Principal’s Message:
Dear Imai Families,
October is Safety Month in MVWSD. Don’t forget that the districtwide earthquake drill is tomorrow. We have reviewed our procedures, and we are ready to practice. Parents, since students will be outside for approximately one hour, please plan to apply sunscreen to your child in the morning and have them bring a hat if they’re sun-sensitive. Please reassure your child that drills are our way of practicing for an emergency.
In the event of an emergency, like an earthquake, it’s possible that circumstances are not safe enough for us to release students as we typically do at the end of the school day. In an emergency, parents should not rush to school, but instead wait for updates from email, on mvwsd.org, social media and text/phone calls. So we know all students are accounted for, our schools will release students systematically to authorized adults when it’s safe. Please review our parent-student reunification procedures here. Reunification location is at the front of the school so please be on the lookout for the signs.
I would also like to bring it to your attention that next Friday our school will review what to do in the event of a dangerous intruder or similar event on campus. Practice at the elementary schools means students will view an age-appropropriate “dangerous intruder” video (which you may preview here) and talk with their teacher. The video and classroom discussion will encourage children to stay calm, follow directions, and listen to trusted adults.
Emergencies may never happen, but if they do, we’re better protected and are more able to help ourselves and others.
Don’t forget that conference week is next week and we will be on a minimum day schedule every day. Friday (10/25) is also our annual Trunk or Treat event for the whole family so please make sure you attend and participate.
At this week’s Principal’s coffee (Friday, 10/18 8:30AM) we will share the green presentation (green spaces on campus) and we need your input so please plan on attending. We will have coffee and treats.
We are celebrating Diwali with two assemblies (Tuesday,10/29 12:45 and 1:30) and would love to have more parents help us out. If you are interested please let us know.
Important dates:
10/17 9AM Earthquake Emergency Drill (TK-5)
10/18 PTA Parents Night Out
10/25 Trunk or Treat 5-7PM
10/31 Halloween Parade 8:15 AM (parking lot so please plan accordingly as there will be no parking or drop off on the lot)
Have a wonderful rest of the week!
Arline Siam
Principal
Upcoming Events
October
18- Principal’s Coffee at 8:30 am
18- PTA Parents Night Out
21- Picture retake (ID: EVTF72TPS) order here
21-25- Conference Week (Minimum day all week)
25- Trunk or treat 5pm-7pm
30- Bookmobile at 2:30pm
31- Halloween Parade at 8:10 am
November
11- Veteran’s Day (No School)
14- SSC at 3:30pm
14-Multicultural Dinner and Bingo Night 5pm-7pm
15- Principal’s Coffee at 8:30 am
18-22- 5th grade Walden West
20- Bookmobile at 2:30pm
25-29- Thanksgiving Recess (No School)
Reporting Absences
If you are reporting a student's absence, please email [email protected] or call the attendance line at (650)526-3490 ext 3080.
Reminder: Please include your student's name, your student's room or teacher, the reason for absence, the date of absence(s) and the relationship of the person leaving the message. Thank you from the office staff!
District News:
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.
Some of the topics include:
- Shoreline Update
- Reading Difficulty Risk Screener Selection Process
- Budget Advisory Committee Update
- Vendor Approval Process
- Board policy: Dress Code
For meeting details and agenda, please click here: https://www.mvwsd.org/trustees.
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 once monthly (on average) online during the 2024-25 school year in the evening hours.
If you’re interested in participating, please click here to apply.
Your donations of any amount help MVEF enrich education for every MVWSD student!
Love seeing your kids enjoy art, music, and hands-on science in elementary schools, and smaller English classes, athletics, clubs, and other activities in middle schools? MVWSD has one of the most socio-economically diverse student bodies in the Bay Area, and donations to MVEF ensure all students benefit from these essential programs, regardless of financial status.
With the MVEF Textathon & Phonathon season approaching, donate today to save a text and call! Every contribution makes a difference. Learn more about how you can support MVEF or make your tax-deductible donation here.
Crittenden Mattress Fundraiser on Oct. 20
The Crittenden Music Department will be hosting a Mattress Fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 20 from 10 am - 5 pm. This fundraiser will help with the music department's general fund. This is one of our biggest events of the year and we need your help! The MUR is turned into a mattress showcase room where customers can try out the beds. There are brand names at this event as well as special models of beds that can't be found in regular stores. Thanks for your support.
Free COVID tests available to order
US residential households are now eligible to order four free at-home COVID tests from the US Postal Service COVID test order page. Prepare for respiratory virus season and learn how and when to test for COVID-19. Some of the tests shipped may show expired dates on the box—please note the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the expiration dates of the tests being distributed through this program. You can find the full list of extended test expiration dates at the FDA At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests web page.
FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
MVLA Speaker Series: Never Enough with Jennifer Wallace
Join the next MVLA Speaker Series presentation, “Never Enough: Mattering as a Solution to Toxic Achievement Pressure,” with author Jennifer Wallace on Wednesday, October 30th at 7PM at the Crittenden Middle School Auditorium. In this eye-opening talk, Wallace investigates the deep roots of toxic achievement culture, explores its harmful impact on our kids, and delivers the powerful solution: mattering, the psychological concept of feeling like you add value and are valued regardless of your external achievements. Wallace provides a practical mattering framework that parents and educators can use to tackle achievement pressure at home and in the classroom. Register for this free event here.
Learning Challenges events for Fall 2024
For local coverage of issues related to learning challenges and special education, please check out the Learning Challenges Committee http://learningchallenges.lamvptac.org/
For broader coverage, look into the Northwest SCC SELPA CAC
Northwest Santa Clara County CAC meeting
October 29, 9 am
Register: https://sccoe.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpfuipqTwiGd2j1kNEBuVtKlTXV4IJn1TB
Morning Let’s Talk Parent Support group
October 30, 9 am on Zoom.
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/tZcqcu-vrDsiHdW_I5OTIYOiHcpy1tEmzuta
Who’s Who is Serving Our Little Ones? - Planning and Strategies for Children 3-5
From Department of Developmental Services and Palo Alto CAC
November 14, 6-7 pm on Zoom. Register: http://bit.ly/DDSTraining2
Evening Let’s Talk Parent Support group
November 19, 7 pm on Zoom.
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/tZMtfu2hrj0pG9zqGFeTzEnqs1U7cVxTcfl-
Learning Challenges Committee Meeting
December 3, 7:30 pm on Zoom
The LCC is working on providing a support group for parents, and planning to create a wish list for teachers throughout Mountain View and Los Altos for classroom supplies to support sensory needs. Would you like to help? Other ideas to support students and families with learning challenges? Join us here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUld-usrj8tEtNskynSpmorDiYZNt9_KAgq
Morning Let’s Talk Parent Support group
December 19, 10 am on Zoom.
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/tZMrduupqD0vEtSpweFX71KvNAcKW8Csy4D3
Missed past Parent Education events?
We have a YouTube channel with many of our past events including the recent talk on Assistive Technology, info 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
Volunteer with Mentor Tutor Connection
Mentor Tutor Connection is actively recruiting volunteers for our mentoring (high school students) and tutoring (K-8 students) programs located in Los Altos and Mountain View public schools. To learn more about Mentor Tutor connection, please email [email protected] or visit mentortutorconnection.org.
The View Teen Center: October
The View Teen Center is a free facility in Mountain View (263 Escuela Ave) for all Mountain View and Los Altos 6th - 12th grade students. Drop-in hours are Monday - Friday, 3:15 - 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 1 - 6 p.m. (Adjusted Hours: Oct. 10-11 & Oct. 21-25, 1-6 p.m.), and the center features a game room, makerspace, kitchen, computer/study room, and outdoor area. October events include Halloween-themed activities, art classes, a Bike to Boba, and much more. For more information, click here.
Attachments:
MTC GENERAL
TeenCenterOctober
Crittenden Music Mattress Fundraiser
MVLA Speaker Series 2024-25 Line-Up