December 3, 2020

December 3, 2020

From the Principal's Desk

Hello, Cheetah families!

Happy Thursday!I know that the Thanksgiving holiday probably feels like a distant memory by now, but I hope that your break was a relaxing and refreshing time for all. 

It was wonderful to see such a great turn-out at our Cheetah "Cool Cats" assemblies on Monday. Thank you for attending with your students and supporting their growth. Thanks especially to our 3rd-5th grade parents for your persistence in overcoming the Zoom technical challenges that we faced. Many families chose to attend one of the afternoon sessions instead, but if you were unable to do so, please let me know. I will hold a personalized make-up assembly for any families who were unable to join in the morning session. In general, it was so exciting to celebrate ALL students, parents, guardians, and teachers for their dedication and PERSEVERANCE during the fall trimester. For those who were specially recognized, we will have certificates ready to pick up at the upcoming distributions; you are also welcome to pick these up earlier by calling the school for an appointment. I am excited to see both the academic and the social and emotional growth in our students, and we owe it all to the perseverance shown in being deeply committed to working together and supporting one another in this digital learning environment.

This next week, we will begin our second round of iReady testing for reading, on Tuesday, 12/8. You can get your child ready for this by talking with them and reminding them that the test was designed to challenge them even BEYOND what they are supposed to know right now. The test will give them questions that start at their level and then move up to determine how far they can go. Letting them know this in advance will help them not to feel inadequate or frustrated during the testing process. Thank you in advance for not helping your child with questions, even when they ask! As hard as that might be, it is paramount that we know where each child is personally so that we can assist them at their personal reading levels. If you would like to learn more about iReady, please see below for an upcoming workshop opportunity.

As always, thank you for your dedication, openness, and, of course, perseverance as we move to greater heights and maintain high expectations for each of our precious students. Day by day, it is inspiring to see that students are finding moments of inspiration and joy in learning as they become the leaders and innovators that our world so desperately needs. 

 

Together, we make a difference!

 

Yours in service,

Michelle Williams, Principal


Important Dates

Thursdays at 8am and 4:30pm - Open parent office hours with the Principal

Thursday, December 3 - TK Material Distribution (2-4pm)

Monday, December 7 - 3rd grade/ PTA Material Distribution (3-5pm)

Tuesday, December 8 - SSC Meeting 5:00-6:00pm

Tuesday, December 8 - iReady Reading (grades K-5)

Tuesday, December 8 - Earthcapades virtual field trip/assembly

Wednesday, December 9 - 2nd grade materials distribution (2-4pm)

Friday, December 11 - 1st grade materials distribution (3-5pm)

Tuesday, December 15 - iReady Math (grades K-5)

December 21-31 - Holiday Break- No School

Friday, January 1 - Holiday Recess - No School

Monday, January 4 - Teacher Service Day - No School

Tuesday, January 5 - Student’s Return

January 11-15 - Parent Conferences

Monday, January 18 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School


School News


Classroom Spotlight

Each week, we will begin to showcase and celebrate the wonderful things going on in one of our Theuerkauf classes. This week, we would like to showcase what is happening in Ms. Jennifer Stewart's 5th grade class! We asked Jen a series of questions. Here are her responses!

Is there a project, assignment, or moment that you are especially proud of that has taken place this year?

Currently, our class is trying to have some fun while learning, too! We are using The Mystery Classroom website to learn and have some fun by being detectives and solve the mystery. So far, we have explored the topics of math and digital citizenship! Students work with peers to answer content-specific questions. Their goal is to answer questions and unlock clues which help them solve the case! Throughout the process, students use a combination of critical thinking, problem solving, communication skills, and collaboration.

 

What advice do you like to give to your students about their education or about life in general?

Continue to grow in life and at school by taking risks and learning from your mistakes.

 

Where did you go to college?

Chico State and San Francisco State University

 

What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy spending time with my family and being outdoors.

 

 

Incredible Donations!

We would like to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to Trox, Inc. for their extremely generous donations! This company provided two large donations over the past week, including over 250 spiral notebooks for students and iPad stands for our teachers. In the past, this company has also supported our Walkathon, helping us to provide Chromebooks and other tech prizes for participants. Thank you, Trox, Inc.!

 

 

Science is Elementary (SiE) - Books & Kits

Did you receive an SiE science booklet and kit at one of our recent distributions? If so, the SIE group would like to hear how your child liked this! Please complete this brief survey to provide feedback about these materials. Thank you, SiE, for your generous donations!

 

iReady Parent Workshop

Are you curious about the i-Ready platform and how you can support your student at home?  Please join us for a virtual i-Ready parent workshop on December 10, 2020 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM. This session will provide parents with an overview of i-Ready and answer parents’ frequently asked questions about how i-Ready elevates instruction.

Click here to register. Spanish interpretation is available for this workshop. 

We want to answer your questions. In advance of the workshop, please email questions to Ms. Swati Dagar, Interim Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment at [email protected] by Friday, December 4, 2020. 

 

Materials Distributions

As mentioned in the "important Dates' section, there will be several distributions coming up soon! Please note that our procedures for these pick-ups have changed slightly to better protect all members of our learning community. In order to further limit direct contact of any kind, we will now be organizing all items for pick up in a bag, placing this bag on a socially-distanced table for each individual family to pick up upon arrival at the school. 

This means that we would ask you to please exit your car briefly in order to pick up your bag of materials. To aid us in hearing names from a safe distance (this can be tough with masks!), we ask that you please continue to write your child's full name in bold marker on a sheet of paper, displayed on the passenger side window. 

Also, as a reminder--If you have been exposed to someone with COVID or are experiencing any COVID-like symptoms such as loss of taste/smell, coughing, or fever, please do not come to the school. We will arrange a drop off at your home's door instead--just send us an email with this information. 

Thanks so much for your assistance and time as we all work together to stay safe and healthy! The TK teachers are all very excited to get to see you tomorrow, even if from a distance. 

 

Technology Support:

  • If you are having problems with the chromebook you can contact: [email protected] to create a ServiceNow ticket or call the Tech Department at (650) 526-3252.

  • Is your child having trouble with sound or with their microphone? 

    • This video clip may help! NEW: Adjust Microphone Input Tutorial

    • In the Zoom app, you can click on the bottom left where the microphone is and click on the arrow, choose audio settings and then check 'automatically adjust microphone volume.' 

    • Another solution to try is to manually reduce the microphone volume in Chrome by clicking on the menu where the time/wifi icon is located then choosing the arrow next to the sound icon and adjust the microphone volume there.

 

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.

 

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

PTA Association Meeting will be held on Thursday December 3rd at 7pm via Google Meet. Please join us to hear what the PTA has been planning and what activities we will be offering in December. 

 

PTA Maker Sessions

Thanks to all who already signed up for our 4 maker sessions! For all that did not yet get a chance, please do so by this Friday December 4th to save your spot and allow us to prepare enough materials. Please see this form for more information and to sign-up.

We will be handing out the materials during the next distribution on December 7th. 

District News

Cafecito with the Superintendent on Dec. 3

Join us for an informal meeting for Spanish-speaking parents with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Thursday, Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m. Interpretation will be provided. Please register in advance for this meeting here: http://mvw.sd/pB7CP.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 

Getting Ready for the ELPAC information sessions, Dec. 15 and Jan. 12

The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is administered every year to our English Learner (EL) students. To learn more about this assessment, the role it plays in the education of every EL, and how to help your child prepare, please join us for one of the following meetings: 

  • December 15 

5:00-5:30 in English: https://zoom.us/j/92673835582

5:30-6:00 in Spanish: https://zoom.us/j/94603257266

 

  • January 12

5:00-5:30 in English: https://zoom.us/j/93307939185

5:30-6:00 in Spanish: https://zoom.us/j/93709174683

 

Struggling to help your child with “the new math”? 

We’ve all been there. Luckily, Parent University and Principal Heidi Galassi are here to introduce you to the Common Core Math Appreciation Club: Heidi joined us last week in a hilarious and engaging session, and we’ve recorded it for your viewing pleasure any time! You’ll learn about the difference between math as memorization and conceptualization, strategies to use to help with word problems, how to have a math conversation with your child, and many more insights. Watch the video (or just listen to it like a podcast) at www.mvwsd.org/parentu

If you haven't been able to attend one of the Parent University nights this year, you can find the recordings all online (in English and Spanish). Listen at your own convenience to these great programs that support parents in supporting their students.

 

Past topics:

- Mental Health Awareness and Resources

- Distance Learning Support Resources

- Increasing Student Engagement with Literacy from Home

- Raising Digitally Resilient Children and Teens during Quarantine

- Supporting Students at Home with Math

https://www.mvwsd.org/parentu

 

Parcel Tax  Oversight Committee seeks community representatives

The District is seeking two individuals to serve on the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee for the Measure B Parcel Tax.  

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.

Applications can be mailed to: Mountain View Whisman School District, Attn: Dr. Rebecca Westover, Chief Business Officer, 1400 Montecito Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043 or emailed to [email protected].  Applications are due December 11th at 2:00 pm. 

Application: http://mvw.sd/PTOC

Questions? Please e-mail Dr. Rebecca Westover, Chief Business Officer, at [email protected]

 

School meetings coming up in December. Open Enrollment for all MVWSD students starts in January

School and District information meetings are coming up in December. Please visit www.mvwsd.org/register for a list of these events and for login information.

  • School kindergarten/new student information nights are online on December 9 at 6:00 p.m. for all elementary schools, and include choice school information. For our school, the link for this meeting is http://mvw.sd/THKinders

  • If your child turns 5 years old between September 2 – December 2, 2021, he/she may qualify for transitional kindergarten. TK info night is December 16 at 5:00 p.m online.

  • If you are interested in the District's choice schools, information nights are: 

Gabriela Mistral: Dual Spanish/English Immersion: December 15 at 6 pm

Stevenson: Parent Child Teacher: December 16 at 6 pm

Choice schools will also have information at the elementary schools’ info nights (6 p.m. Dec. 9).

For CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents will be asked by email to confirm enrollment from January 18- 22.

For NEW students:  Open Enrollment is from January 11 through Feb. 5, 2021 online. You can register your child for the 2021-22 school year when online registration opens here:  www.mvwsd.org/register 

 

Upcoming MVEF Phonathon

Our Phonathon is coming up in December and we would love you to save us both a call!

We hope this serves as a gentle reminder to donate to MVEF today and support your child and every child in the district!  The majority of our funding comes from donations from parents like you!

Make a difference, save us both a call and donate today at mvef.org/donate.

LAMV PTA Council and SELPA 1 CAC present Distance Learning Toolkit: Increasing Focus Through a Sensory Lens  

Thursday December 3, 7-8:30 PM. A talk with Lisa Kaplan Shanaan, MS OTR/L TMHP

How do you stay engaged? How do you calm down when excited, or pep up when you are zoned out? You may know your own body and the tricks that work for you, but children are still working this out. It is especially difficult to learn self-regulation when involved in distance learning on screens for hours a day. Come learn from Lisa Kaplan Shaanan, an occupational therapist and trainer, who has been working with children birth thru 18 years old for more than 30 years. She will recommend tools and techniques useful to help all children discover their best ways to self-regulate and really learn and stay engaged during the Zoom school day.  

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/distance-learning-toolkit-increasing-focus-through-a-sensory-lens-tickets-128302360815

 

Parent University recordings

If you haven't been able to attend one of the Parent University nights this year, you can find the recordings all online (in English and Spanish). Listen at your own convenience to these great programs that support parents in supporting their students.
 

Past topics:

- Mental Health Awareness and Resources

- Distance Learning Support Resources

- Increasing Student Engagement with Literacy from Home

- Raising Digitally Resilient Children and Teens during Quarantine

- Supporting Students at Home with Math

 

Upcoming topics:

- Health and Wellness (Jan 20)

- Special Education (Feb 24)

- Mental Health (March 17)

- Middle School Readiness (April 28)

- High School Readiness (May 19)

https://www.mvwsd.org/parents/parent_university
 

Winter Wonderland stories 

The Mountain View public library is holding winter wonderland story time on December 10. Please see attached flyer for details

 

MVLA holiday tree lot  

MVLA is holding its annual holiday tree lot this year. See the attached flyer for information.

Attachments

Tree Lot 

Winter Wonderland 

DL Sensory Tools 

 


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