December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

 

 Principal's Message

Dear Cheetah Community,


Improved Attendance - Keep it up!!

Hello families! Last year as a school we had low attendance rates with an average of 91.9%. I am happy to report that our numbers are going up for the attendance rate (94%) which means that you are doing your part to help your child succeed! Great job getting them to school on time everyday! Don’t stop here though! We have a goal of 97% attendance by the end of the year. I know you can do it! Reach out to Lisset, our community engagement facilitator, if you need any support. She is here to help! [email protected]

On this note, as the winter holidays approach, we want to remind you that students will continue important lessons and it is important that they attend school each day so they don’t miss out. This is also an exciting time with school performances and other fun activities that you don’t want your child to miss out on. Make sure that they are at school every day so they can take part.

Thinking ahead… 

We know many families enjoy traveling during the holiday break. As a reminder, the winter break is December 23- January 8. Please ensure you do not take your child out of school before that time. Please ensure they are back at school on Tuesday, January 9. 


Conferences & Lost and Found

Again, if you have not signed up for conferences, please school the school news section below. Partnership with all families is our goal. Join us this week to learn more about your child's success and future goals!

Please also take this opportunity to walk by the lost and found and collect any items that might be yours! All items will be donated after this week. 


Books Inc. - Wednesday, Dec. 6th 5-8pm (Book reading by Mrs. Lyons!)

Our wonderful librarian, Heidi Baikie and PTA have set up a book fundraiser in downtown Mountain View on Wednesday (today!). You can come and buy some books as holiday presents. I will also be there right at the beginning to read a story to students who come! I can’t wait to see you there!


Drop Off/ Pick Up Loading Zone

We are having an issue with parents parking in the yellow lined “loading zone” on the side of school and in front of school. A loading zone is where parents stay in the car and your child exits the car independently or at the end of the day, your child is brought to your car \while you remain in the car. If you would like to walk your child to the gate or pick your child up from the gate, please find a parking spot that is not located in the two loading zones so other families can quickly pick up or drop off their child. This is to make sure all students are able to enter and exit school safely. Thank you for reflecting on our school safety practices! 


Warm Regards,

Danielle Lyons

 
 Important Dates

 

  • Wednesday, December 6th- Books Inc Fundraiser- 5:00-8:00pm (317 Castro St)

  • Thursday, December 7th- MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting 6-10pm (Zoom) 

  • Thursday, December 14th- Prepare for ELAC Testing 6:00pm (Zoom)

  • Friday, December 15th- Winter Wonderland 5:00-6:30pm- (Front Parking Lot)

  • Monday, December 25th- December 31st- Holiday Break- No School

  • Monday , January 1-5- Holiday Break- No School

  • Monday, January 8th- Teacher Service Day- No School

  • Tuesday, January 9th- Students Return!

  • Wednesday, January 10th- Theuerkauf School Info Night 6:30-7:30pm (Zoom)

  • Thursday, January 11th- MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting 6:00-10:00pm (Zoom)

  • Monday, January 15th- Martin Luther King Jr Day- No School

  • Tuesday, January 16th- Multicultural Potluck 5:00-6:30pm

  • Thursday, January 18th- Transitional Kindergarten Info Meeting 6:30-7:30pm (Zoom)

  • Tuesday, January 23rd- PTA Association Meeting 6:30pm (Zoom) 

  • Wednesday, January 24th - Reading Sleepover Party! 5-6pm (TK-2), 6-7pm (3rd-5th)

    • Parents please join for learning about reading/writing while students attend their sleepover party! 

  • Thursday, January 25- MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting 6:00-10:00pm (Zoom)

 
 School News

 

Attendance

Please call the 24hour automated Attendance Line at 650-903-6925, X4680 or email  [email protected]  to report an absence or late arrival.  Provide the following information: date of absence, student’s name, grade and room number, reason for absence, name and relationship of the person reporting the absence. After reporting a COVID positive absence on the attendance line or by email click here to fill out the COVID reporting form. When you have a doctor or dentist appointment, please bring your note so the tardiness or absent will be excused. If we do not hear from you within 72 hours, the absence will be marked as unexcused. Please let us know how we can support your student. Thank you

 

Reminder - Conferences, Time to Sign Up!

The link below has the teacher sign up pages for conferences December 4th-8th. Find your teacher and click on their link to make your appointment. We strongly encourage you to come to school for an in-person conference. However, our main goal is that ALL families meet with their child’s teacher, so if it works best for your schedule to have your conference on zoom, that is available as well! Please make sure to show up on time. Again, our goal is for all families to connect with their child’s teacher so we can all support each cheetah to make the most growth possible this school year! You are one of the most important teachers in your child’s life. Let us partner together and help you learn even more about your child as a student. 

Conference Sign Up Links by Teacher 


Parent University - Effective Communication  Parent U 11/27/23 (Spanish)

If you missed our Parent University here is the slide deck. We had a teacher panel talk about effective communication and also gave some suggestions of what to do before the conference, during the conference and after the conference. There are also some suggestions for questions you could ask your teacher! 

 

Gate Locking Communication

For student and staff safety, it's very important for our school to limit points of entry during school hours. As you know, we have been working on enabling the locks on our field gates during the school day. Beginning Nov. 27, the field gates will be locked from the outside shortly after the last morning bell rings. It is very important that we eliminate tardiness so students get the education they deserve right from the first bell. However, if they are tardy, please have them go in through the front office and pick up a tardy slip from Ms. Gaby or Ms. Sherri. If there is anything we can do to support on time arrival for school. Please reach out. Parents will be able access school field gates for student pick up when the dismissal bell rings. The public will continue to have access to school fields on weekends and on weekday evenings after 4 p.m. at elementary schools and after 5 p.m. at middle schools.  If the gates malfunction after hours, you can call (650) 526-3248 x1004. Thank you for supporting our safety procedures.

 

 

Cool Cat Winners going above and beyond to show or give responsibility for Nov. 30th

Chloe B.             Rm 13

Isabella C.          Rm 14

Dayana A.          Rm 14

Messiah R.         Rm 15

Axel O.               Rm 15

Darlin M.             Rm 16

Evan M.               Rm 7

Hanna V.             Rm 6

Joshua V.            Rm 9

Xavier O.             Rm 8

Sabra E.              Rm 17

Veda T.                Rm 18

Jeny S.                Rm 20

Roxanne R.         Rm 19

Afie D.                  Rm 22

Diana L.               Rm 21

Congratulations to all the winners!

 
 District News

The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6:00 p.m.

Some of the topics include:

  • Board Policy: Use of School Facilities

  • Approval of Joint Use Agreement with the City of Mountain View

  • Reimagining Castro Elementary Plan Scope 

  • Equity Scorecard: Pilot and Future Use 

For meeting details and agenda, please click here: https://www.mvwsd.org/trustees.

Superintendent's Community Check In on Friday, Dec. 8

Please join us for our Community Check-In with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, Dec. 8 at 3:30 p.m. Bring your questions. Spanish interpretation will be provided. Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/CC128

 

Open Enrollment for 2024-25 starts in January

In January, the Mountain View Whisman School District will be opening student enrollment for next fall.

For CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents will be asked by email to confirm enrollment from January 22 to February 9.

For families enrolling NEW students: Please check www.mvwsd.org/register for details about virtual school information meetings held in January (http://mvw.sd/meetings), how to locate your neighborhood school, how to explore school options and the four steps to register during the enrollment period held January 22 to February 9.

MVEF Update: Save us a Call

The amount donated to MVEF so far this year is slightly less than in previous years. MVEF volunteers will soon be reaching out directly to inform our community about the need for donations each year. You can save us a call by donating today! Visit mvef.org/donate today!

This year, community donations to MVEF are providing:

  • More than 8,500 Art4Schools lessons in 130 TK-5th Grade classrooms.

  • Over 17,000 Music4Schools lessons in 170 TK-5th Grade Classrooms. 

  • Over 500 Living Classroom lessons for all students in TK-6th grade.

  • Environmental Science lessons and field trips for all 4th and 5th graders.

  • Additional English Language Arts teachers to reduce the average class size in grades 6-8.

  • Supplemental funding for Performing Arts, Music, and Athletics Teams in grades 6-8.

When we achieve our fundraising goals, we can do even more for our students!


December CAC and LCC Events 

SELPA 1 CAC and the Learning Challenge Committee are your groups for special education and broader learning challenge needs. If you have questions about learning challenges and special education needs, email [email protected] or check outwww.selpa1cac.org

We encourage families to learn about the sensory needs all children: Try a Sensory Diet


Parent Chat

December 12, 10 am                 

Are you concerned about the emotional well-being of your child?  Peer to peer support for parents of teens with mental health challenges. Every second Tuesday of the month at 10 am on Google Meet. Meeting is for 1 hour only due to Google Meet limitations. Contact [email protected] for invite.


What’s in an IEP? Advocating for your child

Presented by Gabriela Torres, Managing Attorney and Leah Kang, Senior Attorney

Fri, Jan 19, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm , Register to get your Zoom link

Join Palo Alto CAC and Disability Rights California virtually to learn what is Specially Designed Instruction and how the use of Supplementary Aids and Services can help children with disabilities achieve their education satisfactorily in the general educational environment according to LRE provision of IDEA. Flyer Questions? [email protected]


The View Teen Center: December 

The View Teen Center is a free facility in Mountain View (263 Escuela Ave) for all Mountain View and Los Altos 6th - 12th grade students. Drop-in hours are Monday - Friday, 3:15 - 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 1 - 6 p.m. (on no school days or minimum days, The View Teen Center is open 1-6 p.m.), and the center features a game room, makerspace, kitchen, computer/study room, outdoor area, and much more! See attached flyer for details about upcoming events and programs in December or visit their webpage for more information.


Letters to Santa 

This holiday season, all children who are residents of Mountain View can put together their wish lists and letters and send them to Santa! In return, Santa will mail a letter back! Letters will be accepted until Friday, Dec. 8. There are two ways for Santa to receive letters: 1) Drop off in Santa’s mailbox located at the Mountain View Community Center (201 S. Rengstorff Avenue) or 2) Mail letter to: City of Mountain View Recreation Division c/o Santa Claus P.O. box 7540, Mountain View, CA 94039. Don’t forget to include a return address! For more information, contact [email protected].


MV Public Library: Parenting Program 

Join the MV Public Library for a book club discussion of Never Enough by Jennifer Wallace on Wednesday, January 17 on Zoom from 12:00pm - 1:00pm or in person from 7:30pm - 8:30pm. Read the book or listen to interviews with the author. Then join either meeting to discuss the effects of achievement culture on youth and ways to help teens feel that they matter and are valued. Registration is required

 
 PTA News

 

Books Inc Fundraiser - December 6, 2023

Save the date – Dec 6th 5-8 pm! Our annual library fundraiser is coming your way soon!  You can shop for books at Books Inc downtown on Castro Street and support Theuerkauf’s library at the same time.  We’ll have special readings by Principal Lyons at 5:15 and Ms. Baikie at 5:45 pm. 

 

No Chess Club This Week (Dec 8th)
Due to the minimal day, there will be no chess club this week.  See you next week!

Snacks for Teachers

PTA is setting up a snack table in the Staff Room to help teachers and staff have a pick-me-up in their long days and as a small sign of our gratitude for all of the effort they put in this week. If you would like to contribute items, please drop them off in the front office any day this week. Please choose items that are easy for "grab-and go" and can sit out on the table or in the PTA fridge (e.g. individual yogurt drinks). 

MVEF Donations

Please consider donating during the month of December to MVEF (the organization that pays for art teachers, music teachers, living classroom, and so much more!).  During December there is a special dollar-for-dollar matching!  Details are in the flyer.  Thank you for considering!!

https://www.mvef.org/donate

 

Winter Wonderland - December 15th

Come out with your family and enjoy food and festivities at our first ever Theuerkauf Winter Wonderland event on Dec 15th.  We are also looking for families to decorate their cars and be a part of the fun – sign up below: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0ygt8Hd6Z2axe2_Mg1mbwFRi-p8gmoT4Hgz01-rF8vHYkQw/viewform

 
 Flyers
 
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