Quetzal News
Gabriela Mistral's News April 21, 2021
Ms. O's Message
Dear Quetzal Families:
This week, our Quetzal community is working on Courtesy as part of our BIG 5 Cs. Join us at home in practicing and talking about courtesy, respect, kindness, thoughtfulness, and empathy.
We are celebrating Earth Day tomorrow. Maestra Pilar’s class did an amazing video to share our students’ recycling projects. This video was selected as a winner with the City of Mountain View. Please visit our Facebook page and learn about their creative work of art. Check out some great activities to do with your child at home to celebrate Earth Day!
The Distance Learning choice survey for next year is due April 25. Our district is anticipating to reopen all schools for the 2021- 22 school year. However, there will be a few changes. Distance learning, in the form of the new MVWSD Distance Learning School (DLS), will be an option for families who prefer to continue having their child in distance learning. This is your opportunity to enroll your child in the Distance Learning School for next year. Please look for the survey in your email dated April 9th, as well as a reminder email on April 19. Please check the information on DLS on our district’s website to help you with your choice.
One of the upcoming campus improvement projects is the installation of standalone toilet buildings. Please join us at our Community Meeting tomorrow, Thursday, April 22 at 4 p.m. on Zoom: http://mvw.sd/RR3. The units would be maintained by the City and may be used afterhours by the public. This is an important security measure to ensure adults are not mixing with children in student restrooms. The restroom building will be placed close to the edge of the field, near water and sewer access. The exact location is to be determined, and the project will start in the Fall of 2021. For information on upcoming projects, please visit this webpage.
Please join us and register at our next Cafecito con Ms. O, on April 27 at 5pm. I will be sharing with you more information about our Extended Learning plan for next school year. We want to hear your thoughts and suggestions as we plan and prepare for 2021-2022.
I would like to officially congratulate four of our students who were reclassified as English Proficient. Great job Josmar, Marcela, Genesis, and Sophie. We are VERY proud of you!
Stay safe and be happy!
Ms. Olaciregui, Principal
Upcoming Events
April 21, 2021
- PTA General Meeting 6:00pm - 7:00pm
April 23, 2021
- Spirit Day - Backwards Day
April 27, 2021
- Principal Coffee with Ms.O 6:00pm (Zoom link)
May 20, 2021
- SSC Meeting 5:00pm
- ELAC Meeting 6:00pm
May 21, 2021
- Spirit Day - Dress to impress
May 28, 2021
- End of TRI3 - Minimum day
May 31, 2021
- Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
June 4,2021
- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Minimum Day
District News
Distance Learning Enrollment Confirmation Survey is due April 25
As more people get vaccinated and COVID-19 cases remain steady or trend downward, we anticipate the 2021- 22 school year will look more like a typical school year, but with a few differences. Distance learning, in the form of the new MVWSD Distance Learning School (DLS), will be an option for families who prefer it for their students.
Distance Learning Enrollment Confirmation Survey is due April 25: This is your opportunity to enroll your child in the Distance Learning School for next year. Please look for the survey in your email dated April 9, and a reminder on April 19. Information to help you with your choice is available on https://www.mvwsd.org/academicsduringcovid
The Talk: Anti-Asian Racism and Model Minority Myth on Wednesday, April 21st
Racism and bias-related violence has been on the rise against Asian-Americans, in part due to the racist rhetoric surrounding Covid-19 and its affiliation with Wuhan, China. It’s never been more evident that there is a desperate need for improved and more inclusive education about AAPI people, communities, cultures, and histories. Mountain View is not immune to these occurrences or this ignorance.
Join MVWSD Better Together for our next Roundtable event, The Talk: Courageous Conversations about Equity, Anti-Asian Racism and the Model Minority Myth, a panel discussion with Asian American leaders in our community.
Panelists:
Ellen Kamei, Mayor of Mountain View
Margaret Abe Koga, Former Mayor of Mountain View
Geoff Chang, Director MVWSD, Title I and Special Programs
Chris Hsiung, Chief of Police, Mountain View
Anne Hsieh, Parent and community member
Trisha Lee, Moderator, Principal of Monta Loma Elementary
When: Wednesday, April 21 from 6pm-7pm
Registration: http://mvw.sd/7qkeq
Parent University: Preparing for Middle School
Date: April 28th Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/XWF1A
Come and learn more on how to support your students as they transition to middle school. We will feature a panel of counselors, teachers and middle school students to answer questions and provide information about middle school.
To submit questions prior to the event, please click here. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
In case you missed it: Haben Girma Parent University event recordings available
MVWSD had the pleasure of getting to hear from Haben Girma, the first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, earlier this month through Parent University. Hear her inspiring story! English and Spanish recordings of this event can be found at: https://mvwsd.org/parentu.
Better Together: Strengthening Communities
This month’s Better Together focus is on civic engagement and getting involved in the community. Please see the attached or https://www.mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD for the infographic, which features activities for the family, engaging books about activism for students, and more!
COVID testing available for students and families
Regular, asymptomatic COVID testing for students is not required at this time however, parents may want to have students tested, especially after travel, to ensure that they are not carrying the COVID-19 virus.
Free, asymptomatic testing is available for students and parents at:
* El Camino Hospital or MV Center for Performing Arts. Dates: Ongoing. Schedule through El Camino Health at https://www.elcaminohealth.org/landing/schedule-covid-19-test?s=mapPin.
* Graham and Crittenden Middle Schools. Dates: Tuesday March 30 at Graham MUR; Tuesday, April 20 at Crittenden MUR and Wednesday, April 28 at Graham MUR. You should register here. You also may schedule an appointment by calling 650-940-7022 and use option 4. Please mention you are with the Mountain View Whisman School District when calling.
If your child has symptoms of COVID or has had a known exposure to someone who may have COVID, please contact your child's pediatrician for testing information. If you do not have a health care provider, make a symptomatic testing appointment with a county provider here: https://scl.fulgentgenetics.com/appointment/screen/landing.
Resilience Pause Series starts March 29
The 30-minute, online Community Resiliency Model Resilience Pause sessions for adults (parents and staff members) are scheduled during this transition in our school year to assist participants with building resilience throughout return to in-person instruction. Participants can learn strategies on Mondays and build habits towards resilience during the week. These sessions are designed to teach life-long habits that help us to self-regulate during stressful moments.
April 5, 4pm: Grounding
April 19, 4pm: Resourcing
April 26, 4pm: “Help Now!” A Reactive Strategy
Sessions can be drop-in or attended in a series. To join: http://mvw.sd/HAjbz
Join the MVEF Board and make a difference!
MVEF is looking for board members! With as little as 5 hours a month, you can support a well-rounded education (arts, science, wellness) for all students in the district. MVEF needs your voice and opinions for living our vision, from promoting MVEF at back to school night, to crafting a survey for our donors. Attend our next meeting or email contact@mvef.org to learn more.
MVLA Parent Speaker Series, “The Power of Showing Up: What Kids Really Need from Adults,” April 22 from 7:00 - 9:00pm
MVLA will be hosting their last Parent Speaker Series event for the season, “The Power of Showing Up: What Kids Really Need from Adults,” on Thursday, April 22 from 7:00 - 9:00pm with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, a psychotherapist and best-selling author.
Parents worry. It’s what we do. Reassuringly, the latest brain and attachment research is clear on how best to make a difference in our child’s life over the long run: we simply need to show up. Offering plenty of warmth and humor, Dr. Bryson will explore what showing up means, sharing stories and simple strategies for honoring the Four S’s - helping kids feel secure, seen, soothed, and safe. She'll discuss practical advice for supporting anxious kids, hitting the reset button on parenting, and creating a safe harbor at home for children of all ages. Registration for this free event can be found at: https://mvla2020-21-tinapaynebryson.eventbrite.com.
Upcoming MV Public Library Programs: Product Design, Parenting Program
The Mountain View Public Library will be hosting two events:
Design an Amusement Park for Dogs: Thursday, April 22, 4pm - 5pm for Grades 3-5 on Zoom. Learn about the product design process and create your own amusement park ride with Product Designer and Author Vicky Fang. Registration required. Sign up at https://mountainview.gov/librarycalendar
Building your Child’s Self-Confidence and Personal Power: (English) Wednesday, April 28, 7pm - 8pm on Zoom. (Spanish) Wednesday, April 21, 7pm - 8pm on Zoom. Presenters from CHAC Family Resource Center will discuss ways to raise a confident child with inner strength and health self worth. For parents of children ages 2-12. Registration required. Sign up at https://mountainview.gov/librarycalendar
Virtual Earth Day Events with the City of Mountain View
We know that Earth Day (4/22) is looking a little different this year, so it’s going virtual here at the City of Mountain View! We’re holding two contests with multiple gift card prizes (a short video competition and a student poster contest), all centered around creativity and how you restore the Earth in your own way. For both contests, the deadline for entries is Monday, April 16th, 2021 no later than 5pm. Submissions can be made at: this link; see attached flyers for more information.
Additionally, please join us on Thursday, April 22nd from 6pm-8:30pm for our Virtual Earth Day Event! We’ll be having speakers from the Planet Bee Foundation, Acterra, Recology, and Cool Block. Community members will also be giving 5-minute ‘micro talks’ about how they’re “Restoring the Earth.” And finally, we’ll be announcing the winners of the video and poster contests live during the event. Please visit this link for details.
Virtual Family Concert for Children's Day with MV Public Library
In Celebration of Dia De Los Ninos/Children's Book Day, Mariela Herrera will perform an interactive and lively concert over Zoom of songs in English and Spanish for children of all ages. The event is on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 from 6:30pm - 7:00pm, and registration is at: https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/7613746.
PTA NEWS
- Thanks to everyone who participated in the first Mistral Read-a-thon! Here is a link to view all the prize winners by classroom: 2021 Mistral Read-a-thon prize report.pdf. Information on how students can claim their prizes is here and has been sent out on Konstella. Please contact mistralptaevents@gmail.com with any questions.
- The next PTA General Meeting has been rescheduled to May 12, 2021.
Mistral families - The future is looking bright!
The PTA Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that ALL positions for the 2021-2022 PTA Executive Board have committed volunteers (Yes, including President!!)
To view a list of the proposed PTA Executive Board, please click https://mistral-pta.org/about/leadership/
Our new Executive Board will be official pending a vote of the General Association on May 12, rescheduled from April 21.
Remaining PTA meetings (note, meeting dates have have changed from original calendar)
April 21 - Executive Board Meeting (General Association welcome)
May 12 - General Association PTA meeting (Executive Board vote)
June 2 - Last 20/21 Executive Board Meeting (General Association welcome)