New Families' FAQs

How do I register my child for Vargas?
How will I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?
Is there a Kindergarten Info Night? How about a tour of the Vargas kinder classrooms?
When will I find out which class my child is in?
When will the calendar for the next school year become available?
What does my child need to bring for the first day of school?
What about supplies?
What are the school hours?
What do I need to do if my child will miss school?
What if my child will be late for school?
How does lunch work?
What if my child forgets his/her lunch?
Can I help out in the classroom?
How can I help if I can't do so during the day?
Is there after-school care?
How do I find out about school-wide and classroom events and information?


Q. How do I register my child for Vargas?

A. Please visit the Mountain View Whisman School District's registration website for enrollment information. Students must be five years old by September 1 to be eligible for kindergarten in that school year.

Q. How will I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?

A. Students must be five years old by September 1 to be eligible for kindergarten beginning in that school year.

In addition, there are many measures which schools and parents can use to determine whether a student is ready cognitively and emotionally. You can read more about kindergarten readiness (Silicon Valley Community Foundation) here.

Q. Is there a Kindergarten Info Night? How about a tour of the Vargas kinder classrooms?

A. Vargas School hosts a school information night in January. The principal, kinder teachers, and current Vargas parents give a short presentation and answered questions from parents.

"Day in the life of a Kinder" videos

 
Q. When will I find out which class my child is in?

Parents may check PowerSchool the Monday before school starts for children's classroom assigments.

Q. When will the calendar for the next school year become available?

The Board of Trustees usually votes on the school calendar sometime in the spring, generally around the February-March time frame. Check the calendar link here

Q. What does my child need to bring for the first day of school?

A. A healthy snack and a backpack, and a readiness to learn! (The first day of school is a minimum day, so no lunch is necessary.) For Kindergarten, backpacks should be big enough to hold a lunchbox, snack, library book, and manila folder (9"x12").

Q: What about supplies?

A. The school provides the supplies that students need; however we are very grateful if you student brings his/her own or of you want to donate a quantity of teacher requested items for your child's classmates to use.

Q. What are the school hours?

Please see the Bell Schedule.

Q. What do I need to do if my child will miss school?

A. To report an absence, you have three choices: 1) Use the Absence Report form; 2) call the school; or 3) email [email protected]. Please provide the following information:

Your child's name
Your name and relationship to the child
Your child's grade, room number, and teacher's name
Length of absence
Reason for absence

Q. What if my child will be late for school?

A. Come to the office to get a tardy slip before going to class.

Q. How does lunch work?

A. Bring your own. MVWSD continues to provide free meals to all students as part of California’s universal meal program.  Recess breakfast and lunches are available daily.  Menus and nutritional analysis can be found on https://www.mvwsd.org/nutrition There will be a vegetarian option each day. Gluten free lunches are not available. A count of those taking school lunch will be taken at the beginning of the school day.


Q. What if my child forgets his/her lunch?

A. The school will provide the student with a free meal.

Q. Can I help out in the classroom?

A. Absolutely! Sign up in your child's classroom on Back-to-School Night, which usually takes place on a week night a week or two after school begins. This is an adult-only event; there is no child care available on campus.

Q. How can I help if I can't do so during the day?

A. There are several ways to help, even if you can't be there during school hours. Many teachers have jobs for parents at home, like prepping art projects or making play dough. They will ask for volunteers for these jobs at Back-to-School night. If you don't see these jobs on a Sign-up Sheet at Back-to-School night, let your teacher know that you're willing to help from home and he/she will contact you when a need arises. In addition, there are many PTA tasks that can be done from home and help not only your classroom but the entire school. Check out our Open Volunteer Positions for ways you can help right away.

Q. Is there after-school care?

A. YMCA of Silicon Valley and Right at School are the two providers for Vargas's on-site child care program for before and after the school day. Registration typically begins in the spring before school begins in August. For more information and registration, contact: 
El Camino YMCA
Right at School

To view student enrichment activities, school break and afterschool classes in our community that are not hosted by MVWSD, please see our partner, www.inplay.org.


Q. How do I find out about school-wide and classroom events and information?

A. You will receive the Vargas newsletter (containing school and community information) every Wednesday at the email addresses on file with the school office. Room Parents and PTA organizers will enter classroom and school-wide events, announcements, and sign up sheets.

Thanks so much and we look forward to welcoming you to the Vargas Community soon!

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