Quetzal News
Gabriela Mistral's News January 6, 2021
Ms. O's Message
Dear Quetzal Families,
Welcome back! I hope you all had a peaceful and healthy break, and I wish you and your family a blessed and safe 2021! New year, new beginnings...some people like to work on new resolutions...I am not sure if I need to wait a year to do that, but some of us do. Lately, I have included in my frequent resolutions the seek for peace, embrace health, enjoy my blessings, and aim to help and support others. I invite you not to wait for a year to make some positive changes that will make your life lighter, your heart stronger, and your mind wiser.
Reflecting on yesterday’s national incident, I reminded myself that we have a circle of influence where we can make a difference. Some things are at our control, and some certainly are out of our reach. Let’s focus on what we can do to make this new year a happier, safer and peaceful one. Here are some tips I want to share with you about the civil unrest we all experienced yesterday:
- Try to be in charge of what and how your child learns about the event. Depending upon the age of your child, it is a good idea to limit children’s exposure to traumatic news stories and images. Older children might use social media to communicate with their friends about events. It is important to monitor their interpretation of what is happening around them.
- When exposure is unavoidable, provide basic information about what happened at an age appropriate level. Brief, basic facts are typically appropriate for younger children, while older children and teens may have more questions. Don’t overwhelm young children with too much information, but be sure to address questions as they arise.
- Do not assume that the child’s worries and questions are the same as your own. Each child will understand and react differently. This will vary to some extent with age or developmental level, personality and pre-existing anxiety, and the manner in which the information is presented.
- Use open-ended statements and questions such as “Tell me what you know” and “What questions do you have?” rather than “Do you understand what happened?” and “Do you have any questions?” This will help you get a better sense of the child’s understanding, worries and desire for more information. Adults and students will have differing opinions about the “right” or “wrong” of events happening around them.
Here are a few possible responses when students want your opinion:
· “We need to work for peace in our community.”
· “I want you to be safe.”
· “What can we do in the community to make sure we all get along?”
· “We need to make sure everyone is treated with dignity and respect.”
• Acknowledge the events in a calm way and provide reassurance about the child’s own safety and security. Be honest – don’t tell children something “could never happen” here, or to them – but minimize anxiety. Focus your ability and efforts to keep them safe from harm.
• Monitor your own emotions. Exposure to devastating news is upsetting and overwhelming for adults.
It is natural to be emotional at times. However, children look to their parents and other significant adults for a sense of whether or not things are “o.k.” Parents often serve as a child’s “barometer” regarding their own safety and security. It is important for parents to manage their own stress level and reassure children that everything will be okay.
We are experiencing an increase in Covid cases as well as in anxiety during these last month. Your health and safety continues to be our top priority. Remember to practice self care and kindness. The Santa Clara County in deep purple-tier status. Please observe the stay-at-home order and other risk-reduction practices. Stay vigilant, support each other, and add one more W to our practices:
· Wear a mask
· Wash your hands
· Watch your distance
· Wait to gather
As we start this new year, let’s do it with joy, peace, kindness and hope for a healthier, safer, and happier 2021.
“Love and peace of mind do protect us. They allow us to overcome the problems that life hands us. They teach us to survive...to live now...to have the courage to confront each day.” Bernie Siegel
“El amor y la tranquilidad nos protegen. Nos permiten superar los problemas que nos depara la vida. Nos enseñan a sobrevivir ... a vivir ahora ... a tener el coraje de afrontar cada día ”. Bernie Siegel
Claudia Olaciregui,
Principal
Parent Teacher Conferences January 11-15, 2021
Please remember that we are on a minimum day schedule all next week while we hold our Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences. If you have not been able to schedule your Virtual Parent-Teacher Conference, please contact the front office as soon as possible so that we can assist you.
Ms. Daena: darmenta@mvwsd.org
Ms. Michelle: molague@mvwsd.org
School office phone: (650) 526-3575
Upcoming Events
- Minimum Day all week
- Parent Teacher Conference Week
January 18, 2021
- MLK - NO SCHOOL
January 19, 2021
- K-5th Gr Coffee/Tea with Ms. O 6:00pm-7:00pm(register here)
January 20, 2021
- PTA General Meeting 6:00pm - 7:00pm
January 22, 2021
- Spirit Day - College Day
January 27, 2021
- K-2nd Gr parent workshop 6:00pm - 7:00pm
January 28, 2021
- ELAC Meeting 5:00pm - 6:00pm
- SSC Meeting 6:00pm - 7:00pm
January 29, 2021
- 3rd-5th Gr parent workshop 6:00pm - 7:00pm
District News
Reminder from SCC Public Health: Travel = COVID-19 quarantine for 10 days
For people who have 1) come in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, or 2) traveled more than 150 miles: you will need to quarantine (stay home) for 10 days and continue to closely watch for symptoms for 4 more days after you leave quarantine. Get tested immediately if you have symptoms on any day. If you don’t develop any symptoms, get tested on day 6 or later.
For more information about how to quarantine, as well as resources to help you stay home, visit www.sccstayhome.org
Parent University: Adolescent Drug Use, including the impact of the current pandemic.
Join us on Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 from 5:30 to 7:00 P.M. for our next Parent University event: Adolescent Drug Use, including the impact of the current pandemic. While this event is geared toward parents of children ages 10 to 18, all are welcome.
The presenter, Alum Rock Counseling Center (ARCC), has been in place for 46 years in the Bay Area and addresses the academic, social and mental health needs of the at-risk youth and families. This important workshop will include such topics as:
· Overview of trending substances used by youth (vaping, marijuana, alcohol, opioids, etc.)
· Signs and symptoms
· Why teens are using and the impact of COVID-19
· How families can discuss substance use and support their children
· Alternatives for substance use and ideas for prevention
· Resources
Spanish interpretation will be provided.
Register here: http://mvw.sd/Jan20
Tester and Interpreter/Translator positions available
Looking for a part-time job with a positive social impact? MVWSD is now hiring organized and friendly individuals to administer English Language proficiency assessments to the district’s K-8 English language learners. To find out more, click here: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1310195
Can you speak or write in a language other than English? MVWSD is always looking for qualified interpreters and translators. If you enjoy helping families and children and are fluent in English and one of the languages below, click on http://mvw.sd/QthLB (interpreter) and http://mvw.sd/ubXOi (translator). We are currently looking for the following languages: Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi, French, German, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, Vietnamese.
Info meeting next week: MVWSD’s award-winning Preschool (flyer attached to Dec. 7 email)
Is now enrolling for full-day and part-day for the 2021-22 school year. Join us for an informational meeting online on January 14 @ 3:00 pm at http://mvw.sd/preschool2. Please see the attached flyer or https://www.mvwsd.org/preschool for more information.
Enrollment for 2021-22 school year begins this month
For CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents will be asked by email to confirm enrollment from January 18- 22.
For NEW students: Open Enrollment is from January 11 through Feb. 5, 2021 online. You can register your child for the 2021-22 school year when online registration opens here: www.mvwsd.org/register
Register now! Parent workshop: How to Build Academic Language with Kate Kinsella
Virtual presentation on January 27 at 6:00 pm
Hosted by Huff, Landels and Jose Antonio Vargas elementary schools
Register: http://mvw.sd/kate
Presenter Kate Kinsella, Ed.D. will talk about:
• After school conversation tips to use with children to encourage thoughtful responses
• Strategies to help increase students' academic language and listening skills
Kate Kinsella, Ed.D., is a teacher educator at San Francisco State University and a highly sought after speaker and consultant to school districts throughout the United States regarding development of academic language and literacy across the K-12 subject areas. Her 25-year teaching career focus has been equipping children from diverse backgrounds with the communication, reading, and writing skills to be career and college ready.
For more information, please visit http://drkatekinsella.com/about-us/
Getting Ready for the ELPAC information session: Jan. 12
The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is administered every year to our English Learner (EL) students. To learn more about this assessment, the role it plays in the education of every EL, and how to help your child prepare, please join for the following meeting:
January 12
5:00-5:30 in English: https://zoom.us/j/93307939185
5:30-6:00 in Spanish: https://zoom.us/j/93709174683
CSMA offers Virtual Art Club Live Zoom Sessions for Elementary students
Afterschool art for grades Grades K-5 from January 19-April 22, 2021. See the attached flyers or click here to view and register: https://arts4all.asapconnected.com/#CourseGroupID=10998
CHAC offers free mental health support to parents and students
For parents: CHAC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable and accessible mental health services, supports parents in several ways. Please see the attached flyers for more information.
For students: PLUGGED IN - Social and Emotional Learning Skills Programs
CHAC is excited to offer two new Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Skills Programs to 3rd and 5th grade students. Both programs are a fun and enriching way to help students navigate the unique challenges they face in these extraordinary times.
1. CHAC's Weekly Virtual Group meetings focus on social interaction between participants. Through collaborative lessons and fun activities students will learn emotion regulation skills, problem solving skills as well as healthy coping and self-care skills.
2. CHAC's Independent SEL Curriculum teaches students essential social and emotional learning skills through entertaining video lessons and a variety of fun activities that students complete independently.
The parents who request the PLUGGED IN Independent Curriculum will have it emailed to them immediately.
The parents who would like their child to join a PLUGGED IN virtual group, will be contacted about scheduling options and asked to complete an online permission slip. Groups are expected to start in early January.
Click here to learn more about PLUGGED IN- CHAC’s new SEL Programs: https://www.chacmv.org/social-emotional-learning
MV Library presents: Raising Kindness and Awareness in Children
Wednesday, January 20, 7 pm - 8 pm. Learn about fostering “kindness activism” in your children. Aila Malik, author, parent activist, social justice warrior, and kindness advocate will present practical ideas and engaging perspectives on activating humility, empathy, action, and togetherness within your family. Free. Flyers attached. Registration is required. https://mountainview.libcal.com/
Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Session - Tuesday, January 12th
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.
Please note: 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: Tuesday, January 12th
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Online via Zoom (URL provided upon registration)
Register: REGISTER ONLINE
Questions: programs@mentortutorconnection.org
Information: www.MentorTutorConnection.org
Parenting in a pandemic: Free 6th district PTA speaker series
Thursday, January 21, 2021, 7pm, “Navigating School During Uncertain Times” with Challenge Success - Laura Easley. For other offerings in January and February, please see the attached flyer. Cost: free. For more information and to reserve your seat visit https://capta6.org/parenting-in-a-pandemic/
MVLA Speakers series presents “Middle School Matters” with Phyllis Fagell
Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 - 7:00 - 9:00pm | Live Online
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Professional School Counselor Phyllis Fagell helps parents use the middle school years as a low-stakes training ground to teach kids the key skills they’ll need to thrive now and in the future, including making good friend choices, negotiating conflict, regulating their own emotions, acting as their own advocates, and more. To answer parents’ most common questions and struggles with middle school-aged children, she combines her professional and personal expertise with stories and advice from prominent psychologists, doctors, parents, educators, school professionals, and middle schoolers themselves.
Audience: Parents of kids grades 4 - 8
Register: To register for this free event at https://mvla2020-21-phyllisfagell.eventbrite.com
Books: https://www.booksinc.net/book/9780738235080
January 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
Parent Chat, 10 am January 12 - Support for parents of teens with mental health challenges. A great place for help and support for challenges with your teens. Please contact trudy.palmer@me.com for Google Meet invite.
January 13, 10 am Morning 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
February 1, 9 am- General Parent/Community Meeting with Special Ed. Directors & Staff, Zoom at 9:00 am for LCC and 9:30 am for CAC. We will be planning for the year, discussing upcoming programs and discussing distance learning and learning challenges. For our agenda, please join our Google group, https://groups.google.com/g/selpa1cac. For the Zoom link for this meeting, email selpa1cacinfo@gmail.com or sign up on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/general-cac-meeting-tickets-135550478129