August 15, 2024

August 15, 2024

 

 Principal's Message

Welcome back cheetahs and welcome to our new cheetah families! I am your principal, Danielle Lyons and I am so happy to be back with the students and families this week! 

If you are meeting me for the first time, I’d love to share a little about myself with you! I am originally from Connecticut and am very family oriented with my huge italian family! Moving away was hard, but wherever I go, I like to create the feel of a family, like we did so well last year at Theuerkauf! I was an elementary school teacher in CT, then moved here with my husband for his tech job. I immediately fell in love with MVWSD and who can beat this wonderful weather? I was a teacher and instructional coach at Stevenson and then transitioned to the Assistant Principal role at Crittenden Middle school. This is now my second year at Theuerkauf as principal and I couldn’t be more grateful and energized for what's to come this year!

One of my biggest goals this year is to continue to build our community! Last year was just amazing with the PTA support, we hosted over 14 after school family events on campus, and there was high attendance at principal coffees (1st one Aug. 23rd @8:20am Flagpole). Having a strong community at Theuerkauf makes such a difference for your child’s education. Together we can do so much! Please read the PTA News section below to see how you can get involved! 

Our staff is also the best in the district in my humble opinion. The way everyone works together for the common goal of supporting each child to succeed at their level is incredible. Our grade level cohort teachers will be working closely together throughout the year to really dissect what each child needs to continue to grow. There will be more to come on this information!

As part of our new initiatives, let me introduce you to our new staff member, Mrs. Wilson! She is our onsite counselor who supports SEL. Please read “School News” below to learn more about Mrs. Wilson! 

Pick Up/ Drop Off Rules: 

For the side yellow inlet on San Luis Ave, this is a drop off zone ONLY. We now have fancy new traffic wands and three teachers to help direct you to pull all the way to the end, drop your child off at the end, and then safely leave straight down the street. As always, NO U Turns please! Safety is our number one priority! We want all students, cars, and cheetah families safe. This may mean that you have to take a couple of extra minutes to drive around the block, but it’s worth it for safety first! For more detailed pick up and drop off information, please read that section under “School News”. Thank you!!!

iReady Reading and Math Diagnostic Next Week! 

On Tuesday - Friday next week students will be taking their first iReady diagnostic. There are three times we take this assessment throughout the year. This helps teachers understand where each child is as with many of their skills. Please do not book any appointments next week so students can focus on doing their best. If you have to go to an appointment please reach out to your child’s teacher and front office to let them know ahead of time. Remind your child that this is to show the teacher what you know. It’s okay if there are questions you don’t know, that is why you are here at school with us! 

Thank you for all of the smiles and waves in the morning and afternoon! It has been a fantastic start to the year and I am excited to continue our partnership this year! Stay tuned on Facebook and Instagram for pictures of our Bubble Dance Party on Friday to celebrate our first week of school!

Goooooo Cheetahs!

With gratitude,

Danielle Lyons

 
 Important Dates

 

Tuesday, August 13th-16th- Minimum Day for only TK~ Dismissal at 12:10pm

Tuesday, August 20th - PTA Meeting (Zoom)

Friday, August 23 - Coffee+Donuts with Principal+PTA, by the flagpole, 8:20am

Wednesday, August 28th - Back to School Night~ 5:30-7:00pm

Monday, September 2nd- Labor Day~ No School

Thursday, September 5th- MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting 6:00-10:00pm (Zoom)

Friday, September 6th- Community Check-in~ 3:30-4:30pm (Register)

Wednesday, September 11th - Picture Day

Thursday, September 19th~ MVWSD Board of Trustees Meeting 6:00-10:00pm (Zoom)

 
 School News

 

Our New School Counselor - Mrs. Wilson! 

Hello, Theuerkauf Cheetah Family!

 

I’m Leigh Wilson, and I’m thrilled to be your new school counselor. As I get to know our students and their needs, I plan to push into all classrooms to support social-emotional learning—I’m here to help! With 26 years in education under my belt—as an elementary teacher, reading specialist, literacy coach, and counselor—I’m excited to bring my experience and energy to our amazing school community.

 

When I’m not at school, you’ll find me hitting the road with my family for our next adventure, cranking up the music (concerts are my happy place!), or playing a spirited game of Euchre (my Michigan Midwest roots are strong!). Mostly I just love to have fun and I can find fun in just about anything:) And fair warning—my laugh is loud (like really loud). You might even hear it from the neighborhood!.

 

I can’t wait to get to know all of you and help our Cheetah cubs thrive!

 

School & Community Engagement Facilitator (SCEF)

As part of Theuerkauf’s plan, we have a School and Community Engagement Facilitator who works to ensure that every student, family, and community member feels valued and supported while working, learning, and partnering with our school. Here at Theuerkauf, Lisset Tellez Garduno is our School and Community Engagement Facilitator. She specifically focuses on students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and/or English learners and works to organize parent education and support positive student behavior. Lisset’s overall goal is to increase parent education and engagement, support our PTA and ELAC parent groups, and form strong relationships with students and families. She can be reached at [email protected]

 

Medication Forms

If your child requires medication to be kept at school, please email Ms. Sherri Minor [email protected] to be emailed medication release forms during our first week of school and then return the form ASAP (we cannot administer any medication without the form).  Please note that all medication, even over the counter ones, need a medication form signed by your doctor.  

 

Bell Schedules and Schools’ Start/End Times

Please click here to view our school’s updated schedule for the 2024-25 school year. Please note that Thursdays end early at all elementary school sites, and last days of trimesters are minimum days during the 2024-25 school year. 

Please click here for the District Calendar At A Glance 

 

Drop Off and Pick-up Procedures:

Morning Drop off - Vehicle Drop

TH School Map Link with direction

  • School starts at 8:15am - Drop off starts no earlier than 8:00am

  • K-2nd grade - drop off using the drive through on San Luis Ave. Please DO NOT park in the drive through. You can park on the street if you are not doing a quick drop off. 

  • 3rd-5th grade - drop off using the drive through parking lot at the front gate. 

  • Adults should stay inside the vehicle. *If a student needs help getting out of a car seat/seat belt, please do so quickly. Have all materials (lunch, backpacks, masks) ready to go for easy drop-off. Two staff members will be at the drop off location to help support line movement to make drop off quicker. . 

  • Students will walk to the blacktop to play until 8:10am

  • At 8:10am the warning bell will ring. Students will walk to their room number line. 

  • Please leave campus immediately after drop off to allow for flow of traffic. You can wave goodbye to your child as they walk through the gate with their teacher. Please do not go through the gate. This will help support campus safety. 

  • At 8:15 AM the final bell will ring, your child needs to report to the main office for a tardy pass. 

TK Families:

Please use the side pedestrian walkway around the school and drop your child off at their front door. The TK teachers and instructional aids will open the front door starting at 8:00am.

 

Pedestrian Drop-Off: 

Drop off time begins 15 minutes before the school day (8:00AM)

We recommend parents/guardians drop off their child(ren) at the main front gate entrance or come in through the back field.

Students will walk to the blacktop in the back of the school. 

**If your child is allowed to walk or bike to and from school, parents MUST email our front office staff giving authorization. Please email our school clerk, Ms. Sherri Minor [email protected]

At 8:15 AM the final bell will ring, your child needs to report to the main office for a tardy pass. 

 

Commuting to school safely

It's critically important for children's safety that you take time now before the start of the school year to plan their route, tune up their wheels and talk with them about road safety. Please see your inbox for a letter this week from Dr. Rudolph that contains resources on our bike safety webpage.

 

Dismissal:

Kinder Dismissal at 1:45pm: 

 For parents who are walking to campus

    Students will exit from the middle gate. 

You can wait outside of that gate for the teacher to release your child to you. 

For Parents who are picking up by vehicle

Parents/guardians or other individuals picking up children in their car should remain in their vehicles to the extent possible. 

Teachers will help students connect to their vehicle/parents/guardians using the drive through on San Luis Ave.

After School Program

If a child is attending an after school program, they will get picked up directly from their classroom. 

 

1st to 2nd grade Dismissal at 2:50pm

Teachers and Front Office Staff will help students connect to their vehicle at the middle gate on San Luis Ave. 

Parents/guardians or other individuals picking up children should remain in their vehicles to the extent possible.

Parents can also park and wait at the middle gate for their child to be released. Please do not park in the drive through lane on San Luis Ave. 

 

3rd to 5th grade Dismissal at 2:50 (3rd) 2:55pm (4th/5th):

Teachers and Front Office Staff will help students connect to their vehicle at the front gate. 

Parents/guardians or other individuals picking up children should remain in their vehicles to the extent possible.

Parents can also park and wait at the front gate for their child to be released. Please do not park in the drive through lane on San Luis Ave. 

*If you have a student in 3rd-5th and a younger sibling, please have the older sibling and younger sibling exit together at the front gate. 

    

Students attending YMCA or Right At School: 

    YMCA - K students will be picked up at their classroom. 

All other students will meet at room 26

Right At School (RAS) - TK/K students will be picked up at their classroom.

    All other students will meet at room 22

Beyond The Bell (BTB) - Students will meet at the MUR or Room 18

*Please make sure to contact the program coordinators for absences or early pickups. 

 

Reporting an Absence

Please call the office at 650-903-6925 or email  [email protected]  to report an absence or late arrival.  Provide the following information: date of absence, student’s name, grade and room number, reason for absence, name and relationship of the person reporting the absence.

 

School Supplies and Voluntary Donation Form

We will be furnishing all basic school supplies and textbooks for all students. Donations of items and funds for this purpose are appreciated, but not required. For those able to donate, please fill out this form and bring it to the front office, along with your donation, and our front office staff will provide you with a receipt. These donations can also go towards fun events for recess activities or assemblies!

 

Transportation

The Mountain View Whisman School District Transportation Department provides transportation for students who are residents of Moffett and students with disabilities who are eligible for this service. For more information, and to apply for a bus pass, please visit this web page.

 

Stay in touch

Please take a moment and follow our district and school social media accounts. Staying in touch with us on social media will keep you in the loop on important happenings, as well as provide a critical line of communication during emergencies.

Click on the account links below and like or follow to stay in touch!

Mountain View Whisman School District  - FacebookInstagramYouTubeVimeo

Theuerkauf Elementary - FacebookInstagram

 

MVEF  News

Donate to MVEF

Please consider making your annual donation to the Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF).  The mission of MVEF is to "work collaboratively with the community to raise funds for programs essential to a well-rounded education for all Mountain View Whisman School District students."  MVEF provides funding for the following important programs: 

  • All of the art and music instruction (Grades TK-5) by CSMA.

  • Hands-on science enrichment (Grades TK-6) by Living Classroom

  • Science enrichment (Grades 4-5) by Environmental Volunteers

  • Additional English Language Arts teachers (Grades 6-8).

  • Supplemental funding for Performing Arts, Music, and Athletics (Grades 6-8)

Your donation will make a difference!  Over 70% of our funding comes from MVWSD families, and without your generosity we won't be able to provide these enriching art, music, and science experiences for our students.

Please donate today!

https://www.mvef.org/donate

 
 District News

Parent University: MVWSD District Orientation

Date and Time: August 12, 2024, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/pu081224r

 

It’s a district “Back to School Night”! - an orientation to everything parents and caregivers need to know to kickoff the school year. A great reminder of the resources both the district and your individual schools have, as well as a thorough introduction for new families to the district. Who would you go to for help with the school meal application? How do you access information regarding your child’s assessments? Come and hear answers to these questions and more! 

 

To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your question during the session.

 

CAASPP scores are now available

CAASPP student (ELA, Math) score reports (from the Spring tests, current 4th- through 8th-graders) were recently released by the state and are now available for parents on the PowerSchool Parent Portal (under “Score Reports” - choose the 2023 - 24 school year). To learn more about how to understand your child’s CAASPP score report, go to the Starting Smarter website athttps://www.ca.startingsmarter.org/.  If you need assistance with logging on to the Powerschool Parent Portal, please contact your student’s school office.
 

 

Applying to be a school volunteer this year? Training and help sessions happen this month

We appreciate our parent volunteers! Please check your inbox (email dated Aug. 5) for important information about mandated training and optional volunteer help sessions coming up in the next two weeks. For an overview of the process, please visit https://www.mvwsd.org/volunteers.

 

Important schedule information for families enrolled in afterschool care

MVWSD+ Afterschool Programs (ELOP) will not happen on August 13 and instead will start on the second day of school, August 14. Right at School parent-paid programs will also start on Aug. 14.  YMCA parent-paid programs will take place on Aug. 13.  

 

No MVWSD+ Afterschool Programs on Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Due to preparations for Elementary School Back to School Night and afterschool staff development, there will be no MVWSD+ Afterschool Programs on Wednesday, August 28 (a minimum day for students). MVWSD+ families, thank you in advance for making other arrangements. This affects all Right At School programs, all Beyond the Bell programs, and the district-paid YMCA programs. Please note that due to contractual reasons, parent-paid YMCA programs will still operate. All programs resume as normal on Thursday, August 29.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or call (650) 526-3500 x1061. 

 

School meals are free, but fill out the EzSchool Meals application to help you and your school

MVWSD will continue to provide free meals this year to all students as part of California’s universal meal program.

However, parents need to reapply for the Free and Reduced Price Meals program now for this school year. If you think you could qualify (qualifying income levels listed here), we ask you to apply at EzSchool Meals to help MVWSD receive additional funding to support students who are in need, and may help your family. If your child is eligible for free and/or reduced-price meals, your family could get medical benefits, housing benefits, utilities benefits and more. Qualifying is one factor in your child’s eligibility for free MVWSD after school care and summer camp.

The more applications your school gathers at the start of each school year, the more additional funding it can receive for all kinds of programs. If you are currently out of work, you may qualify and help your school, regardless of your financial situation. Apply at https://secure.ezmealapp.com/ or call your school office.

 

Looking for an afterschool program? Read on to see if your child qualifies for MVWSD+! 

A student qualifies for the free MVWSD+ afterschool program if one or both of the following conditions are true:

  • The student is an English Learner (EL). EL status is established via the results of the Initial ELPAC exam, which is being administered to certain students in August and September. Results are usually available within two weeks of the completion of testing. If you have questions about the Initial ELPAC exam, please contact Leticia Corcoran at [email protected].

  • The student qualifies for free or reduced price lunches based on federal income guidelines. At this time, lunch for all children is free, but this may not always be the case. To fill out the application for free or reduced lunch, please go toezmealapp.com. Qualifying students’ data is collected at the state level and usually appears in the district’s data system within two weeks. If you have questions, please contact your school office.

Soon after a student’s EL or Free/Reduced Lunch Status changes to indicate he/she qualifies for MVWSD+, you will receive an email from the MVWSD+ Team inviting your child to enroll.

For questions or troubleshooting, please reach out to [email protected] or Jennifer Nunez at (650) 526-3500 x1061.

 

Sown to Grow

MVWSD is again partnering with Sown to Grow for the 2024-25 school year. Sown to Grow is a platform designed to promote safe and supportive classrooms through activities that help students develop self-awareness, set goals, and develop essential social and emotional skills.

Each week, students in Grades K-5 complete a simple check-in that lets them share how they are feeling. Students in Grades 3-5 also respond to a brief written prompt that encourages reflection on friendships, community, and social-emotional wellbeing. Teachers, principals, and counselors see real-time reporting on students’ emotions and can proactively reach out to support students’ needs. Finally, students in Grades 1-8 complete a brief SEL survey in the Fall and Spring. Please feel free to contact your student’s principal with any additional questions about the program. 

 

Notice: National School Lunch / School Breakfast Programs

The Mountain View Whisman School District announces its policy for serving meals to students under the National School Lunch / School Breakfast Programs for the 2024-25 school year. 

All students will be served breakfast and lunch at no charge through the California Universal Meal Program, part of the National School Lunch Program.
 

For additional information please contact: Deborah Austin, Director of Food Service, 1701 Rock St., Mountain View, CA 94043, 650.903.6965, [email protected].
 

While the program will offer free Universal Meals for all students, households will continue to be able to complete an application for free and reduced-price meals, which may support the school district’s local education funding and could also qualify the family for additional benefits. Click here for free and reduced price eligibility guidelines and for more information on applying

 

Non Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992.

Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

 

(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

(2) Fax: 202-690-7442

(3) E-mail: [email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

 

Welcome from MVEF and Why MVEF Matters

The Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF) welcomes all families to the 2024-25 school year! Thanks to support from parents like YOU, MVEF provides your child with a competitive, well-rounded education. MVEF is a volunteer-driven non-profit dedicated to funding innovative programs for all students in the MVWSD district.

School funding covers salaries, facilities, and core academics, while MVEF funding enhances the learning environment with art, music, environmental science, middle school athletics, and additional English teachers in middle school, reducing class sizes by over 20%. To maintain these programs, MVEF seeks donations from parents and community members. The suggested amount per student this school year is $1,100, per student, also payable as a recurring monthly payment, but every donation is meaningful. All donations are tax-deductible. Visit mvef.org for more information and to donate. Thank you for your support!

 
 PTA News

You can connect to other families in your child’s class using Konstella. 

To sign up go to https://www.konstella.com/ and click on “Find Your School”. (Please enter your teacher’s name in the note section to aid us in verifying new users.)

If you joined Konstella last year, you can update your child’s class after logging in by clicking on “Your Children” in the drop-down menu under your name.

Hope to see you on Zoom at our first Association Meeting, Tuesday, Aug 20th, 6:30pm (http://us.02web.zoom.us/j/86736465261)

Visit our PTA website for information and upcoming events: https://sites.google.com/site/theuerkaufpta/welcome

For any PTA/Konstella questions, please email [email protected]

 
 From Our Community Partners

 

NW SELPA Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting 

Parent and community voices are needed in Special Education! Come join our first official meeting on Aug. 27 at 9:00 am as the Santa Clara North West SELPA CAC. Register here to receive Zoom link. For more information, contact: [email protected]and [email protected].

 
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