Principal’s Message:

 

Hello Golden Owls,

 

As you know we are celebrating Teacher and staff Appreciation Week this week. I wanted to recount an event that demonstrates my thanks for our Vargas staff.   

Last week I received an email from a parent reporting an incident that happened at kindergarten dismissal. The parent was talking with Mrs. Ragas and noticed that the n word had been written on the plaque outside the main building. The parent had an immediate reaction and started to get emotional. Without question, Mrs. Ragas hid the word so no one else could see it, Mrs. Dux gave the parents a comforting hug, and Ms. Suryan lept into action to work with Ms. Evelyn to clean it up before it could be seen by anyone else. 

Obviously, it is quite hurtful to know that this has happened, but as the parent expressed in her email, it was the way our staff responded that was the part to focus on. In a time of hurt and harm, our staff members took care of our community.

At Vargas, we have an amazing staff that does this type of work each day. They work tirelessly to foster a safe learning environment where each individual feels welcome, seen, and celebrated. Please join me in thanking our staff. If you haven’t already done so, please consider sending a kind note or email to a staff member to show your appreciation. 

 

Important news:

School Site Council Nominations

We really need your help. We need at least 4 volunteers for the School Site Council. 

 

Vargas School Site Council (SSC) is a decision-making, leadership group composed of the Principal, Teachers, Classified Staff, and Parents/Community Members. The SSC plays an important role in the continuous improvement of our Students’ Education by reviewing, approving, and monitoring the annual Vargas Site Plan and categorical monies that fund the plan. As a member, you will review and analyze student performance, ask hard questions and participate in thoughtful discussions, and work as a team with staff and the Principal. Click Here for a video overview (Spanish) and this webpage for more information.  

The time commitment you make is to attend approximately six 1 hour meetings during the school year at an agreed upon day and time, with some outside reading time in the fall when the Site Plan is created. The term for the newly elected members will begin the first meeting of the next school year (late August or early September).

You may nominate yourself as a candidate by filling out this form. Self nominations are extended until  May 14th.  

Calling ALL VOLUNTEERS - Lunch Celebration!

We would like to thank you for your commitment, your dedication, and the time you spend supporting our students and our school. On Thursday, May 16th, we will be celebrating you with lunch from 12 noon- 1:00 pm. Please join us in the MUR if you have helped in any capacity this year. 

 

In Partnership, 

 

Principal Vern Taylor

 

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Events Calendar

 

May

 

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In this Newsletter

School News:

Electives selection for grades 5-7 opened on May 6

5th Grade CSMA Music Concert (5/08/2024)

5th Grade Instrument Collection

4th Grade Poetry - May 10

End of the Year Library Schedule

Summer Reading Books Needed! 

Mountain View’s Bookmobile comes to Vargas - May 15!

New Families Orientation Meet and Greet

Staff Members Honored by Acknowledge Alliance

MV Public Library: Summer Reading Program - Flyer 1 - Flyer 2

 

Flyers:

Book Mobile - Flyer

May Menu Here

School Year Calendar  2024-2025 Here

 

District News:

Better Together: May

Mental Health Month

City of MV Fire Department: 150th Anniversary Parade - Flyer

The View Teen Center: May - Flyer

Volunteer with the Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF)

PTA News

Dine Out at the Habit Burger May 21 (4-9:30pm)

Last PTA Association Meeting - May 22 (6-7pm)- in-person @ JAV Library

PTA Bylaws Notice

Incoming Kinder Summer Playdates 

Lunchtime Chess on Wednesdays  

Read-a-thon Results

End of Year Ice Cream Social - Friday May 31 (12:00-1:30PM)

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Electives selection for grades 5-7 opened on May 6
It is the time of year when our incoming middle school students (grades 5-7) choose their elective courses for next year. Fifth- through seventh-grade parents, please look for an email in your inbox dated May 6 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) to help your student select his/her electives.  All 5th-7th graders should select their course electives online by May 12, 2024 through the PowerSchool portal. If you have difficulty with PowerSchool, please contact your school secretary.  School staff members will be available to help with online registration on weekdays beginning May 6. 

From May 6-10, parents can request an appointment for online or phone support by calling or emailing their school office. Incoming Graham sixth- or eighth-graders whose last name begins with A-K should contact Pedro Serrano at [email protected] (650-526-3570). Incoming Graham seventh- or eighth-graders whose last name begins with L-Z should contact Dena Vang at [email protected] (650-526-3570).  For Crittenden students, please contact Carolyn Chang at 650-903-6945 ext. 2223 and [email protected]/ Susana Morales at [email protected] and 650-903-6945. 

 

5th Grade CSMA Music Concert (5/08/2024)

Our fifth grade students are excited to perform for you!  As a culmination of their weekly music lessons provided by Community School of Music and Art (CSMA), students who are in the music program will hold their concert in the MUR on May 08 at 11:00 am.. 

 

*Please plan ahead!  

In order to view these performances, visitors will need to sign in the office with their picture IDs. The concert will begin promptly at 11:00, so please make sure to give yourself plenty of time to find parking, and sign-in. We suggest arriving at least 15 minutes before the start of the concert to ensure you can view your child’s full performance.

5th Grade Instrument Collection

All instruments will be collected at Vargas after the final performance on May 8, 2024.

4th Grade Poetry - May 10

In order to view these performances, visitors will need to sign in the office with their picture IDs. The performance will begin promptly at 9:00, so please make sure to give yourself plenty of time to find parking, and sign-in. We suggest arriving at least 15 minutes before the start of the concert to ensure you can view your child’s full performance.

 

End of the Year Library Schedule

Library Book Check-out: Friday May 10th will be the last day to check out library books.

Library Book Return/Check-in: Friday May 17th will be the last day to return the library books, or pay the fees for lost/damage books

When students return their book(s) to the library during the week of May 13th to May 17th, they will get 10 Hoot Loot.

The first classroom to return ALL the books and/or pay the fees for the lost/damaged books, will get a popsicle party.

I thank you for your help!

Mountain View’s Bookmobile comes to Vargas - May 15!

Mountain View Public Library’s bookmobile will visit Vargas on Wednesday, May 15, at 2:30pm on the blacktop.  The new bookmobile operates fully on electricity and will be recognizable with the eye-catching City colors and library logos. Come check it out!

New Families Orientation Meet and Greet

Incoming new J.A Vargas Families join us for our upcoming meet and greet on Saturday, May 18th, 2024. 

Details included in the flyer here.

 

Staff Members Honored by Acknowledge Alliance

I am happy to announce that several members of the Vargas staff will be honored by Acknowledge Alliance as the Educator Team of the Year. Ms. Bea, Our School and Community Engagement Facilitator Mr. Damion, our At-Risk Supervisor,  Mr. Luis, our day custodian and Principal. Taylor, will be honored at the Forget Me Nots for their work in further Acknowledge Alliance mission of  promoting lifelong resilience in children and youth, and strengthening the caring capacity of the adults who influence their lives. For more information about the event, and to read bios,  Click Here

MV Public Library: Summer Reading Program - Flyer 1 - Flyer 2

The Mountain View Public Library’s free Summer Reading Program will run from May 25 - July 31, 2024. Everyone in the family can sign up for a summer of reading and rewards. Register at MountainView.gov/SummerReading. The Summer Reading Program kicks off with an all-ages extravaganza in the park on Saturday, June 1 from 2-4 p.m. at Pioneer Park. Enjoy music, lawn games and treats!

 

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DISTRICT NEWS

Better Together: May

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the rich history, cultural diversity, and significant contributions of the Asian American Pacific Islander community to our society. It's an opportunity to celebrate the many achievements and the vibrant traditions that AAPI individuals bring to the fabric of our communities. As we honor this important month, it's also an excellent moment to reflect on the #BetterTogether theme of recognizing our own self-worth. Each of us, regardless of background, has unique strengths and an intrinsic value that contributes positively to our communities and the world at large. Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month reminds us to appreciate not only the diversity around us but also the value within ourselves, fostering a deeper understanding and respect for all.

For more information about Better Together, visit mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD.

Mental Health Month

May is Mental Health Month! Did you know that about half of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition at sometime in their lives? This month we’ll be exploring “Where to Start” when it comes to taking care of your own well-being. 

One great mental health resource available to all families is MVWSD’s Virtual Wellness Center. The Virtual Wellness Center includes community mental health resources for children, teens, and adults. Check it out at: bit.ly/4b5sDnN

City of MV Fire Department: 150th Anniversary Parade - Flyer

In honor of the 150th anniversary of the City of Mountain View Fire Department, the Fire Department will hold a parade with celebrations and a public safety recruitment fair on Sunday, May 19, 2024, along Castro Street and in front of City Hall. The parade will start at 12:30 p.m. in front of the Fire and Police Administration Building at 1000 Villa St., heading east on Villa Street towards Castro Street and south on Castro Street, ending at City Hall Plaza. We will have on display antique police, fire vehicles and ambulances, including a historic working steam fire engine from the early 1900s pulled by horses!

The View Teen Center: May - Flyer

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. Drop-in hours are Monday - Friday, 3:15 - 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 1 - 6 p.m. (May Adjusted Hours, Open 1-6 p.m.: May 24 and May 31, Closed: May 27), and the center features a game room, makerspace, kitchen, computer/study room, outdoor area, and much more! See attached flier for details about upcoming events and programs in May or visit their webpage for more information.

Volunteer with the Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF)

MVEF needs volunteers to help meet our goals in 2024-25 and beyond! As a 501(c)3 non-profit, volunteering with MVEF is a great way to add experience to your resume while meeting and working with local families who have similar interests and priorities. Please reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in helping in any of the following ways: 

• Represent MVEF at your school site’s events and activities

• Ensure that MVEF messages and programs are relevant to your school community

• Plan the MVEF Gala, Auction, and other events

• Technical work like automation and data migration

• Visual designs, graphic design and layout

• Serve as an MVEF Board Member

MVEF is the local educational foundation providing essential programs (art, music, science, athletics, and smaller class sizes)  at every school in MVWSD. Over 70% of MVEF contributions come from MVWSD families.  To make a donation, click here. Use the monthly credit card payment option to pay your total donation over time.

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PTA News

 

Dine Out at the Habit Burger May 21 (4-9:30pm)

Grab a bite at the Habit Burger (1040 Grant Rd. Suite 370, Mountain View) during our last restaurant dine-out event for the year and 20% of proceeds will go back to our school. 

 

Last PTA Association Meeting - May 22 (6-7pm)- in-person @ JAV Library

At our next PTA Association meeting, we will conduct our election for the 2024-2025 Executive Board for the Jose Antonio Vargas PTA and approve our proposed budget for next year. Stay after the meeting for refreshments and a chance to chat with other parents before school ends.

Thank you to the nominees, both new and returning, who have volunteered to be part of the PTA board next year and the nominating committee who worked to find parents to fill the roles. Please attend this last PTA meeting of the year to ensure we have enough members to elect our next PTA Executive Board.

Nominees:

President:Kimberly Cheng

Vice President: Sukie Grewal

Treasurer: Daniel Lopez

Secretary: Julie Kantorovskiy

Parliamentarian: Sandy Wen

Financial Reviewer: Pei-Ching Huang

Historian: Saty Reddy

Please let Shannon [email protected] or Kim [email protected] know if you have any questions about the elections. 

PTA Bylaws Notice

We have made amendments to the PTA bylaws that will be presented and voted on at the next PTA Association Meeting on May 22nd @ 6pm, in person at the school library. Please see the proposed amendments. Feel free to contact Shannon Lundin [email protected] for any questions.

 

Incoming Kinder Summer Playdates 

If you have an incoming kindergartener next year, we are looking for a few parents to help organize a few incoming kinder play dates over the summer. Helping may include picking a date and park to meet at, purchasing refreshments (reimbursed by PTA). This is a great way for kinders to meet future classmates and parents to meet other parents and share questions and ease nerves before the first day. Contact Kim if you are able to help organize play dates [email protected]. Once dates and locations are set, we will announce them on Konstella. 

 

Lunchtime Chess on Wednesdays

The PTA is bringing Bay Area Chess to Vargas to provide a free lunchtime chess club, for students at all levels, starting on March 6 for 10 weeks. Players of all levels are welcome!

 

Read-a-thon Results

Thank you for your patience as we finalized Read-a-thon results. Together, our students collectively read 72,713 minutes throughout that week! Fantastic job Vargas Owls! Congratulations also to all the individual and class winners. To view a recap of the Readathon week including classes and individuals who read the most minutes, please click here for the Readathon week summary.

 

End of Year Ice Cream Social - Friday May 31 (12:00-1:30PM)

Save the Date - The PTA is hosting an Ice Cream Social to celebrate the end of the school year on Friday, May 31st from 12:00-1:30PM on campus. More details to follow.

 

Kimberly Cheng, and the PTA Executive Board [email protected]g