September 1, 2021
From the Principal's Desk
Hello, Cheetah families!
It has been exciting to see our students take part in many new opportunities over the past week or so! Our STEAM classes are in full swing, our 5th graders started art and music today, and our teachers are now working with small groups of students in targeted ways to differentiate instruction and meet the learning needs of each child. We are excited to begin art and music for our TK-4th grade students next week as well.
If you did not make it to the Principal's Coffee on Tuesday evening, please be sure to visit me during open office hours or send me an email. I know there is a lot of information coming your way, and I want to be sure your questions about COVID safety protocols, pooled testing, our schedule, and all other topics are answered.
As always, thank you for your partnership!
Sincerely,
Michelle Williams, Principal
Important Dates
Wednesday, September 1, 4-5pm - Open Office hours with the principal (Zoom)
Thursday, September 2, 6-7pm - School Site Council (SSC) meeting (Zoom)
Thursday, September 2 - School Pictures
Friday, September 3 - Summer Reading Challenge Celebration
Friday, September 3 - Cheetah Paw Print Exhibition (exterior windows)
Wednesday, September 8, 6-7pm - Cafecito with the Superintendent (Zoom)
Friday, September 10, 9-10am - ELAC Meeting (Zoom)
School News
Pooled Testing
Thank you SO much to those who submitted their consent forms for pooled COVID testing, set to begin next week. If you have not submitted the form that was emailed to you, please do so as soon as possible, whether you choose to accept or decline. Additionally, please reach out to Principal Williams if you have questions or concerns about this process. If you did not make it to the Principal's Coffee on Tuesday, do not worry. She is also available during open office hours today or by appointment as needed.
Masking up
Thank you so much for working with your child on wearing their mask correctly and consistently! I am happy to report that our students are doing a WONDERFUL job of keeping their masks on all day. We need your help with one thing, though! We have noticed that some students' masks are too small, and they do not cover their noses and mouths at the same time when they talk. A well-fitting and clean mask is essential in maintaining the safety of all of our students. Will you please be sure to send your child to school with a well-fitting mask to wear as well as an extra mask in their backpack, just in case their mask gets dirty? If needed, we will provide your child with a new mask if their mask seems to be too small or soiled.
Picture Day
This Thursday, September 2nd, Theuerkauf students will be taking school pictures during the school day. You may have noticed a flier that went home with your child last week in their backpack that provides details on how to order pictures, if you are interested. If this flier did not reach you, there are extra copies available in the school office. Please note that pre-ordering is not necessary--you can preview your child's picture after photo day by following the instructions on the flier. Please reach out to the front office if you have any questions or concerns.
Celebrating our Cheetahs
This Friday, we will be celebrating our students for a couple of great reasons! First, we will be recognizing a number of our Cheetahs for accepting the summer learning challenge. Those who completed 30-50 iReady lessons and/or completed the take-home workbooks provided will be recognized with several fun prizes! We are proud of you, students, for working hard to continue reading and practicing math over the summer.
Additionally, we will be showcasing many of our students' unique Cheetah paw prints and uniquely designed masks in the windows of the school starting this Friday. We are proud of our students' unique attributes, talents, and all of the precious gifts that they bring to our learning community.
Open Office Hours with the Principal
Your voice is important! Please note that open office hours with the principal are back again this year so that you can share any ideas, concerns, or questions that may be on your mind. If you'd like to stop by (virtually) and chat with the principal about anything at all, please click on this link on Wednesdays, anytime from 4-5pm.
Theuerkauf Food Drive & Pantry
Thank you so much to those who donated items to our food pantry last year! This week, we will begin accepting donations again this year. If your family has a little extra to share with the community, you can drop items off at our front office. We know that as the pandemic drags on, many families are facing tough times financially, and we want to continue to share with one another. This year, we will continue to accept canned goods, boxed dinners, hygiene items, and other non-perishables as well as grocery cards. Please click here to see a more specific list of items that are typically needed. Thanks again for your generosity and kindness! If you are a family who could use a bit of support, please reach out to Ms. Lisset Tellez. She will schedule a time for you to come to the food pantry to privately pick up the items that you need.
PTA News
Congratulations to Joaquín I. (Rm 19)! You won the raffle for this month's art basket - we hope you enjoy all the art supplies and will create some fun masterpieces! Click here to watch the drawing!
Up next for a raffle is the Ice Cream Basket filled with all the fixings and accessories you need for an ice cream party valued over $100. Tickets will be on sale during our next gear sales on Thursday September 30th at noon.
Reminder - Please sign up for Konstella!
This year, we are trying a new tool for helping teachers and families to connect about special events and to organize class- wide activities. It is called Konstella. In the past much of that communication happened in person with a quick chat, but with the continued safety procedures, Konstella will be our "quick chat" moving forward. Thanks for signing up and making this school year a special one for the kids! https://www.konstella.com/cd/VUATEB
District News
COVID testing consent form in your inbox
Our District is partnering with Concentric for simple, pooled COVID-19 testing on campus for students weekly and rapid COVID antigen tests for staff members.
We need your help! The more students who participate in the program, the more effective it will be. We are requesting each student participate in testing because:
* Participation helps safeguard the wellbeing of our entire school community, as well as give you information to help you keep your loved ones healthy.
* Students who participate may have a modified quarantine and continue to attend school (if requirements are met) if there is a positive test result in the pool - thus reducing time out of school and missed instruction.
By Wednesday, Sept. 1, please complete the consent form sent to your email on Aug. 27.
Testing will begin the week of Sept. 7. For specifics about the program, please view https://www.mvwsd.org/COVIDtesting.
Parent University: Mental Health: Care and Support
Date: September 1, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. Registration Link: mvw.sd/pu090121
Join us to learn about mental health care and support. We will share a wide range of information from basic wellness to seeking mental health treatment. Presenters include representatives from MVWSD, Santa Clara County Behavioral Health, and local agencies or organizations.
To submit questions prior to the event, please click here. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
Better Together: Appreciating Differences
This is the first issue of #BetterTogether’s second year in circulation. This past summer, the Tokyo Olympic games had us transfixed. Though there is still a way to go, these past games had the most culturally and racially diverse Team USA in history. Just before the start of the school year, the release of the US Census data also confirmed for all of us that we are one nation, more beautifully diverse than ever. This month, Mountain View Whisman School District is celebrating our diversity with resources for teachers, parents, and community partners to aid in the transmission of our message: our diversity is one of our greatest strengths as a nation, as a city, and as a school district, where all are welcome. Please see the graphics attached to this newsletter, or visit https://www.mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD.
MVEF: Please Support Our Students!
MVEF raises money to provide all MVWSD students with an educational experience beyond what is possible with public funding. Help us fund programming for your child and every child in the district! We hope you saw the MVEF brochure (which doubles as a donation envelope) or watched the video during Back to School. Please see the website at mvef.orgfor more information and to donate online. Use your credit card to pay in monthly installments. Please consider joining our team of volunteers. Email us with any questions at [email protected]. Thank you for your support!
InPlay: Afterschool activities
Looking for afterschool activities for your student? InPlay offers a free searchable program guide for parents, with filters for age, location, price (including free or reduced cost), and more. To find programs local to Mountain View, head to:https://www.inplay.org/r/mountain-view. Available programs include those that serve students with special needs or English learners.
Announcing the MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series for 2021 - 2022
The MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series is excited to announce our speaker line-up for the 2021 - 2022 school year. Nationally and internationally recognized experts will join us to discuss important topics in child and adolescent well-being, including – delving inside the college financial aid decisions process; talking honestly and intentionally about money; navigating the often crazy teen years; engaging kids in deeper critical thinking; building stronger resilience to addiction; mitigating cognitive biases in our daily actions; building a more meaningful life; and talking frankly about porn.
2021 - 2022 Speaker Events
Ron Lieber
The Price You Pay For College: An Entirely New Road Map
Tuesday, September 28, 2021 – 7pm
Live Online
Ron Lieber
The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money
Thursday, September 30, 2021 – 7pm
Live Online
Michael Bradley
Yes, Your Teen Is Crazy
Thursday, October 21, 2021 – 7pm
Live Online
Colin Seale
The Question Is the Answer: Practical Strategies to Unleash Critical Thinking At Home
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 - 7pm
Live Online
Jessica Lahey
The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence
Thursday, January 13, 2022 – 7 pm
Live Online
Rosetta Lee
Implicit and Unconscious Bias: Bridging the Distance Between Our Professed Values and Daily Behaviors
Tuesday, February 1, 2022 – 7pm
MVHS Spartan Theater
Scott Schimmel
Raising Well: The 25 Questions Every Kid Must Answer to Build a Meaningful Life
Tuesday, March 22, 2022 – 7pm
MVHS Spartan Theater
Shafia Zaloom
Kids Are Watching Pornography: Here’s How to Talk About It
Tuesday, April 19 - 7pm
LAHS Eagle Theater
Local Covid Vaccine Clinic: Sep. 3rd- Gift cards for first doses!
Santa Clara County is hosting several upcoming Covid-19 vaccination clinics at the Waldorf School of the Peninsula and Saint Athanasius Church in Mountain View (160 N Rengstorff Ave). Vaccinations are free. Gift card incentives will be provided for first doses.
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1st dose on September 3rd from 3pm to 5:30pm.
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1st/2nd dose on September 25th from 12:30pm to 5:30pm. (This is a 1st dose clinic for Saint Athanasius Church Second Harvest Food Distribution Event, those who received a vaccine on 9/3 can get their second dose on 9/25.)
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2nd dose October 16th from 12:30pm to 5:30pm. (This is a clinic for those who received a first dose on 9/25)
For more information about COVID vaccinations in the area, please visit https://vax.sccgov.org/
Attachments
COVID Vaccine Clinic
MVLA Series Speaker
September Equity Calendar