Quetzal News
Gabriela Mistral's News May 5, 2021
Ms. O's Message
Dear Quetzal Families,
Some dictionaries defiance conscience as that “inner voice” that acts as a guide for rightness or wrongness of one’s behavior. Mahatma Gandhi said, “There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supersedes all other courts.” This week, our Mistral students and community are working and practicing conscience as part of our big 5 Cs. Teaching our students to make good choices is one of our pillars for the Quetzal Way, and it goes side by side with practicing and listening to your conscience. Continue working with us at home sharing a common language on the core values at Gabriela Mistral.
On the week of May 10th, we have two excellent parent workshops: My Digital TAT2 on Tuesday, May 11th, and our Parenting Workshop with Dr. Bunge and Dr. Park on Thursday, May 13th. Please join us and engage in these wonderful opportunities. I am also looking forward to seeing all of you at our Cafecito with our Superintendent on May 12th at 5:30pm.
As the end of the year approaches, our teachers and students are getting ready for their summative assessments. This year, all our students will take their iReady tests and other assessments that will allow them and us to know their academic progress this year.
Important to know:
i-Ready Reading Diagnostic will be provided on 5/11 with make-up days on 5/13 and 5/14.
i-Ready Math Diagnostic will be provided on 5/18 with make-up days on 5/20 and 5/21
Our Roomies will do the assessment in-person, and our Zoomies will take the assessment from home. Both groups will work on the assessment at the same time via a Zoom session.
Our teachers will be able support and monitor students participation via Securly.
Please remind your child to work independently and do their best.
Remember that this is an adaptive test, and some questions might be easy and some might be challenging. It is okay for your child not to know the answers to some of the questions.
Students can solve their problems on paper.
Students must have their cameras on and audio ready.
For students who are at home, please encourage them to do their best, stay focused and work independently.
I want to wish all the mothers in our Mistral Community a wonderful and blessed Mother’s Day. May you be pampered and celebrated as you deserve. We appreciate you and want you to have an amazing weekend! Have a great rest of your week, and continue to watch your distance, wear your mask, and wash your hands...we are almost there!
Claudia Olaciregui, Principal
Upcoming Events
May 11, 2021
- My Digital TAT2 parent presentation (Mistral/Castro) 6:00pm - 7:00pm
May 13, 2021
- Parenting Class 8:30am (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 3, 2021
- 5th Grade Ceremony via zoom (10-11am)
Asynchronous day for 5th graders
3:30-4:30pm Car Drive for Ms. Venell
4:30-5:30pm Car Drive for Mrs. Ohlfs
June 4,2021
- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Minimum Day
District News
Board meeting preview: May 6
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m. Some of the meeting topics include: Learning Recovery Plan, construction updates and staff appreciation. Agenda and login information are here. The meeting is also streamed on https://www.youtube.com/mvwsd.
Community Check-In with the Superintendent
Please join us for an informal, online conversation with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, May 7, 3:30 p.m. Spanish interpretation is available. Click here to register
Better Together #MVWSD: Prioritizing Mental Health
This month's #BetterTogether infographic features tools and resources to help all those who work, learn, and partner with MVWSD to prioritize mental health and wellness. No one ever needs to be alone in their struggles. Together we can prioritize mental health and wellness. Click here to view this month’s calendar or visit https://www/mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD
Mental Health Month: Finding your Tools2Thrive
Last week we identified topics that can help you build your own set of #Tools2Thrive which include recognizing and owning your feelings; finding the positive after loss; connecting with others; eliminating toxic influences; creating healthy routines; and supporting others.
When it comes to your feelings, it can be easy to get caught up in your emotions as you’re feeling them. Most people don’t think about what emotions they are dealing with but taking the time to really identify what you’re feeling can help you to better cope with challenging situations. It’s ok to give yourself permission to feel. By looking for opportunity in adversity or finding ways to remember the good things about who or what we’ve lost, we can help ourselves to recover mentally and emotionally. Access a Mental Health America Tips for Success to learn more.
For each of us, the tools we use to keep us mentally healthy will be unique. But Mountain View Whisman School District wants everyone to know that mental health challenges and conditions are real, and recovery is possible. Finding what works for you may not be easy but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes. By developing your own #Tools2Thrive, it is possible to find balance between work and play, the ups and downs of life, and physical health and mental health – and set yourself on the path to recovery.
Discover your #Tools2Thrive by listening to Renee Jain and Dr. Shefali Tsabary discuss our superpowers we are born with and how to transform our biologically natural anxiety so that we are empowered by it. You can access this 18 minute conversation in English at NPR How To Help Your Kids Reframe Their Anxiety — And Reclaim Their Superpowers
MV Parent University: Preparing for High School
Date: May 19, 2021, 5:30 p.m. Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/osiVT
Is there a rising high school freshman in your home? Do you want to learn a bit more about the habits, traits, and skills students should develop to be ready for high school? Join us at our final Parent University session of the year as we meet members of staff and students at the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District to hear them talk about this ever-important topic!
To submit questions prior to the event, please click here. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
And if you missed any of our content this year, have no fear: www.mvwsd.org/parentu has recordings of all of our Parent University sessions this year!
For next year’s 6th, 7th, 8th grade students: Middle School electives selection coming soon
It is the time of year when our incoming middle school students choose their electives for next year. Our middle schools are currently working to provide quality offerings that we hope will pique students’ interests and a great complement to our core academics. We are requesting each child's top 5 interests so that we can provide at least one of his/her top choices.
These electives are all subject to staffing, student interest and COVID safety guidance. Your child’s preference will help us plan and schedule courses for next year.
Look for an email to parents on April 26 with links to course catalogs and selection directions. All 5th-7th graders will preference their course electives online through Powerschool on April 30-May 7, 2021.
MVEF is hiring: Content Writer
Mountain View Educational Foundation is Hiring a Content Writer to Help MVEF foster growth, optimize outreach, reach a wider audience, persuade the reader, and inspire action through the power of the written word.
Can you get people excited about the work that MVEF is doing? Do you write compelling, engaging and meaningful content in a concise newsletter, post web page or direct mail? Are you a superb storyteller that can capture people’s hearts and communicate the data? Is your style personable, specific, and easy to read?
MVEF needs a writer with these skills to enhance communication, marketing, and fundraising letter solicitations. The ideal candidate will help MVEF communicate with donors and parents, meet current fundraising goals, find new funding, spread awareness, and help donors understand the full impact of their donation.
This is a flexible, part time position. We need you to write Bi-monthly (sometimes monthly) updates for newsletters, website, and/or social media to keep supporters, donors, and volunteers educated about the impact on the community. We also need help with back to school marketing presentations and fundraising letters for all levels of donations.
Please send questions, email and/or resume to contact@mvef.org
District Chess Tournament Registration Open
Registration is now open for the 18th Annual MVWSD Interscholastic Chess Tournament, to be held online again due to COVID-19 on Sunday, May 16, from 12:00 to 5:00. The registration form and complete instructions can be found at tinyurl.com/mvwsdchess, and the deadline is May 14. Any questions can be sent to Mark Ruzon, tournament director, at mvwsdchess@gmail.com.
Unlocking Our Inner Strengths with CHAC: Registration for free May events available
CHAC has opened registration for their free virtual workshops in May, which focus on unlocking our inner strengths and supporting mental wellness. You are welcome to join for any or all events. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30pm, with optional 30-minute Q&A from 7:30 to 8pm.
May 5: From Puppies to Paintings! Creative Ways to Build Lasting Connections
May 12: Self-Empowerment Through Expression: The Crucial Role of Mental Wellness in Motivating Tomorrow’s Leaders
May 19: Parenting Teens Doesn’t Have to be Painful!
May 26: Self-Care & Support Across Diverse Communities
For more information about each session and to register in advance, head to: https://funraise.org/give/Community-Health-Awareness-Council/a25a1482-56ef-448d-80f1-c36132be901c/.
El Camino Health Community COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
El Camino Health is continuing to administer free COVID-19 vaccines – by appointment – for those aged 16 and up who live or work in Santa Clara County. Vaccines are administered at El Camino Health’s Sunnyvale Clinic Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Visit elcaminohealth.org/schedulevax to make an appointment.
See attached flier for information and scheduling assistance available in Spanish and Mandarin. If you need assistance scheduling an appointment online, please call 408-871-7460, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The County of Santa Clara announced that most County Health System vaccination sites will accept drop-ins for COVID-19 vaccines. Same-day appointments and some drop-in locations across the county are available at sccfreevax.org.
MVLA Speech & Debate Summer Camp
The Mountain View - Los Altos High Schools Speech and Debate Team is holding our annual summer camp from June 14–18 and June 21–25! The camp will be completely virtual, and students will learn about fundamental concepts in speech and debate in order to help them become more persuasive speakers and stronger critical thinkers. Additionally, we’re offering three different courses to accommodate for different skill levels and allow students to build off of their existing knowledge. For more information about pricing and registration, visit our website at mvlasdcamp.org.
PTA News
Teacher Appreciation Week Schedule of Events, May 10th-May 14th, 2021
Monday 5/10: Coffee, tea and breakfast snacks in the staff room (PTA provides)
Tuesday 5/11: Bring a flower for your teacher (PTA provides vases)
Any day this week: *Students deliver cards and drawings to teachers and staff*
Thursday 5/13: Special gift for staff (PTA provides)
Friday 5/14: Catered lunch for staff (PTA provides)
Zoomies- put your letters in the mail by May 5th.
Teacher
℅ Gabriela Mistral Elementary
505 Escuela Ave.
Mountain View, CA 94041
Questions? → Sara Kopit-Olson, sarakopit1@gmail.com, 408-431-6172
Save the date for the next General meeting of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) on May 12 at 6pm. All are welcome!
The Mistral Parent Teacher Association (PTA) General Membership meeting is on May 12 at 6pm. All are welcome to attend! This year, the PTA has focused on supporting distance learning through the funding of materials, art kits, books, and teacher supplies, as well as community-building events like the Read-a-thon. Attend this meeting to hear about plans for the rest of this year and next year. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkceyhqDIiHdRLU-v47z-SwmdxT0zEEhCK