Quetzal News
Gabriela Mistral's News January 20, 2021
Ms. O's Message
Today was a historical day for America! We had the fortune to experience the importance of peace, democracy, diversity, education, and social responsibility. We experienced the first women, African American/Asian be sworn as the first Vice President of the United States of America. We are also fortunate to have a first lady who is an educator at heart, and a President who inspired hope as he strives to unite ALL Americans. It was very touching to watch the Inauguration Day through the lens of equity, freedom, and justice for all. Let’s honor Martin Luther King’s legacy and continue working for racial equality and social responsibility. And, as we continue working and helping others throughout this week, I invite you to focus on hope. As MLK once said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
Please remember to enroll your children for our next school year. I challenge all of us to complete your enrollment process by the end of next week. This will be of great help for us to start planning for our next school year.
The end of January is filled with important and exciting events! You are cordially invited to join our District’s Parent University workshop on Reading Comprehension Strategies this Tuesday, January 26. This workshop is followed by our Mistral Parenting Workshop on January 27. We will host an English workshop at 6pm, and a Spanish workshop at 7pm. Dr. Bunge and Dr. Park, at Palo Alto University, will discuss common child behavior struggles, and they will talk about techniques for improving communication with your children.
We will have a new vacancy at our School Site Council stakeholder group. Mrs. Berman Ramirez will be stepping down from her president role at our SSC as she starts her new journey at MVWSD board of trustees. We will greatly miss her, but we know her talents and interests for high quality education will serve all of our students in our district. Please contact me via email if you are interested in partnering with us and work together for our students.
Stay safe and practice our 4 W’s: Wash your hands, wear a mask, watch your distance, and wait for gatherings.
Claudia Olaciregui,
Principal
Upcoming Events
January 20, 2021
- PTA General Meeting 6:00pm - 7:00pm
January 22, 2021
- Spirit Day - College Day
January 27, 2021
- Parent workshop 6:00pm - 7:00pm - ENGLISH(register here)
- Parent workshop 7:00pm - 8:00pm - SPANISH (register here)
January 28, 2021
- ELAC Meeting 5:00pm - 6:00pm (register here)
- SSC Meeting 6:00pm - 7:00pm (register here)
February 2nd, 2021
- Day# 1: TRI3 Materials distribution 2:30pm - 5pm
February 5th, 2021
- Day# 2: TRI3 Materials distribution 2:00pm - 4:30pm
February 12, 2021
- Minimum Day - End of TRI1
February 15 - February 19, 20201
- WINTER BREAK - NO SCHOOL
District News
Superintendent's Community Check In on Friday
Please join us for our Community Check-In with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, Jan. 22 at 3:30 p.m. Bring your questions. Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/ibOad
Better Together: Poverty in America Awareness
January is Poverty in America Awareness Month and in the time of Covid-19 and the economic fallout, talking about issues surrounding poverty has never been more important. Words matter and our students know more than we often give them credit for. Talking about poverty with kids is not only possible, it's important. Explore the resources provided in this infographic (attached or viewable at https://www.mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD) to find an approach to talking about poverty that is most appropriate for your student(s). Ultimately, your conversations should reinforce that when it comes to making a difference in the world and caring for others in our community, we are #BetterTogether.
Enrollment for 2021-22 for *all* students is open now
For NEW students: Open Enrollment is now through Feb. 5, 2021 online. You can register your child for the 2021-22 school year here: www.mvwsd.org/register
For CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents will be asked by email to confirm enrollment from January 18- 22. Please look for an email from Student Services with a request to log on to the Powerschool Parent Portal: https://ps.mvwsd.org/public/.
Preschool Enrollment for 2021-22: Families who are interested in enrolling their 3 or 4-year-old in part-day or full-day preschool next year should submit an application to the preschool office by February 5th. Please see https://www.mvwsd.org/preschool for more information or contact the preschool office at 650-526-3560 or prekenrollment@mvwsd.org.
Fifth Grade Parents: Middle school info night on Jan. 28
Crittenden and Graham both will be welcoming 5th grade families to an Incoming 6th Grade Information Night on Thursday, January 28 at 5 p.m. held on Zoom. Each site will host its own information night, and parents will receive an email from their students' assigned school with meeting login information.
This is a great opportunity to learn about our Middle Schools’ academics, a chance to meet our staff, and learn about the exciting opportunities your incoming sixth-grader will have at Crittenden or Graham.
Please contact Crittenden ((650) 903-6945) or Graham Middle School ((650) 526-3570) if you have any questions.
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
English Learner Families: ELPAC is (mostly) remote this Spring
Most of our English Learners will be taking this year’s Summative English Learner Proficiency Assessment of California (ELPAC) remotely. Only a small segment of students will be invited to complete portions of the test in person (observing all health protocols). Your school will be in touch with the details. For more information, please look for a recent email sent from Geoff Chang, Director of Federal, State, and Strategic Programs, or contact your site principal.
To understand more about the ELPAC and to help your child prepare, click here.
Parent University: Digging Deeper into Supporting Reading Comprehension at Home
Join us on Tuesday, January 26th, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for “Digging Deeper into Supporting Reading Comprehension at Home (K-5 Families)”
Members of MVWSD Instructional Team will share takeaway strategies to support your child's reading comprehension, connections, and applications at home.
Wondering how to support your child with their Reading grade level standards and curriculum?
What questions should I ask to build my child's reading comprehension?
What does standard progression look like over grade level spans?
Takeaways to support your child who is reading above grade level
Learn new ways to enrich, deepen, and create a joy for reading
Zoom Registration: http://mvw.sd/MlaSK
In order to make this interactive webinar most meaningful for you, please send your questions beforehand to Interim Director, Swati Dagar via this Google Form by Friday, January 15th.
Spanish interpretation will be provided.
Link to flyer is here.
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/
MVEF News: Virtual Gala Planning Has Begun
Save the date - March 6, 2021!
We wish we could be together with you! Nonetheless, the MVEF gala committee is hard at work ensuring that our Virtual Gala on March 6th will be a fun evening even in the midst of Covid19 concerns. Stay tuned for details!
My Digital TAT2's free Q&A session: Jan. 22
Digital TAT2, a non-profit that offers medis education and presented a highly engaging and informative webinar at the MVWSD Parent University this fall, is offering a free Q&A session with co-founders (and child/adolescent experts) Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet and Erica Pelavin on Friday, January 22. Please see the attached flyer for details and registration. You may also submit questions in advance to be answered during the webinar.
Afterschool activities and programs (including free) are on InPlay
Even during COVID, there are fun and educational afterschool programs for kids happening now. Spring break camps are coming up, too. MVWSD partners with the non-profit InPlay to help you find the perfect fit for your child and for your family. Hundreds of programs, including those that are FREE and reduced cost, are nearby and online and can be found through this free, searchable website. Check out http://MV.inplay.orgMV 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/
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 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