August 30, 2023

August 30, 2023
 
 Principal's Message

Dear Cheetah Community, 

Wow! What a great Principal/PTA Coffee this past Friday! It was great to get to see and meet a lot of you. If you missed it, I opened by sharing the following image: 

    
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


This image is a word cloud of what teachers said about how they want your child to feel in their classroom this year. If the word is larger, that means that more than one person independently wrote the same word. Although I love all of the words, some of my favorites that teachers wrote are: valued, excited, empowered, safe, belonging. The staff at Theuerkauf are devoted to teaching the whole child. 

I also shared a little about myself so we can start to build connections. I originally grew up in Connecticut. One of the greatest things I value is family. My parents were the presidents of our PTA and I always enjoyed seeing them on campus and creating fun evening events. One time, my dad brought in truck loads of sand and turned our school gym into a beach volleyball court with a sand toy area. I remember it being a ton of fun, and a lot of cleaning up afterwards! I personally love to hike, rock climb, and go on van trips with my husband. My husband and I fell in love with Yosemite so much that he proposed to me on Cloud’s Rest trail and then we got married on the top of Glacier Point in Yosemite. One last fun fact I shared was that I was a professional clown with my dad when his slow blinding disease (Retinitis Pigmentosa) took away his vision. I would help give out the balloon animals, paint faces, and call on students to be part of our magic tricks. We were quite the duo. At the end of the Principal/PTA coffee I challenged others to turn to just one person they didn’t know and introduce themselves. I challenge you to do this as well at drop off, pick up, or events! Take a quick moment to just say hello and continue to build our beautiful community by smiling, waving, and greeting each other! 

 

Here are a couple of people who are part of our community that spoke as well!

This is our Librarian Heidi Baikie who was showcasing Book Breaks, a new district-wide program to bring authors into our schools via live broadcast; teachers can also use the recorded discussions and resources provided by Book Breaks later in the month. Upcoming events are with authors Peter Reynolds, Kelly Yang, and Kate DiCamillo. Students in grades 1-5 are visiting the library this week and Mrs. B is going into TK and Kinder classrooms. Please read every day with your student.  

Here are our PTA board members: 

You can always reach out to them via email:

Emily Chang, President, [email protected]

Teresa Peters, Vice President, [email protected] 

Antje Kirschner,  Treasurer, [email protected] 

Jessica Merino, Secretary,  [email protected]

Cody Ellis, Board Member, [email protected] 

Joie Pascual, Gear Coordinator, [email protected]

 

 

I hope you have a great long weekend filled with some extra, cherished, family time! 

 

Warm Regards,

Principal Danielle Lyons

 
 Important Dates

 

  • Wednesday, August 30th - SSC Orientation Meeting 5:00-6:00 PM (Zoom)

  • Wednesday, August 30th --5th grade parents- Walden West Parent Orientation- 5:30-6:15 PM (Zoom) 

  • Monday, September 4th- Labor Day (No School)

  • Friday, September 8th-Community Check-in with Dr. Rudolph, 3:30PM - 4:30PM (Register Here)

  • Monday, September 11th- ELAC Meeting 9:00-10:30 AM (Zoom)

  • Tuesday, September 12th- Picture Day

 
 School News

 

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!

 

School Meals are free

MVWSD will continue to provide free meals to all students as part of California’s universal meal program. Breakfast and lunches are available daily.  Menus and nutritional analysis can be found on https://www.mvwsd.org/nutrition. There will be a vegetarian option each day. Students will get their card at the beginning of the lunch line to scan each time they get a meal. Students may bring their own self-contained lunches if desired. 

 

Parent pick up from the Cafeteria

If your child will be eating  in the cafeteria after school on Thursday’s. The Parent pick up will be on the outside door facing San Luis Ave on the right side with the ramp. 

 
 District News

Sown to Grow

MVWSD is again partnering with Sown to Grow for the 2023-24 school year for grades K-6. Sown to Grow is a platform designed to promote safe and supportive classrooms. Through student check-ins and reflective activities, students are encouraged to engage in self-awareness, set personal goals, and develop essential social and emotional skills. This data allows teachers, principals, and counselors to proactively reach out to support student needs. For more information, please read the attached letter. Sown to Grow Letter (English)

 

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 to ezmealapp.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.


MVWSD Seeks Parents & Staff Members for Health & Wellness Committee

The Health & Wellness Committee is looking for parents and staff members for the 2023-24 school year! This committee aligns District efforts to support student wellness through health education, physical education and activity, health services, nutrition services, psychological and counseling services, and through promoting a safe and healthy school environment. 

Last year, the committee’s work helped increase student access to nutrition information and education, professional development on USDA standards for school nutrition, and supported student opportunities for physical activity throughout the school day. We are seeking at least 1 parent and 1 certificated staff member representative from each school. 

If you have experience, knowledge, or interest, please complete an application at: http://mvw.sd/health. Applications are due by September 13.  

The Health and Wellness Committee will meet 4 times during the school year on Zoom, with the first meeting scheduled for September 28. 

If you have any questions, please contact Brian White, Health & Wellness Coordinator at [email protected].

MVWSD seeking District Equity Advisory Committee members

MVWSD is continuing our work by engaging meaningfully with the community on issues of equity through the District Equity Advisory Committee (DEAC). The goal of the DEAC is to provide feedback to the Superintendent on how to support MVWSD towards achieving its goals of becoming a more equitable and inclusive school district.

We are seeking a combination of district-level leaders, principals, teachers, staff members, and parent participants who represent the interests of both elementary and middle schools. Committee members will be expected to attend and participate virtually in meetings held monthly (on average) online in the evening hours. 

If you’re interested in participating, please complete the application here. 

 

Volunteer with MVEF!
MVEF needs 1-3 additional volunteers at each school in MVWSD. MVEF school representatives help the families at their school understand what MVEF is and why it exists so that they are inspired to donate and spread the word about the impact of MVEF funding. MVEF also needs volunteers to help with planning our annual Gala and other community events. To learn more, visit: https://www.mvef.org/volunteer

 

Mentor Tutor Connection: Volunteer Information Session

Mentor Tutor Connection is holding a Volunteer Information Session on Wed., Sept. 13, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, MVLA District Office Conference Room, 1299 Bryant Ave., Mountain View. Please join us and learn about becoming a mentor and/or a tutor in the Mountain View and Los Altos public schools. Help a local student to a brighter future! To register go to www.mentortutorconnection.org/events  - or email programs@mentortutorconnection.org.

 

August/September CAC and LCC Events 

SELPA 1 CAC and the Learning Challenge Committee are your groups for special education and broader learning challenge needs. We are ALL having learning challenges right now, and CAC and LCC are here to help. If you have questions about learning challenges and special education needs, email [email protected] or check outwww.selpa1cac.org

We encourage families to learn about the sensory needs all children: Try a Sensory Diet

 

Parent Chat

September 12, 10 am                 

Are you concerned about the emotional well-being of your child?  Peer to peer support for parents of teens with mental health challenges. Every second Tuesday of the month at 10 am on Google Meet. Meeting is for 1 hour only due to Google Meet limitations. Contact [email protected] for invite.

September 13, 10 am Morning Let’s Talk  - IEP/504 support group. Have questions about the process to get help for your child? Have an IEP but are not sure how to make changes? Need to vent? This is your confidential group. Register at:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZModeirqToiHdQpAOpxx4g3NaLHuElaLtJs

        

Missed our Parent Education events last year?

We have a YouTube channel with many of our past events including last year’s Inclusive Fun Fair for summer camps and recreational activities, Anxiety and Depression in Children with Learning Challenges, SMART Goals and IEP Troubleshooting, and more. Channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuy7IcVz-4LTDxv2Jaq13nw

 

Housing and Eviction Help Center 

The City of Mountain View's Rent Stabilization Program runs the Housing and Eviction Help Center (HEHC) at the MV Public Library to provide housing-related support to the community, including information about housing programs and legal resources. These services are available on 1st and 3rd Thursdays (walk-ins welcome or virtually at mountainview.gov/housinghelpclinics) from 6 - 8 p.m. For more information, see flyers attached or visit mountainview.gov/evictionprevention.

 

City Searching for Volunteers to Serve Community

Recruitment is open for upcoming vacancies on several City boards, 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.

 

SCCOE Family Engagement Symposium 2023: Sept. 9

Join SCCOE’s upcoming free Family Engagement Symposium “Belonging Begins with Me” on Saturday, Sept 9, 2023. Workshops include Family Writing Activity - Writing Your Belonging Story, Establishing Your Financial Roots, How to Raise and Nurture an Antiracist Family, and more! Register here: https://sccoe.to/PEPBelongingSept9.

 

Announcing the MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series for 2023 - 2024

The MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series is excited to announce our speaker line-up for the 2023 - 2024 school year. Nationally and internationally recognized experts will join us to discuss important topics on child and adolescent well-being, as well as our own - including how to help kids face the unique challenges of growing up surrounded by computers, how to raise successful adults and break free of the traps of overparenting, exploring why puberty is so different for today’s kids than past generations and figuring out how to beat the college admissions system.

  

2023 - 2024 Speaker Events

Devorah Heitner 

Growing Up in Public: Helping our Kids Navigate the Digital Coming of Age

Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - 7pm

Mountain View High School - Spartan Theater 

Julie Lythcott-Haims 

How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success 

Tuesday, October 10, 2023 - 7pm

Mountain View High School - Spartan Theater 

Cara Natterson & Vanessa Kroll Bennett 

This Is So Awkward: A Conversation About How Puberty Has Changed

Tuesday, November 17, 2023 - 7pm

Los Altos High School - Eagle Theater

Susan Paterno 

Game On: Why College Admission Is Rigged and How To Beat the System

Thursday, March 7, 2024 - 7pm

Los Altos High School - Eagle Theater

 

For more information, visit mvlaspeakerseries.org. Events are free thanks to our generous sponsors: MVLA High School FoundationLos Altos Educational FoundationMountain View Educational Foundation, and the Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council.

 
 PTA News

 

PTA: Membership, Gear and More

Please visit our Google page for all things PTA:  tinyurl.com/THPTAconnect

As a parent, one of the most direct ways to be involved at Theuerkauf is to support the PTA.  You can become an official member by making a $10 donation using the form above.

Want a cool Theuerkauf shirt?!  We still have some of the shirts with the old logo.  Get them while supplies last! Order using the form above.

Walkathon Meeting

Interested in helping with the Walkathon this year? Our first Walkathon-focused meeting will be on Wednesday Sept 6th, 6:30 - 7:30 over Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86736465261 )

Volunteer at Theuerkauf

Please become an active Theuerkauf community member by volunteering.  There are so many ways you can help out!  Please go to the link below to learn more and let us know your interest: Click here

Sign up on Konstella Now!

Want to know about school events and classroom happenings? Konstella is a free app for web and mobile that allows family members to find and communicate with each other privately and securely. Visit www.konstella.com and click "find your school." In the Note section enter the name of your child's teacher.

Introducing Friday Lunchtime Chess Club

We'll be meeting during the 3rd-5th grade lunch period (12:30 - 1:15) on Fridays outside under a tree. Tell your kid(s) to look for the sign/picnic tablecloths/chess sets near the playground/blacktop this Friday during lunch.  They can even bring their lunch over and eat while they play!

If it goes well, we might expand to the younger kids' lunch period too. If you have a younger student and want to spearhead a group meeting during the 1st/2nd grade lunch (12-12:45 am), let me know ([email protected]).

If you can join us and lend a hand, we'd LOVE your help!  You'd need to check in at the front office and if you'll be coming more than three volunteer sessions at the school, you'll need a volunteer badge (https://www.mvwsd.org/parents/volunteering)

 
 Flyers
 
 

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