February 4, 2021


February 4, 2021



From the Principal's Desk

Hello, Theuerkauf Parents!

The Theuerkauf Career Speaker Series started this week, and we are so excited about this new program! Through a series of both live and video-recorded sessions in February and March, students will be learning about various careers and occupations. Students will have the opportunity to listen to the stories of professionals from our very own learning community in many sectors and from all walks of life. Our speakers will share about what it is like to do their job, what they had to do to get to this place in their careers, and their stories of perseverance, hard work and overcoming obstacles along the way. 

 

We kicked off this Career Speaker series on Wednesday for our upper grade students with a talk from our very own Mountain View Whisman Superintendent, Dr. Ayinde Rudolph. We were so honored to hear the story of how Dr. Rudolph grew up, persevered, and found his niche as an educator and a leader. His greatest advice to students was to just keep reading! He expressed that he reads somewhere around 40-50 books each year, and he emphasized that reading is so important in life, in every single way. He shared that reading widely and often will help students prepare for ANY profession that interests them in the future. Dr. Rudolph also talked about his adventures as a triathlete, a mountain climber, and a writer. We hope to one day be able to read Dr. Rudolph's memoirs, his poetry, and whatever he crafts to share with the world. Thank you, Dr. Rudolph, for joining us and sharing about being a leader!

 

Parents and students, will continue to provide pre-recorded and live talks each Wednesday going forward, featuring many different professions, including but not limited to those in the following fields: 

  • Realtor and Real Estate Investor

  • Registered Nurse

  • Volcano seismologist 

  • Attorney

  • Firefighter

  • Marketer

  • College Professor

  • Motion Graphic Designer 

  • NASA Engineer

  • Veterinarian

  • Publicist

Thank you, parents, for your partnership in our Career Speaker Series! It is exciting to be able to expose our students to many different possibilities and paths forward in life, and many of you have been so generous to share your stories. 

 

Together, we make a difference!

 

Yours in service,

Michelle Williams, Principal


Important Dates

Thursdays at lunch - Lunch Bunch: Theaurkauf's Got Talent! (see Google Classroom for links)

  • Grades 3, 4, and 5: 12-12:30pm (Zoom link)

  • TK, Kinder, 1st, and 2nd: 12:30-1pm (Zoom link)

Wednesday, February 3, 9-9:45am - Career Speaker Series Begins for 3rd-5th Graders (first speaker - Dr. Ayinde Rudolph) (Zoom Link)

Thursday, February 4, 2-4pm - Materials distribution for 1st-5th grades & TK

Friday, February 5, 1-2pm - ELAC Meeting (Zoom link)

Tuesday, February 9, 5-6pm - School Site Council Meeting (Zoom link)

Thursday, February 11, 5-6pm - Principal’s Coffee (Zoom link)

Friday, February 12 - End of 2nd Trimester- Minimum Day

Monday, February 15-19 - Winter Break- No School



School News

Materials distribution this Thursday:

There will be a materials distribution this THURSDAY, 2/4/21, from 2-4pm. Please be sure to stop by if your child is in TK, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade. There will not be a distribution for Kinders since they completed their distribution last week. Please remember to exit your car to pick up your child's materials and books from a socially distanced table. Additionally, if you have any nonperishable foods or canned goods you would like to donate to the Theuerkauf Little Pantry, there will be a box available for donations. 

 

Classroom Spotlight

This week, we would like to celebrate the wonderful things going on in Ms. Danielle Kosiorek's 3rd grade class! We asked Ms. Kosiorek 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?

We have recently started a Charlotte's Web novel study. In the next few weeks, we will be completing two different STEM engineering challenges! I am so excited to have our third graders participate in this hands-on activity. Thank you to our PTA room parents for helping make this happen!

 

Where did you go to college?

I completed my bachelor's degree at San Jose State University and my master's degree and teaching credential at Santa Clara University.

 

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time I love to go outdoors and exploring new places. I like going on hikes and going on trips to the beach.

 

Can you share 2 or 3 fun facts about you that people may not know?

I used to play the piano and teach archery lessons! I did both of those things for many years. Now, I am learning how to ride a motorcycle.

 

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your class, your students, or yourself?

My students are so special to me! I feel very lucky to have every one of them in my class this year.

 

Library Corner

Hello, Cheetahs!

I’m excited to announce that Newberry Award winning author, Erin Entrada Kelly, will visit our district via Zoom on Wednesday, February 10th at 9:30am. 

Her target audience is 4th and 5th graders, but 3rd graders are also welcome to join. You can find out more about Erin Entrada Kelly here. Questions/comments for Ms. Entrada Kelly can be sent in advance to [email protected]

Highlighted Book: February is Black History Month, so why not kick it off with the U.S.A.’s first Black (and South Asian and woman!) Vice President, California’s own Kamala Harris? Did you know that Vice President Harris wrote a children’s story? It is called Superheroes are Everywhere. I love this story because it is based on her own life and the people who helped shape it. Superheroes are Everywhere teaches us that not all superheroes wear capes. Sometimes they cook dinner or help us with our homework. Although there are videos of VP Harris reading the book herself, I like this read aloud video because we can see the nice illustrations. 

Want to learn more about Black History Month? Go to our library home page to find ebooks on the subject. 

Don’t forget to check out our new ebooks! They have cool features that allow you to bookmark, highlight, change font size, and most books can even be read to you. I have created a video that shows how to use some of these features and posted it on YouTube.

We still have access to all the ebooks and audiobooks through Santa Clara County Schools Shared Digital Collection. A video showing you how to access these can be found here.

 

Take care and happy reading!

-Mrs. B. 

 

Re-posted: School Site Council (SSC) - We need you!

Calling all parents!  We have a vacancy on our School Site Council. This is a chance for you to be part of the decision-making team of parents and staff regarding programs, funding and goals.  Please send us an email if you would like to join. We meet monthly, and our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9th from 5-6pm.  Please consider joining! 

 

Re-posted: Social Opportunities: 

  • Participate in CHAC Plugged In Groups!

PLUGGED IN groups focus on social interaction between students, use collaborative lessons and fun activities to teach students about emotion regulation skills, problem solving skills as well as healthy coping and self-care skills. The groups are led by our schools CHAC Counselor and meet once a week for 8 consecutive weeks after school. Click here to sign up. 

  • Thursday Lunch Bunch - Theuerkauf's Got Talent: Students are invited to come and show off their best singing voices, instrumental skills, dance moves, art work, stories, or other talents at lunch today according to the grade level groups below.  Students may come and listen if they do not wish to perform or share something. 

  • Parents can connect with others through the PTA! Please visit the PTA Facebook site and attend a PTA meeting in order to connect with other Theuerkauf families. The next PTA Association Meeting will be on Wednesday January 27th at 7pm via Google Meet.

  • Other Ideas? Do you have another idea for social time? Please click here to submit your suggestions!

 

Re-posted: Theuerkauf Food Drive & Pantry

Thank you so much to those who have already donated items! This week, we have been able to get these into the hands of a few families who are experiencing difficulties right now. We will continue to accept canned goods, boxed dinners, hygiene items, and other non-perishables throughout the month of February. Please click here to see a suggested list of items to donate. If you would prefer to instead donate grocery gift cards, this would be welcomed as well. 

 

Re-posted: Times are Tough, but support is Available! 

We know that times are tough for everyone during the pandemic, and many families who have not previously needed assistance could use a little support right now. If your family has a need for grocery or hygiene items, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. We will arrange a private pick-up or drop-off to fit your family's needs.


PTA News

PTA Maker Sessions - Supplies will be distributed on February 4th!

The supplies for the PTA Maker Sessions will be distributed together with the materials distribution at school this Thursday February 4th. An invitation for the Maker Session will be sent out later on this week. We look forward to crafting together and connecting with our school community!

 

Easy ways to support the PTA:

- Support while you shop with no cost to you using escrip or Amazon Smile.

- Shop at Sports Basement using the Basementeers program.

- Attend one of our PTA meetings and follow us on Facebook


District News

Superintendent's Community Check In on Friday

Please join us for our Community Check-In with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, Feb. 5 at 3:30 p.m. Bring your questions. Spanish translation is provided. Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/Daa1s

 

Parents: We want to hear from you! LCAP survey

The District is beginning its annual process of writing the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). Your input from the survey will guide the development of our District’s three-year plan that will correspond with the first three years of the District’s new Strategic Plan 2027. These documents are the blueprints that guide all of the District’s work for the benefit of our students.

 

Parents, we want to hear from you: Please click here -  http://mvw.sd/ParentLCAP - to give input through February 12 in a survey. We recognize that the wording of some of these questions might seem a little awkward because we are in a pandemic, distance-learning year. 

 

Parents, we want to hear from you: Please click here -  http://mvw.sd/ParentLCAP - to give input through February 12 in a survey.  If you would like a paper copy, please call the school office at 650-903-6925

 

Please look for a meeting at your school to learn more about the LCAP/Strategic Plan process. Our school's meeting will be held during our next Principal's Coffee on February 11th.

More information found here: https://www.mvwsd.org/lcap.

 

Black History Month 

Even before children can talk, they are learning about the world and about race through the words and actions of others. Parents, teachers, and caregivers have the unique opportunity to frame their child's first attempts to understand and talk about race. Talking about race matters because (1) everyone has a racialized identity, (2) racialized identity significantly impacts a person's life, and (3) race is a defining social construct in America.

This Black History Month, use the Better Together infographic to begin racially-focused conversations with children acknowledging that conversations about race will look different for each family and classroom and there is no single way to talk to children about race. Have honest conversations with your students about the history of privilege and oppression as it relates to Black History and, where appropriate, connect this to local community and larger global issues.

Together, we can explore Black History. Together, we can become anti-racist.

For a closer look at the graphics, click on the attached flyers or visit https://www.mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD

 

If you have a district hotspot that you’re not using anymore...

Please return it to our technology department at our district office. Due to changes in individual circumstances and needs, we need every hotspot for families and students in need. If you have a non-working hotspot, please bring that back as well. Thank you in advance!

 

Parent University: The Special Education Team - Who We Are and How We Support Our Schools and Students

Join us on Wednesday, February 24th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for our next Parent University event: The Special Education Team - Who We Are and How We Support Our Schools and Students.
Arianna Mayes (Director) and Acantha Ellard (Coordinator) of MVWSD's Special Education Department will facilitate a panel discussion with Special Educators and professionals who support MVWSD schools and students. The discussion will include who and what the team does and how students are supported both in-person and during distance learning. Additionally, you can submit your own questions beforehand via this Google Form

Spanish interpretation will be provided. 

**Please also take a look recordings and materials from our previous Parent University sessions at www.mvwsd.org/parentu
 

 

MVEF Virtual Gala: Save the date - March 6, 2021!

We wish we could be together with you! Nonetheless, the MVEF gala committee is hard at work ensuring that our Virtual Gala on March 6th will be a fun evening even in the midst of Covid19 concerns. 

We will also be having a raffle.  You could win an Oculus Quest 2, a one year license for the entire Adobe Creative Cloud or an Online CSMA art class!  Stay tuned for details on how to buy tickets!

 

The MVLA Speakers Series presents “Raising Antiracist Kids: The Power of Intentional Conversations About Race” with Nicole Lee on Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 - 7:00 - 9:00pm | Live Online 

Raising antiracist kids is imperative in today’s society, yet most of us are not well-equipped for the challenges of talking with our kids about race and racism.  Join us for an engaging discussion with Nicole Lee, diversity, equity, and inclusion expert, as she shares research about the impact of talking - or not talking - to our kids about race and sheds light on common discomforts and misconceptions causing parents and other caregivers to avoid these important conversations.  

Audience:  Parents, caregivers, and educators

Register:  To register for this free event at https://mvla2020-21-nicolelee.eventbrite.com

 

 

“Keeping the Dream Alive” College and Career Readiness Virtual Event: Feb. 1-Mar. 31

SCCOE’s Parent Engagement Program will present the “Keeping the Dream Alive” College and Career Readiness Virtual Event for 6th – 12th grade students and their parents. From February 1 to March 31, students will be able to access the “Keeping the Dream Alive” website to participate in interactive activities, webinars, and more to learn about college and career options. 

Visit the "Keeping the Dream Alive" event website at parentengagement.sccoe.org for more information and students can currently pre-register at http://bit.ly/KTDARegistration.

 

Author Talk with Ben Clanton on Feb. 8 

The Mountain View Public Library will be hosting a live Zoom talk with Ben Clanton, author and illustrator of the Narwhal and Jelly books. The event will be held on Monday, February 8, from 4:00-4:30 pm. Register at https://mountainview.gov/librarycalendar.

 

MV Library Valentine’s Celebration

The Mountain View Public Library and CHAC Family Resource Center are sponsoring a free Valentine’s Celebration for families with young children on Friday, February 12, on Zoom. Please see the attached flyer for details and registration.

 

February CAC Events

Happy New Year! SELPA 1 CAC and the Learning Challenge Committee are your groups for special education and broader learning challenge needs. We are ALL having learning challenges right now, and CAC and LCC are here to help. If you have questions about learning challenges and special education needs, email [email protected] or check out www.selpa1cac.org

We encourage families to learn about the sensory needs all children may have during distance learning: Try a Sensory Diet

February 9 Parent Chat, 10 am - Support for parents of teens with mental health challenges. A great place for help and support for challenges with your teens. Please contact [email protected] for Google Meet invite.

February 10, 7 pm Evening Let’s Talk  - 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. Please contact [email protected] for the Zoom link for this meeting or sign up on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-talk-iep504-support-tickets-135554074887

Attachments

February Equity Calendar 

MVLA Series Speaker 

Keeping the Dream Alive 

Author Ben Clanton 

MV Valentine’s Celebration 


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