessions from 9am-12pm in Heritage Park, 771 Rengstorff Ave. in Mountain View:

March 27, 2023 (3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Lessons)

April 17, 2023 rescheduled from March 6, 2023 (Kinder & 1st Grade Lessons)

For more information, visit www.living-classroom.org or contact [email protected].


Health and Wellness Parenting Tip: Anxiety Curve

Stress is a subjective sensation and is commonly misunderstood as a negative feeling. However, it’s not always bad. Of course, stress differs among all individuals, and stress management is no one-size fits all solution either. A study found that low-to-moderate stress has been found to benefit individuals in terms of resiliency, decreasing their chance of distress. This was tested with the anxiety-performance curve in mind. 


Here is a visual of the anxiety-performance curve:


Anxiety-performance curve shows that performance and arousal — that is, stress and motivation — rise in tandem to an optimal level called eustress (think of it as the “sweet spot” for stress). Additional stress beyond that peak tips into distress and impaired performance.

Here are some ways to utilize the anxiety curve when you are going into distress

  1. Set realistic goals and deadlines. Consider what you realistically can get done. 

  2. Seek out a challenge that interests you. This can be related to your career, an exercise goal, or a hobby. Make sure it gives you the motivation to engage. 

  3. Setting time-sensitive goals. Setting time-sensitive goals ensures you are accountable to others, which is an excellent way to engage that stress “sweet spot.” 

To learn more, click here. 

These tips came directly from the free online website of Big Think, reviewed by Kevin Dickinson.


March 2023 CAC Events 

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

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


CTE Summer Exploration Program Flyer Here

Limited spaces are available for CTE’s Summer Exploration program (June 5 - 29) for students grades 7 - 12. The program is interactive with a "learn by doing" focus and students experience hands-on learning on STEAM topics. Classes include Animation, Fashion Design & Textile Art, Film & Video Production, Medical Assisting, Medical Science/Health Careers, and Veterinary Science. Registration opens in April. For more information, visit www.SVCTE.org or contact Kiran Grewal at [email protected].


Find Your Fit: Teen Career Day Flyer Here

The View Teen Center is hosting a career day for students on Saturday, March 25 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Find Your Fit: Teen Career Day is a wonderful opportunity to gain perspective about different industry careers and network with professionals regarding potential jobs and internships! This FREE event is open to students in 6th-12th grade. Register in advance here.


Seeking members for the Sustainability Task Force

MVWSD is seeking members for a Sustainability Task Force to work on current and future environmental and sustainable practices at our schools and campuses.  The goal of the group is to give meaningful feedback to the superintendent and support MVWSD towards achieving its goals of becoming more green in its facilities and practices. 


We are seeking a combination of district-level leaders, principals, teachers, staff members, and parents who represent the interests of both elementary and middle schools. Committee members will be expected to attend and participate in meetings held every other month (on average) online during the school year in the evening hours. Applications are due by March 23 and found at this link. More information is at https://www.mvwsd.org/about/committees


Crittenden Middle School Spring Musical: Matilda JR.Form to buy Tickets here

Crittenden Middle School proudly presents the story of a girl who dreams of a better life, and the children she inspires. This show will have audiences rooting for the "revolting children" who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson.  Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda JR. is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.


Showtimes:

Friday, March 24th – 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 25th – 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 26th – 2:00 pm

Performances will be held in the Crittenden Middle School Auditorium, 1701 Rock Street. 

Parental Guidance Note: This show may not be appropriate for children under the age of 7. 


Tickets may be purchased in advance online (see the links on the attached flyer) or by dropping off your payment and order form at the Crittenden Front Office, no later than Monday, March 20th at 2:30pm. If shows are not sold out in advance, tickets will be available for purchase at the Box Office 30 minutes prior to showtime.  See the attached Ticket Order Form for details on pricing and online ticket purchases.


Graham Middle School Spring Musical: Moana Jr. Flyer Here

Get ready to set sail on a musical adventure with "Moana Jr."! Featuring beloved songs like "How Far I'll Go" and "You're Welcome", this musical is a must-see for fans of all ages! 


The students, staff, and parents have been working so hard for months to present the best performance. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of "Moana Jr." on stage! 


Tickets are now available for purchase here. The show information is as follows:

Graham Middle School Auditorium

March 24th and 25th 7:30 pm

March 26th 2:00 pm

Adult Ticket: $15

Student Ticket: $10


CTE Summer Exploration Program - Flyer

Limited spaces are available for CTE’s Summer Exploration program (June 5 - 29) for students grades 7 - 12. The program is interactive with a "learn by doing" focus and students experience hands-on learning on STEAM topics. Classes include Animation, Fashion Design & Textile Art, Film & Video Production, Medical Assisting, Medical Science/Health Careers, and Veterinary Science. Registration opens in April. For more information, visit www.SVCTE.org or contact Kiran Grewal at [email protected].




PTA News

Walkathon - Save the date - Friday March, 31st, From 3:00  to 6:00 pm

The Walkathon aims to get students moving in a fun-filled family event with prizes, music, and more. Our goal is to walk over 2000 laps and raise $25,000! It is our main fundraiser of the year, and  funds will go to next year's PTA budget for after-school enrichment, assemblies, classroom supplies, community events, and much more.

  1. Read the Take-Home Packet: English | Spanish

  2. Collect pledges at 99Pledges :

    • Create your student's fundraising page

    • Then share your student's page with family and friends!

  3. Come to the Walkathon! This is an event for families with music, games and food!

We Need Volunteers!

There are many opportunities to help out to make our first in-person Walkathon a success. Please consider volunteering for a slot through Konstella at http://bit.ly/WalkathonVolunteer2023 .

Square One Art PTA Fundraiser

For this fundraiser Ms. June helped students create a piece of artwork that was submitted by PTA to Square One Art. They take your child's artwork and transfer it to gift items like coffee mugs, key chains etc…These are great gifts for mothers day and family members!

A catalog will be coming home with your student soon but you can get a head start and order online now.

Simply search for your child's art using Art Search, and enter state, school name, and your student's name. Your student's art and code will appear, and you may order!

Order by:  4/7/2023

International Potluck- Save the date - Thursday, May 4th, 5-7pm

The PTA is planning a fun evening for our incredibly diverse community to share their culture.  We are holding an international potluck so please look out for a sign-up sheet shortly. There will also be some arts and crafts, games, prizes, etc.  Hope to see you there.

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]
Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.