Quetzal News
Gabriela Mistral's News February 10, 2021
Ms. O's Message
Dear Quetzal Families,
Happy Thursday to all our amazing Quetzal community! I believe that during challenging times, we have to pause and take some time to reflect and be grateful...we have to spend some time with our loved ones to fill our hearts with positive energy to keep us going. So, today, I want to invite you to celebrate! Let’s celebrate that we are alive, that we have health, family, and a community that will be here to hold your hand as needed. As we remember our value of the week, teamwork, let’s work together for a better, healthy and united tomorrow. Take this winter break to celebrate Chinese New Year, Black History Month, and Valentine’s Day. Try to relax, to work out, and to spend quality time with those who are in your “bubble”. Let’s look at the light at the end of the tunnel and continue walking together. Have a great break! Stay safe! And, remember to practice our healthy habits of wearing a mask, watching your distance, washing your hands, and waiting to gather (the GREAT 4 W’s).
At Gabriela Mistral we embrace and celebrate multiculturalism and diversity. Lunar New Year begins this Friday, February 12th. It ends with the traditional Lantern Festival on February 26th. This Year is the year of the Ox, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. The Ox is characterized as hard working, positive and honest. Great qualities to practice! Learn more about the Year of the Ox with the Smithsonian American Art Museum and let’s celebrate with and have fun with kids and families.
Warm wishes for a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Claudia Olaciregui
Principal
“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” Henry Ford
LCAP survey closes on Friday. We want to hear from you!
The District is beginning its annual process of writing the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). Your input from the survey will guide the development of our District’s three-year plan that will correspond with the first three years of the District’s new Strategic Plan 2027. These documents are the blueprints that guide all of the District’s work for the benefit of our students.
We want to hear from you: Please click here - http://mvw.sd/ParentLCAP - to give input through February 12 in a survey. We recognize that the wording of some of these questions might seem a little awkward because we are in a pandemic, distance-learning year. Please answer as fully as you can based on the experiences you've had this school year. If you would like a paper copy, please contact the office at 650-526-3520.
More information found here: https://www.mvwsd.org/lcap.
MVWSD is currently planning to reopen schools for in-person learning 14 days after Santa Clara County passes into the Red Tier. Because this reopening target is based on numbers of COVID-19 cases, we don’t have the specific date Santa Clara County will pass into the Red Tier, but we are preparing as if it’s soon.
Learning Options Survey due Feb 28: We’ll need to collect updated information on your preferences for your students’ learning options for the rest of the school year. You will still have the option to keep your children at home in distance learning, or you may tell us you’d like them to return to campus when schools reopen. Please look for the survey to come to you by email on Friday.
We wanted you to have ample time to review it, which is why you received it before February break. Please answer the survey with as much certainty as possible, and if you have questions, we can help you the week of Feb. 22. Information is available on https://www.mvwsd.org/academicsduringcovid
Our reopening hinges on COVID cases continuing to drop. Please remain vigilant about wearing masks, avoiding gatherings and curtailing travel.
Upcoming Events
February 12, 2021
- Minimum Day - End of TRI1
February 15 - February 19, 20201
- WINTER BREAK - NO SCHOOL
February 24,2021
- Parent workshop 6:00pm-7:00pm (Zoom link)
February 26, 2021
- Spirit Day - Professional Dress Day
March 5, 2021
- Report Cards sent home
March 11, 2021
- ELAC Meeting 5:00pm - 6:00pm
- SSC Meeting 6:00pm - 7:00pm
March 15, 2021
- NO SCHOOL -Teacher in service day
District News
Parents: We want to hear from you! LCAP survey
The District is beginning its annual process of writing the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). Your input from the survey will guide the development of our District’s three-year plan that will correspond with the first three years of the District’s new Strategic Plan 2027. These documents are the blueprints that guide all of the District’s work for the benefit of our students.
Parents, we want to hear from you: Please click here - http://mvw.sd/ParentLCAP - to give input through February 12 in a survey. We recognize that the wording of some of these questions might seem a little awkward because we are in a pandemic, distance-learning year. Please answer as fully as you can based on the experiences you've had this school year. If you would like a paper copy, please call the school office at (650) 526-3575
More information found here: https://www.mvwsd.org/lcap.
Open House Cancelled
Due to COVID-19, our schools will not be holding Open House events this spring, as we traditionally do in April. This year is different since our students’ work has been done at home, and gathering in groups at school is not permitted. We certainly will miss seeing all of the amazing work from our students and teachers, and look forward to a time we can gather to celebrate students’ work.
Winter break meal schedule
MVWSD's free, multi-day to-go meal packs for children will be distributed at Castro Elementary only from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12 for meals for Feb. 12 through Feb. 17. On Wednesday, Feb. 17, meals will be available at Castro Elementary for Feb 17 through Feb. 21. Regular meal service will resume on Monday, Feb. 22.
Black History Month
Even before children can talk, they are learning about the world and about race through the words and actions of others. Parents, teachers, and caregivers have the unique opportunity to frame their child's first attempts to understand and talk about race. Talking about race matters because (1) everyone has a racialized identity, (2) racialized identity significantly impacts a person's life, and (3) race is a defining social construct in America.
This Black History Month, use the Better Together infographic to begin racially-focused conversations with children acknowledging that conversations about race will look different for each family and classroom and there is no single way to talk to children about race. Have honest conversations with your students about the history of privilege and oppression as it relates to Black History and, where appropriate, connect this to local community and larger global issues.
Together, we can explore Black History. Together, we can become anti-racist.
For a closer look at the graphics, click on the attached flyers or visit https://www.mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD
Parent University: The Special Education Team - Who We Are and How We Support Our Schools and StudentsJoin us on Wednesday, February 24th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for our next Parent University event: The Special Education Team - Who We Are and How We Support Our Schools and Students.
Arianna Mayes (Director) and Acantha Ellard (Coordinator) of MVWSD's Special Education Department will facilitate a panel discussion with Special Educators and professionals who support MVWSD schools and students. The discussion will include who and what the team does and how students are supported both in-person and during distance learning. Additionally, you can submit your own questions beforehand via this Google Form.
Zoom link: Register in advance for this meeting: http://mvw.sd/4JMka
Spanish interpretation will be provided.
**Please also take a look at recordings and materials from our previous Parent University sessions at www.mvwsd.org/parentu
MVEF Virtual Gala - March 6, 2021 - Get your Tickets Today!
While we are not able to gather in person, we hope you will join us for a lively evening of trivia, toasts to our teachers, and fundraising for our schools. Now more than ever, the programs funded by your donations to MVEF help to create a well-rounded education for our children that includes art, music, technology, and science exploration. A significant portion of MVEF funding this year is being directed to support distance learning. All funds raised from the Gala help us meet our goal of raising $800,000 this school year. Help us to support every child at every school in the Mountain View Whisman School District!
You may join us for only the trivia OR enjoy the addition of appetizers and drinks (wine or cocktails) delivered to your home. Food and drink delivery is only available to Mountain View, Los Altos, Sunnyvale and Palo Alto.
Reservations for food and drink deliveries MUST be made before Friday, February 26th. Ticket sales for trivia close Wednesday, March 3.
To purchase tickets, https://www.mvef.org/virtualgala. For questions, please contact Dena Seki (contact@mvef.org) or Andrea Maes (andrea-m@mvef.org).
We also have a raffle going on if you would like to take your chance at one of 4 great prizes! The winners will be drawn at the gala, but you need not be present to win.
MV Library Valentine’s Celebration
The Mountain View Public Library and CHAC Family Resource Center are sponsoring a free Valentine’s Celebration for families with young children on Friday, February 12, on Zoom. Please see the attached flyer for details and registration.
February CAC Events
Happy New Year! SELPA 1 CAC and the Learning Challenge Committee are your groups for special education and broader learning challenge needs. We are ALL having learning challenges right now, and CAC and LCC are here to help. If you have questions about learning challenges and special education needs, email selpa1cacinfo@gmail.com or check out www.selpa1cac.org
We encourage families to learn about the sensory needs all children may have during distance learning: Try a Sensory Diet
February 10, 7 pm Evening Let’s Talk - IEP/504 support group. Have questions about the process to get help for your child? Have an IEP but are not sure how to make changes? Need to vent? This is your confidential group. Please contact selpa1cacinfo@gmail.com for the Zoom link for this meeting or sign up on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-talk-iep504-support-tickets-135554074887
Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Session - Thursday, February 25th
You can change the life of a student! Come learn about volunteer opportunities to Mentor high school students and Tutor students in grades K-8 in our Mountain View and Los Altos schools.
Becoming a Mentor or Tutor will add joy to your life and help a student in our local community to a brighter future!
There is no obligation to sign up as a volunteer. You're welcome to just come and learn more about what we do.
Please note: Our programs are currently remote and will remain so until students are back in school and the school district permits volunteers in the classroom.
All volunteers must be high school graduates.
Date: Thursday, February 25th
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Location: Online via Zoom (URL provided upon registration)
Register: REGISTER ONLINE
Questions: programs@mentortutorconnection.org
Information: MentorTutorConnection.org