Principal’s Message:
Hello Golden Owls,
Tomorrow is the beginning of Black History Month. At Vargas we are kicking off Black History Month with a school scavenger hunt where students learn about various influential Black individuals. Students will have until February 16 to turn in their scavenger hunts. During this month, our librarian, Mrs. O, will also be taking time during library visits to highlight books about and by Black Americans. Additionally, we will have an essay writing contest for students. Students are invited to write at least one paragraph about a Black hero that inspires them. All essays must be submitted by February 16. Essays should be at least one paragraph and can be about anyone of African American/Black descent. Each grade-level will have one winning essay selected. Winning essays will be announced and printed in the Wise Word.
As we think about the significance of having months like Black History Month. It was necessary for not only our Black Golden Owls, but all of our Golden Owls, to recognize and celebrate the significant achievements of Black individuals. I encourage you all to start discussions with your children at home as well. You can start by asking the following questions. Why is there a Black History Month? How can we celebrate Black History all year? Why is it important to celebrate Black history all year long? Again, I appreciate all your partnership and support in helping to make our community inclusive.
If your family would like some resources, please see these resources by PBS.
In Partnership,
Principal Vern Taylor
Events Calendar
January 2024
February 2024
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1st. Principal’s Coffee - 9:00 to 10:00 am Register here
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7th Kindergarten field trip MV Library
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7th Lunar New Year celebration 12:00 pm
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8th MVWSD Board Meeting, District Office 6pm-10pm - Agenda
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9th CSMA Music in Action Concert 3rd to 5th graders 8:50 am
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12th Vargas 5th Grade Field Trip to Walden West
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16th End of Trimester - Minimum Day - Dismissal 11:50am
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19th - 20th Washington & Lincoln Day (Holiday- No School)
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21st - 23rd Winter Break - No School
In this Newsletter
School News:
Golden Ticket Winners
Student enrollment in MVWSD for next year is open now!
The District is beginning its annual process of updating the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan)
January Hoot Loot Store is open next week
Walden West for Fifth Grade Parents
Fifth-grade parents: Recordings of sixth-grade information night
Lost and Found
Flyers:
School Year Calendar 2024-2025 Here
February Menu Here
District News:
Complete your LCAP survey today! (before Feb. 16)
February CAC and LCC Events
Silicon Valley Reads: A Greener Tomorrow Starts Today
City of MV: Lunar New Year Here
Fifth-grade parents: Recordings of sixth-grade information night
MV Public Library: Parenting Program Here
SAVE THE DATE for the MVEF Gala Saturday April 27
PTA News
Family Art Night - Feb 1 (6:00-7:00 PM) - Save the date!
ACE After-school Programs - Not too late to sign-up
Golden Ticket Winners January 25 , 2024
Madelyn B.. RM: 1 CJ Y. RM: 10
Leilany H. RM: 2 Peyton L. RM: 11
Ramses V. RM: 3 Pelin G. RM: 13
Sabrina A. RM: 4 Kimberly V. RM: 14
Raul V. RM: 5 Andy T. RM: 15
Milo A. RM: 6 Sara A. RM: 16
Rohan W. RM: 8 Aria D. RM: 17
Ayden M. RM: 9 Miles C. RM: 18 ____________________________________________________________________________________
Student Enrollment in MVWSD for next year is open now!
Enrollment for next fall for all students in the Mountain View Whisman School District is open now at www.mvwsd.org/register.
For CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents, click on the link in your email to confirm enrollment before February 9.
For families enrolling NEW students, please prepare to register your student:
Learn more about the documents you’ll need. Click here for the video. Please check www.mvwsd.org/register to locate your neighborhood school, how to explore school options and the four steps to register before February 9.
Do you need in-person help to register your child? Sign up at http://mvw.sd/help and attend any of the help sessions:
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Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary, January 31 @ 5-7 p.m.
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Theuerkauf Elementary, February 1 @ 5-7 p.m.
The District is beginning its annual process of updating the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan)
This input collected will guide the update of our District plan for the 2024-25 school year.
Please click on your unique survey link sent to your email on Jan. 29. Your responses are confidential. Students in grades 4-8 will also be taking the LCAP survey. More information found here: mvwsd.org/LCAP.
Mr. Taylor will be presenting LCAP information at the upcoming Principa’s Coffee and ELAC Meeting
Principal’s Coffee Meeting, February 1, 2024, 9:00-10:00 am Click here to register (zoom meeting)
January Hoot Loot Store is open next week
Next week, the virtual Hoot Loot store will be open for students to make their purchases. Thank you, families, for supporting your child in reading each night to continue earning those dollars. Teachers will be providing students time to make their month purchases and we will try to deliver that goods by the end of the week.
Walden West for Fifth Grade Parents
We are so very excited for your students to go to Walden West. As you know, students will be returning to school on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at around 11:55. This is a minimum day for students and at the same time as dismissal. The buses will need time to unload, and we will need to manage the traffic from dismissal as well. 5th grade parents, please plan to start picking your student up at 12:20PM instead of the normal minimum day pick up time
Fifth-grade parents: Recordings of sixth-grade information night
In case you missed the meeting, recordings (both English and Spanish) of the 6th-grade information meetings are posted on each middle school’s website. Crittenden is here. Graham is here.
Lost and Found
The lost and found rack is getting full again, please take a look to see if any items belong to your child. The last day to claim any items is Thursday, February 15. Anything left after dismissal will be donated.
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DISTRICT NEWS
Complete your LCAP survey today! (before Feb. 16)
The District is updating the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). Your responses to the survey will guide the update of our District plan for the 2024-25 school year. Please click on your unique survey link sent to your email on Jan. 29. Your responses are confidential. Students in grades 4-8 will also be taking the LCAP survey. More information found here: mvwsd.org/LCAP
February CAC and LCC Events
SELPA 1 CAC and the Learning Challenge Committee are your groups for special education and broader learning challenge needs. 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
Mountain View Whisman School District and SELPA 1 CAC are sending out a survey with questions about parent experience with the special education department. Please answer this survey to let MVWSD know about your experience.
Special Education in MVWSD Parent Survey
Please let us hear your voice!
General Parent/Community Meeting
February 5, 2023 on Zoom
with Special Ed. Directors & Staff, Zoom at 4 pm for LCC and 4:15 pm for CAC. We will be planning for the year, discussing upcoming programs and having a question period for administrators. For our agenda, please join our Google group, https://groups.google.com/g/selpa1cac. Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0odOGhpzItH90IzOAEI6N7uldUYugzvgdH
Let’s Talk - February 6, 10 am
IEP/504 support group. Have questions about the process to get help for your child? Have an IEP but are not sure how to make changes? Need to vent? This is your confidential group. Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYudeGpqD8sHNb80rmjfyQ4qm1HiE8ydWDw
Parent Chat - February 13, 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.
Missed our Parent Education events?
We have a YouTube channel with many of our past events including the recent talk on Assistive Technology, 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
Silicon Valley Reads: A Greener Tomorrow Starts Today
Each year, Silicon Valley Reads brings Mountain View together with neighboring Santa Clara County libraries and other organizations to read and learn about an important topic that will jumpstart conversations. This year’s theme, “A Greener Tomorrow Starts Today,” will showcase books and events that focus on environmental sustainability.
We invite you to read one of the featured books and attend special events to address the critical and urgent need to take action toward sustainability.
To celebrate the start of Silicon Valley Reads, join us for a kickoff event at the Visual Performing Arts Center at De Anza College on Wednesday, Jan. 31 and engage in a conversation with authors and contributors to the featured books. Younger children are invited to a Silicon Valley Reads Inspired Storytime on Tuesday, Feb. 6 that will showcase The Forest Man and related songs, stories and rhymes.
City of MV: Lunar New Year Here
The City of Mountain View is hosting a Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, February 10 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Mountain View Community Center (201 S. Rengstorff Ave.). The event will feature live performances, crafts, games, and community booths. For more information, call the Recreation Division at 650-903-6331 or visit MountainView.gov/SpecialEvents.
SAVE THE DATE for the MVEF Gala
MVEF will hold its Annual Fundraising Gala on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The MVEF Gala is an opportunity for parents, teachers, business leaders and community members to come together to support local schools.
If you can't attend in-person, you can still sponsor the Gala or participate in the Online Auction by donating or bidding on items. To donate an item or a bottle of wine to the auction please email [email protected]
MV Public Library: Parenting Program Here
Join the MV Public Library for their virtual “Parenting in Climate Crisis” program on Tuesday, February 27 from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Climate change has put pressure on the mental health of young people. Spend a lunch hour with Jainee Dial, the Executive Director of Gen Dread,and gain ways to actively support your child's processing of negative emotions and experiences around climate change and calm eco-anxiety. This conversation is tailored toward parents of children 8 years or older, including teens. Register for the event here: https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/11704154.
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PTA News
Family Art Night - Feb 1 (6:00-7:00PM) - Save the date!
Join us on Thursday, Feb 1, for our first ever PTA sponsored Family Art Night! There will be multiple art stations to rotate through. Volunteers needed– please sign up on Konstella if you are available to volunteer or email [email protected].
ACE After-school Programs - Not too late to sign-up
Vargas After-school Creative Enrichment (ACE) programs have started, but you can still join! If classes have started already, check with the vendor about prorated fees.
Kimberly Cheng, and the PTA Executive Board
[email protected]