Principal’s Message:

Hello Golden Owls,

Schools have traditionally served as a safe place for students and families in our communities. I know that many news reports and changes in policy have made many in our Vargas community, specifically those who have immigrated to the US, uneasy and uncertain about sending their children to school. Please know that as the principal of Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School, I will do whatever it takes to ensure that our school remains a safe place for all of our students. You are welcome, you are wanted, you add value to our community, and most importantly you are the community.  

 

Last year, our theme  for MVWSD #BetterTogether campaign was allyship. We defined being an ally as 

 

*Knowing when to step back: sometimes, we might step back to learn more about a community or the problem or to let someone else shine.  A thoughtful ally will spend time learning and listening. 

 

*Knowing when to stand beside: Sometimes we might stand beside someone when they are scared to speak up and to lend support. Other times, we might stand beside someone to let them know they are not alone.  In this instance, a thoughtful ally is courageous and compassionate.  

 

*Knowing when to step up: We might step up for someone when they are being treated unfairly.  Sometimes we might step up for someone when we see or hear something we know is wrong.  A thoughtful ally seeks to do the right thing even when no one is watching.  

 

I am an ally for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have concerns or need support. 

A few reminders:

This Thursday,  January 23, we will have  our Math Festival. This is an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the joy of math.The mission of Julia Robinson Math Festival (jrmf.org) is to help all students build confidence, joy, and a positive identity around math. The students and their families will explore a variety of fun, hands-on, math puzzles and games.

 

Next, Tuesday, January 28 is the 100th day of school. Our students, staff, and parents will have engaged in 100 days of learning and growing our minds and skills. I feel honored to celebrate these first 100 days of the 2024-25 school year with our fabulous Golden Owl community! As we work to finish the rest of the school year, I wanted to take some time to thank you for all your cooperation and partnership these first 100 days. 

 

I would also like to remind everyone that the end of the second trimester is fast approaching. Friday, February 14, 2025 marks the end of the second trimester for this school year! 

Just a gentle reminder that during that week we have 2 minimum days, Thursday is our normal minimum day with dismissal at 11:55am. Friday, February 14, 2025, the last day of the trimester, will also be a minimum day with an 11:55am dismissal.  

In Partnership, 

Principal Vern Taylor

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Events Calendar

January 2025

 

February 2025

 

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In this Newsletter

School News:

Golden Ticket Winners

Mountain View’s Bookmobile will resume January 22!

Lost and Found

Parent U Extension: Math Festival

Año Nuevo Lunar

MVWSD Student Film Festival - Flyer

 

Flyers:

2024 -2025 School Year Calendar - Here

2025-2026 School Year Calendar - Here

January Menu - Here

District News:

Open Enrollment for 2025-26 starts January 21

Grades 5-7: Middle School Elective Student Interest Survey coming on Friday, 1/24 

LCAP survey opening on January 27

MVEF - JOIN US FOR OUR VIRTUAL "MVEF INFO SESSION” ON ZOOM!

MVEF IS SEEKING NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES

 

PTA News:

Upcoming Events

Next PTA Association Meeting - January 22nd (6:00PM in the Library)

Parent Coffee at the Park - Friday, Jan 24, 8-9am

School-Wide Play Date - Fri Jan 31st, 4-6pm

Save the Date — “Dance on the Wild Side” - Feb 13th, 5:30-7:30pm

Winter Afterschool Enrichment Classes (Starting January 2025)

 

Community Partners:

City of MV Lunar New Year Celebration - Flyer

The View Teen Center: January

SCCOE Tobacco Use Prevention Education - Flyer

MVLA Speaker Series: Accountable with Dashka Slater 

Silicon Valley Reads 2025 Program

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School News

 

Golden Ticket Winners January 16, 2025

Bryson L.       RM: 1        Hunter S.         RM: 11  

Marcus W.      RM: 2        Andrew C.       RM: 12

Gregory R.     RM: 3        Kelsey A.        RM: 13

Noah N.         RM: 4        Anika C.          RM: 14 

Sebastian R.   RM: 5       Christopher M. RM: 15 

Nico R.          RM: 6        Andrei B.         RM: 16 

Seowon H.     RM: 8        Nerea R.          RM: 17 

Emilio L.       RM: 9        Emily X.          RM: 18

Milo A.          RM: 10 Ms. Barrie        RM: 15

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Mountain View’s Bookmobile will resume January 22!

Mountain View Public Library’s bookmobile will visit Vargas on Wednesday, January 22, 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!

Lost and Found

The lost and found rack is getting full, please take a look to see if any items belong to your child. The last day to claim any items is this Friday, January 31st. Anything left after dismissal will be donated. 

 

Parent U Extension: Math Festival

Thursday, January 23, 2025

6:00-7:30 pm - Vargas MUR

Please join us for our math festival at J.A. Vargas Elementary School. This is an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the joy of math.

The mission of Julia Robinson Math Festival (jrmf.org) is to help all students build confidence, joy, and a positive identity around math. The students and their families will explore a variety of fun, hands-on, math puzzles and games.

 

We will have a food truck selling food starting at 5pm.

 

Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is the most important holiday in China, and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam, and countries with a significant overseas Chinese population. While the official dates encompassing the holiday vary by culture, those celebrating consider it the time of the year to reunite with immediate and extended family. This year, the Lunar near will happen on January 29, 2025. Our parents will be hosting a lunch time event on Friday, January 31. If you are interested in helping out please reach out to Ms. Bea at [email protected].

 

MVWSD Student Film Festival - Flyer

K-8 students are invited to participate in the upcoming District Film Festival! The theme is Spotlight on Solutions: explore a problem and highlight a thoughtful solution that inspires change or brings hope. Films should be created on WeVideo, a video editing platform in Clever. Your child may be doing an in-class project, but they are also welcome to complete one at home. Films are due March 7th, check out this flyer for more info!

 

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District News

 

Open Enrollment for 2025-26 starts January 21

The Mountain View Whisman School District will be opening student enrollment for next fall on January 21.

 

For CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents will be asked by email to confirm enrollment from January 21 to February 7.

 

For families enrolling NEW students: Please check www.mvwsd.org/register for how to locate your neighborhood school, how to explore school options and the four steps to register during the enrollment period held January 21 to February 7. 

 

Transitional Kindergarten Info Meeting: Jan. 22, 6:30 p.m.
Meeting link: http://mvw.sd/TK122. Click here to watch a video about TK and learn about our programs for young learners: mvwsd.org/kinderready 

 

For Fifth-Grade Families: Middle School Info Night on January 22, 2025

Please join us at this fun and informative virtual event. It is an opportunity for you and your fifth-grader to learn about middle school life next year as sixth-graders. You will have the opportunity to hear from our principals, learn about classes, hear tips on how to be successful at middle school and ask any questions you may have. Students are encouraged to attend!

 

Crittenden at 5:30 p.m. Meeting link: http://mvw.sd/CR0122

Graham at 6:30 p.m. Meeting link: http://mvw.sd/GR022

Grades 5-7: Middle School Elective Student Interest Survey coming on Friday, 1/24 

Our middle schools are beginning to develop a list of student elective offerings that are a great complement to our core academics.  Our goal is to align electives with students’ interests and teachers’ credentials. 

 

In order to gauge students’ interests, and inform the development of the elective catalog for the next school year, students in grades 5-7 will be asked to complete a survey in class on January 24th.  This survey will list some possible elective choice areas for 2025-26 and ask students to indicate their level of interest for each of the choice areas.  The purpose of this survey is to gauge student interests. Incoming and current middle school students will not formally request electives until March/April 2025. Please note that students will not be committed to taking the electives they express an interest in. All elective offerings are subject to student enrollment, interest, staffing, and teacher credentialing at the school site. 

 

For more information on the process, and to view last year’s electives catalogs, please click on www.mvwsd.org/MSelectives.

 

LCAP survey opening on January 27

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 2025-26 school year.

 

Parents, please click on your unique survey link that will be sent to your email address on Jan. 27. Your survey link is unique to your household and only one parent/guardian can complete it.

 

Your responses are confidential. Students in grades 4-8 will also be taking the LCAP survey. More information found here: mvwsd.org/LCAP

 

MVEF - JOIN US FOR OUR VIRTUAL "MVEF INFO SESSION” ON ZOOM!

Want to learn more about MVEF? Join our Board Members and School Representatives to learn about MVEF’s role, how it differs from PTAs, Prop 28, and more. Bring your questions -  we’d love to hear from you!

Monday, January 27, 2025 | 07:00-07:45 pm | Register here.

MVEF IS SEEKING NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES

Are you passionate about public education, our local community and want to make an impact in our community? Or do you have any recommendations for board members from your community or the district community? 

 

MVEF is actively recruiting new Board members or School Representatives! Learn more here or email [email protected] for any interest! If you recommend anyone, our recruiting committee will follow up with candidates directly.

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PTA News

 

Upcoming Events:

Wed Jan 22 - PTA Association Meeting, 6-7pm in library

Fri Jan 24 - Parent Coffee at the Park, 8-9am @ Chetwood Park

Fri Jan 31- School-wide Playdate, 4-6pm

Thurs Feb 6 - Campus Clean-up 12:20-1:00pm

Thurs Feb 13 - “Dance on the Wild Side,” 5:30-7:30pm

Next PTA Association Meeting - January 22nd (6:00PM in the Library)

Mark your calendars for the next PTA Association Meeting, which is happening in-person Wednesday, January 22nd, from 6-7pm. All are welcome. Childcare and light snacks will be provided. 

Parent Coffee at the Park - Friday, Jan 24, 8-9am

Stop by Chetwood Park (near the corner of Pacific Dr and Whisman Station Dr) this Friday morning after drop-off for free coffee and donuts! Grab a cup to go or stay and chat, we would love to see you! 

School-Wide Play Date - Fri Jan 31st, 4-6pm

Join us on Friday, January 31st, 2025, (4pm-6pm) for a school-wide play date to celebrate National Backward Day! Meet us on the playground after school for some fun.

Get into the spirit by wearing your shirt backward, walking backward, or coming up with your own silly backward ideas!

Save the Date — “Dance on the Wild Side” - Feb 13th, 5:30-7:30pm

In the Fall, we “Walked on the Wild Side.” Now it’s time to “Dance on the Wild Side!” On Thursday, February 13th, from 5:30-7:30 in the MUR, there will be games, crafts, and a little “tiger tango.” Save the date, more details to come! 

Winter Afterschool Enrichment Classes (Starting January 2025)

Most Winter afterschool enrichment classes are starting next week! Visit our website for more information: https://www.javargaspta.org/winter-after-school-programs

* Contact [email protected] with any questions about programs or scholarships.

• Monday: Basketball (all grades), Lando Engineering (gr 1-3), Amusement Park Engineering (Snapology, gr 1-4)

• Tuesday: Creative Coding with Scratch (Lando, gr 1-3), Creative Writing (gr 3-5)

• Wednesday: Fantastic Forces by Mad Science (gr 1-5), Code for Fun (grades 4-5)

• Thursday: Bay Area Chess (gr 1-5), Green Room Musical Theater (gr 1-5), Coach Ken Soccer (all grades)

• Friday: Run for Fun (all grades. free trial offered), Star Wars with LEGO (Bricktech, gr K-2), Creative Clay Academy (gr 1-3) 

Kimberly Cheng, and the Executive Board 

[email protected]

 

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From Our Community Partners

 

City of MV Lunar New Year Celebration - Flyer

Celebrate the rich traditions of the Lunar New Year on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mountain View Community Center! This multicultural event will showcase traditional performances, hands-on crafts, engaging games, community booths, and a diverse array of delicious offerings from food trucks. Join us for a day of cultural celebration and connection with the community!

 

The View Teen Center: January

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. (Adjusted hours: Jan. 24: 3:15-6 p.m.), and the center features a game room, makerspace, kitchen, computer/study room, and outdoor area. January events include an MLK Day of Service, a book club, cooking classes, crafts, and much more. For more information, click here.

 

SCCOE Tobacco Use Prevention Education - Flyer

Join the SCCOE Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program for a bilingual event on the harmful effects of vaping and cannabis on adolescent health. This session will provide you with essential knowledge and resources to guide and support your children in making informed decisions. Learn strategies for starting conversations about these issues and connect with other parents dedicated to fostering a healthier environment for our youth. Sessions will be held at 5:30pm on January 28, February 6, April 2, and April 9. See flyer for more details or contact Alison Medeiros at [email protected].

MVLA Speaker Series: Accountable with Dashka Slater 

Join the next MVLA Speaker Series presentation, “Accountable: The True Story of a Local Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives it Changed,” with Dashka Slater on Tuesday, February 4 at 7PM at the Mountain View High School Theater. Join the author for a discussion of the propulsive and thought-provoking true story about the revelation of a racist social media account that changes everything for a group of high school students and begs the question: What does it mean to be held accountable for harm that takes place behind a screen? Register for this free event here.

Silicon Valley Reads 2025 Program

Silicon Valley Reads is a community engagement program that features books and an annual theme to bring people together by providing more than 150 free, public events each year in February and March. The 2025 theme is "Empowering Humanity: Technology for a Better World."  We will learn from those on the forefront of the AI movement, explore ways in which technology impacts our daily lives and future, address questions related to ethics, and discuss how we can create a positive impact using the tools that are rapidly becoming accessible to each of us. For the featured books for adults and children and 2025 calendar of events, visit https://www.siliconvalleyreads.org/.