Principal’s Message:
Hello Golden Owls,
Around 6 years ago, I got a late evening call from Dr. Rudolph when he let me know he needed me to transition from being the Assistant Principal at Graham to the new principal at Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School. If I am being completely honest, at that time, I didn’t feel like I really had a choice. I wanted to eventually be a principal in MVWSD, and there aren’t that many opportunities, so I knew I had to take it.
If you were around back then, you’d know that our school started with nothing more than a partially completed building, some dedicated staff, and some skeptical, but understanding and hard-working parents. To add to that, half way through, we were hit with a global pandemic that had us on high alert. It would be a bit of an understatement to say that Vargas had a lot of cards stacked against us.
Flash forward 6 years, and the school that we have worked to create would be unrecognizable. The community here is unlike others that I have been a part of in my career as an educator. We aim to be a place where people are seen, celebrated, and understood. People in our community take pride in being part of the community and celebrating our community. We really take care of each other, and support each other. Everyone goes above and beyond to help out in not only major ways, but those subtle ways that don’t always get public recognition. I am so proud of the leadership that I have brought to Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School over the past 6 years. As you may know, today my (Vargas’s) first class of Kindergarten students will be promoted to 6th grade. It feels like serendipity, that I get to transition with them.
I spoke briefly about it in the initial announcement, but this transition feels different than my Graham to Vargas Transition. I feel like I have complete agency in the decision to move to Castro. I feel called to help Castro become the school that I know it can be. The transformation that I have been able to lead here at Vargas, is one that I want to lead at Castro.
I am absolutely humbled with the appreciation that you have shown for me over the past few months, and words cannot begin to express how much I love this community. Even though I am moving on to a different journey, I hope to leave a legacy of empathy, care, patience, and of course dance parties!
With love and gratitude,
Principal Taylor
Events Calendar
June
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4th
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Kinder Promotion, 1pm
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4th
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5th Grade Promotion - 2:45 pm, MUR
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5th
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Last Day of School - Minimum Day Dismissal 11:55 am
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5th
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Report Cards go home electronically
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August 2025
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13th
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Welcome Back First Day of School - Minimum Day
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In this Newsletter
School News:
Golden Ticket Winners - May 29th
Staffing Updates
2nd and 4th Grades - Returning Chromebooks and Chargers
June is Pride Month
Students Not Returning for 2025-2026 School Year
Volunteer Badges
Jamba Juice School Sponsorship Contest
Registration for YMCA before- and after-school programs for the 2025-26 school year is now open
Volunteering next year
SAVE THE DATE: Back to School Celebration - Flyer
Flyers:
2025-2026 School Year Calendar - Here
June Menu - Here
Back to School Celebration - Flyer
District News:
i-Ready Diagnostic 3 Reports Available May 30, 2025
Check out the MVWSD “Summer Menu” for learning activities you can do at home this summer
Summer meals at schools and on the move
Help MVEF Reach our goal by June 30th!
PTA News:
Upcoming Events
End of Year Ice Cream Social - June 5th (12:00-1:00PM)
Incoming Kinder Summer Playdates
Community Partners:
The View Teen Center: June
School News
Golden Ticket Winners - May 29th
Sariyah M. RM: 1 Ethan T. RM: 11
Alex H. RM: 2 Rohan O. RM: 12
Anish S. RM: 3 Kelsey A. RM: 13
Nathan Z. RM: 4 Yoli L. RM: 14
Samuel S. RM: 5 Christopher B. RM: 15
Xanthe O. RM: 6 Gaius T. RM: 16
Elyshia A. RM: 8 Kiran W. RM: 17
Jonathan F. RM: 9 Katherine D. RM: 18
Milan H. RM: 10 Ms. Kommen RM: 2
Staffing Updates:
Based on our enrollment, we are currently planning on the following classroom configurations for next year. Enrollment continues through the summer, so it is possible that this can change. As always, the district office and our Vargas principal, Mrs. Acantha Aragon Contreras will continue to monitor enrollment and staffing throughout the summer.
Next year, we will be having a few changes at Vargas.
First, there will be a few familiar faces in different locations.
Ms. Moore will be moving from first grade to third grade next year, Mr. Yerkes will be moving from fourth grade to fifth grade, and Ms. Mai will move from teaching 3rd grade to being the new instructional coach at Vargas!
As you know, I will be moving to Castro next year. Your new school principal will be Mrs. Acantha Aragon Contreras, or Ms. A as the students call her.
Additionally we have a few changes in the Vargas teaching staff, Ms. Kim will be teaching first grade at Landels next year, Mrs. Ragas, Mrs. Dux, and Ms. Kwon will be joining me at Castro. Also joining me at Castro will be Ms. Evelyn Antunez and Mr. Luis Rivas Salinas.
Vargas will have a few new faces as well. In Kindergarten we will be adding Ms. Carol Pitts and in second grade we will have Caleb Wiegman. Vargas’s new secretary will be Elizabeth Llamas.
We are still in the hiring process to ensure any vacancies are filled. Mrs. A will update you in the fall with final staffing decision.
2nd and 4th Grades - Returning Chromebooks and Chargers:
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If your child is in 2nd or 4th grade, please return your Chromebook and charger this week to your classroom teacher.
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If your child doesn't return next year, please ask them to also return their Chromebook to the office.
June is Pride Month
According to data from the Trevor project collected from surveys in the 2020, roughly 42% of LGBTQIA+ youth seriously considered attempted suicide between 2019-2020. More specifically, more than half of those individuals were transgender and nonbinary youth. What we know from data is LGBTQIA+ you who have access to spaces that affirm their sexual orientation and gender reported lower rates of attempting suicide than those who did not. At Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School, I wanted to state unequivocally we want our LGBTQIA+ families and students to know that they can bring their authentic, whole selves to our school and be welcomed and celebrated here. Happy Pride Month!!!
Students Not Returning for 2025-2026 School Year
If you plan on moving during the summer or know your child will not return to our school or the District for the 2025-2026 school year, please email our school secretary Ms. Antunez at [email protected].
Volunteer Badges:
Thank you for generously volunteering your time on campus—your efforts truly make a difference to the Vargas Family. In previous years, we collected volunteer badges at the end of the year; however, this year you do not need to return yours. New badges will be issued next year. Updated MVWSD volunteer guidelines will be shared at the beginning of August.
Jamba Juice School Sponsorship Contest
JA Vargas has been selected by our local Mountain View Jamba Juice Store for a school sponsorship contest, which is running from now until June 17, 2025. When students and their families make a purchase at the Mountain View location (1037 A, El Monte Ave, Mountain View), ask for a token to vote for our school. At the conclusion of the contest, the winning school, with the most tokens, will receive $500! This is a fantastic way to earn money for our school while enjoying a delicious treat!
Registration for YMCA before- and after-school programs for the 2025-26 school year is now open
The YMCA of Silicon Valley provides fee-based before- and after-school care at all MVWSD elementary school sites. School break camps are also available. Please visit the YMCA Afterschool Program website to learn more about the program and to register for the 2025-26 school year. For more information, please email [email protected].
Returning MVWSD+ families who qualify for free afterschool programs in 2025-26 will be receiving invitations from the MVWSD+ Team by the end of May. Click here to learn more about MVWSD+.
To learn more about the various after school options at MVWSD schools, please visit https://www.mvwsd.org/academics/supporting_learning/before__afterschool
Volunteering next year
Thank you to the 800+ parents who completed the process to become MVWSD volunteers this year! We’ve been working hard to make registering to be a volunteer more convenient while keeping schools safe. Beginning August 1, 2025, you will be able to start your application for next year. Details are here: mvwsd.org/volunteers.
SAVE THE DATE: Back to School Celebration - Flyer
Saturday, August 16th
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Graham Middle School
This event is for all the families of MVWSD! Whether you're a returning family or new to the community, this event is all about building connections, sharing resources, and celebrating our district spirit.
Event Highlights:
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School Information: Each school will have a booth with valuable information to help you navigate the year ahead.
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After-School Programs: Get assistance and sign up for after-school programs.
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PTA & School Gear: Check out the latest school gear and meet members from the PTA of each school.
Meet Our School and district Leaders: An exciting opportunity to meet our superintendent and principals.
Community Resource Booths: Connect with local organizations such as CSA, Teen Center, MVPD, MV Library, Living Classroom,Mentor Tutor Connection and more.
Music & Food: Food trucks selling delicious food and desserts!
This event is open to all families in our district. It's the perfect chance to meet fellow parents, learn about important programs, and start the school year off with excitement and community spirit.
We can’t wait to see you there!
District News
i-Ready Diagnostic 3 Reports Available May 30, 2025
Parents can access their child’s i-Ready Diagnostic 2 reports beginning at 4 p.m. on May 30th on the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Steps for accessing PowerSchool Parent Portal i-Ready Reports are here. Learn more about how to read these helpful reports in the recording of the Parent U presentation, "Understanding your Child's Score Reports," available in English & Spanish. And, as always, reach out to your child's teacher with questions!
Check out the MVWSD “Summer Menu” for learning activities you can do at home this summer
Click here - mvwsd.org/summer - for information about free meals and a handy list of resources for students to practice their academic skills this summer.
Summer meals at schools and on the move
Free meals provided by MVWSD and Santa Clara County are available to everyone under the age of 18 throughout the summer. The summer meals program reaches children who need good nutrition when school is out of session. No questions. No IDs required. mvwsd.org/nutrition.
Rengstorff Park
June 9 - July 31, 2025
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
(No Meals June 19 & July 4)
Help MVEF Reach our goal by June 30th!
We're almost there! MVEF is close to hitting our $1.2M annual goal - and we need your help to close the gap before June 30.
Your support funds vital programs for the 2025–26 school year, including:
CSMA Art & Music for TK–5 – lessons, performances, instruments & art shows
Living Classroom – hands-on science for TK–6
Environmental Science Field Trips for 4th & 5th graders
Smaller Middle School English Classes (by an average of 25%) - more teachers, more support
After-School Sports – coaches, refs, and transportation to games
Clubs & Activities – including teacher stipends for GMSTV, Robotics, Leadership, Music Director, and more
Ways to give:
Every dollar counts! Learn more or donate here.
Questions? Email us at [email protected].
Thank you for supporting our students!
PTA News
Upcoming Events:
End of Year Ice Cream Social - June 5th (12:00-1:00PM)
The PTA is hosting an Ice Cream Social to celebrate the end of the school year on Thursday, June 5th from 12:00-1:00PM on campus.
Incoming Kinder Summer Playdates
Incoming kinder and new families are invited to join us for our summer playdates. There are two scheduled, please spread the word!
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June 27th, 10am-12pm @ Devonshire Park
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July 19th, 2-4pm @ Pyramid Park
Kimberly Cheng, and the Executive Board
[email protected]
From Our Community Partners
The View Teen Center: June
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. Summer hours start June 5! Drop-in 1-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday through August 8 (Adjusted Hours: June 2-4, Open 3:15-7 p.m. Closed: June 7 and June 19). The center features a game room, makerspace, kitchen, computer/study room, and outdoor area. To sign up for special programs, click here. For more information about the center, click here.