Quetzal News
April 27, 2022
From Ms. O's Desk
Dear Quetzal Families,
May is the month we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage. Let's recognize and celebrate the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. There are different ways we can celebrate our AAPI heritage month:
- Read a book
- Watch a movie
- Cook some good AAPI meals
- Explore Asian and Pacific Art
Our last month of the school year is coming up, and we will work on character as our monthly value. Character is defined as the mental and moral qualities distinctive of a person. Some people identify six essential traits of good character: honesty, loyalty, integrity, self-sacrifice, accountability, and self-control. A person with good character usually chooses to do the right thing because he or she believe is morally right to do so. This is a good opportunity for all of us to model these character traits to our students.
State assessment started yesterday, and our students are working hard and giving their best. Thank you for getting them ready for testing. Please make sure they arrive to school on time and avoid making appointments during testing times. I know sometimes is very difficult, but try to schedule any appointments at the end of the school day. Thank you for your partnership in a successful academic journey for your children.
Take care and stay safe. Per our communication yesterday, and in order to avoid an increase of covid cases, please remind your child to continue to watch their distance, wash their hands, and wear a mask inside buildings on school campus.
Respectfully,
Ms. Olaciregui, Principal
Calendar
April 28
- Reclassification Ceremony @ Crittenden Middle School 5-7pm
- Día del Niño & Share Fair @ CA/MI MUR 3:30pm
May 1
- Asian Pacific American Month
May 5
- Cinco de Mayo-Mexican Celebration
May 6
- Community Check-in at 3:30pm-Link
- Cafecito with Ms. O. @ 6pm
District News
Mandatory indoor masking starts again on April 27
Mandatory masking indoors for MVWSD students and staff starts on Wednesday, April 27. This is being implemented as a safety measure as we are seeing increases in positive COVID cases across the district. We will keep the masking mandate indoors until May 13, and then we will re-evaluate. Outdoor masking will still be optional. Please be sure your student comes to school wearing a well-fitting mask. If you need help getting masks for your students, please let us know. For more information, please see our COVID protocols at https://www.mvwsd.org/returntolearn.
Please share and rate thoughts before May 4: Safety ThoughtExchange
As our community is still reeling from the recent student tragedy, many of us are asking the question of “how can we make school commutes safer for our students?” The Mountain View Whisman School District is recording these organic conversations in an online exchange of ideas, with the goal of involving all of the organizations and people who have a role in making our community safer.
Please click here to participate in a ThoughtExchange about safety: my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/545040823. Your participation is confidential. Please share and come back often to rate new ideas until the exchange closes on May 4.
Interpreters and Translators Needed!
Looking for a part-time job with a positive social impact? Are you bilingual in Spanish, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese, Tagalog, or ASL (Sign Language)? MVWSD is now hiring organized and friendly individuals to become interpreters and translators for school and district events, documents, and parent meetings. To find out more, click here: http://mvw.sd/translators
Two Upcoming Parent University Events
1. Preparing for Middle School
Date and Time: April 27, 2022, 5:30pm Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/pu042722
Nervous about middle school? We get it! Change can be daunting, but it can also lead to amazing new experiences. Join us to learn how to support your children as they prepare for the next stage in their academic and social lives. We will feature a panel of staff and students from Crittenden and Graham who will offer lots of wisdom and details about grades six, seven, and eight. See you there!
To submit your questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions.
2. High School Readiness
Date and Time: May 11, 2022, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Registration Link: https://mvw.sd/pu051122
Do you have a child who is about to enter high school? Join us at our final Parent University session of the year to learn about high school campus life from students and staff at Los Altos High School and Mountain View High School. You and your child will hear tips from the experts about how to make the transition as smooth as possible and get the most out of your high school experience. You do not want to miss out!
To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
MVWSD Celebrates Its Reclassified Students!
It's time for our annual celebration of former English Learner students who have successfully reclassified as English Proficient this school year! We are extremely proud of all the students as well as all of the families, teachers, and school staff who have supported them along the way. Families of newly reclassified students should have received email invitations and formal paper invitations this week to the event to take place at Crittenden the evening of April 28. If you have any questions, or believe you should have received an invitation but didn't, please contact your child's school or Leticia Corcoran at lcorcoran@mvwsd.org or (650) 526-3500 x1121. Congratulations!
April Better Together Infographic
This April, we herald in Autism Acceptance Month and celebrate our neurodiverse community. MVWSD is a district that aims to provide an identity-affirming, empowering space for all of our students. We strive to challenge biases and champion change that makes our world more equitable, accessible, and just. Check out this month's infographic for ideas and resources to spark a conversation about autism acceptance and about the gifts our neurodiverse people bring to our community. Please see the graphics attached to this newsletter, or visit https://www.mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD.
Senior Citizens/SSI recipients: Apply now for tax exemption
Homeowners aged 65 or older, and residents who qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) who reside in the Mountain View Whisman School District are eligible for an exemption for their principal residence from Measure B/parcel tax.
An exemption from Measure B/the parcel tax will be made available, upon application, to any owners of a parcel used solely for owner-occupied single-family residential purposes who:
* are receiving Social Security Income for a disability regardless of age;
* are 65 years of age prior to July 1 of the tax year; or
* are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, regardless of age, and whose yearly income does not exceed 250% of the 2012 federal poverty guidelines issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services
For application and information, call 650-526-3500 or visit https://www.mvwsd.org.
Health and Wellness Tip: Changing Your Thoughts
Everyone has upsetting thoughts from time to time, which can make us feel angry, sad, or frustrated. This is normal! It is often our emotions that drive these upsetting thoughts, not the facts of the situation. By catching our upsetting thoughts, checking the facts, and changing our thoughts based on those facts, we can start to have more helpful thoughts and improve our mood.
Watch this video and learn more about how to change upsetting thoughts to be more helpful.
To change your upsetting thoughts:
Catch it. When you feel upset, pause and ask yourself, “What words or phrases are running through my mind right now?”
Check it. Consider whether the thought you are having is helpful or not.
Change it. If you are having an unhelpful thought, consider other ways of looking at the situation. Reframe your thought to one that is more helpful.
Catching, checking, and changing your thoughts takes practice. By noticing your unhelpful thoughts and reframing them based on facts, you can improve your mood.
Día de los Niños with MV Public Library
Día de los Niños/Día de los libros (Day of the Children/Day of the Books) will be celebrated with a performance from Raices de Mexico, a Mexican folkloric dance company that will perform regional dances from Mexico, on Saturday, April 30 from 11-11:45 a.m. in Pioneer Park. The event is open to all ages, and no registration is required. Click here for more information.