September 15, 2022

From the Principal's Desk

Hello, Cheetah Families!

Please join me in celebrating the following students for reclassifying as Fluent English Proficient!  

• Santiago S (4th grade, room 19)

• Alexander T (5th grade, room 21)

• Iaroslava T (2nd grade, room 9)

• Max D (1st grade, room 6)

• Leonid K (2nd grade, room 8)

• Rosemary M (2nd grade, room 11)

• Ian S (2nd grade, room 8)

• Waard A  (1st grade, room 6)

• Fan W (5th grade, room 21)

• Rianna S (2nd grade, room 9)

• Julian C (2nd grade, room 9)

These students have met the criteria for reclassifying by demonstrating proficiency on the annual state language assessment and grade level proficiency on at least one reading standardized assessment.  These students are now bilingual or multilingual!  We are so proud of you, Cheetahs. Congratulations!

Over the next few weeks, our staff, ELAC committee, and School Site Council will be reviewing Theuerkauf's data to measure the effectiveness of our programs and to draft our Site Plan for the upcoming school year. One set of data that we have been looking at very closely already is our English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPAC) scores for students who are emerging multilingual students (English language learners).  We are also looking at parent engagement goals, general academic growth goals, and much more. 

If you would like to learn more about our site data or our site plan, please join us for our next School Site Council meeting on Tuesday, 9/20 @ 5pm via Zoom.  I will also provide an overview of our data at our next Principal’s Coffee, Thursday, 9/29 @ 5pm via Zoom.

 

All the Feels!

Between meeting new teachers, adjusting to their new grade levels, and learning new routines, many students can feel a range of emotions as the school year gets underway. Sometimes kids (and adults) can feel all the feels at once!

This month, schools across MVWSD are calling attention to resources for students feeling All The Feels, as well as resources for parents and school staff. 

A great space for mental health resources is MVWSD’s Virtual Wellness Center, which you can find at https://www.mvwsd.org/parents/virtual_wellness_center.

 

Construction Update

You may have noticed that wonderful solar arrays are now providing much needed shade on our blacktop area. You can already see some of the chalk drawings that students have added. This solar array work is still underway and is slated to be finished in October. We look forward to being able to enjoy all of the space on our blacktop area again soon. 

You may have also heard from your child about some updates inside the classrooms. All of our classrooms now have brand new HVAC units with MERV 14 filters installed, and this couldn't have come at a more important time! As the weather has continued to remain warm, we are already appreciating these powerful units. 

Additionally, bollard lighting will soon be installed on our campus. Due to supply chain issues, light posts are scheduled to arrive in mid October and will be installed upon arrival. These new lights and/or bollard style light posts will be installed to illuminate pedestrians’ path of travel between campus and parking lots. The light locations were determined by photometric survey data. This additional lighting is an important safety measure for staff members and guests using the campus in the evenings and winter late afternoons. 

Security camera mounts have been installed and electrical conduit installation is ongoing after hours. The system is anticipated to be operational in October 2022.  Security cameras in public areas are being installed at all school sites as a way to increase safety for students and staff members by deterring misconduct and preventing vandalism. Members of our school's community were engaged in a series of feedback meetings in Winter 2022. You can read more about construction updates for our school by clicking here. 

As always, thank you for your partnership. Together, we make a difference!

 

Yours in service,

Michelle Williams, Principal

Important Dates

Friday, September 16 ~ELAC Meeting 9:00-10:00 am (Zoom)

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

Thursday, September 29 ~Principal’s Coffee 5:00-6:00 pm (Zoom)

Friday, September 30 ~Cool Cats Assembly

Friday, October 7~ Community Check-in  3:30-4:30pm (Zoom)

Tuesday, October 11~ SSC Meeting 5:00-6:00 pm (Zoom) 

Wednesday, October 12~ Picture Retake

Thursday, October 13~ Teacher In-Service Day- No School

Friday, October 14~ Recess Day- No School

Friday, October 21~ ELAC Meeting 9:00-10:30 am (Zoom)

Friday, October 21~ Community Check-in 3:30-4:30 pm (Zoom) 

 

School News
School Site Council - Voting Closes this Friday!

As a reminder, School Site Council (SSC) parent voting was extended, but it will end this Friday at 11:59pm. Please click here to cast your vote for up to THREE parents/learning community members for this year's SSC: https://forms.gle/kkBGEyBMERJ65rA87. 

As a reminder, the School Site Council (SSC) is an important decision-making leadership group composed of the Principal, teachers, classified staff, and parents/community members. The SSC plays an important role in the continuous improvement of our students’ education by reviewing, approving, and monitoring the annual Theuerkauf Site Plan and categorical monies that fund the plan. Parent/community members review and analyze student performance, ask hard questions, and participate in thoughtful discussions as they work on a team with staff and the Principal. Thanks in advance for your vote!

 

Thursday Lunch

This is just a friendly reminder about lunch procedures on Thursday. If you have asked your child to stay for lunch on Thursdays, you may pick them up from the street-facing MUR/cafeteria door at 12:30pm. Please wait for your child outside of the MUR to ensure that all pathways remain clear. 

 

Looking for additional ways to volunteer on campus? 

We are looking for a few dedicated parents who would be willing to serve as volunteer supervisors in our front and back parking lot areas. If you are willing to serve 1 or more days per week, either from 8-8:15 am or from 2:45-3 pm, please email [email protected].

 

Reminder: Parking Lot Safety and Information

• Use the sidewalks. If you park on the street, please be sure to use the sidewalks and crosswalks to get to the school instead of cutting across the parking lot or street.

• The parking lot is designated for staff. Even if it appears empty, it is used by other school staff that need to come and go throughout the day.  They need to be able to quickly arrive on campus to support students.

• Please do not leave your car unattended during drop-off or pick-up, and do not park in the bus lane.

• Consider biking or walking to school using safe routes! Each family who bikes or walks to school will be entered into a raffle each time they do so. To be entered, email a picture of yourself and your child/children to [email protected]. Prizes include various gift certificates/cards, a family fun night basket, Google Echo Dots, and more. A drawing will be held each month.

 

Reminder: Reporting Absences

Please call the office at (650) 903-6925 or email Sherri Minor at [email protected] and Mary Colon at [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, your name, and relationship of the person reporting the absence.

PTA News

9/19 6:30-7pm Spanish Konstella Training; ¿Quieres aprender a utilizar la aplicación de Konstella?  Por medio de la app puedes comunicarte con otros padres de familia, organizar eventos y grupos.  Asiste a esta capacitación virtual por medio de zoom. Ingresa a este link este  lunes a las 6:30pm

 

9/20 6:30-7pm English Konstella Training: want to contact other parents, organize a playdate, create interest groups?  Join this training and learn how to best learn how to use Konstella.  Join this Zoom link.

 

9/30 Order your yearbooks! The PTA invites you to pre-order your yearbook by September 30th. Our special pre-order rate is $13.31, which includes 2 pages that you can customize yourself! Log in to TreeRing.com/validate and enter our school’s password 1016316858373987 to place your order. 

 

10/27 Walk-a-Thon: Save the Date... More details to come!

District News

Attendance Awareness Month: September

Why is it important that students are in school regularly? Research shows that school attendance is a strong indicator of success. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit early so they learn that going to school on time, every day, is important. Regular school attendance is required by state law. State law requires MVWSD to notify parents whose students are truant or chronically absent. The state, county, and district are monitoring attendance, both excused and unexcused absences because the goal is for healthy students to be in school as often as possible. Our schools’ goals are a 97% attendance rate.

 

Now hiring: Interpreters and Translators

Are you bilingual/biliterate and looking for a way to support our families and students? MVWSD is hiring support staff to serve as interpreters and translators for multiple languages, including Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, and others. Apply now at mvwsd.org/jobs.

 

Family Health and Wellness Fair: Sept 24 

There will be a free Family Health and Wellness Fair hosted by Assemblymember Marc Berman and in partnership with El Camino Health and MVWSD on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Mariano Castro Elementary School (500 Toft St). 

Come for free screenings and vaccines, free school supplies, backpacks, kid’s masks, diapers, period products, bike repair and healthy snacks.
 

Available:

*  Kids’ health screenings: dental, vision, heart, mental health, and nutrition screenings

* Free school supplies and backpacks

* Healthy snacks

* Fun activities for kids

* COVID-19 vaccines and boosters

* Hands-on science with NASA

* COVID-19 test kits

* Fire and garbage trucks up close

* Art projects

* Bike raffle and repair 

* Casework services

For more information, please call (650) 324-0224 or visit http://ASMDC.ORG/CP-FHWF.

 

MVWSD Seeks Parents & Staff Members for Health and Wellness Committee

MVWSD is seeking parents and staff to lend their perspective and expertise to benefit students by serving on the Health and Wellness Committee. 

The Health and Wellness Committee aligns District efforts to support student wellness through health education, physical education and activity, health services, nutrition services, psychological and counseling services, and a safe and healthy school environment. 

Interested applicants should have experience, knowledge, or interest in the topics described above. In addition to last year’s members, we are seeking at least 1 parent and 1 certificated staff member per school and 3 representatives from community-based organizations. The committee may include up to 30 participants. 

The time commitment is approximately four meetings during the school year, beginning in October. Meetings will take place on Zoom. 

Applications are due by Friday, September 16, and may be found at this link: http://mvw.sd/health. Please direct any questions to Brian White, Coordinator for Health and Wellness.
 

 

Why does MVWSD rely on MVEF donations for supplemental funding?

This year, MVEF funding is reducing English Language Arts middle school class sizes; providing art, music, and life science enrichment; and more! Why does MVWSD rely on MVEF for this? MVWSD is “community funded” (also known as “basic aid district”), which means that budget growth relies almost entirely on increased assessed value of the property tax base within the district. California’s Prop 13 limits the growth in assessed property values, which effectively throttles budget growth that could fund supplemental public education programs. However, MVWSD works closely with MVEF so that additional enrichment is still possible for our students. To learn more, click here. To make a donation, click here.

 

Searching for Volunteers to Serve City of MV Community

Recruitment is open for upcoming vacancies on several City board, commissions and committees that weigh in on a wide range of matters. If you have an interest or background in the City’s downtown interests, environmental planning process, library, parks and recreation, performing arts, inclusive community relations or bike and pedestrian concerns, we welcome you to apply to serve on one of these bodies. Find more information and the application form at MountainView.gov/Advisors. Questions can be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or 650-903-6304. The deadline to apply is Sept. 29 at 5 p.m.

 

Elevate MV: Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program 

Applications open September 16th for the Mountain View Elevate MV pilot program, which will give direct cash payments of $500 per month to 166 randomly selected eligible extremely low income Mountain View residents. The pilot program sets itself apart from other direct relief programs by providing unrestricted financial assistance to the most vulnerable in our community. This pilot program will be a part of a national research study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania Center for Guaranteed Income Research. For eligibility requirements and details about the program, including how to receive assistance with the application, click here. 

Attachments
Income Pilot Program