Quetzal News
March 30, 2022
From Ms. O's Desk
Dear Quetzal Families,
"Those who are happy, are those who do the most for others." Booker T. Washington. Our value for this month is charity. We usually associate charity with the giving of money, but charity is more than that. Charity is also giving help to those in need. Our community has demonstrate many acts of charity. We don't need to have money to make a difference in someone's life. Here are some creative ways to teach our children about charity:
- Start early and recognize opportunities around you: Even at a young age, children can start to learn how to be generous. They can write a letter/card to someone who is going through a difficult time, help a neighbor, or clean up at home. They can also draw a picture for their grandparents, aunts and uncles, or their teachers. Community clean ups is also a nice way to show they care.
- Talk about it: If you have contributed to a charity, let your kids know. It is 20% possibilities that they will do the same in the future. If you see your child being generous, call it out. Let them know that they are kind and caring. They can identify with it and make it part of their character.
- Be a role model: Children might not know if you are being generous, and that you are helping those in need. Talking to them about why you are helping someone and how, is the best way for them to learn and then practice helping others and make a difference.
- Working together: Have them help you and be part of the activities helping others.
- Do activities with them: Spend time with them on an activity they like tot do at least once a week that is not related to charity. Receiving the attention helps them know how it feels to care and be kind with others.
As you have heard, we have updated COVID protocols. As of this week, indoor/outdoor masking is recommended, not required; Masking is still required on buses for all, and indoors for volunteers and spectators; Parents on campus are limited; and, campuses are opened to parents and students 15 minutes after dismissal. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Help us combat COVID transmission, so that we can continue enjoying these new guidelines. We are sending a COVID rapid test home next week with each student. Please test your child on Sunday, April 17, before we come back from our Spring break. If your child has any symptoms, he/she must stay home.
Have a great weekend, stay healthy and be safe!
Ms. Olaciregui, Principal
Calendar
March 30
- Parent Workshop - Session#3 @ 5:30pm
- School Site Council @ 6pm-Link
April 8
- Lifetouch Spring Pictures
- Spring Break - No School
- ELAC Meeting @ 6pm
District News
For grades 5-7: Select Middle School electives before April 8
It is the time of year when our incoming middle school students choose their electives for next year. All 5th-7th graders should preference their course electives online in Powerschool now through April 8, 2022. Parents, an email was sent to you on March 25 with the course catalogs and instructions that are also available on https://www.mvwsd.org/MSelectives. Please take a moment to view the catalog with your student and complete the selection in PowerSchool before April 8.
Electives selection help sessions for grades 5-7 parents (Students welcome):
Crittenden:
April 1, 9:00 - 10:00 am. Zoom meeting link
April 7: 5:00 - 6:00 pm. Zoom meeting link
Graham:
April 1, 10:45-11:45 am. Zoom Meeting link
April 7, 5:00 - 6:00 pm. Zoom Meeting link
COVID update: Masking, other protocols changing on March 28
MVWSD will further loosen restrictions due to changing state and county guidance. Please see the attached flyer for the highlights of changes beginning March 28. Both outdoor and indoor masking is strongly recommended (no longer required) for students and staff. Exceptions: Masks are required on buses for all, indoors for volunteers and preschoolers, and unvaccinated persons (including adults without a booster) must wear a mask for 10 days after exposure to a positive case. Masks are required indoors for sports and performing arts spectators, regardless of vaccination status.
Speaking Respectfully About Mask Choices
As mask mandates change at MVWSD, it is important to respect the decisions of individuals and families as they choose to mask or not mask at school. Staff members will support students with respectful conversations on campus. We encourage you to talk with your children about your family’s choices, and about communicating empathy and understanding for others’ choices. For tips on how students can respectfully speak up and speak out, see this helpful infographic. We know our students will be upstanders and take care of each other!
COVID vaccinations at Graham: April 5
El Camino Health will host a public COVID vaccination clinic at the Graham Middle School Multi Use Room on April 5 from 3:30-7:30 p.m. The clinic will offer shots (primary series and boosters) free to all students ages 5 and older and their family members. For more information and consent form, see http://mvw.sd/vax.
Join MVEF's Spring Gala “The Art of Words” on April 23rd!
All gala ticket sales close Wednesday, April 6. No walk-in tickets will be available. Join MVEF for a lively evening that includes dinner, fundraising, and trivia in support of our schools. You can join us in person at Michael's at Shoreline OR join us virtually from home for the trivia game and access to online fundraising.
In-person: individual tickets are $125
Virtual: join us from home with a single virtual login for trivia plus access to online fundraising for $50.
We'll also have a raffle if you'd like your chance to win one of three great prizes available!
The winners will be drawn at the gala, but you need not be present to win!
To buy tickets please send an email: aisha@mvef.org
Looking for another way to participate?
We are still looking for items to include in our silent auction catalog. Do you have a vacation home or a timeshare, season tickets, golf course access, lessons, or a special experience to share? Please contact Dena@mvef.org or Andrea-m@mvef.org
InPlay Summer Program Guide
Looking for summer fun and out-of-school opportunities? MVWSD partners with nonprofit InPlay to help you find the perfect fit for your child and for your family. Hundreds of programs, including free and reduced-cost programs and those that serve students with special needs or English learners, are nearby and can be found through this free, searchable site. Check out MV.inplay.org.
MVWSD has not reviewed the programs and does not specifically endorse them. Parents should thoroughly research all activities before enrolling their children.
CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program & SCC COVID Assistance Program: Expiring 3/31
The deadline to apply for rent relief through California's COVID-19 Rent Relief program is soon approaching on Thursday, March 31st (Apply at http://HousingisKey.com). See the attached flyer for agencies in Santa Clara County that can help with applying to the state program. SCC’s Isolation and Quarantine Program also ends March 31st. If you are sick with COVID19 or have been sick in the last 90 days and need assistance because you had to isolate and quarantine, call the COVID-19 Resources Hotline: (408) 808-7770 or housing@eoc.sccgov.org. For more information about both programs, see this webinar.
MV Public Library: Intro to Game Design Workshop
Want to create animations, stories and games? Learn the basics of Scratch, a block-based programming language, at this MVPL workshop with Pixelators Education on Thursday, April 21 4-5 p.m. on Zoom. Workshop recommended for programming beginners in grades 1-3. Parent/guardian assistance welcome. Register in advance at: https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/8915612.
MVLA Speech and Debate Info Session
MVLA Speech and Debate is hosting a parent informational session on Zoom on April 19 at 7:30pm about upcoming free public speaking education opportunities for upper elementary and middle school students. Check out this flyer for more information and registration for the Speech Information Night: https://tinyurl.com/MVLAspeechyfl2022.
Parent University: 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.