February 12, 2021

February 12, 2021

Hello, Theuerkauf families! 

I hope your week is going very well thus far as we move toward a much deserved winter break! Here are a few highlights and reminders for this week.

Black History Month

As we continue in Black History Month, I want to take a moment to say thank you to all who have been talking with their students at home about the lessons they are completing in class. If you would like to continue to work through these and additional lessons with your child at home, please refer to these excellent resources, collected and curated by our wonderful partners in Project Cornerstone. 

Reopening

As you may have learned in our recent meetings and publications, MVWSD is currently planning to reopen schools for in-person learning 14 days after Santa Clara County passes into the Red Tier. Because this reopening target is based on numbers of COVID-19 cases, we don’t have the specific date Santa Clara County will pass into the Red Tier, but we are preparing as if it’s soon. 

As a friendly reminder, the Learning Options Survey will be due on Feb 28: We’ll need to collect updated information on your preferences for your students’ learning options for the rest of the school year. You will still have the option to keep your children at home in distance learning, or you may tell us you’d like them to return to campus when schools reopen. Please look for the survey to come to you by email on Friday. 

We wanted you to have ample time to review it, which is why you are receiving this before February break.  Please answer the survey with as much certainty as possible, and if you have questions, we can help you the week of Feb. 22. Information is available on https://www.mvwsd.org/academicsduringcovid.

Our reopening hinges on COVID cases continuing to drop. Please remain vigilant about wearing masks, avoiding gatherings and curtailing travel. 

 

Together, we make a difference!

 

Yours in service, 

Michelle Williams, Principal

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)

Friday, February 12 - End of 2nd Trimester- Minimum Day (end time of 11:55am)

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

Wednesday, February 24, 2-4pm - Materials distribution for Ms. Polito's class, Ms. Stewart's class, and all Kindergarten classes

Wednesday, March 3, 2-3:00pm - ELAC Meeting (Zoom link)

Friday, March 5- Report Cards go home

Tuesday, March 9, 5-6:00pm - SSC Meeting  (Zoom link)

Monday, March 15 - Teacher in  Service - No School

Library Corner

Hello, Cheetahs!

From Silicon Valley Reads: ”How we connect with others has been one of the larger concerns the pandemic has generated. In response to this challenge,  this year’s theme for Silicon Valley Reads is Connecting. The theme was chosen as a means to help the community connect with art, music, food, nature, etc. as well as with each other in a virtual setting while celebrating a love for books and reading.”

With this in mind, they chose Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood, by Isabel Confoy and Theresa Howell, as a book that embodies the spirit of this theme. A reading of this children’s picture book can be viewed here

TK-12th grade students are also invited to participate in a multi-media contest that promotes the “Connecting” theme. Details regarding the contest can be found on page three of the educator’s toolkit. Students may submit their work from February 15 through February 28 at https://bit.ly/SVReadsContest2021.  

For more information regarding the books and authors, and to access the calendar of events, please visit www.siliconvalleyreads.org.

Highlighted Book: What do we think of when we think of Black History Month? We often think of the Civil Rights Movement and the struggles for equality. There are plenty of wonderful children’s stories about those things, but I’d like to share a book about someone who broke barriers in a different way. Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra, by Andrea Davis Pinkney, tells us the story of how a young Duke wanted to be a baseball player, but ended up becoming one of the best jazz musicians of all time. This biography is brought to life by the illustrations of Brian Pinkney, and this reading made lively by the Duke’s music playing in the background. This 3 minute interview of the husband and wife team gives us insight into how they collaborated on this inspiring book. To see him in action, watch Duke Ellington accompany Ella Fitzgerald (my favorite female jazz vocalist) on The Ed Sullivan Show. Enjoy! 

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: 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.

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Thanks to all the kids and families that participated in our February Maker Sessions. We enjoyed connecting and getting to know you while outlining and cutting!

Based on the positive feedback, we are thinking about some spring inspired crafts and will be in touch soon!

Please make sure to follow us on Facebook and let us know any feedback and thoughts you might have! 

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Winter break meal schedule

MVWSD's free, multi-day to-go meal packs for children will be distributed at Castro Elementary only from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12 for meals for Feb. 12 through Feb. 17. On Wednesday, Feb. 17, meals will be available at Castro Elementary for Feb 17 through Feb. 21. Regular meal service will resume on Monday, Feb. 22. 

 

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.

 

Open House Cancelled

Due to COVID-19, our schools will not be holding Open House events this spring, as we traditionally do in April. This year is different since our students’ work has been done at home, and gathering in groups at school is not permitted. We certainly will miss seeing all of the amazing work from our students and teachers, and look forward to a time we can gather to celebrate students’ work.

 

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

 

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 is March 6, 2021

Attend and support science, technology, art and music in our schools from your home. Please join us for a lively evening of trivia and fun in support of our schools.  You can attend only for trivia OR enjoy the addition of appetizers and drinks (wine and cocktails) delivered to your home. Check it all out on the MVEF website!  mvef.org/virtualgala

In addition the MVEF Virtual Gala is featuring a Raffle. You don't need to be present to win.   

Ticket Prices 1 ticket: $5, 5 tickets: $20, 20 tickets: $60 To buy tickets please send email: [email protected]  

Raffle Prizes include:

 

Oculus Quest 2:

Oculus Quest 2 is the most advanced all-in-one VR system yet. No PC or console needed. Explore an expansive library of awe-inspiring games and immersive experiences with unparalleled freedom. Retail Value $399

 

CSMA Gift Certificate for classes:

$200 gift certificate for art and preschool classes.  Expires December 2021. 

 

Mike’s Bikes:

$200 gift certificate towards your purchase at Mike’s Bikes.

 

1 year subscription Adobe Creative Cloud:

Adobe Creative Cloud gives you the world’s best creative apps and services so you can make anything you can imagine.  Get all 20+ creative desktop and mobile apps including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and Acrobat.  Retail Value $600

 

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 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

 

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.

 

Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Session - Thursday, February 25th

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:                 Thursday, February 25th

          Time:                 12:00 - 1:00 pm

          Location:           Online via Zoom (URL provided upon registration)

          Register:           REGISTER ONLINE

         Questions:         programs@mentortutorconnection.org

         Information:      MentorTutorConnection.org

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February Equity Calendar 

MV Valentine’s Celebration 


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