October 7, 2020

October 7, 2020


From the Principal's Desk

Dear Theuerkauf Families,

Thank you for your support during another beautiful week of distance learning. It was so much fun seeing our kids show their Cheetah spirit with Crazy Hair day this past Friday. We look forward to seeing everyone show who inspires them the most during Heroes day this Friday. Don’t forget to take and send in your child’s picture if you would like for them to be included in the following week’s message and announcements video. Here is last week’s video, if you missed it. 

As always, we will continue this week with the deep academic work that is taking place across the board in all classes, from TK to 5th grade. Today, our teachers spent time digging deeper into i-Ready data in order to best serve the needs of our students in math and ELA. In the coming weeks, you will see more and more strategic grouping, centered around discrete skill sets for your child. 

If you have been following the district board meetings and check-ins with the Superintendent, you know that at the last board meeting, it was shared that we will not reopen before January. In January, we will begin planning for reopening using the latest guidelines from the county. In the meantime, we will continue with all students in distance learning as we are now. I know that this is welcomed news to some and very difficult news for others. Please remember that we are here to support you during this time, and always. I continue to be impressed with the dedication and hard work that parents, students, and staff are doing to ensure that the students have the best possible learning experience. Though our emphasis on engagement has already been strong, we will continue to bolster engagement through the inclusion of additional immersive online field trips, guest speakers, and more. We will also begin working to include more social interaction times and fun online collaborative activities in the coming weeks. Your ideas for additional ways to socialize our students in the online space are welcome. 

Thank you for all that you do to support your child during distance learning. Through our collaborative efforts, we are not only successfully fighting against learning loss, we are supporting continuous growth in each student. We couldn’t do this without you!

 

Together, we make a difference!

 

Yours in service,

Michelle Williams, Principal


Important Dates

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

October 9, 2020 - Cheetah Spirit Day - Theme: Heroes! 

October 9, 2020, 3-5pm - 4th grade math materials distribution (ALL 4th graders)

October 12, 2020 - Recess Break - No School

October 13, 2020, 5-6pm - School Site Council meeting

October 27, 2020, 5-6pm - Principal’s Coffee

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

Get to know your principal

We have decided to switch it up this week and ask you how well you know our biggest Cheetah Cheerleader: our new principal Ms. Williams!

 

What is the name of her dog?

What is her favorite color?

What is her favorite food?

If your kids and you listened closely to her, you can easily answer these questions. As a reminder - reply to the PTA Facebookpost 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

We have gotten some wonderful submissions for our "DESIGN OUR MASK" contest, but we know that there are more creative minds out there, so we have decided to extend the deadline to October 15th. 

Have your child draw a Theuerkauf-inspired design, snap a picture of it, and submit it by October 15th either via Facebook or to our PTA email at [email protected].

Meet your PTA

Some members of the PTA will be on site this Thursday October 8th from noon to 1pm on the side entrance along San Luis Ave near the lunch pick-up area.

Stop by to say hello and get your questions answered. Also, use this opportunity to get a copy of one of our forms.


District News

How you can protect yourself from COVID: Hand washing

Washing your hands is the single most effective way you can protect yourself from germs, like the COVID-19 virus. Our MVWSD school nurse Jennifer gives important tips in this video:https://vimeo.com/464378808.  Please review and practice with your family.

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.

NEW ZOOM LINK (no registration required)

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

 

Enriching the Learning Experience” Symposium

The Santa Clara County Office of Education Parent Engagement team is pleased to announce our FREE virtual event "Enriching the Learning Experience: Vision for 2020 and Beyond" which will be held from 10:00am to Noon on Saturday, Oct 17 and 24, 2020. Together with 6th District PTA, we are putting together a Parent Engagement symposium for parents, students, pre-service teachers, classroom teachers, administrators, and liaisons to focus on student success. We have lined up a number of dynamic speakers and 10 workshops each day of the symposium. Here's a sneak peak of our workshops: 

Dr. Joyce Epstein, professor of education and director of the Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships at Johns Hopkins University. She has over one hundred fifty publications, including School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action, 4th edition (2019). Her Keynote will address school administrators in the area of parent engagement and her Workshop will address teachers and how they can involve parents in homework. 

Ruby Ibarra, local bay area COVID-19 researcher and hip-hop recording artist. Her Keynote will address parents and share her inspiring story of how to channel obstacles into opportunities. She will present a Spoken Word Writing Workshop for students! 

Gene Luen Yang, graphic novelist of American Born Chinese, Secret Coders, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Superman. In 2016, he was the Library of Congress's 5th National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature; he was also the recipient of the MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant in that same year. His workshop for teachers will address adopting a rich, diverse reading curriculum for the classroom. 

A Financial Literacy Workshop series “Understanding Debt and How to Improve Your Credit Score,” “Rebuilding After a Financial Crisis,” and “Learning the Value of a Dollar” by Excite Credit Union will give good money management tips for students and adults alike.  

Registration is open! Visit “Enriching the Learning Experience” event Website to see all 10 workshop descriptions, speaker bios, and registration form. 

 

Together We Are a Better MVWSD: Together We Are a Better MVWSD: National Coming Out Day

Mountain View Whisman School District embraces its role in establishing its commitment to equity in our district. As part of our "Together We Are a Better MVWSD" series, here is October's topic:

Whether you're lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or an ally, be proud of who you are and your support for LGBTQ+ equality this Coming Out Day! Every person who speaks up changes more hearts and minds, and creates new advocates for equality. Inspired by National Coming Out Day on October 11th, this month’s calendar provides resources for the MVWSD community around the topic of LGBTQ+ and gender identities. Developmentally appropriate lesson plans have been provided for teachers, while articles and parenting guides appear this month in the parent section of the calendar. Check out the literature section at the bottom of the calendar for age-appropriate literature to support your discussions in school and at-home.

For a look at this month's graphic, please see attached flyers or https://www.mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD

 

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.


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!

 

Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Session - Wednesday, 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. 

Please note: Our programs are currently remote and will remain so until students are back in school and the school district permits volunteers in the classroom

All volunteers must be high school graduates.  

Date:                 Wednesday, October 14th
Time:                 10:00 - 11:00 am
Location:           Online via Zoom (URL provided upon registration)
Register:           REGISTER ONLINE:
Questions:        programs@mentortutorconnection.org
Information:      MentorTutorConnection.org



Attachments

Theuerkauf Mask Template 


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