Quetzal News
October 22, 2021
From Ms. O's Desk
Dear Quetzal Families,
I hope you are enjoying the fall weather and the much needed rain. As I mentioned before, fall is my favorite season, and it allows us to reflect on all the things we should be grateful for. It is also a reminder to thank all the people around us who make our lives happier, easier, and meaningful. I want to take this opportunity to thank our office staff and teachers who every day make a difference in the lives of our students. I also want to thank our PTA and parents for their dedication to our school and community.
Please remind your child to wear fall/winter clothing. It is getting cold, and it’s important that they wear closed shoes and warm attire. It is also important to ensure they are wearing clean masks to school every day. This will continue to keep our students safe and healthy. It is equally important to remind them to watch their distance and wash their hands.
Next week, we will have a Halloween Parade. Students will walk on the blacktop by grade level spans, starting at 1:00pm for our Kindergarten classes, and at 1:30pm for our upper grades. Unfortunately, at this time, we won’t be able to have parents and guardians on campus. Please remember the costume guidelines shared last week through our Quetzal News.
As a result of the pandemic, some students have “unfinished learning” compared to the learning they would have completed in a typical year. MVWSD has a Learning Recovery Plan to support any unfinished learning. As a part of this plan, all students will get more practice on foundational skills through instruction tailored to them based on their academic needs. These additional learning opportunities will come in the form of instruction in the classroom, in addition to access to professional tutors - either in-person or virtually.
Parents, look for an email that was sent to you on Friday, Oct. 15 with information specific to your children. Some of these programs (that happen outside the school day) require you to give permission for your students to participate, so please complete the online form in the link.
Are you wondering about why you received information for your student and how to learn more? For answers to these and other frequently asked questions, please click here.
I wanted to share some tools for supporting a growth mindset at home. Check this wonderful site for conversation starters. They also have conversation starters in Spanish that you can use at home to support our Spanish oral language goal. As part of this goal, we are starting a new Quetzal Language Principal Award, starting the month of November. The student who is making an effort of using the Spanish language during Spanish time and during breaks will be rewarded with “lunch with Ms. O.” Continue to support our goals of biliteracy and multiculturalism at home. Have a great weekend!
Ms. Olaciregui, Principal
"Respect is one of the greatest expressions of love." Miguel Angel Ruiz
Project Cornerstone
Project Cornerstone Books are Back!
Hello wonderful Mistral families,
Although we can’t have volunteers on the campus yet, we are doing our best to keep the Project Cornerstone messages and lessons going for the 2021-2022 school year!
Project Cornerstone uses books to promote a positive campus wide message supporting Social Emotional Learning. As soon as the MVWSD allows volunteers back in the classroom we will resume Project Cornerstone with caring adults reading the books in person. Until then, keep a look out each month for a letter from your teacher about the themes and discussion points of that month’s book.
Thank you! Your Project Cornerstone volunteer leaders,
Sarah McPhie at shmcphie@gmail.com
Estefanía Milán at millanestefania@yahoo.com
Dara Tynefield at dtynefield@gmail.com
Calendar
November 5, 2021
- End of Trimester Early Dismissal 12:10pm (Friday)
November 9, 2021
- Cafecito (6:00pm-7:00pm) Register
November 11, 2021
- Veterans Day - No School
Noviembre 16, 2021
- School Site Council (6:00pm-7:00pm)
Noviembre 17, 2021
- ATDLE Parent Workshop (6:00-7:00pm) Register
Noviembre 22 - 26
- Thanksgiving Week - No school
District News
Parent University: Supporting Literacy Grades 3-8
Date: October 27, 2021 Time: 5:30-7:00 pm
Registration Link: mvw.sd/pu102721
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body” - Joseph Addison.
Join Instructional Coaches Melanie Stanley, and Katie Stern share creative tips and strategies to better support your child in their literacy skills. By supporting your child’s literacy you can take part in developing their reading ability, comprehension, and language skills. To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
Note: While this presentation is tailored towards families with children in third grade and above, all are welcome. If you’d like to see a presentation that is aimed more toward families with younger students, check out the recording of last year’s literacy-focused Parent University event.
Drafts available: Single Plans for Student Achievement
Each year, our schools create Single Plans for Student Achievement (SPSAs or “site plans”) that guide the work for the coming year. These plans help us prioritize programs and strategies that will best serve our students. In the fall, elected parent representatives from School Site Councils and English Language Advisory Committees work with principals and school staff members to create a draft that is reviewed and approved by the MVWSD Board of Trustees. Parents and staff members may give feedback through Nov. 19 to their principal and elected parent representatives to SSC and ELAC. You may review the draft plans here.
Trick or Treating for Donations with MVEF
BOO! Don't be afraid, you still have time to donate to MVEF! We are trick or treating for donations for MVWSD! Each and every year we rely on generous donors like you to help MVEF fund programming and experiences at your school and every school in the district, ensuring that your child and every child has an inspiring, well-rounded education. MVEF funds Music, Art, Science, Middle School Sports and Electives helping to create a competitive, well-rounded education. Please see our website at mvef.org for more information and to donate online. You can also use your credit card to pay in monthly installments.
MV Public Library: Upcoming Events (flyers attached to email on 10/18 & 10/25)
Learn and Make A-Z Animals: Halloween Edition: Learn about some of nature's creepier creatures just in time for Halloween, on Thursday, October 28th from 4-4:45 pm. Are spiders really dangerous to humans? Why are bats associated with vampires? Let's find out together. For children grades 2-5 on Zoom. We will do a craft together at the end of our learning journey. Registration Required: mountainview.gov/librarycalendar.
Day of the Dead Balloon Skull Decoration: In celebration of Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos the library will host a virtual program on Monday, November 1st from 4-4:40 p.m. on Zoom. Tweens (ages 9-12) will learn about the Day of the Dead and how it's celebrated. Then, balloon skulls will be decorated while festive music is played in the background. Registration Required: mountainview.gov/librarycalendar.
Learn and Listen with Matt de la Peña: Matt de la Peña, bestselling author and national award winner will speak to tweens about his journey from reluctant reader to author and the power of education. Happening Tuesday, November 2nd from 3:30- 4 p.m. on Zoom for children ages 9-12. Registration Required: mountainview.gov/librarycalendar.