Quetzal News
Gabriela Mistral's News February 24, 2021
Ms. O's Message
Dear Quetzal Families,
Happy Friday! I hope you have been enjoying the beautiful spring weather. At Mistral, we have been very excited to see our students at the PE-Rhythm and Moves program that started on Wednesday. Students and staff had fun on site in a safe and healthy manner.
Next week, we start March, Women’s History Month. There have been so many amazing women in history who impacted our lives with their work in arts, politics, science, sports, and leadership, among all other areas. As a great example, we have Gabriela Mistral. Did you know that Gabriela Mistral, Nobel Prize winner in 1945, taught in elementary and secondary schools before her poetry made her famous? She also taught Spanish literature at Columbia University, Middlebury College, Vassar College and University of Puerto Rico. Like Gabriela Mistral, there are many amazing women who made a difference in our lives today’s. Let’s take time to talk about them and teach our children that with perseverance, the sky's the limit.
Join us at the workshop on “Fostering Resilience in the middle of a Pandemic” on Monday, March 1st at 6pm. Our amazing parent, Dara Tynefield, will be our guest speaker for the night. Dara has a MA in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University and since 2014 has practiced as a licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Dara has provided mental health counseling at local High Schools for Adolescent Counseling Services and at Cañada College. She has also co developed and taught a Middle School Resilience curriculum for Acknowledge Alliance. We hope to see you then.
If you haven’t done so yet, please complete the Learning Options Survey. We really need your help with this, so that we can finalize our planning for reopening.
Living Classroom continues to work hard to provide beautiful gardens and virtual instruction to our students at Mistral. Check out their monthly newsletter.
I would like to invite you to the MVEF Gala Night on March 6th at 6pm. Please make your reservations for food and drink deliveries by 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).
Don’t forget to check our Quetzal Dashboard. Have a great weekend, stay safe, and enjoy the nice weather.
Sincerely,
Claudia Olaciregui,
Principal
Upcoming Events
February 26, 2021
- Spirit Day - Professional Dress Day
March 1, 20201
- Parent Leadership Info Night (Zoom link)
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
Learning Options Survey
The Learning Options survey gathers family preferences for student learning options if the district returns to in-person instruction. MVWSD’s reopening target date is two weeks after Santa Clara county enters the Red Tier in California’s color-coded COVID-19 tracking system.
The learning options for students are blended in-person/distance learning (Option B) and 100% distance learning (Option C). Parents should choose the option that works best for their family. Please complete this survey no later than Feb. 28th. If you haven’t completed it, please look for an email reminder with your survey link sent on Feb. 22.
Please note:
Only one parent or guardian can submit this survey
If you do not complete this survey for your child by the deadline, he/she will be assigned to distance learning.
FAQ's can be found at mvw.sd/W8kbU
Please let us know if we can help you.
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.
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.
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
InPlay’s summer program search guide
Looking for summer fun and out-of-school opportunities? MVWSD partners with nonprofit InPlay to help you find the perfect fit for your child and for your family. Hundreds of programs, including FREE and reduced cost and those that serve students with special needs or English learners, are nearby and can be found through this free searchable site. Check it out at mv.inplay.org.
Parenting Program: Developing Social Skills in Children While Social Distancing
The MV Public Library will be hosting a free parenting workshop on Wednesday, March 10 from 7-8pm. Join Susan Stone of Parents Place to learn about developing social skills in PreK and elementary school students while social distancing. Register in advance at: https://mountainview.libcal.com/
K-8 Virtual Career Fair with SCCOE
The SCCOE K-8 Virtual Career Fair is being held Thursday, March 11 from 1-3p.m. The event theme is Connecting Passions to Careers and will feature guest speakers from various fields and industries, who will encourage students to follow their passions and dream big. The career fair is a part of the Silicon Valley Reads community engagement initiative. More information and registration is at: http://bit.ly/careerfair2021reg