Quetzal News

Dear Quetzal Families,

As we embark on No Place for Hate week, we embrace the opportunity to celebrate inclusion, diversity, love, and kindness throughout our school community. These values are central to who we are at Mistral and align with our District Strategic Goal 3, which focuses on fostering an inclusive and welcoming culture for all.

Next week, our student council will lead a variety of activities during lunch that highlight and reinforce these essential values. Through our shared experiences, we honor the beauty in our diversity, support one another, and stand together against hate and intolerance.

To make this week even more memorable, we invite everyone to participate by wearing a designated color each day. Here’s the lineup for each day:

• Monday - Wear red/pink
• Tuesday-Wear orange/brown
• Wednesday- Wear yellow/white
• Thursday-wear green/black
• Friday- Wear blue/purple

Let’s come together as a community to show our support and commitment to kindness, respect, and inclusion. Thank you for helping make Mistral a place where everyone feels valued and celebrated.

In partnership,

Claudia Olaciregui, Principal

I have some exciting news to share: Due to the passage of Proposition 28, California schools will now receive additional funding for arts and music each year. In addition to our current arts programs, our school will soon have an additional annual budget of approximately $52,000 to spend on more arts and music experiences for students, and we need your ideas!

There will be two main ways to share your thoughts:

1. Please click here for a brief survey about potential future arts programming. (The students and staff will be given similar surveys at school). This survey will be open until December 15.
2. Come and hear more about Prop 28 and give input on this topic at these upcoming meetings:
   

• Principal’s Coffee/ELAC, December 4th @ 8:15am
• SSC Meeting, December 3rd @ 5pm
• ELAC Meeting, December 18 @ 8:15am

Your input is valued and an important part of our process. To learn more about Proposition 28, click here.

November 13

• Parent U-Parenting in the Digital Era @ 5:30pm-Registration link

• ELAC Meeting 8:15 am

• School Spirit Day - Disney Day

November 25-29

• Thanksgiving Recess - No School

• School Site Council Meeting/Neighborhood Community @ 5pm

• Cafecito Meeting @ 8:15am

• ELAC Meeting @ 8:15

DISTRICT NEWS

Parenting Tweens & Teens in the Digital Era - Supporting Dialogue and Strategies for Building Healthy Tech Habits

Date and Time: November 19, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Registration: mvw.sd/pu111924r

My Digital TAT2 returns to Parent University with updated topics! This workshop will empower parents with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of raising tech-savvy, digitally responsible children. We will address common tech issues such as texting dilemmas, online friendship drama, and the “Sephora Kids” phenomenon. You’ll also learn a helpful strategy called The Digital Loop that can help you and your family build awareness around each person’s tech use.

To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your questions during the session.

Parent University Speaker Series: Understanding Your Child’s Score Reports

Date and Time: December 3, 2024, 5:30-7pm Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/pu120324r

Understanding your child’s district and state test scores is a key part of building a foundation of excellence. Join Swati Dagar, our Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment as she discusses how to (i) access and interpret score reports and (ii) use the information to engage in a productive partnership with your child’s teacher(s).

To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your question during the session.

Better Together: November & December

As we enter the vibrant months of November and December, our school community embarks on a meaningful journey exploring the rich tapestry of cultures that make our community unique and special. During these months, we focus on three important themes that help us understand and celebrate our differences while building stronger connections with each other: Celebrating diverse communities while acknowledging Native American Heritage Month and Special Education Awareness Month. Through these themes, we'll discover that our differences aren't just something to accept – they're something to celebrate. Together, we'll learn how understanding and appreciating each other's unique qualities makes our entire community better. For more information about Better Together, visit mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD.

Attention, GOOGLERS!

It's Giving Day Season, a perfect time and opportunity to consider including MVEF!

With Google’s upcoming end-of-year Benevity campaign, Google employees can donate an additional $400 to the non-profit of their choice using the special Google voucher between November 11 - 22. Please consider donating to MVEF and encourage your Google co-workers to support local public education by donating their voucher also to MVEF! Thank you in advance for your support! Learn more about MVEF here.

Also, have you used your corporate matching programs to double your impact? Check whether your company offers corporate matching! Just click here and follow your employer's instructions.

FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

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

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 on 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

MV Public Library: ​​Print Arts Workshop

Join the Mountain View Public Library for a Printmaking Workshop with Calixto Robes on Saturday, November 16 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. You will have the opportunity to create take home print-art with prepared screens. Calixto Robles is a painter and printmaker whose art reflects his Oaxacan heritage. Register here for a start time.

MVLA Speaker Series: BoyMom with Ruth Whippman

Join the next MVLA Speaker Series presentation, “BoyMom: Exploring the Challenges of Raising Men in the Modern Age,” with feminist writer and mother of three boys Ruth Whippman on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 7PM at the Los Altos High School Eagle Theater. Whippman digs into the impossibly contradictory pressures boys now face; and the harmful blind spots of male socialization that are leaving boys isolated, emotionally repressed, and adrift. With wit, honesty, and a refusal to settle for easy answers, Whippman charts a new path to give boys a healthier, more expansive, and fulfilling story about their own lives. Register for this free event here.

MVHS Spartan Turkey Trot

MVHS Sports Boosters is proud to host the 15th Annual Spartan Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning (Thursday, November 28, 2024) at the Mountain View High School Track (3535 Truman Ave, Mountain View, CA). People of all ages are encouraged to participate in the 5k Run & Walk and the Spartan Mile (1-mile). Kids are welcome to participate in the 5k and/or Spartan Mile + the 60/400 yd dash races (aka kids races). All proceeds benefit the MVHS athletics department and supporting teams/clubs. Register at https://www.spartanturkeytrot.com/.

MVHS Tree Lot

MVHS Sports Boosters will be opening up the Annual Spartans Tree Lot on Friday, November 29 at 10 AM for the 2024 season at the Mountain View High School Stadium (3535 Truman Ave.). Spartans Tree Lot offers premium, top-quality trees ranging in size from 3 feet to 12+ feet, holiday decorations, and supplies. In person and online delivery options are available. All proceeds benefit Mountain View High School Athletics. For more information, head to SpartansTreeLot.com.

The View Teen Center: November

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. (Closed Monday, Nov. 11 and Nov. 28-30. Extended hours, 1-6 p.m., Nov. 25-27.), and the center features a game room, makerspace, kitchen, computer/study room, and outdoor area. November events include Thanksgiving-themed activities, an improv class, crafts, and much more. For more information, click here.