Aug. 27, 2021


From the Principal's Desk

Hello, Theuerkauf families!

This week, students and teachers dove deeper into academic work, starting with students attending RTI and STEAM. RTI, or Response to Instruction, is a time during the day when our teachers meet with small groups of students to meet their personalized academic needs. During RTI time, the teacher sends the remaining students to our STEAM teacher, Ms. O'Brien. This means that all of our students are now receiving STEAM instruction on a rotating basis from Ms. O'Brien while each homeroom teacher spends time with small groups, providing targeted and specialized instruction. 

At our staff meeting on Wednesday, our teachers spent some time reviewing iReady assessment results to refine groups and set future learning targets for students based on our most current data. In analyzing and comparing where students ended the year in May with how they are performing this year, teachers are able to better target students' learning needs. After reviewing your child's iReady report, please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have questions about the data you are seeing.

Additionally, I'd like to let you know that a Theuerkauf-specific COVID safety plan will be shared with you today. Please read through this plan, and reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We will have the chance to discuss this together at the next principal's coffee.

As always, thank you for your partnership! Please join me on Wednesdays from 4-5pm for open office hours via Zoom beginning next week if you would like to discuss anything that is on your mind.

 

Together, we make a difference!

Yours in service,

Michelle Williams, Principal

Important Dates

Tuesday, August 31, 5-6pm - Coffee with the principal (Zoom)

Wednesday, September 1, 5-6pm - Open Office hours with the principal (Zoom)

Wednesday, September 1, 6-7pm - School Site Council (SSC) meeting (Zoom)

Thursday, September 2 - School Pictures

Friday, September 3 - Summer Reading Challenge Celebration

Friday, September 3 - Cheetah Paw Print Exhibition (exterior windows)

Wednesday, September 8, 6-7pm - Cafecito with the Superintendent (Zoom)

Friday, September 10, 9-10am - ELAC Meeting (Zoom)


School News

Please review these important reminders, also posted last week. 

Cheetah Values

At Theuerkauf, we live and work by 5 core values: Integrity, respect, responsibility, courage, and perseverance. Every one of our students received some amazing lessons over the past two weeks regarding these values, and we would like to also partner with you, parents, on modeling these values with our students, especially at drop off and pick-up times. Here are a few very important reminders and requests regarding these times. 

  • Choose Integrity: For the safety of all students and staff, we are asking that anyone who comes to our campus wears a mask. This includes both drop off and pick up times. If you are walking or biking to campus, we are asking that you please put your mask on before approaching the parking lot. Additionally, if your child is experiencing a cough or any of the symptoms on the OK to Reopen form, it is extremely important that you share this with us.

  • Let Respect Guide Us: Please treat our staff and volunteers with respect as we direct traffic and support kids in the mornings and afternoons. To help with traffic flow, please watch for our morning and afternoon duty for direction. Please do not leave your vehicle in the drive thru lanes. Additionally, please use the crosswalk when crossing the street, and please do not park illegally, even for a few seconds. You can use our horseshoe driveways in the parking lots to drop off your child. If you need to park, however, please choose a parking spot rather than parking in the driveway or in a yellow or red zone. 

  • Responsibility is key: The school day begins promptly at 8:15AM. You can begin dropping off at 8:00AM. If you arrive after 8:15AM, please only enter campus through the front office. You can refer to our daily schedule for the pickup times for your child's grade level. Please make sure that you pick up your child within 10 minutes of dismissal. To support quick exit from vehicles, please prepare all of your child’s materials so that they have easy access when exiting their vehicle. For example, get in the habit of having your child put on a mask as they approach the parking lot. Make sure your child’s backpack is packed (including a water bottle) BEFORE leaving for school. Also, please remember the OK to Reopen screener needs to be completed first thing in the morning BEFORE children come on campus. This is so important for everyone's safety on campus. 

  • Hold on to courage and persevere, above all else! We are still experiencing a global pandemic. At times, we are all feeling stressed, annoyed, worried, and frustrated. That said, we must all remember to act out of courage and kindness instead of fear, and we must never give up on our students or one another. We are all adapting and adjusting as best we can to our new normal. Please remember to be patient and flexible as we make changes, but continue to reach out to me if you have ideas or suggestions for improving our practices. We are always looking to become our next best selves, and it takes input and support from the entire community to make this happen. 

 

Thank you for all that you do to prepare your child for school each day! We are one Theuerkauf family, and we will continue to prepare our children to become the leaders and changemakers that our world so desperately needs. 

 

Medication Form: If your child requires medication to be kept at school, please pick up medication release forms from the office during our first week of school and return ASAP (we cannot administer any medication without the form).  Please note that all medication, even over the counter ones, need a medication form signed by your doctor.   

 

OktoReopen Health Screener: The screener needs to be completed first thing in the morning BEFORE children come on campus. Since it is so important for everyone's safety on campus.

Within the OK to reopen platform, parents can adjust the settings to receive text or email only. Additionally, questions can be answered for more than one child within the same window, using the drop-down menu at the top right. It is not necessary to download an OKtoReopen app. P

Reporting an Absence: School starts at 8:15am and attendance will be taken during class check-in.  If your child is absent, please call the attendance line at 650-903-6925 #2 by 8:30am or email [email protected]. If we do not know the reason for the absence, your child will be marked unexcused.  If you are late or you have a dentist or doctor’s appointment during class time, please call Mrs. Colon.

 

Masking: All students and staff are required to wear masks while on campus. This includes both indoor and outdoor areas. Our staff has masks for students who forget them.  Mask breaks will be provided on an as needed basis. Please ensure your child knows how to properly wear a face mask. 

 

Handwashing: Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect germs from entering our bodies. Students will be expected to wash hands before and after eating, after using the restroom, and when sharing common materials. For information on correctly washing hands, please click here to watch a video on effective handwashing protocols. In cases where handwashing is not available, students can use hand sanitizer.  Please practice washing hands with your child prior to the start of school. 

 

Free Snack and Lunch: School meals are free.  MVWSD will continue to provide free meals to all students in the 2021-22 school year. Breakfast and lunches are available daily.  Menus and nutritional analysis can be found on https://www.mvwsd.org/nutrition. There will be a vegetarian option each day. Gluten free lunches are not available. Students may bring their own self-contained lunches if desired. 

 

Apply at EzSchool Meals to help MVWSD receive additional funding to support students who are in need, and may help your family. This Free and Reduced Price Meals benefit is not limited to meals only. If your child is eligible for free and/or reduced-price meals, your family could get medical benefits, housing benefits, utilities benefits and more. Students who qualify for free and/or reduced-price meals may be eligible for P-EBT cards. The more applications your school gathers at the start of each school year, the more additional funding it can receive for all kinds of programs that help children at your school. If you are currently out of work, you may qualify and help your school, regardless of your financial situation. Apply at https://secure.ezmealapp.com/.

If you need help, our office staff is available to help you.  

PTA News

Welcome back Cheetah Community!

Konstella

This year, we are trying a new tool for helping teachers and families to connect about special events and to organize class- wide activities. It is called Konstella. In the past much of that communication happened in person with a quick chat, but with the continued safety procedures, Konstella will be our "quick chat" moving forward. Thanks for signing up and making this school year a special one for the kids! https://www.konstella.com/cd/VUATEB Please note that any communication with your child's teacher should remain through district email.

 

Help your child's class compete in the PTA class membership challenge! Whichever class has the highest participation rate by September 3 will get a special snack cart before recess. You can find the membership form in your child’s Cheetah Folder or at www.tinyurl.com/THPTAconnect 

District News

Special Board Meeting: August 26

The Board of Trustees held a special meeting on Thursday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. The Board discussed air quality guidelines as well as COVID safety and testing protocol. For agendas and meeting information: http://mvw.sd/agenda. The meeting is also streamed on https://www.youtube.com/mvwsd.

 

COVID Safety:

We have been working hard to address the details of student and staff COVID testing and quarantine procedures. While we are still working out some of the details, please visit this webpage for the latest information on quarantines and testing. For all of our COVID resources, please visit mvwsd.org/returntolearn.

 

Air Quality:

The 2021 wildfire season is upon us; a situation that we are all too familiar with, unfortunately. This year with COVID, the impact of poor air quality is even greater.  While we understand that there are multiple online tools to measure air quality (Breezo, Purple Air, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, etc.), MVWSD uses the EPA’s AQI monitoring tools at AirNow.gov. Please click here to learn more: mvwsd.org 

 

Superintendent's Community Check In on Friday

Please join us for our Community Check-In with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, Aug. 27 at 3:30 p.m. Bring your questions. Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/a714Q

 

Parent University: Mental Health: Care and Support

Date: September 1, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.  Registration Link: mvw.sd/pu090121

Join us to learn about mental health care and support. We will share a wide range of information from basic wellness to seeking mental health treatment.  Presenters include representatives from MVWSD, Santa Clara County Behavioral Health, and local agencies or organizations. 

To submit questions prior to the event, please click here. We will do our best to address your question during the session.

 

Parent University MVWSD Orientation: Recording Available

In case you missed it, Parent University’s first event, "MVWSD District Orientation: What you need to know to be informed and connected this school year," is available for viewing. This talk covered resources available to families through the district and your individual school. Recordings are here: https://vimeo.com/588962500 (English) and https://vimeo.com/589005046 (Spanish). For a list of this year’s Parent U dates and past recordings, head to mvwsd.org/parentu.

 

Positions available with MVWSD: apply today!

Want to make a difference in the lives of students and their families? MVWSD is looking for talented individuals to join our team! See below for available positions and application links:

Instructional assistants: http://mvw.sd/AiVGD

At Risk Supervisors: http://mvw.sd/XCMHv

Substitutes for clerical staff: http://mvw.sd/ZC4Sv

Food Service: http://mvw.sd/YIW55

 

District seeking Parcel Tax Oversight Committee (PTOC) member

MVWSD is seeking a Parcel Tax Oversight Committee (PTOC) member. Selected representatives monitor, provide oversight, and ensure accountability to the funds received by the District, including an annual report to the Board regarding the actual uses of such funds. The PTOC is composed of representatives from the local community, including the business community, District homeowners, parents or guardians of a student in the District, or the community at large.

Applications are available for download at http://mvw.sd/PTOC.  Applications can be mailed to: Mountain View Whisman School District, Attn: Dr. Rebecca Westover, Chief Business Officer, 1400 Montecito Ave., Mountain View 94043, faxed to 650-964-8907 or emailed to [email protected].


Apply at EzSchool Meals to help MVWSD and qualify for benefits 

Please apply, whether you need it or not. It helps your school get more money for student programs!

Apply at EzSchool Meals to help MVWSD receive additional funding to support students who are in need, and may help your family. This Free and Reduced Price Meals benefit is not limited to meals only. If your child is eligible for free and/or reduced-price meals, your family could get medical benefits, housing benefits, utilities benefits and more. Students who qualify for free and/or reduced-price meals may be eligible for P-EBT cards. The more applications your school gathers at the start of each school year, the more additional funding it can receive for all kinds of programs that help children at your school. If you are currently out of work, you may qualify and help your school, regardless of your financial situation. Apply at https://secure.ezmealapp.com/ or call your school office.

 

MVEF: Please Support Our Students!

MVEF raises money to provide all MVWSD students with an educational experience beyond what is possible with public funding.  Help us fund programming for your child and every child in the district!  We hope you saw the MVEF brochure (which doubles as a donation envelope) or watched the video during Back to School.  Please see the website at mvef.orgfor more information and to donate online.  Use your credit card to pay in monthly installments.  Please consider joining our team of volunteers. Email us with any questions at [email protected].  Thank you for your support!

 

Intro to SELPA1CAC and upcoming events

The Special Education Local Plan Area 1 Community Advisory Committee (SELPA1CAC) is made up of parent volunteers, special education staff, and community members and offers resources available to help families of students with learning challenges. Click for more information on what the SELPA1CAC provides“Let’s Talk”, an IEP/504 troubleshooting support group, and “Parent Chat,” a support group of parents of teens with mental health challenges. For more information, head to https://www.facebook.com/selpa1cac or www.selpa1cac.org.

 

Upcoming Events for the SELPA1CAC:

General CAC Parent/Community meetings

All are welcome. Monthly updates from Special Ed. Directors & Staff, to plan programs and parent education.

Aug 30th at 4pm, Oct 4th at 9am, Nov 1st at 4pm, Dec 6th at 9am, Feb 7th at 4pm, Mar 7 at 9am, May 2nd at 4pm

 

Parent Education Talks

SMART Goals – Creating and Troubleshooting IEP Goals that Work. IEP Goals are written in very specific language and it can be difficult to see how the goals relate to concrete skills and goals for your child. Learn more about SMART Goals and how they work with Professor Anne Spillane of Brandman University.

    Tuesday, October 19th at 7pm on Zoom

 

Let’s Talk, IEP/504 Support Group on Zoom

A chance to ask questions and share ideas, resources, and support with other parents of students with IEPs, 504s, learning differences, mental health challenges, etc. All are welcome; participants must respect confidentiality.

Sept 21st at 10am, Oct 13th at 7pm, Nov 16th at 10am, Dec 8th at 7pm, Jan 11th at 10am

 

Parent Chat, Support for Parents of Teens with Mental Health Challenges

Are you concerned about the emotional well-being of your child?  Peer to peer support for parents of teens with mental health challenges.

               Second Tuesday of every month, 10-11am on Google Meet

 

Volunteer Community Navigator Training with Community Services Agency (CSA) 

Interested in helping others in the community navigate the Community Services Agency’s (CSA) programs and resources? Join CSA for Volunteer Community Navigator Training on Zoom from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 16th (every 3rd Thursday of the month). Please register at 650.669.9551. For more information, contact Sandra Luna, Community Resource Coordinator, at [email protected].

 

Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Session - Thursday, September 9th

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. 

All volunteers must be high school graduates.  

    Date:                 Thursday, September 9th

    Time:                 12:00 - 1:00 pm

    Location:           Online via Zoom (URL provided upon registration)

    Register:           REGISTER ONLINE

    Questions:        programs@mentortutorconnection.org

    Information:      MentorTutorConnection.org

Attachments

EZ School Meals 

CSA Flyer (Aug) 

CSA Flyer (Sep) 

Picture Day 

 

Theuerkauf Elementary, Mountain View Whisman School District,

1625 San Luis Ave., Mountain View, CA 94043   www.mvwsd.org    650-903-6925

 
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