August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

 

 Principal's Message

Dear Cheetah Community, 

Thank you so much for joining me at PTA/Principal’s Coffee last Friday! It felt so good to be back and partnering with you all! I want to give an extra thank you to all of our special guests who attended and are also here to support Theuerkauf! 

Thank you to:

Priscila Bogdanic (District School and Community Engagement Facilitator - [email protected]

Lisset Tellez Garduno (Theuerkauf School and Community Engagement Facilitator) - [email protected] 

Heidi Baikie (Theuerkauf Librarian and Sustainability Lead) - [email protected] 

Guiuliana (Julie) Leopold (School Resource Officer)  - Contact MVWSD PD or email [email protected] 

PTA! Co-Presidents Joie Pascual and Linda Santiago - [email protected] & PTA Website for more information!

 

Back To School Night (BTSN) - Tonight! 8/27/25 (5:30-6:15, 6:30-7:15)

You are cordially invited to our annual Back to School Night on Wednesday, August 27th. This is one of the most important nights of the year for adults, so please try to clear your calendar!  We will have two sessions to accommodate families with multiple children and allow them the opportunity to visit more than one classroom that night. Session one will be from 5:30-6:15pm. and session two will be from 6:30-7:15 p.m. BTSN is an important opportunity for families to learn about their children’s classrooms, grade level programming, and general expectations. Some babysitting will be available. Please read below in the PTA section for more information on childcare. I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, August 27th!

 

iReady Diagnostic 1 Results available in powerschool on 9/8

You child’s diagnostic results (K-5th) will be available in PowerSchool on 9/8. We are already using this important baseline data to make instructional decisions to target your child’s next steps in their learning journey! The next diagnostic will take place during the first week of December. The final diagnostic of the year will be at the end of May. 

 

Join English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)!

Are you a parent of an English Language Learner? We want to hear your perspective and collaborative ideas! Come to our first ELAC meeting on Zoom, Friday, September 12th from 9-10:30am. Zoom Link 

 

Congratulations to our newest English Proficient Learners! 

We are so proud of our Cheetahs who are now proficient in two or more languages! 

 

I look forward to seeing you later tonight! 

Go Cheetahs!
In partnership,

Principal Danielle Lyons 

 
 Important Dates

 

Wednesday, August 27~ Back to School Night (2 sessions - 5:30-6:15pm, 6:30-7:15pm)

Wednesday, August 27~ Minimum Day - Dismissal 12:10pm

Monday, September 1~ Labor Day~ No School

Tuesday, September 2~ SSC Meeting 5:00-6:00pm

Monday, September 8th ~ iReady Diagnostic report available on powerschool 

Wednesday, September 10~ Picture Day

Thursday, September 11~ Library Bookmobile 12:00pm

Friday, September 19~ PTA/Principal’s Coffee 8:15-9:00am by the flagpole

Tuesday, September 23~ PTA Meeting 6:30-7:30 pm

Thursday, October 2~ Library Bookmobile 12:00pm

Thursday, October 9- Teacher Service Day_ No School

Friday, October 10- Recess Day- No School

Monday, October 13-17- Conference Week- Minimum Days, Dismissal 12:10pm

 
 School News

 

Stevenson/Theuerkauf - Kassirer Sports

Come play soccer, basketball, & tennis with Kassirer Sports this Friday, 8/29!

Kassirer Sports will be offering after-school sports classes for grades TK/K this fall, beginning 9/02. All TK/K students are invited to join this Friday and try the sports at no cost to you from 1:40PM – 2:40PM @ Stevenson Elementary. Meet some coaches and get a feel for what the classes will be like. Theuerkauf parents should walk their children over to join the demos after bell dismissal.

During the fall session, kids will be introduced to track/field, basketball, soccer, & tennis/pickleball. In addition to being introduced to the proper fundamentals, they will also participate in many fun group games that help build the hand-eye coordination, balance, and agility needed to play racket sports as they grow. Classes will be fun, social, and active. Coaches will emphasize teamwork, sportsmanship, persistence, cooperation, and communication. 

 

New TK/K afterschool sports program

Our school, in partnership with Kassirer Sports,  is offering a new afterschool sports program for TK and Kinder students. Please see the attached flyer or www.kassirersports.com for more information and registration. Scroll down for Stevenson / Theuerkauf

 

I am pleased to introduce you to some other teachers you may be seeing around campus! Below are welcome back letters from Mrs. Leigh Wilson (School Counselor), Mrs. Haley Burton (STEAM Teacher), and Ms. Jordan Garvey (Instructional Coach and Reading Intervention Teacher). 

 

School Counselor - Leigh Wilson

Hello Cheetah Families!

 

I’m Leigh Wilson, and I’m so happy to be returning to Theuerkauf as your school counselor! After a wonderful first year filled with connection, creativity, and community, I’m excited to build on our amazing wellness initiatives and continue fostering the relationships I’ve made with our students, staff, and families.

 

Over the summer, I traveled coast to coast- visiting family in Michigan, North Carolina, and New York City- and soaked up time with my husband, teenage kids, and dear friends. One of the biggest highlights was helping my son move into his very first apartment up at Cal Poly Humboldt- such a proud (and emotional!) moment. I also went sailing in the Bay and, believe it or not, saw whales right in front of us near Alcatraz- an unforgettable sight! I also rocked out at more concerts than I can count (music is still my happy place!), and I celebrated a milestone birthday: 50 years young and feeling energized for another great year at school!

 

With 27 years in education as a teacher, reading specialist, and now counselor, I bring a deep love for learning, laughter, and student support to all I do. Whether I’m visiting classrooms to teach social-emotional lessons, leading small groups, or welcoming kids into our Zen Den, I’m here to help every Cheetah feel seen, heard, and supported.

 

Outside of school, I’m always up for a road trip, a game of Euchre (Midwest pride!), or finding the JOY in everyday moments. Here’s to a joyful, connected, and caring year ahead. I can’t wait to continue growing with you all!

 
 
 

                                                                  Instructional Coach

 

 

 Ms. Garvey

 

Hello Theuerkauf Families,

My name is Jordan Garvey and I am the instructional coach here at Theuerkauf! This is my 8th year in education and my 5th year as part of the amazing Theuerkauf community. I taught 3rd grade for three years and this is my second year supporting teachers and students as an instructional coach.

A little about me: I love the beach, trying out new coffee shops, and spending time with my family. I grew up in Mountain View, so I love being back in the area. I’m also getting married this September, so that’s a very exciting event coming up this year! 

I feel so lucky to be a Cheetah and part of such a supportive and joyful school. I can’t wait to cheer on our students and staff for another wonderful year!

All the best,

Ms. Garvey

 

School Site Council: 

Please see the link below to provide your vote for community members of the School Site Council for Theuerkauf Elementary School. Please submit this ballot online by clicking here before 3 PM on Thursday, August 28th. 

 

School Handbook Link

 
 District News

MVWSD Fingerprinting Session for Regular Volunteers 

Thank you to the 800+ parents who completed the process to become MVWSD volunteers last year! Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are now open. Details about how and who needs to apply are here: mvwsd.org/volunteers.

We’ve been working hard to make registering to be a volunteer more convenient while keeping schools safe. As part of this effort, MVWSD is offering fingerprinting sessions for $72. Financial assistance is available for income-eligible families.

Thu, 28 Aug 2025

8 – 11am

Imai Elementary

 

Fri, 29 Aug 2025

8 – 11am

Castro Elementary

 

Wed, 3 Sep 2025

11am – 2:30pm

Crittenden Middle School

Pay by Zelle, Venmo, or by personal check on the day of service. Click here for payment links.

 

Kids in California schools still eat for free, but applying for federal Free or Reduced School Lunches can help your family and school! 

Families who meet the federal income levels to qualify for Free or Reduced School Lunches should apply now to receive priority services such as free after school childcare/Expanded Learning. Applying also helps our district receive our full entitlement from the federal government to fund programs that help all students. 

If you think you might qualify, please visit EZmealapp.com. We will have drop-in help available for filling out these applications: 

  • September 4, 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Castro Elementary School and Crittenden Middle School 

  • September 9, 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Vargas Elementary School

You may also make an appointment by contacting your school office. Thank you in advance.

 

Walden West Camper Parents: Curious about your 5th or 6th grader's upcoming science camp? 

Join Walden West for an exclusive Parent Information Session about Walden West Outdoor School! This one-hour presentation is your chance to learn all about the camp experience, ask questions, and get a closer look at what makes Walden West a unique and enriching experience for your child. What will my child learn? What should we pack? How does the camp handle safety? We'll cover these questions and more to ensure you feel confident and excited for your child's time at science camp. This session is specially designed for parents and guardians, giving you a thorough overview of what to expect. Spanish and Vietnamese translations will be available. (Note: Students will have their own pre-camp sessions at school with their teachers) Looking forward to seeing you there and sharing what makes Walden West an unforgettable experience for your child!

When: Aug 28, 2025 05:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) 

Register in advance for this webinar

The session will be recorded and sent out to your classroom teacher.

 

Looking for an afterschool program? Read on to see if your child qualifies for MVWSD+! 

A student qualifies for the free MVWSD+ afterschool program if one or both of the following conditions are true:

  • The student is an English Learner (EL). EL status is established via the results of the Initial ELPAC exam, which is being administered to certain students in August and September. Results are usually available within two weeks of the completion of testing. If you have questions about the Initial ELPAC exam, please contact Leticia Corcoran at [email protected].

  • The student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunches based on federal income guidelines. At this time, lunch for all children is free, but this may not always be the case. To fill out the application for free or reduced lunch, please go toezmealapp.com. Qualifying students’ data is collected at the state level and usually appears in the district’s data system within two weeks. If you have questions, please contact your school office.

Soon after a student’s EL or Free/Reduced Lunch Status changes to indicate he/she qualifies for MVWSD+, you will receive an email from the MVWSD+ Team inviting your child to enroll.

For questions or troubleshooting, please reach out to [email protected] or Betty Nunez at (650) 526-3500 x1061.

 

No MVWSD+ Afterschool Programs on Wednesday, August 27

Due to preparations for Elementary School Back to School Night and afterschool staff development, there will be no MVWSD+ Afterschool Programs on Wednesday, August 27 (a minimum day for students). MVWSD+ families, thank you in advance for making other arrangements. This affects all Beyond the Bell programs and the district-paid YMCA programs. Programs resume as normal on Thursday, August 28.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or call (650) 526-3500 x1061. 

 

InPlay: Afterschool activities

Looking for free, low cost and tuition-based afterschool activities for your child this year? Explore InPlay’s’ free activity guide! Sponsored by Santa Clara County and our school district, the searchable guide lists thousands of local and affordable programs so that you can find fun enrichment activities that complement your child's growth and learning in the classroom! 

 

MVEF Welcomes All Families to the 2025–26 School Year!

We hope you enjoyed BTS Nights at our elementary and middle schools. You likely heard from both your school’s PTA/PACT and MVEF leaders about the importance of family support.

Why give to both MVEF and PTA/PACT?
MVWSD is a community-funded district - most of our funding comes from local property taxes rather than the state. While this provides stability, it doesn’t cover all that our students need. That’s where family contributions make the difference.

 

PTA/PACT strengthens each individual school community with events, classroom support, and family engagement.

MVEF fills districtwide gaps by funding programs that benefit every student, at every school:

  • CSMA Art & Music classes and performances TK-5

  • Environmental Science: Living Classroom classes TK-7; 4th–5th grade field trips

  • Two middle school ELA teachers (reducing class sizes by 25%+)

  • Athletics, clubs, and instruments for grades 6–8

Together, MVEF and PTA/PACT ensure that every learner has access to a complete educational experience — in every classroom, every day.

Both organizations are 501(c)(3) nonprofits and rely on family donations (tax-deductible) and employer matches. Please consider supporting both:

  • Donate to MVEF here!

  • Find your PTA/PACT donation link here!

 
 PTA News

Join your classroom in Konstella. Join and add yourself to your student's classroom by Aug 27 and be entered in a raffle for Cheetah Gear. The class with the most Konstella members will get a reward. https://www.konstella.com/cd/VUATEB

Walkathon: This is a fun community event that is 100% staffed by volunteers so we won’t be able to do it without you! Funds raised at the Walkathon will be used to support a variety of programs and activities at Theuerkauf, including field trips, enrichment activities, classroom supplies, and library books. Thank you for your support! The classroom with the highest participation will get a class celebration. Look for the walk-a-thon packets in your child’s folder this week! Fast feet, kind hearts! Sign up here to volunteer or donate food.

After School Enrichment Programs: The Fall Schedule is now up. Check out the link below to sign up for after school programs.  https://sites.google.com/site/theuerkaufpta/after-school-enrichment

 

Theuerkauf 2025-26 Yearbooks are on sale now!

Regular price: $14.48+tax, 10% discount until October 31, 2025. Our yearbook includes 44 pages of class and school activities memories from this year, as well as 2 custom pages that you design, unique to your own yearbook. 

https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1016316858373987

Questions? Email [email protected]

*If you would like financial assistance getting a yearbook please contact our SCEF Ms. Lisset Tellez. [email protected]

**Please also consider purchasing a yearbook to donate to a family needing financial assistance.

*** OPT-OUT: If you prefer that your child NOT be pictured in the yearbook at all, please contact us at [email protected]

 
 From Our Community Partners

 

Back-to-School Safety Tips from MVPD 

As the new school year kicks off, the Mountain View Police Department (MVPD) wants to help keep students and families safe on the daily commute. Whether you’re walking, biking, driving, or otherwise, a little bit of caution can go a long way! Please take a moment to review this flyer for a few important tips on:

  • Bike Safety

  • E-Bike & E-Scooter Safety

  • Passenger Safety

  • Drop-Off & Pick-Up Tips

  • Walking Safety

Let’s work together to keep our community safe this school year! 

 

Learning Challenges events for Fall 2025   

For local coverage of issues related to learning challenges and special education, please check out the Learning Challenges Committee

 

Calm Down Kit Making Sessions 

Volunteers will make Calm Down kits for classrooms throughout Mountain View and Los Altos and learn how to make their own for their home!  Wednesday August 27 11-1, Thursday September 26 (5-7 pm), Tuesday September 30 5-7 pm. For location, contact [email protected].

 

Morning Let’s Talk Parent Support group

September 10, 10 am  on Zoom.

IEP/504 support group. Have questions about the process to get help for your child? Have an IEP but are not sure how to make changes? Need to vent? This is your confidential group. Register here.  

 

Learning Challenges Committee General Meeting

October 7, 7 pm in person (TBA) and Zoom hybrid

We will be finishing up the Wellness Wish List and will likely need a work session to finish up packing orders for delivery to classrooms! For more info, email [email protected].

 

Evening Let’s Talk Parent Support group

October 15, 7 pm  on Zoom.

IEP/504 support group. Have questions about the process to get help for your child? Have an IEP but are not sure how to make changes? Need to vent? This is your confidential group. Register here.

 

Missed past Parent Education events?

We have a YouTube channel with many of our past events including the recent talk on Assistive Technology, info on summer camps and recreational activities, Anxiety and Depression in Children with Learning Challenges, SMART Goals and IEP Troubleshooting, and more. Channel is here.

 

Mountain View Citywide Garage Sale

The Mountain View Citywide Garage Sale is back!  Join hundreds of residents holding garage sales on Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This event helps keep reusable items out of the landfill to conserve natural resources.

 

Seller registration is open until September 2.  Sellers may choose to participate on only one day or both days of the sale. Online and printed address lists will show which day(s) each participating seller is open.

For shoppers, a new online map will allow you to filter garage sales by dates open and items listed, as well as other enhanced features to help shoppers plan which homes to visit for the event.

Sellers can register their Mountain View homes for the sale and shoppers can access the map at MountainView.gov/GarageSale.

 
 Flyers

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