January 20, 2021

January 20, 2021


From the Principal's Desk

Hello, Cheetah Families!

This is such an important day in the history of our nation! Regardless of political affiliations, it is important and exciting to see several milestones accomplished in our nation's capital on this inauguration day. Though there has been violence leading up to today's events, it is exceptional to once again witness the peaceful transfer of power with the welcoming of a new President and our nation's first Black, South Asian-American, female Vice President. As you discuss today's events with your children, please feel free to use this animated video to help them understand a bit more about what the inauguration process really means to our nation. If you would like to watch the full inauguration with kid-friendly commentary (hosted by Keke Palmer), please click here

On Thursday, there will be a very important board meeting during which our superintendent will discuss our district's reopening plan. Through parent conferences, I know that many asked for an update on reopening, so I want to be sure you are able to get these updates directly from Dr. Rudolph. Please click on the link below or here to listen in or watch. 

 

As always, thank you for your partnership and collaboration.

Together, we make a difference!

 

Sincerely,

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)

Tuesday, January 19 - Winter Assessment window opens for Literably and writing 

Thursday, January 21, 6-10pm - Board of Trustees Meeting - (Zoom Link)

Thursday, January 27 -  PTA Meeting (Google Meet)

Friday, January 29 - Cheetah Spirit Day - Wear your favorite color or pattern!

Friday, January 29 - Cool Cats Assembly - RESPECT!

Monday, February 1 - ELPAC testing begins

Wednesday, February 3, 9-9:45am - Career Speaker Series Begins (first speaker - Dr. Ayinde Rudolph)

Wednesday, February 3, 2-3pm - ELAC Meeting

Tuesday, February 9, 5-6pm - School Site Council Meeting


School News

Classroom Spotlight: Ms. Isabelle Polito's 4th Grade Class

This week, we would like to showcase and celebrate the wonderful things going on in Ms. Polito's 4th grade class! We asked Ms. Polito 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?

Research projects! We have students generate questions/topics, and then pick from 4 or more sources to gather research. They present in small groups, and it has been very meaningful, and I have seen students' projects get better and better. 

 

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. 

 

The more work you put in the more you grow! You have so much control over your own learning. 

 

What makes your students special?

They are curious, kind, and hardworking. They have shown so much resilience this year!

                                                                                                                                 

Where did you go to college?

Western Washington University for a bachelor's degree in history and linguistics. Stanford University for a masters in elementary education. 

 

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to hike, kayak, and travel.

 

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

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

I did theater for 10 years! One of my favorite things I did was perform as part of a troupe that performed at over 20 elementary schools. I also lived in Japan for 6 months where I taught English at a small school; I taught preschoolers through 9th grade!

 

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 email me if you would like to join. We meet monthly, and our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9th at 5pm.  Please consider joining! 

 

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. 

  • MVHS STEAM Club Opportunity (grades 3-5)

The Mountain View High School STEAM Club's mission is to help kids develop their interests in the fields of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and Art through fun and engaging activities, discussions, and experiments. In the months of February, March, and April, we will be hosting our free STEAM Online Spring Program 2021! We will have meetings over Zoom and students will be mailed/delivered a package—a "STEAM Craft Kit"—containing all the necessary materials for the program. Visit our website for more information.  If your child would be interested in participating, you can register by filling out this form or find more information on our website mvhssteam.com under the “Spring Program” tab. 

  • 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 Thursday January 27th at 7pm via Google Meet.

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

 

Theuerkauf Food Drive & Pantry

Thank you so much to those who have already donated items! We are excited about getting these into the hands of our very own Theuerkauf 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. 

 

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.

 

Reminder: Please Power Down Chromebooks Daily

This is a friendly reminder to please power down your child's chromebooks daily so that it will work properly. Powering down Chromebooks daily helps the systems update and run more smoothly. Please remember to close all tabs prior to shutting down. Do not simply hold down the power button, but instead use the power off menu option in the bottom right hand corner instead. Click here for directions on how to do this. 

 

Reminder: Technology Support:

  • NEW: Please remember to TURN OFF your Chromebook for at least 2 minutes prior to starting school on Monday morning. There are updates that are sent to your child's device over each weekend. If the Chromebook is not powered down and back on, it will not work properly on Monday morning. 

  • 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.

 

Reminder: 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.

 

Reminder: Safety Protocols

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

Meeting

We are having our first PTA Association Meeting of the year on Thursday January 27th at 7pm via Google Meet. Please join us to hear what the PTA has been planning and what activities we will be offering for the rest of the year. This is also a good opportunity to ask questions and share your ideas!

 

PTA Maker Sessions are BACK!!

Based on the overall positive feedback we got, the PTA is hosting 2 more maker sessions on February 10th - one during lunch time and one in the evening. The projects for the month of February are a heart-shaped leather ring a


District News

Superintendent's Community Check In on Friday

Please join us for our Community Check-In with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, Jan. 22 at 3:30 p.m. Bring your questions. Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/ibOad

 

Better Together: Poverty in America Awareness January is Poverty in America Awareness Month and in the time of Covid-19 and the economic fallout, talking about issues surrounding poverty has never been more important. Words matter and our students know more than we often give them credit for. Talking about poverty with kids is not only possible, it's important. Explore the resources provided in this infographic (attached or viewable at https://www.mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD) to find an approach to talking about poverty that is most appropriate for your student(s). Ultimately, your conversations should reinforce that when it comes to making a difference in the world and caring for others in our community, we are #BetterTogether. 

 

Enrollment for 2021-22 for *all* students is open now

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

For CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents will be asked by email to confirm enrollment from January 18- 22. Please look for an email from Student Services with a request to log on to the Powerschool Parent Portal: https://ps.mvwsd.org/public/

Preschool Enrollment for 2021-22: Families who are interested in enrolling their 3 or 4-year-old in part-day or full-day preschool next year should submit an application to the preschool office by February 5th.  Please see https://www.mvwsd.org/preschool for more information or contact the preschool office at 650-526-3560 or [email protected].

 

Parent University: Adolescent Drug Use, including the impact of the current pandemic. 

Join us on Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 from 5:30 to 7:00 P.M. for our next Parent University event: Adolescent Drug Use, including the impact of the current pandemic. While this event is geared toward parents of children ages 10 to 18, all are welcome.

The presenter, Alum Rock Counseling Center (ARCC), has been in place for 46 years in the Bay Area and addresses the academic, social and mental health needs of the at-risk youth and families.  This important workshop will include such topics as:

·      Overview of trending substances used by youth (vaping, marijuana, alcohol, opioids, etc.)

·      Signs and symptoms

·      Why teens are using and the impact of COVID-19

·      How families can discuss substance use and support their children

·      Alternatives for substance use and ideas for prevention

·      Resources

Spanish interpretation will be provided.

Register here: http://mvw.sd/Jan20

 

English Learner Families: ELPAC is (mostly) remote this Spring

Most of our English Learners will be taking this year’s Summative English Learner Proficiency Assessment of California (ELPAC) remotely. Only a small segment of students will be invited to complete portions of the test in person (observing all health protocols). Your school will be in touch with the details. For more information, please look for a recent email sent from Geoff Chang, Director of Federal, State, and Strategic Programs, or contact your site principal. 

To understand more about the ELPAC and to help your child prepare, click here.

 

Fifth Grade Parents: Middle school info night on Jan. 28

Crittenden and Graham both will be welcoming 5th grade families to an Incoming 6th Grade Information Night on Thursday, January 28 at 5 p.m. held on Zoom. Each site will host its own information night, and parents will receive an email from their students' assigned school with meeting login information.

This is a great opportunity to learn about our Middle Schools’ academics, a chance to meet our staff, and learn about the exciting opportunities your incoming sixth-grader will have at Crittenden or Graham.

Please contact Crittenden ((650) 903-6945) or Graham Middle School ((650) 526-3570) if you have any questions.

 

 

Parent University: Digging Deeper into Supporting Reading Comprehension at Home 

Join us on Tuesday, January 26th, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for “Digging Deeper into Supporting Reading Comprehension at Home (K-5 Families)” 

Members of MVWSD Instructional Team will share takeaway strategies to support your child's reading comprehension, connections, and applications at home. 

  • Wondering how to support your child with their Reading grade level standards and curriculum? 

  • What questions should I ask to build my child's reading comprehension?

  • What does standard progression look like over grade level spans?  

  • Takeaways to support your child who is reading above grade level 

  • Learn new ways to enrich, deepen, and create a joy for reading

Zoom Registration: http://mvw.sd/MlaSK

In order to make this interactive webinar most meaningful for you, please send your questions beforehand to Interim Director, Swati Dagar via this Google Form  by Friday, January 15th. 

Spanish interpretation will be provided. 

Link to flyer is here

 

Register now! Parent workshop:  How to Build Academic Language with Kate Kinsella 

Virtual presentation on January 27 at 6:00 pm

Hosted by Huff, Landels and Jose Antonio Vargas elementary schools

Register: http://mvw.sd/kate

 

Presenter Kate Kinsella, Ed.D. will talk about: 

•    After school conversation tips to use with children to encourage thoughtful responses

•    Strategies to help increase students' academic language and listening skills

Kate Kinsella, Ed.D., is a teacher educator at San Francisco State University and a highly sought after speaker and consultant to school districts throughout the United States regarding development of academic language and literacy across the K-12 subject areas. Her 25-year teaching career focus has been equipping children from diverse backgrounds with the communication, reading, and writing skills to be career and college ready. 

For more information, please visit http://drkatekinsella.com/about-us/

 

 

MVEF News: Virtual Gala Planning Has Begun

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. Stay tuned for details!

 

My Digital TAT2's free Q&A session: Jan. 22 

Digital TAT2, a non-profit that offers medis education and presented a highly engaging and informative webinar at the MVWSD Parent University this fall, is offering a free Q&A session with co-founders (and child/adolescent experts) Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet and Erica Pelavin on Friday, January 22. Please see the attached flyer for details and registration. You may also submit questions in advance to be answered during the webinar.

 

Afterschool activities and programs (including free) are on InPlay

Even during COVID, there are fun and educational afterschool programs for kids happening now. Spring break camps are coming up, too. MVWSD partners with the non-profit InPlay to help you find the perfect fit for your child and for your family. Hundreds of programs, including those that are FREE and reduced cost, are nearby and online and can be found through this free, searchable website. Check out http://MV.inplay.org

 

MV Library presents: Raising Kindness and Awareness in Children

Wednesday, January 20, 7 pm - 8 pm. Learn about fostering “kindness activism” in your children. Aila Malik, author, parent activist, social justice warrior, and kindness advocate will present practical ideas and engaging perspectives on activating humility, empathy, action, and togetherness within your family. Free. Flyers attached. Registration is required. https://mountainview.libcal.com/

 

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 1, 9 am- General Parent/Community Meeting with Special Ed. Directors & Staff, Zoom at 9:00 am for LCC and 9:30 am for CAC. We will be planning for the year, discussing upcoming programs and discussing distance learning and learning challenges. For our agenda, please join our Google group, https://groups.google.com/g/selpa1cac. For the Zoom link for this meeting, email [email protected] or sign up on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/general-cac-meeting-tickets-135550478129



Attachments

Valentine’s Celebration 

MDT2 Q & A 

January Equity Calendar 

Library 


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