April 2, 2021


April 2, 2021

Hello, Theuerkauf Families!

There is such an energetic spark in the air today--and it's not just the afternoon sunshine! It has been so exciting to welcome back all of our remaining grade levels this week. Thank you again for your collaboration, flexibility, and support in ensuring that all students arrive on time and ready for school each day. Students are continuing to learn how to walk in a socially distanced way, but they are thriving. Our online students have now begun to form bonds with their new teachers and classmates, and they are gearing up for some exciting spring projects, virtual field trips, and more. As we move toward spring break in just a little over a week's time, I'd like to remind us of a couple of things that will ensure the continued safety of all…

 

COVID Testing - Now Available to Students and Families

Our school district partners with El Camino Hospital to provide regular COVID testing to staff. We have now expanded COVD testing to students and families. Please see information in the school updates section for more information and to schedule COVID tests.

 

Spring Break Travel Advisory

As Spring Break approaches, MVWSD wants to remind our community to take precautions to keep our community safe and our schools open.

 

Under our current risk tier, the Health Officer’s Mandatory Directive on limiting travel has been lifted. However, the state continues to advise Californians to avoid non-essential travel to any part of California more than 120 miles from one's place of residence, or to other states or countries. 

If you travel, please test. COVID-19 testing is not required for students, however it's recommended for people who travel. Free testing for students and families is available through El Camino Health at https://www.elcaminohealth.org/landing/schedule-covid-19-test?s=mapPin. The CDC advises that individuals get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel. Make your appointment now for after you return.

 

As always, thank you for your partnership! 

 

Yours in service,

Michelle Williams, Principal

Wednesday, March 31 - Last on-campus PE class for cycle 1

Wednesday, April 7 -

  • Picture day at Theuerkauf!

    • TK & Kinder: 1:00pm to 2:30pm

    • 1st and 2nd: 2:30pm to 3:30pm

    • 3rd, 4th & 5th: 4:00pm to 5:00pm

    • Last Call for Photos: 5pm to 5:30pm

    • Families with students in multiple grades/last call for photos: 5pm to 5:30pm

  • Materials distribution for ZOOMIES in our 1st, 2nd, 5th and 4th/5th combo classes (online students only): 1-3pm

  • ELAC Meeting 2:00-3:00 pm (Zoom)

April 12-16- Spring Break - No School (meals will be available for pickup on FRIDAY, 4/9)

Tuesday, April 20- SSC Meeting 5:00-6:00 pm (Zoom)

Wednesday, April 21, 1-4pm - Materials distribution for all grade levels--zoomies/distance learning students only

Thursday, May 20- Principal’s Coffee with Dr. Rudolph (Superintendent)

Monday, May 31- Memorial Day- No School

Friday, June 4- Last Day of School- Minimum Day

Picture Day - OPTIONAL

Picture Day will be on Wednesday, April 7th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm in the MUR. Please note Picture Day is OPTIONAL this year, and we will not have a make-up day. This will be the only opportunity for school pictures for the 2020-2021 school year. 

  • TK & Kinder: 1:00pm to 2:30pm

  • 1st and 2nd: 2:30pm to 3:30pm

  • 3rd, 4th & 5th: 4:00pm to 5:00pm

  • Families with students in multiple grades / last call for photos: 5pm to 5:30pm

 

For information on ordering pictures, click here.

 

Classroom Spotlight - Ms. Sarah Johnston!

             

This week, we are showcasing and celebrating the wonderful things going on in Ms. Sarah Johnston's 2nd grade class! We asked Sarah 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?

This year my students have written some amazing paragraphs about many different topics. They have brainstormed their ideas and built complete paragraphs using their own research. 

 

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

Some advice I give my students is that mistakes help you learn! We are more likely to learn and become better at something if we try and make mistakes. Our brains are better at remembering after we fix our mistakes. Always try!

 

What makes your students special? 

My students are amazing because they always try their best, explain their thinking and are curious about the world. They love asking questions and having discussions!

  

Where did you go to college?

I went to Cal Poly, SLO for my bachelor's degree in business. I went to UC San Diego for my master's degree in education and teaching credential. 

 

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love hiking, painting and baking.

 

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

I lived in Paris for a year after college with my sister. I have a goal to visit all the National Parks with my husband. I am learning to speak Dutch! 

Re-posted: Library Corner

Welcome back to school Cheetahs! We are happy to have our youngest learners back and look forward to you older students joining us soon.

 

Highlighted Book: March brings us Women’s History Month, a time to reflect upon and be inspired by women who have changed the world in ways large and small. 

      

The Watcher, by Jeanette Winter, is about the life of Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees. The book begins with 5 year-old Jane waiting patiently in the corner of the chicken coop, hoping to witness a chicken lay an egg. We are taken through her love of animals as a child in London, through her young adulthood when she first journeys to Africa and observes chimpanzees in the wild. Kids will love this bright, colorful and informative biography that was named Best Book of the Year in 20011 by at least four lists. Here is a video of the book being read aloud. For more information about Jane Goodall and her beloved chimpanzees, kids might like this video from SciShow Kids. In this 5 minute video from CBC Kids News, you can watch footage of Jane with the chimpanzees.

 

Want to learn more about Women’s 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: As we adjust to the reopening of our school, this group has been paused. Most of the students who attended are now attending in-person, so we are exploring additional online social opportunities that might interest students. If you have an idea, please reach out to Ms. Williams to share it!

  • 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. THANK YOU SO MUCH to those who have already given. The families receiving this are extremely appreciative.

 

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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Show Theuerkauf School Spirit on the next Spirit Friday 

Are you new to the Theuerkauf community? Has your student outgrown their favorite Cheetah Shirt? 

We have a number of pieces in inventory and can arrange a delivery or pick-up with you. Take a look at the list of pieces we have ready and email us at [email protected] to let us know if you would like to order any of them!

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Superintendent's Community Check In on Friday

Please join us for our Community Check-In with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, April 2 at 3:30 p.m. Bring your questions. Spanish interpretation is provided. Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/vrNfN

 

Board meeting preview: April 1

The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, April 1 at 5:00 p.m. Some of the meeting topics include updates on: the LCAP, 2021-22 school year learning options, Huff renaming, and reports from the Bond Oversight Committee and the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee. Agenda and login information are here. The meeting is also streamed on https://www.youtube.com/mvwsd.

 

COVID testing available for students and families

Regular, asymptomatic COVID testing for students is not required at this time however, parents may want to have students tested, especially after travel, to ensure that they are not carrying the COVID-19 virus.

Free, asymptomatic testing is available for students and parents at:

* El Camino Hospital or MV Center for Performing Arts. Dates: Ongoing. Schedule through El Camino Health at https://www.elcaminohealth.org/landing/schedule-covid-19-test?s=mapPin.

* Graham and Crittenden Middle Schools. Dates: Tuesday March 30 at Graham MUR; Tuesday, April 20 at Crittenden MUR and Wednesday, April 28 at Graham MUR. You should register here. You also may schedule an appointment by calling 650-940-7022 and use option 4. Please mention you are with the Mountain View Whisman School District when calling. 

 

If your child has symptoms of COVID or has had a known exposure to someone who may have COVID, please contact your child's pediatrician for testing information. If you do not have a health care provider, make a symptomatic testing appointment with a county provider here: https://scl.fulgentgenetics.com/appointment/screen/landing.

 

Spring Break Travel Advisory

As Spring Break approaches, MVWSD wants to remind our community to take precautions to keep our community safe and our schools open.

Under our current risk tier, the Health Officer’s Mandatory Directive on limiting travel has been lifted. However, the state continues to advise Californians to avoid non-essential travel to any part of California more than 120 miles from one's place of residence, or to other states or countries. 

If you travel, please test. COVID-19 testing is not required for students, however it's recommended for people who travel. Free testing for students and families is available through El Camino Health at https://www.elcaminohealth.org/landing/schedule-covid-19-test?s=mapPin. The CDC advises that individuals get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel. Make your appointment now for after you return.

 

Resilience Pause Series starts March 29

The 30-minute, online Community Resiliency Model Resilience Pause sessions for adults (parents and staff members) are scheduled during this transition in our school year to assist participants with building resilience throughout return to in-person instruction. Participants can learn strategies on Mondays and build habits towards resilience during the week.  These sessions are designed to teach life-long habits that help us to self-regulate during stressful moments.  

March 29, 4pm: Tracking Sensations

April 5,  4pm: Grounding 

April 19, 4pm: Resourcing 

April 26, 4pm:  “Help Now!” A Reactive Strategy

Sessions can be drop-in or attended in a series. To join: http://mvw.sd/HAjbz

 

OKtoReopen health screener pro tips

OKtoReopen is the daily health screener for in person students to complete each day before they arrive on campus. Here are a few tips to make the process even easier:

 

You don’t have to wait until you get the message

Reminders are sent each day that the student is expected on campus. If parents have already completed the survey before the first reminder is scheduled to be sent they don't receive a reminder.

Parents can always complete the screener earlier than the reminder by using a previous email or going to oktoreopen.com on a browser they previously have used. 

 

You can complete the screener for multiple students

You can complete the survey for more than one child in the same window by clicking through the names at the top right drop-down menu. If there is another student in the family you can hit next to complete that survey. When all of the surveys have been completed there is a done button.

 

Make sure your survey is submitted

For families with just one student you hit submit and then done (students with more than one student click next until all surveys are completed, and then submit). You don't have to click done to complete the survey.

 

Send the reminder to just your phone instead of both phone/email

Parents can adjust their OKtoReopen settings to receive text or email only by contacting their school office to make the change in Powerschool.

For a closer look on how to use OktoReopen, check out these videos: https://vimeo.com/521538560 (English) and https://vimeo.com/524450668 (Spanish)

 

Student meals

If your student is returning to campus, you might be wondering about lunch. Due to federal funding, MVWSD is able to provide free breakfast, snacks and lunches to students on campus daily. Breakfast and snacks are cold. Lunches will be hot. Students will be able to pick up lunches at their classrooms. Menus and nutritional analysis are posted at https://www.mvwsd.org/nutrition. A count of those taking school lunch will be taken at the beginning of the school day. Students may bring their own self-contained lunches, if desired. MVWSD continues to provide free grab and go meals at each school (Stevenson and Theuerkauf are combined) during lunchtime for students who continue in distance learning and for young children in the community.

 

Parent University: A Conversation with Haben Girma, the Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law

Date and Time: April 8, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m.    Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/X85Z0

Haben Girma is a human rights lawyer and an advocate for disability justice. She was the first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School. As a community, we are all tasked with resisting ableism, racism and other forms of oppression. We face the choice to accept oppression or advocate for justice. Come and be inspired by Haben, who has received the Helen Keller Achievement Award, a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and TIME100 Talks. 

President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Chancellor Angela Merkel have all honored Haben. President Obama named her a White House Champion of Change.  Haben believes disability is an opportunity for innovation, and she teaches organizations the importance of choosing inclusion. 

To submit questions prior to the event, please click here. We will do our best to address your question during the session.

In case you missed it: Parent University videos and materials are available online

Check out mvwsd.org/parentu for English and Spanish recordings on topics such as wellness, mental health, supporting your child’s literacy and math at home, our special education team, the impact of drugs and other substances on adolescents, and many more.

 

Join the MVEF Board and make a difference!

The Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF) is seeking new volunteers and board members to join us in supporting its mission to ensure that every child in every school has access to a competitive, comprehensive, and inspiring education.

Board members have the opportunity to make a difference in the experience of every child in the district, gain insight into district programming and planning, and collaborate with other parent leaders in the district. Learn more about MVEF, and its impact on your child’s school day at mvef.org. If interested, please send a message to [email protected].


 

CAC Parent Education Event - Mental Health for the Whole Family - with Thierry Kolpin, Ph.D Wednesday. March 31, 7PM - 8:30 PM. 

Join us for a much needed discussion of mental health and mindfulness for the whole family. After the year we’ve all experienced, we all need to learn techniques to evaluate and improve our mental health and that of our families. Professor Thierry Kolpin of Brandman University will discuss the challenges we are facing and how every member of the family can improve their mental health. Special attention will be paid to the additional challenges in families of students with learning challenges. Prof. Kolpin is an Assoc. Professor at Brandman University and specializes in school counseling and mindfulness in counseling. Email [email protected] for the link to the event.

*presentation at event will be recorded and available at www.selpa1cac.org, Q&A will not be recorded to protect personal information

 

 

MVLA Parent Speaker Series, “The Power of Showing Up: What Kids Really Need from Adults,” April 22 from 7:00 - 9:00pm

MVLA will be hosting their last Parent Speaker Series event for the season, “The Power of Showing Up: What Kids Really Need from Adults,” on Thursday, April 22 from 7:00 - 9:00pm with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, a psychotherapist and best-selling author. 

Parents worry. It’s what we do. Reassuringly, the latest brain and attachment research is clear on how best to make a difference in our child’s life over the long run: we simply need to show up.  Offering plenty of warmth and humor, Dr. Bryson will explore what showing up means, sharing stories and simple strategies for honoring the Four S’s - helping kids feel secure, seen, soothed, and safe. She'll discuss practical advice for supporting anxious kids, hitting the reset button on parenting, and creating a safe harbor at home for children of all ages. Registration for this free event can be found at: https://mvla2020-21-tinapaynebryson.eventbrite.com.

 

Virtual Earth Day Events with the City of Mountain View

We know that Earth Day (4/22) is looking a little different this year, so it’s going virtual here at the City of Mountain View! We’re holding two contests with multiple gift card prizes (a short video competition and a student poster contest), all centered around creativity and how you restore the Earth in your own way. For both contests, the deadline for entries is Monday, April 16th, 2021 no later than 5pm. Submissions can be made at: this link; see attached flyers for more information.

Additionally, please join us on Thursday, April 22nd from 6pm-8:30pm for our Virtual Earth Day Event! We’ll be having speakers from the Planet Bee Foundation, Acterra, Recology, and Cool Block. Community members will also be giving 5-minute ‘micro talks’ about how they’re “Restoring the Earth.” And finally, we’ll be announcing the winners of the video and poster contests live during the event. Please visit this link for details.

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ED Virtual Event 

Earth Day Video Contest 

 

Theuerkauf Elementary, Mountain View Whisman School District,

1625 San Luis Ave., Mountain View, CA 94043   www.mvwsd.org    650-903-6925

 
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