Quetzal News
Gabriela Mistral's News October 28, 2020
Ms. O's Message
Dear Quetzal Families,
Happy Wednesday! Today has been a great day because we have amazing parents and staff members who make things happen! Thanks to all of our parent volunteers, staff members, and PTA who helped today and supported the materials distribution for Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. We were able to hand out materials, listen to music, and take pictures while ensuring that we are social distancing, wearing masks, and being safe.
As we are getting closer to the end of the year’s holidays and celebrations, remember the importance of being safe and healthy. Please read the Santa Clara County tips and safety guidance for these events.
Remember that Daylight savings time ends this Sunday, November 1, at 2am. Be ready for Monday instruction, and set your clocks back one hour.
This week is Red Ribbon Week. It is a good time for us to engage in those difficult conversations of the importance of being “drug free”. This year’s theme is “Be happy, be brave, be drug free.”
An important reminder: Senate Bill 820 prohibits any person, including parents, from making any audio, video, or digital recording of our school’s live or synchronous distance learning instruction without the prior consent of the teacher and myself.
Our end of the trimester is on Friday, November 6, and this is a minimum day. Please plan accordingly, as our instructional day will end at 11:20 am.
Elections: Maintaining positive school climate
The upcoming presidential election has provided teachable moments and an opportunity for students to learn about our democratic process, as well as a myriad of strong emotions.
The safety of our school community is our first priority and we will work to provide a safe, inclusive environment for all.
Please emphasize with students that:
School remains a welcome, safe space for all students (resource: MVWSD diversity is our strength)
We respect diverse perspectives and uphold the respectful exchange of ideas (resource: Better Together MVWSD)
School is a safe space for talking about feelings with trusted adults, including counselors, teachers, principals, etc.
Education is our priority, and we are here foremost to serve students. It is our responsibility to maintain a positive district climate to ensure learning can occur. All school employees will continue to work to provide a positive school climate and a space for respectful exchange of ideas that is mindful of diverse perspectives. Additionally, parents/guardians are key partners for helping to engage students in thoughtful and civil discourse.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your support and partnership.
Have a marvelous rest of the week!
Ms. Olaciregui
Principal
TRI2 Material Distribution for all grade levels
Please plan to come this coming Wednesday, November 4th between 9am - 11:30am or Thursday November 5th between 2:30pm - 4:30pm for material distribution for all grades. Please see the list below for items being sent home.
Upcoming Events
- 2:00pm - 3:00pm: Kinder distribution (hosted by Kinder teachers)
November 4, 2020
- 9am - 11am: TRI2 Materials distribution
- 5:00pm - 6:00pm ELAC Meeting (Zoom Link)
- 6:00pm - 7:00pm SSC Meeting (Zoom Link)
November 5, 2020
- 2:30pm - 4:30pm: TRI2 Materials distribution
November 6, 2020
- END of trimester 1 - Minimum Day(dismissal at 11:20am)
November 9, 2020
- 6:00pm - 7:00pm: Q & A meeting with Ms. O (Zoom link)
November 11, 2020
- Veterans Day: NO SCHOOL
November 12, 2020
- 6:00pm - 7:00pm: Parent workshop
November 20, 2020
- Report Cards sent home (electronically)
November 25 - 27, 2020
- Thanksgiving Break: NO SCHOOL
District News
Halloween: Have fun but stay safe
Just a reminder for Halloween that local and state Health Officer Orders are still in effect. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department strongly recommends alternative festivities in lieu of traditional activities. Rather than trick-or-treating or costume parties, consider focusing on decorating, limiting activities to the people with whom you do not reside, and opting for virtual costume parties. Click here for more information and ideas.
Parent University Missed the last one? Fear not: all of our 2020-21 events are recorded and posted online. Come check out our learning sessions - mental health, distance learning, literacy at home, raising digitally resilient kids - at www.mvwsd.org/parentu. And, mark your calendars for the next event on November 18 at 5:30 p.m. about supporting math at home, featuring former math teacher and coach, Principal Heidi Galassi of Landels Elementary. Details to come soon!
Please consider substitute teaching: Info fair on Oct. 29
The Mountain View Whisman School District is seeking substitute teachers. We need you! Please consider this flexible, fun, dynamic work that has a big impact on our students.
Join us to learn more about how you can become qualified to substitute teach.
Substitute Teaching Fair
Thursday, Oct 29, 2020 9:30-11 AM.
Register in advance for this meeting: http://mvw.sd/yrhZ4
Click here to learn more about substitute teaching. We can help you through the steps.
If you are already qualified, you may view jobs and apply online on our website. For information, call 650-526-3555.
Police Interactions, Race and “The Talk:” A Panel Discussion
Date: Thursday, Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom: http://mvw.sd/talk
For Black children, the “talk” about how to interact with police is a rite of passage. Join MVWSD for a panel discussion with parents, the Mountain View Police Department and other leaders about what this means for policing for all of our children and families in our community and schools.
For more information about how MVWSD is working to support equity in our community, please see https://www.mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD. For more information about the City’s racial equity and inclusion efforts, please click here.
Application help for free healthcare coverage (see attached flyer)
Free application assistance for healthcare coverage for families in Santa Clara County is offered by the Healthier Kids Foundation. Your family may qualify for medical, vision, dental, prescription and mental health services. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Get a flu shot: Not the flu!
Free flu Shots on Saturdays at the Fairgrounds in San Jose on Saturday, October 24, 2020, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and every Saturday through mid-December
Car entrance for general parking: Gate D, 2542 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95111
No appointment needed
All are welcome regardless of immigration status
No cost
Shots available at this location for everyone age 3 years and older. Children aged 3 - 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Younger children should get a shot from their regular pediatrician.
Right next door to free County COVID-19 testing. Get a COVID-19 test at the same time!
More Free Flu Shots in Your Neighborhood
If you have health insurance, you can also visit your regular doctor.
The MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series presents: Permission to Feel: The Power of Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Well-Being and Success on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 - 7:00 - 9:00pm | Live Online
Join us for an insightful evening with Marc Brackett, as he explores the value of our emotions and why what we do with our emotions is especially important. Marc Brackett, Ph.D., is the Founder and Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and a Professor in the Child Study Center of Yale University.
The goal of this presentation is to (1) inspire a new mindset around the power of emotions to transform our lives, (2) describe the five key underlying skills of emotional intelligence, known as the “RULER” skills, and (3) provide innovative strategies and tools for developing emotional intelligence so that our emotions help, rather than hinder, our well-being and success at home, in school, at work, and in everyday life.
Audience: Parents with children K - 12; teachers, and counselors
Register: To register for this free event, go to https://mvla2020-21-marcbrackett.eventbrite.com
Sponsored by Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF), MVLA High School Foundation, Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF), and Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council.
MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series: Jeff Selingo event recording
We would like to share the recording of our first event, Jeff Selingo speaking about Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions. Mr. Selingo has graciously allowed us to share the recording with our community for those who were not able to attend. It will be available for six weeks.
The link is https://youtu.be/lj5HNmFd_6Y
PTA News
Boxtops are due on Nov. 2nd. Boxtops has transitioned to submitting through their app but there are still a few paper Boxtops out there. Please download the app from Google Play or the iTunes store.
By the end of this year there will be no more cutting and sending - only scanning.
Please send or drop off your Boxtops by 4:00 on Monday, November 2nd at the front office.
Thanks so much. Stay well.