September 30, 2020

September 30, 2020



From the Principal's Desk

Hello, Theuerkauf Cheetah Families!

This week has been action-packed for students, parents, and staff alike! In addition to the engaging academic lessons going on in all classes, there have been multiple meetings held for parents, community members, and all stakeholders, both for Theuerkauf families and for all in the district as a whole. As we prepare for possible reopening, anticipate exciting campus upgrades due to funding through Measure T, and also work on our Strategic Plan 2027, all voices are welcomed, needed, and valued. I want to extend my gratitude to every stakeholder for providing input in these areas over the past week, and I look forward to continuing to hear from you. These conversations have been both rich and inspiring, and it is exciting to think about where we are headed as school and as a district. It is my hope that you will continue to be part of the conversation about plans for growth, improvement, and the strengthening of our learning community as we continue to move forward. 

As always, thank you for your partnership in supporting each and every child at Theuerkauf.

Together, we make a difference!

 

Yours in service,

Michelle Williams, Principal


Important Dates

October 2, 2020- Spirit Day ~ Crazy Hair Day!

October 2, 2020- ELAC Meeting 9:00-10:00am

October 7, 2020, 4-5pm- Community meeting on perimeter fencing (register here)

October 12, 2020 - Recess Break - No School

November 6, 2020 - End of Trimester -  Minimum Day

Thursdays, 8-8:30am and 4:30-5pm - Principal's open office hours (join here)



School News

Perimeter Controls Community Meeting

The District is in the process of planning to install perimeter controls around Theuerkauf to keep students safe during the school day.  The planned fencing is intended to help secure the school buildings and fields where the children play from unscreened members of the public.  Increasing security at all school sites in the District was part of Measure T and was expedited due to COVID.  

While we want to secure our campus, we also want to continue to share the fields and playgrounds with community members for use after school hours.  Gates along the field will automatically unlock after school and remain unlocked during the weekends so the community has access for recreation. Like Crittenden Middle School field, the fences around the district fields have not impeded public access.

Dr. Rebecca Westover, MVWSD’s Chief Business Officer, will be holding a community meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 4-5 pm to present information and to answer your questions. Please join us at the Zoom meeting at http://mvw.sd/ThSt (Registration required).

 

Reporting Absences

If you are reporting a student’s absence, please email the Secretary Mary Colon at [email protected] or call the attendance line at (650) 903-6925 press #2 Reminder. Please include your student’s name, your student’s room or teacher, the reason for absence, and the date of absence.

 

Picking up Materials

If you are picking up materials please call the office to schedule an appointment. Pick up times are as follows: Monday- Friday from 10:00am-12:00 pm. You can call (650) 903-6925 to schedule a pick up during these hours.


COVID Safety Update, Checklist, and Stage 3 Hybrid Learning Preparation

Our staff is hard at work preparing for the safe return of our students, once it is determined by our school board, the state, and public health agencies that it is safe to do so. Each Friday, we are posting our progress on our Reopening Checklist. Please take a look to learn more about what we are doing each week to prepare the Theuerkauf campus for reopening. 

Thank you, parents, for reporting your preferences in the district learning survey that was emailed to you. We are now working on creating a return plan based on the choices you submitted. Please stand by for additional details and updates in the coming week. 


Safety Reminders

As a reminder, our campus remains closed due to COVID-19. When necessary, appointments may be scheduled for materials pick-ups. When coming to campus, please wear a mask and maintain at least 6 feet of social distance at all times. Additionally, please perform the following self-check prior to coming on campus:

1. Do you have any of these symptoms that are not caused by another condition?

       • Fever or chills • Recent loss of taste or smell • Cough • Sore throat

       • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • Congestion • Fatigue

       • Nausea or vomiting  • Muscle or body aches • Diarrhea • Headache

2. Within the past 14 days, have you had contact with anyone that you know had COVID-19 or COVID-like symptoms? Contact is being 6 feet (2 meters) or closer for more than 15 minutes with a person, or having direct contact with fluids from a person with COVID-19 (for example, being coughed or sneezed on).

3. Have you had a positive COVID-19 test for an active virus in the past 10 days? 4. Within the past 14 days, has a public health or medical professional told you to self-monitor, self-isolate, or self-quarantine because of concerns about COVID-19 infection?

If you answer yes to any of the questions, please contact the school, and we will arrange for an alternate delivery method for your family.

PTA News

Weekly Riddle

Congrats to Alicia and Klara for their great guesses in last week's question about how many people are employed by MVWSD (658 people) and Theuerkauf (41 people). 

This week, we have another riddle for the kids: Where does Friday come before Thursday?

As a reminder - reply to the PTA Facebook post and include the student's first name only. Parents can enter one answer for each student at Theuerkauf, and we will award a small prize to one of the students who answers correctly or is closest.

Mask Design Contest

Tired of boring mask designs or can't find one that shows Cheetah Spirit? 

The PTA is excited to announce the "DESIGN OUR MASK" contest. 

Have your child draw a Theuerkauf-inspired design, snap a picture of it, and submit it by September 30th either via Facebook or to our PTA email at [email protected].

Show your school spirit! 

Maybe your student is new to Theuerkauf or has outgrown their favorite Cheetah Shirt? 

We have a number of pieces in inventory and can deliver those during the next material distribution. Others will be ordered and distributed at subsequent distribution events. So, make sure to get your order in soon! Details can be found in the attached Order Form. 



District News

Check-In with the Superintendent on Oct. 2

Please join us for our Community Check-In with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, Oct. 2, 3:30 p.m. Bring your questions.  Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/TIUcn


Free Student Meals:  *New* Pick up meals for multiple days

Free meals are again available to all children in the Mountain View Whisman School District age 18 and younger. No IDs required. 

Daily breakfast and lunch at all schools, except Stevenson (pickup for Stevenson is at Theuerkauf). Times: 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. at the elementary schools. 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the middle schools. 

Come to Graham Middle School between 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. to pick up meals for multiple days. Food items will be different from what is served during daily pickups. On Monday: Pick up for four days. On Friday: Pick up for three days.

Walk, drive or roll up to grab a free meal and go! For menus and information, please see https://www.mvwsd.org/nutrition.

 

i-Ready Math and Reading Assessments

Your child recently completed his/her first i-Ready Math and Reading assessments. i-Ready is an online program that helps us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth in mathematics and reading. Teachers use this information to support instruction in core subjects for every student. Families can access their child’s i-Ready Reading and Mathematics score via their Powerschool Parent Portal starting October 1, 2020 (elementary school) students. 

Steps for accessing reports on PowerSchool Parent Portal: Accessing PowerSchool Parent Portal i-Ready Reports 

Please contact us if you have any trouble accessing reports. 

 

Parent University: Raising Digitally Resilient Children and Teens during Quarantine

Kids are online more than ever in this post-COVID world, with increased use of digital technology for academics, entertainment, and social connection.

Join My Digital TAT2 for a highly engaging and informative webinar at the MVWSD Parent University event on Wednesday, October 7th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Hear how young people are affected by the latest news, trends, and data from the world of technology. Get tips and strategies for how to teach responsibility and balanced and healthy use of the internet and social media.

Click here to register for this event on Zoom.

Recommended for all adults who support youth and want to learn thoughtful and supportive ways to navigate media with children. For more information about My Digital TAT2 and their mission, please visit: www.mydigitaltat2.org


Distance Learning Tip: 

How can I help my child when I see him/her getting anxious and upset about distance learning?

Be proactive:  When you see your child getting anxious, let him or her know that you notice he or she may be having a difficult time.  Ask them if they would like a 2 minute break. Set a timer and then redirect him or her back to the session.

If the situation has already escalated, have your child use calming breathing exercises.  Once he or she calms down, you can discuss what your child needs to do before going back to the session.  He or she may need a drink of water, a snack or a two minute break.

You can use phrases such as: It seems like you’re having a hard time … I can imagine how difficult it must be… How can I help you?

 

Together We Are a Better MVWSD: Hispanic Heritage Month (Flyers attached)

We are excited to announce that this month marks the beginning of a monthly offering towards MVWSD’s equity goals titled Together We Are a Better MVWSD.  Each month you will receive an infographic in both English and Spanish that offers educational tools and community guidance inspired by a national diversity calendar. This month is National Hispanic Heritage Month.

You’ll see:

  • Lessons provided by grade level that are designed to be used by teachers to enhance work they are doing in the classroom. 

  • Activities provided to parents, which are meant to help bridge the gap between lessons at school and conversations at home. 

  • Organization spotlights to help us engage with our community and learn more about organizations doing equity work.

  • Children’s books by authors who have either the lived experience or scholarly background to contextualize this topic for children and adolescents.

Please see mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD


MVEF news: Did you know that your donations to MVEF support CSMA art and music for your student?

Fifth grade art and music started on 9/23! TK-4 art and music started the week before! All TK-4th students will have virtual art and music classes led by a teacher from CSMA. This year 5th grade students chose instrumental music or art with CSMA.  We thank the CSMA teachers for sharing their engaging and FUN talents as well as filling a need for creativity and active learning on Zoom.

MVEF raises money to provide all MVWSD students with an educational experience beyond what is possible with public funding.  Please see the website at https://www.mvef.org/ for more information and to donate online. Please consider joining our team of volunteers or emailing us with any questions at [email protected]. Thank you for your support!

 

Mountain View Public Library presents “Sea Otters” (Flyer attached)

Mountain View Public Library presents “Sea Otters: Author Talk for Kids” (ages 7-12) on Wednesday Oct 14 - 4-4:30 pm. See attached flyer. Free. Sign-up at https://mountainview.gov/librarycalendar

 

The MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series presents: Jeff Selingo on "Who Gets In and Why:  A Year Inside the College Admissions Process" on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2020 - 7:00 - 9:00pm | Live Online | Zoom

Join us for an insightful evening with journalist and higher education expert Jeff Selingo, as he dispels entrenched notions about the college admissions process. 

While many have long believed that college admissions decisions are driven largely by merit, Jeff presents a more complicated truth.   Embedded in three distinctly different admissions offices — a selective private university, a leading liberal arts college, and a flagship public campus — Jeff closely observed college admission officers as they made their often agonizing and sometimes life-changing decisions.

Based on a year of reading applications and sitting through committee meetings where up and down votes were taken, Jeff reveals what really matters to the gatekeepers and how their ultimate decisions are often based on a college’s priorities.  Following interviews with students, testing agencies, marketers, and ranking organizations, Jeff also shares practical advice and helpful strategies for navigating the confusing, chaotic, and often-times stressful college application process.  

Audience:  High school parents and students; teachers and counselors

Register: To register for this free event, go to https://mvla2020-21-jeffselingo.eventbrite.com

Book:  Jeff's new book, Who Gets In and Why, will be released Sept. 15th and is available with free shipping from Books, Inc.  Jeff is generously offering our community a 30% discount + free shipping for pre-orders made directly through him. If interested, use code MVLA30.

Event Login:  We will send the Zoom link via Eventbrite email, Thursday afternoon, October 1st. 

If you have not used Zoom before, please make sure to allow a few extra minutes before the event to download the free Zoom app.    

Sponsored by Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF), MVLA High School Foundation, Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF), and Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council.


Attachments

MV Library Sea Otters 

September Equity Graphic 

Gear Order Form 

TH Mask Template 


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