Oct. 15, 2021

October 15, 2021



From the Principal's Desk

Warm greetings, Cheetah Families!

The fresh, crisp coolness in the air these days reminds me of so many things--football games, childhood memories, and of course oh so many holidays and celebrations that are just around the corner! I know that this time of year also means many things to everyone throughout our learning community. Theuerkauf is home to students who speak over 28 languages, and we come together from so many unique traditions to form a beautiful tapestry. You will notice in the coming weeks and months that our students are learning more about one another and the ways in which we connect and celebrate, and this is all centered around our core values of respect for and responsibility to one another. We love our cheetahs!

As promised in last week's Cheetah Chatter, we will be electing 5 parents to our School Site Council this week. Please click here to vote electronically, or stop by the office of the school to complete a quick paper ballot. It is very important that everyone has a chance to weigh in on the constitution of this group of decision makers on our campus. The elected members will be announced next Tuesday, October 19th. Thanks in advance for your support!

 

Together, we make a difference!

 

Yours in service,

Michelle Williams, Principal


Important Dates

Monday, October 18- Picture retakes

Tuesday, October 19- SSC Meeting 5-6pm (Zoom)

Wednesday, October 27- Principal’s Coffee 5-6pm (Zoom)

Friday, October 29- ELAC Meeting 9-10am (Zoom)

Friday, November 5- End of 1st Trimester- Minimum Day

Wednesday, November 10- SSC Meeting 5-6pm (Zoom)

Thursday, November 11- Veterans Day- No School

Wednesday, November 17- Principal’s Coffee 5-6pm (Zoom)

November 22-26- Thanksgiving Recess- No School 

***Wednesdays Open Office Hours with the Principal 4:00-5:00pm this link***



School News

Picture Day Retakes

Picture Retake day is coming on Monday, October 18, 2021.  If you want your student’s  picture retaken, simply return your original package with your child on Picture Retake Day.  Be sure to remind your student to let their teacher know that they are requesting a retake.  Also, those students who were absent on picture day back in September will have their pictures taken on October 18th as well. An adult will escort those students from their classroom to the MUR where the photographer will be set up.

 

SSC Voting - Open through 11:59pm on 10/18

As mentioned in the greeting above, we would invite you to please vote for this year's SSC nominees either through online voting here or by completing a quick ballot at our school's office. We hope to hear from everyone! If you would like to read more about the School Site Council, please click here or here.

 

A Word from MVEF!

At Theuerkauf, Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF) funds art, music and Living Classroom and environmental lessons for your child.  MVEF also provides art and STEAM room supplies, repairs and replaces musical instruments and helps support training for STEAM teachers.   Every year the foundation aims to raise $800,000 to fund these enriching classes, and this year they hope to raise an additional $300,000 with the goal of hiring more middle school language arts teachers. Please see the website at https://www.mvef.org/ for more information and to donate online. You can also use your credit card to pay in monthly installments. 

 

Fall Costumes on 10/29

On October 29th, in celebration of many fall cultural traditions, students are welcome to wear a costume that celebrates a personal tradition or fall. Students must follow our school dress code, and costumes cannot display blood/gore or other implements that may scare other children. Additionally, costume masks and face paint are not permitted. We also welcome you to send in a picture or two of your child for a special virtual parade through a slideshow/video. Please email any pictures to [email protected].

 

COVID Testing Update

Our first on-site pooled testing event with our Concentric nurses went very well on Wednesday! 7 classes were tested, and all of the students did so well! We were impressed both by their levels of maturity and their happy demeanors. Next week, we will begin testing all classes. Students who do not have consent on file with us will not be tested. 

 

FAQ: What happens if a pool ends up having a positive result?

  • Students tested on campus: All students who were part of the positive pool will be retested by Concentric nurses later in the week with rapid antigen tests, allowing us to clear pooled testing students quickly.

  • Students who were not tested on campus: The students in a class within the positive pool who were not tested as part of the pool would be sent home from school once positive results are received. Parents of these students would then be responsible for having their students tested outside of school and submitting results before returning to campus. Students can come back to school after submitting the results of their Day 1 test.  Parents must also submit proof of their Day 5 test and the results. Students must also quarantine their students from all other activities for up to 10 days (this includes any after school programs or sports). If the Day 5 test is negative, the student may return to after school activities on Day 8. Families who do not send in COVID testing results for their student will need to quarantine at home for 10 days.

If you would like to update your consent to have your child COVID tested at school, please send an email to our Secretary, Mary Colon, at [email protected].

PTA News

This year we are having an Activity-a-thon from October 22nd to 29th!

Find more information in the Activity-a-thon envelope that was sent home last week. And get ready for fun activities in our community! 

Sign up directly via WalkStarter, where you can also create a fun avatar for your child at https://theuerkaufpta.walkstarter.org/

 

‘Donut’ miss the Krispy Kreme fundraiser this month. 

Look inside your Activity-a-thon envelope for more information and the order form. Or if you choose to order online, you can easily do so here: https://tinyurl.com/theuerkaufdonuts

 

Look out for the PTA Table on Thursday October 28th 

The PTA will be there when school ends on Thursday October 28th to take your gear orders and answer questions on any of our upcoming activities. This will also be your last chance to participate in the drawing of a basket with everything you need for an "Ice Cream Party". 

District News

Cafecito con el Superintendente

Wednesday, October 20, 2021⋅5:30 – 6:30pm

This is an informal meeting for Spanish-speaking parents. Translation will be provided. Please register in advance for this meeting by clicking here: http://mvw.sd/cafe10-20-21

 

Parent University: Supporting Literacy Grades 3-8

Date: October 27, 2021 Time: 5:30-7:00pm 

Registration Link: mvw.sd/pu102721

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body” - Joseph Addison. 

Join Instructional Coaches Melanie Stanley, and Katie Stern share creative tips and strategies to better support your child in their literacy skills. By supporting your child’s literacy you can take part in developing their reading ability, comprehension, and language skills.  To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your question during the session.

Note: While this presentation is tailored towards families with children in third grade and above, all are welcome. If you’d like to see a presentation that is aimed more toward families with younger students, check out the recording of last year’s literacy-focused Parent University event.

 

Better Together: Seeking Multiple Perspectives

The focus of October’s Better Together infographic is “Seeking Multiple Perspectives.” When individuals examine issues from a different point of view, they are able to think more critically and question dominant beliefs. Please see the graphics attached to this newsletter, or visit https://www.mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD.

 

Health and Wellness: Parenting Series

It is natural for us to pay attention to behaviors that are irritating, worrisome, or make us want to disappear from embarrassment. Usually, when our child is calm, quiet, and self-entertained, we breathe a sigh of relief. However, this inadvertently teaches our child that they can get our attention by being disruptive. The good news is that we can reverse this pattern by paying attention to our child’s positive behaviors.

 

To praise positive behaviors:

Try praising something positive that your child is doing each morning and evening (for example, “Good job sharing with your sibling”). We are used to noticing disruptive behaviors, so praising your child’s positive behaviors will take some practice and patience – but will ultimately benefit both you and your child.

This tip came directly from the free, online Everyday Parenting program created by parenting expert, Dr. Kazdin.

To learn more parenting tips click here

 

MVEF Relies on Parents Like You!

Please donate to MVEF to help us reach our annual $800,000 fundraising goal and raise an additional $300,000 to fund two ELA teachers to reduce class sizes at the middle schools in 2022-23. Please see the website at mvef.org for more information and to donate online. You can use your credit card to pay in monthly installments.  

 

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 University of Massachusetts Global.

What: Parent Education Event and Discussion

When: Tuesday, October 19, 7-8:30 PM

Where: On Zoom, email [email protected] for link

 

Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Session - Thursday, October 14th

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, October 14th

Time:             5:30 - 6:30 pm

Location:       Online via Zoom (URL provided upon registration)

Register:       REGISTER ONLINE

Questions:    programs@mentortutorconnection.org

Information:  MentorTutorConnection.org

 

MVLA Speaker Series with Dr. Michael Bradley 

The MVLA Speaker Series continues on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 7:00pm. Join us for an evening with clinical psychologist and author of Yes,Your Teen Is Crazy! Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your Mind, Dr. Michael J. Bradley. Dr. Bradley’s respect-based philosophy is at the heart of the presentations he has given to thousands of parents who are seeking ways to communicate with their adolescent children. He takes you inside your teenager’s head and shows you why teens think and behave the way they do, and gives parents real-world advice, strategies, and methods to use. Register at: https://eventbrite.com/e/michael-bradley-yes-your-teen-is-crazy-registration-167808157717

 

Eviction Help Center at MV Public Library 

The City of Mountain View hosts a help center at the MV Public Library with city staff, CSA, and Project Sentinel to provide residents with rent assistance, eviction help, legal resources, and other support services. There are multiple representatives that speak Spanish. The help center is available every Thursday from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Mountain View Public Library on the 2nd Floor, Room 205. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit mountainview.gov/COVID19HousingRelief

Attachments

October Equity Calendar 

Smart EP Goals 

MVLA Speaker Series 

Eviction Help Center 

Picture Retakes 

 


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