The Dolphin Whistle
January 6, 2021 Issue 20
MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL LAMBERT
Dear Parents,
We are happy to back with your children, working hard with them to ensure they are enjoying their learning as they prepare for the future. January is a time for renewed energy and determination and it's also a time for Parent-Teacher conferences! All parents have an appointment scheduled with your child's teacher next week. If you do not know or remember when it is, please contact the teacher or the office asap. The conferences are via Zoom and interpreters are available. Teachers will review your child's progress in class, including their results on the iReady assessment, as well as their effort and work habits. This also a time for parents to ask the teachers questions and discuss any concerns you have. I encourage you to be an active part of the conference and to keep your appointment. If a change is necessary please contact the teacher or the office in advance.
Next Wednesday the 13th is also the next mandatory textbook and materials distribution, from 11 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Please arrange to have someone come to the school to pick up your child's materials if you are not able to come yourself. Remember to always wear a mask and maintain the 6 foot social distancing.
See you next Wednesday!
Warm Regards,
Theresa Lambert
Principal Mariano Castro Elementary
cell number (831)206-9522
Tips for Helping your child to deal with traumatic events
Try to be in charge of what and how your child learns about the event. Depending upon the age of your child, it is a good idea to limit children’s exposure to traumatic news stories and images. Older children might use social media to communicate with their friends about events. It is important to monitor their interpretation of what is happening around them.
When exposure is unavoidable, provide basic information about what happened at an age appropriate level. Brief, basic facts are typically appropriate for younger children, while older children and teens may have more questions. Don’t overwhelm young children with too much information, but be sure to address questions as they arise.
Calendar
Monday, January 11th, 2021- Friday, January 15,2021 - Conference week, Minimum Days dismissal at 11:50 a.m.
Wednesday, January 13th - Mandatory Materials Distribution - 11:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 - Diaper Distribution, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 - Superintendent's Cafecito 5:30 p.m.
Monday, January 18th, 2021 - No School, Martin Luther King Day
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 - ELAC Meeting, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - School Site Council Meeting 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - Food Pantry, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 26, 2020 - Principal's Coffee - 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 27th, 2020 - Diaper Distribution, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00p.m.
FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE
Enrollment for 2021-22 school year begins this month
or CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents will be asked by email to confirm enrollment from January 18- 22.
For NEW students: Open Enrollment is from January 11 through Feb. 5, 2021 online. You can register your child for the 2021-22 school year when online registration opens here: www.mvwsd.org/register
Getting Ready for the ELPAC Parent Information session: Jan. 12
The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is administered every year to our English Learner (EL) students. To learn more about this assessment, the role it plays in the education of every EL, and how to help your child prepare, please join for the following meeting:
January 12
5:00-5:30 in English: https://zoom.us/j/93307939185
5:30-6:00 in Spanish: https://zoom.us/j/93709174683
Parent University: Adolescent Drug Use, including the impact of the current pandemic.
Join us on Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 from 5:30 to 7:00 P.M. for our next Parent University event: Adolescent Drug Use, including the impact of the current pandemic. While this event is geared toward parents of children ages 10 to 18, all are welcome.
The presenter, Alum Rock Counseling Center (ARCC), has been in place for 46 years in the Bay Area and addresses the academic, social and mental health needs of the at-risk youth and families. This important workshop will include such topics as:
· Overview of trending substances used by youth (vaping, marijuana, alcohol, opioids, etc.)
· Signs and symptoms
· Why teens are using and the impact of COVID-19
· How families can discuss substance use and support their children
· Alternatives for substance use and ideas for prevention
· Resources
Spanish interpretation will be provided.
Register here: http://mvw.sd/Jan20
Tester and Interpreter/Translator positions available
Looking for a part-time job with a positive social impact? MVWSD is now hiring organized and friendly individuals to administer English Language proficiency assessments to the district’s K-8 English language learners. To find out more, click here: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1310195
Can you speak or write in a language other than English? MVWSD is always looking for qualified interpreters and translators. If you enjoy helping families and children and are fluent in English and one of the languages below, click on http://mvw.sd/QthLB (interpreter) and http://mvw.sd/ubXOi (translator). We are currently looking for the following languages: Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi, French, German, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, Vietnamese.
Info meeting next week: MVWSD’s award-winning Preschool
Is now enrolling for full-day and part-day for the 2021-22 school year. Join us for an informational meeting online on January 14 @ 3:00 pm at http://mvw.sd/preschool2. Please see the attached flyer or https://www.mvwsd.org/preschool for more information.
Register now! Parent workshop: How to Build Academic Language with Kate Kinsella
Virtual presentation on January 27 at 6:00 pm
Hosted by Huff, Landels and Jose Antonio Vargas elementary schools
Register: http://mvw.sd/kate
Presenter Kate Kinsella, Ed.D. will talk about:
• After school conversation tips to use with children to encourage thoughtful responses
• Strategies to help increase students' academic language and listening skills
Kate Kinsella, Ed.D., is a teacher educator at San Francisco State University and a highly sought after speaker and consultant to school districts throughout the United States regarding development of academic language and literacy across the K-12 subject areas. Her 25-year teaching career focus has been equipping children from diverse backgrounds with the communication, reading, and writing skills to be career and college ready.
For more information, please visit http://drkatekinsella.com/about-us/
CSMA offers Virtual Art Club Live Zoom Sessions for Elementary students
Afterschool art for grades Grades K-5 from January 19-April 22, 2021. See the attached flyers or click here to view and register: https://arts4all.asapconnected.com/#CourseGroupID=10998
CHAC offers free mental health support to parents and students
For parents: CHAC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable and accessible mental health services, supports parents in several ways. Please see the attached flyers for more information.
For students: PLUGGED IN - Social and Emotional Learning Skills Programs
CHAC is excited to offer two new Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Skills Programs to 3rd and 5th grade students. Both programs are a fun and enriching way to help students navigate the unique challenges they face in these extraordinary times.
1. CHAC's Weekly Virtual Group meetings focus on social interaction between participants. Through collaborative lessons and fun activities students will learn emotion regulation skills, problem solving skills as well as healthy coping and self-care skills.
2. CHAC's Independent SEL Curriculum teaches students essential social and emotional learning skills through entertaining video lessons and a variety of fun activities that students complete independently.
The parents who request the PLUGGED IN Independent Curriculum will have it emailed to them immediately.
The parents who would like their child to join a PLUGGED IN virtual group, will be contacted about scheduling options and asked to complete an online permission slip. Groups are expected to start in early January.
Click here to learn more about PLUGGED IN- CHAC’s new SEL Programs: https://www.chacmv.org/social-emotional-learning
MV Library presents: Raising Kindness and Awareness in Children
Wednesday, January 20, 7 pm - 8 pm. Learn about fostering “kindness activism” in your children. Aila Malik, author, parent activist, social justice warrior, and kindness advocate will present practical ideas and engaging perspectives on activating humility, empathy, action, and togetherness within your family. Free. Flyers attached. Registration is required. https://mountainview.libcal.com/
Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Session - Tuesday, January 12th
You can change the life of a student! Come learn about volunteer opportunities to mentor high school students and Tutor students in grades K-8 in our Mountain View and Los Altos schools.
Becoming a Mentor or Tutor will add joy to your life and help a student in our local community to a brighter future! There is no obligation to sign up as a volunteer. You're welcome to just come and learn more.
Please note: Programs are currently remote and will remain so until students are back in school and the school district permits volunteers in the classroom
All volunteers must be high school graduates.
Date: Tuesday, January 12th
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Online via Zoom (URL provided upon registration)
Register: REGISTER ONLINE
Questions: programs@mentortutorconnection.org
Information: www.MentorTutorConnection.org
Parenting in a pandemic: Free 6th district PTA speaker series
Thursday, January 21, 2021, 7pm, “Navigating School During Uncertain Times” with Challenge Success - Laura Easley. For other offerings in January and February, please see the attached flyer. Cost: free. For more information and to reserve your seat visit https://capta6.org/parenting-in-a-pandemic/
MVLA Speakers series presents “Middle School Matters” with Phyllis Fagell
Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 - 7:00 - 9:00pm | Live Online
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Professional School Counselor Phyllis Fagell helps parents use the middle school years as a low-stakes training ground to teach kids the key skills they’ll need to thrive now and in the future, including making good friend choices, negotiating conflict, regulating their own emotions, acting as their own advocates, and more. To answer parents’ most common questions and struggles with middle school-aged children, she combines her professional and personal expertise with stories and advice from prominent psychologists, doctors, parents, educators, school professionals, and middle schoolers themselves.
Audience: Parents of kids grades 4 - 8
Register: To register for this free event at https://mvla2020-21-phyllisfagell.eventbrite.com
Books: https://www.booksinc.net/book/9780738235080