May 14, 2021
Hello, Cheetahs!
As we wind down the year, we will have a couple exciting opportunities for celebration soon, and we would love for you to be a part of these! On June 3rd, we will hold our final virtual Cool Cats assembly, celebrating multiple core values as well as academic growth this year. We are so excited about celebrating each and every Cheetah for not only making it through this very unusual year, but for showing perseverance, integrity, courage, responsibility, and respect in the process. Go Cheetahs!! Please see below for the schedule of meetings.
Then on June 4th, we will recognize our 5th graders as they prepare for their transition to middle school. We will celebrate by watching a special promotion video that was made with love on the morning of the 4th, and then we will honor our 5th graders again in the afternoon with a socially-distanced drive-through celebration in the parking lot of our school. See below for additional times and details.
Lighting Meeting
Please join the Mountain View Whisman School District at a community meeting to hear more about potential new lighting on school campuses to improve safety as part of Measure T. New lighting and/or bollard style light posts to illuminate pedestrians’ path of travel between campus and parking lots is an important safety measure for staff members and guests using the campus in the evenings and winter late afternoons. We hope that you will be able to join us here:
Thank you!
On behalf of our amazing staff, I also want to reiterate a heartfelt thank you to all of our parents, students, board members, cabinet members, and others for the many messages of thanks and gratitude that you shared with our Theuerkauf staff last week and in this virtual hug. We are still feeling the love, and we are so grateful for each of you.
Together, we make a difference!
Yours in service,
Michelle Williams, Principal
Tuesday, May 18 - Math iReady Assessment
Wednesday, May 19 - SSC Meeting 5:00-6:00 p.m (Zoom)
Thursday, May 20, 9-10am - Principal’s Coffee with Dr. Rudolph, Superintendent (Zoom)
Friday, May 28- End of 3rd Trimester- Minimum Day (school ends at 11:55am)
Monday, May 31- Memorial Day- No School
Tuesday, June 1- SSC Meeting 5:00-6:00 p.m (Zoom)
Thursday, June 3 - Final Cool Cats assembly & end of year celebration
Friday, June 4- Last Day of School- Minimum Day
Friday, June 4 - 5th grade promotion activities:
Staying Hydrated
The weather is getting warmer every day, and many students are consuming more water than usual! If your child is a roomie, please remind them to please bring two regular filled water bottles daily (or one large filled water bottle).
iReady Testing
Our first round of English Language Arts i-Ready testing has gone well this week! We are so proud of all of our students for trying their best. Since this test is computer adaptive, it is important to remind students that they will receive questions at their own ability level at the beginning, and then questions will get harder as they go. Please encourage your child to do their personal best, and remind them that there will be questions that they cannot answer, and this is both a normal and expected part of the test.
All Theuerkauf students will take the i-Ready Math assessment on Tuesday 5/18 and Thursday 5/20. As a reminder, the i-Ready data helps us monitor student progress throughout the year. It also helps us identify standards that students have already mastered, as well as areas of focus during first instruction. The i-Ready assessment is also one of the measures we use to determine the math placement for our middle school students. Please click here for additional details.
5th Grade Promotion
Our 5th graders will be promoted to middle school in just a few short weeks! We are so proud of and excited for these students! We plan to celebrate our 5th graders in this very important rite of passage, and we invite all of our 5th graders' families to participate at their comfort level!
-
Special promotion ceremony video: We will be putting together a special video for all 5th graders and their families to watch live on June 4th, our last day of school. The link to the video will be made available on PowerSchool, and additional details will be shared soon. To make this video special, we need your PHOTOS!!! 5th grade parents, please complete this form to send in the pictures you would like to have included in the video.
-
On-campus drive-through celebration: To celebrate our 5th graders in a socially distant way, we would also like to invite our 5th graders' families to join us for a drive-through graduation celebration from 12:30-1:30pm on the afternoon of 6/4/21. We will have staff members standing throughout the parking lot and on sidewalks to welcome each student and family with certificates, balloons, signs, and more.
Classroom Spotlight - Mrs. Linda Yung
Is there a project, assignment, or moment that you are especially proud of that has taken place this year?
As we transitioned to hybrid learning, I wanted to take the students outside as much as possible. We figured out a way to play "Duck, Duck, Goose" social distance style! We used our Cheetah stadium seats to space ourselves out and made a HUGE circle. We used a pool noodle to gently tap our friends and tag our friends. It was so much fun and great to see my class enjoy a very familiar game.
What advice do you like to give to your students about their education or about life in general?
Here are some phrases that we chant in our class. We especially needed these chants this year: 1. "Be flexible" 2. "Don't give up! Keep going! We can do hard things!" 3. "It's ok to do hard things. It's good to do hard things"
What makes your students special?
My kindergarten students are the BEST. They are honest, resilient, and full of joyful energy. They are eager to learn and embrace every challenge with laughter and joy. One of my students after guided reading over zoom told me over and over, "Ms. Linda, I'm going to work hard. I'm going to keep working and keep working. I'm going to do more and more." I learn from my students how to laugh and have joy despite the challenges life throws at us.
Where did you attend college?
Smith College (BA), UCLA (MA), and SJSU (teacher credential)
What do you like to do in your free time?
Camping, reading, traveling, and watching Korean dramas :)
Can you share a few fun facts about yourself that people may not know?
1. I was born in South Korea, came to the USA when I was 10 years old and I remember having the toughest time learning english.
2. My husband and I lived in Nankang, China for 2.5 years to work at an orphanage and start an english preschool.
3. In our family, other than english: I speak Korean, my husband speaks Cantonese, my three children speak Pig Latin :). They often speak at the dinner table if they don't want Dan and I to know what they are saying.
Library Corner
Hello Cheetahs! Winners of the Reading Extravaganza will be announced soon. Stay tuned!
Speaking of reading, you have until this Sunday, May 16, to order books from author/illustrator Remy Lai. Orders can be placed here: https://www.hicklebees.com/RemyLai
They will be delivered to sites during the last week of school.
Do you still have library books from last school year lingering under the bed? Tucked in the trunk of the car? Please return all library books to Theuerkauf by May 20th to be counted in the end-of-year inventory. Your child will receive a reward for returning books!
Highlighted Book: May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. What a great time to learn more about the cultural experiences of our friends and neighbors from all over Asia and the Pacific Islands. This week I’d like to share Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, written by Joanna Ho and beautifully illustrated by Dung Ho. This is a gorgeous book filled with colorful flowers, dragons and butterflies. The message is also an important one for all children, that even if they don’t look like their friends, they possess a beauty all their own that was passed down to them from their parents and grandparents. This video of author, Joanna Ho, reading her book is warm and delightful. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
For more books about the AAPI experience, go to our library home page to find ebooks on the subject. Happy reading!--Mrs. B.
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.
Parent Resource:
A dedicated team from Los Altos High School has been working on an informational blog called "Up to Date." Their mission is to make useful information accessible to all members of the Bay Area community. The students write stories centered around life skills, current events, and coronavirus updates. They hope to support students and their families as we all navigate the uncertain times of the pandemic and beyond. Please check out their website to enjoy this resource.
5th Grade Promotion
The PTA has worked with principal Williams and our 5th grade teachers to plan an exciting time for the promotion of our 5th graders this year! We are planning to send them off in style with a drive-through celebration on June 4th, with a few added surprises, all socially distanced of course. If you would like to help, please send us a note at [email protected].
Stevenson/Theuerkauf lighting meeting
Monday, May 17 at 4 p.m. on Zoom: http://mvw.sd/lighting2
Join us at a community meeting to hear more about potential new lighting on campus to improve safety as part of Measure T. New lights and/or bollard style light posts to illuminate pedestrians’ path of travel between campus and parking lots is an important safety measure for staff members and guests using the campus in the evenings and winter late afternoons.
Cafecito con el Superintendente on May 12
Please join us for an informal meeting for Spanish-speaking parents on Wednesday, May 12, 5:30 p.m. Interpretation will be provided.
Please register in advance for this meeting here: http://mvw.sd/Os51y. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
MV Parent University: Preparing for High School
Date: May 19, 2021, 5:30 p.m. Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/osiVT
Is there a rising high school freshman in your home? Do you want to learn a bit more about the habits, traits, and skills students should develop to be ready for high school? Join us at our final Parent University session of the year as we meet members of staff and students at the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District to hear them talk about this ever-important topic!
To submit questions prior to the event, please click here. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
And if you missed any of our content this year, have no fear: www.mvwsd.org/parentu has recordings of all of our Parent University sessions this year!
Better Together #MVWSD: Prioritizing Mental Health
This month's #BetterTogether infographic features tools and resources to help all those who work, learn, and partner with MVWSD to prioritize mental health and wellness. No one ever needs to be alone in their struggles. Together we can prioritize mental health and wellness. Click here to view this month’s calendar or visit https://www/mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD
Mental Health Month Tools2Thrive: Connections, routines and self care
We are at the halfway point in our Mental Health Awareness Month. So far we have learned about #Tools2Thrive and pledged to be #StigmaFree. It also is true that connections and the people around us can affect our overall mental health. It’s important to make connections with other people that help enrich our lives and get us through tough times, but it’s equally important to recognize when certain people and situations in life can trigger us to feel bad or engage in destructive behaviors. Identifying the toxic influences in our lives and taking steps to create a new life without them can improve mental and physical health over time. And we know that work, paying bills, cleaning, getting enough sleep, and taking care of children are just some of the things we do each day - and it is easy to be overwhelmed. By creating routines, we can organize our days in such a way that taking care of tasks and ourselves becomes a pattern that makes it easier to get things done without having to think hard about them. In other words, building good habits to care for ourselves, care for others, and care for our environment is a #Tool2Thrive.
Share your #Tool2Thrive gifts with others by printing and using the “Take What You Need” poster.
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
* Graham Middle School. Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Graham MUR (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.
InPlay’s summer program search guide
Looking for summer fun and out-of-school opportunities? MVWSD partners with nonprofit InPlay to help you find the perfect fit for your child and for your family. Hundreds of programs, including FREE and reduced cost and those that serve students with special needs or English learners, are nearby and can be found through this free searchable site. Check it out at mv.inplay.org.
District Chess Tournament Registration Open
Registration is now open for the 18th Annual MVWSD Interscholastic Chess Tournament, to be held online again due to COVID-19 on Sunday, May 16, from 12:00 to 5:00. The registration form and complete instructions can be found at tinyurl.com/mvwsdchess, and the deadline is May 14. Any questions can be sent to Mark Ruzon, tournament director, at [email protected].
Unlocking Our Inner Strengths with CHAC: Registration for free May events available
CHAC has opened registration for their free virtual workshops in May, which focus on unlocking our inner strengths and supporting mental wellness. You are welcome to join for any or all events. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30pm, with optional 30-minute Q&A from 7:30 to 8pm.
May 12: Self-Empowerment Through Expression: The Crucial Role of Mental Wellness in Motivating Tomorrow’s Leaders
May 19: Parenting Teens Doesn’t Have to be Painful!
May 26: Self-Care & Support Across Diverse Communities
For more information about each session and to register in advance, head to: https://funraise.org/give/Community-Health-Awareness-Council/a25a1482-56ef-448d-80f1-c36132be901c/.
El Camino Health Community COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
El Camino Health is continuing to administer free COVID-19 vaccines – by appointment – for those aged 16 and up who live or work in Santa Clara County. Vaccines are administered at El Camino Health’s Sunnyvale Clinic Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Visit elcaminohealth.org/schedulevax to make an appointment.
See attached flier for information and scheduling assistance available in Spanish and Mandarin. If you need assistance scheduling an appointment online, please call 408-871-7460, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The County of Santa Clara announced that most County Health System vaccination sites will accept drop-ins for COVID-19 vaccines. Same-day appointments and some drop-in locations across the county are available at sccfreevax.org.
MVEF is hiring: Content Writer
Mountain View Educational Foundation is Hiring a Content Writer to Help MVEF foster growth, optimize outreach, reach a wider audience, persuade the reader, and inspire action through the power of the written word.
Can you get people excited about the work that MVEF is doing? Do you write compelling, engaging and meaningful content in a concise newsletter, post web page or direct mail? Are you a superb storyteller that can capture people’s hearts and communicate the data? Is your style personable, specific, and easy to read?
MVEF needs a writer with these skills to enhance communication, marketing, and fundraising letter solicitations. The ideal candidate will help MVEF communicate with donors and parents, meet current fundraising goals, find new funding, spread awareness, and help donors understand the full impact of their donation.
This is a flexible, part time position. We need you to write Bi-monthly (sometimes monthly) updates for newsletters, website, and/or social media to keep supporters, donors, and volunteers educated about the impact on the community. We also need help with back to school marketing presentations and fundraising letters for all levels of donations.
Please send questions, email and/or resume to [email protected]
COVID 19 Vaccine Clinic