Quetzal News
April 16, 2025
From Ms. O's Desk
Dear Quetzal Families,
Exciting Events Coming Up at Mistral! We’re getting closer to our wonderful Día del Niño celebration at Mistral! On Friday, April 25th, we’ll be honoring our incredible students with fun and festivities. We hope you can join us in celebrating this joyful tradition! We’re also looking for volunteers to help make the event extra special. If you’re available to support, please let me know. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Walk and Roll to Mistral – Monday, April 21st
Get ready to lace up those sneakers, walk, hop on a bike, or grab a skateboard! We’re encouraging all students to walk, bike, or roll to school next Monday. Students who participate will receive a ticket to an ice cream party in May! To be counted, students must enter through one of the three front gates of the school. We can’t wait to see many of our students take part in this healthy and eco-friendly event!
Earth Day Celebration – Wednesday, April 23rd
We’ll be celebrating Earth Day with hands-on arts and crafts that inspire students to care for our amazing planet. This is a great opportunity to raise awareness and encourage eco-friendly habits. Let’s keep working together to protect our environment! Thank you, ELAC Committee, for making this happen!
Spring Music Concerts Are Coming!
We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming music concerts! A big thank you to MVEF for making music and arts a vibrant part of our students’ education. Please check your child’s backpack for a flyer with the concert dates and times for your child’s class. Here are a few to note:
-
Mr. Acosta’s students and 5th graders – April 29th
-
Mr. Washington’s students – May 9th
We look forward to seeing you there to celebrate our students’ musical talents!
Friendly Reminder: No Toys at School
Just a quick reminder that toys should stay at home. We kindly ask for your help in ensuring your child does not bring toys to school, as they can be a distraction during the school day. Thank you for your support and understanding!
Warmly,
Claudia Olaciregui, Principal
Project Cornerstone- Join the Project Cornerstone Team as a Co-Leader!
Are you passionate about making a difference in children's lives? Do you enjoy working with parents and educators to create a positive school environment? Become a Project Cornerstone Co-Leader and help bring the ABC Program to life at your school!
Why Join?
- Inspire & Empower Students – Help foster a culture of kindness and respect through engaging books and lessons.
- Build Community – Connect with dedicated parents, volunteers, and school staff to create a meaningful impact.
- Develop Leadership Skills – Gain valuable experience in team coordination, training, and communication.
- Make a Lasting Impact – Be a role model and advocate for a positive school experience for all children.
Your Role:
- Lead & Train Volunteers – Recruit and support parent volunteers to bring ABC lessons into classrooms.
- Coordinate Monthly Activities – Plan engaging book readings, discussions, and activities for students.
- Stay Connected – Work closely with Project Cornerstone and school staff to ensure program success.
- Track & Celebrate Progress – Monitor participation, report volunteer numbers, and help with school-wide initiatives.
Time Commitment:
- A few hours per month to attend training, plan sessions, and support volunteers.
- A full school year of leadership and teamwork to create an inspiring experience for students.
Join us in making a difference! If you're ready to step into a rewarding leadership role, we’d love to have you on board. Sign up today and help shape a positive school culture for our kids!
Calendar
April 17
- Library Night @ Library 5:30pm
- CAASPP Testing April 21- May 9 3rd-5th Grades
- Walk & Roll To School to School Day
April 22
- KiwiCo Science Night Grades 3rd - 5th @ MUR 5pm
- Earth Day
April 25
- Dia del Niño celebration Event @ MUR 1:30pm
- Spirit Day - Gabriela Mistral Day
DISTRICT NEWS
Apply now for Math focus groups on April 23
MVWSD is updating its math curriculum. As typical with our curriculum cycles, it’s time to review and improve our mathematics program to ensure all students have strong learning opportunities, including acceleration if desired.
MVWSD is launching a two-year process to update math curriculum based on the latest research and best practices for math education. Our math curriculum was last adopted in 2015, and math placement criteria hasn’t been updated since 2021-22. To make this process inclusive, we’re seeking input from students, staff, and parents on math curriculum, instruction, pathways, assessments, and placement.
MVWSD is seeking parent and community input through a virtual focus group on April 23 at 4:00 pm. If you are interested in joining this focus group, please click the link to apply no later than April 17.
Electives selection for grades 5-7 due by April 18
It is the time of year when our incoming middle school students (grades 5-7) choose their elective courses for next year. Fifth- through seventh-grade parents, please view course catalogs here. Please talk with your student and then log in to your PowerSchool portal account (either student’s or parent’s) beginning March 31 to help your student select his/her electives. All 5th-7th graders should select their course electives online by April 18, 2025 through the PowerSchool portal.
Walk n Roll To School Week of April 21
The City of Mountain View’s Safe Routes to School, in partnership with the Mountain View Whisman School District (MVWSD), is excited to announce the Walk N Roll happening the week of April 21, 2025! Walk N Roll events are a fantastic way to help establish safe walking and biking routes while building a stronger sense of community and encouraging lifelong healthy habits. Teachers, parents, students, and school staff are all invited to join the event! Please check your school newsletter for the events, prizes and fun happening during this week
Parent University: Preparing for High school
Date and Time: May 6, 2025, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Registration Link: https://mvw.sd/pu050625r
Do you have a child who is about to enter high school? Join us at our final Parent University session of the year to learn about high school campus life from students and staff at Los Altos High School and Mountain View High School. This session will focus on supporting the social and emotional growth of students, and tips to support academic success as they navigate a complex new school experience.
To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
MVEF GALA - ANNUAL AUCTION IS LIVE!
Shop Now & Make a Difference!
The online auction is open! Browse and bid on 100+ incredible items, including summer camps, exclusive experiences for kids and adults, symphony, theatre & museum tickets, and much more. Click here to browse and bid.
EXPLORE OUR EXCITING LIVE AUCTION ITEMS!
Get ready for amazing live auction experiences, including:
Vacation getaways – Half Moon Bay, Bear Valley & Mendocino Coast
Concert tickets – Shoreline Amphitheatre
Family Memories Photography Session
7-night stay at a luxurious Los Cabos resort
Taco Party for 50 people & much more!
Check it out here.
LET’S CELEBRATE IN 80s STYLE!
Join us Sat., April 26, 2025, from 6:00-10:00 PM at the Los Altos Community Center for an unforgettable night celebrating 40 years of MVEF! Enjoy dinner, auctions, a DJ, raffles, and student performances.
Dress up in Formal 80s Attire – a tribute to the era MVEF was founded!
Tickets are still available here.
Click here to enter the raffle for a chance to win!
FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Spring 2025 Learning Challenges Committee Events
The Learning Challenges Committee of the Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council is made up of parents, teachers and students in the Mountain View and Los Altos areas. We are committed to helping families get the best education for students with learning challenges and/or special education needs.
From the LCC Upcoming Events:
Wednesday April 16, 7:30 PM, Zoom - LCC General Meeting on Zoom
Register HERE
Wednesday April 23, 10 am, Zoom - IEP/504 Parent Support Group - Parent Chat is our IEP/504/venting support group for parents/guardians to ask questions and work together to solve problems. Register HERE.
Wednesday April 23, 7:00 PM, Graham Middle School (hybrid option may be available) - “Borderline Cases” - How decisions are made on helping students with learning challenges, with MVWSD Special Education Director Frank Selvaggio and Laura Kimpton, special education advocate with Special Education Advocacy Group.
Coming up in mid-May - Make a Calm Down Kit! Parents and family members will be able to come to a maker session where we make Calm Down kits for classrooms across Mountain View and Los Altos, and take home one of your own. Stay tuned for more information.
From the Northwest SCC SELPA CAC:
Thursday April 10, 6-7:30 PM, Zoom. IEP Overview, Part Two - Live Virtual Training with Jenny Ponzuric. Register HERE
The View Teen Center: April
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., and the center features a game room, makerspace, kitchen, computer/study room, and outdoor area. April events include a Shoreline Cleanup, cooking classes, a Moonlight Masquerade, crafts, and much more. For more information, click here.
InPlay: Find camps and afterschool activities
Summer vacation is just around the corner. Looking for activities or camps for your children? 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.