Quetzal News
Gabriela Mistral's News April 28, 2021
Ms. O's Message
Dear Quetzal Families,
In times of struggles and distress, compassion goes a long way. The sympathetic concern for others’ suffering and the willingness to help them makes an enormous difference in our communities. This week, our team is working on Compassion as one of our Big 5 Cs. As always, your partnership helps our students learn and practice positive character traits. The Dalai Lama once said, “Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t appreciate kindness and compassion”.
I am looking forward to our Quetzal Awardees for this month. This Thursday and Friday, our teachers will recognize those students who have been models of our Quetzal Way: We are respectful, we are responsible, and we make good choices.
Dr. Bunge and Dr. Park, from Palo Alto University, shared with us more parenting tips:
Making Asynchronous Days Easier
Modeling refers to teaching by example. Your child will learn by observing and seeing the behavior of others. To model desired behaviors:
For example, you could model being kind to others by greeting your neighbors or offering to help other family members around the home. Make sure to keep praising the behaviors that you want to see (“Great job helping your sibling with their homework”).
These tips came directly from the free, online Everyday Parenting program created by parenting expert, Dr. Kazdin. To learn more parenting tips click here.
Next month, we will celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander month. As an inclusive community, we value and embrace diversity. Join us in celebrating our Asian American members of our community.
Continue to practice health guidelines: wear a mask, watch your distance, and wash your hands.
Stay safe and share joy with others,
Claudia Olaciregui,
Principal
Upcoming Events
April 28, 2021
- Materials distribution 2:30pm - 4:00pm
May 11, 2021
- My Digital TAT2 parent presentation (Mistral/Castro) 6:00pm - 7:00pm
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 4,2021
- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Minimum Day
Materials Distribution - ZOOMIES ONLY (2nd - 5th Grade)
Material distribution on Wednesday, April 28th from 2:30pm to 4pm. Please come at any time during the allotted time on either pick up your child's materials.
Please drive up to the front of the school; a staff member will greet you with a mask and place the items in your trunk.
2nd Grade - Aprender Module 8 (Math), PTA Teacher Appreciation Letter
3rd Grade - Science Unit 4, PTA Teacher Appreciation Letter
4th Grade - Science Unit 4, PTA Teacher Appreciation Letter, Classroom material
5th Grade - Science Unit 4, PTA Teacher Appreciation Letter
District News
Mental Health Month Tools2Thrive: Awareness and Allyship
The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In particular, May 7 is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. We recognize this by wearing a lime green ribbon in support of those experiencing a mental health condition or challenge.
While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. The good news is there are practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency - and there are ways that everyone can be supportive of friends, family, and co-workers who are struggling with life’s challenges or their mental health.
This month, MVWSD is highlighting #Tools2Thrive and encouraging students to #ExpressYourself. #Tools2Thrive are the things that individuals can do daily to prioritize their mental health, build resiliency in the face of trauma and obstacles, support those who are struggling, and work towards a path of recovery. Topics that can help you build your own set of #Tools2Thrive include recognizing and owning your feelings; finding the positive after loss; connecting with others; eliminating toxic influences; creating healthy routines; and supporting others - all as ways to boost the mental health and general wellness of you and your loved ones. Student empowerment to seek help and support others is how to #ExpressYourself
Pledge to be StigmaFree on FlipGrid
Just as we do in our equity and anti-racist work, the easiest and most meaningful efforts are with standing alongside those individuals experiencing mental health conditions or challenges. This week we begin our direct efforts in pledging to be StigmaFree. Join us in recording yourself, your family or a group in pledging to be StigmaFree on FlipGrid. https://flipgrid.com/b2c2849e
Here is your StigmaFree script:
"I Pledge to:
Educate myself about mental health and wellness facts.
Reject stigmatizing mental health stereotypes by changing how I speak about others.
Suspend judgment by using person-first language.
I will learn about an individual before prejudging their behavior.
Avoid language that puts someone down because of differences such as mental health conditions.
Talk about what I have learned.
Together we can be #stigmafree"
We look forward to seeing everyone’s support of Mental Health Awareness Month with a green ribbon, participation on FlipGrid, or exercising your #Tools2Thrive #ExpressYourself and pledge to be #StigmaFree.
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.
Parent University: Preparing for Middle School
Date: April 28th Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/XWF1A
Come and learn more on how to support your students as they transition to middle school. We will feature a panel of counselors, teachers and middle school students to answer questions and provide information about middle school.
To submit questions prior to the event, please click here. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
In case you missed it: Courageous Conversations about Equity, Anti-Asian Racism and the Model Minority Myth recording available
Last week, Better Together MVWSD hosted The Talk: Courageous Conversations about Equity, Anti-Asian Racism and the Model Minority Myth, a panel discussion with Asian American leaders in our community. Thank you to our incredible panelists for sharing their experiences and perspectives! A recording of this event can be found at: https://vimeo.com/540234012. (Spanish subtitles are available.) Check out https://mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD for videos of past events and our monthly infographics.
Better Together: Strengthening Communities
This month’s Better Together focus is on civic engagement and getting involved in the community. Please see the attached or https://www.mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD for the infographic, which features activities for the family, engaging books about activism for students, and more!
Join the MVEF Board and make a difference!
MVEF is looking for board members! With as little as 5 hours a month, you can support a well-rounded education (arts, science, wellness) for all students in the district. MVEF needs your voice and opinions for living our vision, from promoting MVEF at back to school night, to crafting a survey for our donors. Attend our next meeting or email contact@mvef.org to learn more.
May CAC Meeting
May 3, 9:30 am- General Parent/Community Meeting with Special Ed. Directors & Staff, Zoom at 9:10 am for LCC and 9:30 am for CAC. We will be voting on officers for next year, discussing the SELPA Local Plan and planning for next years events and programs. 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
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!