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Quetzal News
April 3, 2024
From Ms. O's Desk
Dear Quetzal Families,
We are getting closer to our Spring Break next week. I hope you have a fun, relaxing, and safe week off. We are on the last stretch of the school year, and we continue to partner with you in your child's educational journey of academic excellence and biliteracy. Once again, thank you for your commitment to this important aspect of your child's life.
As we gear up for the final stretch of the academic year, I want to bring your attention to an important upcoming event: state testing for grades 3 to 5. State testing will start the week of April 15th with 5th-grade science assessment. Students in grades 3-5 will have the English Language Arts assessment the week of April 22nd, and math on the week of April 29th. These assessments provide valuable insights into our students' progress and help us identify areas where additional support may be needed. To ensure that our students are well-prepared and ready to excel during these testing days, I kindly ask for your support with the following:
1. Punctuality: Please ensure that your child arrives at school on time each day of testing. Prompt arrival allows for a smooth transition into the testing environment and minimizes disruptions for all students.
2. Nutritious Breakfast: A nutritious breakfast is essential for fueling the brain and sustaining energy levels throughout the morning. Please ensure that your child eats a healthy breakfast before coming to school.
3. Adequate Rest: Encourage your child to get plenty of rest the night before each testing day. A good night's sleep is crucial for cognitive function and concentration.
4. Positive Encouragement: Offer words of encouragement and support to your child leading up to and during the testing period. Remind them of their strengths and reassure them that they have the skills and knowledge to succeed.
5. Avoid Scheduling Appointments: To minimize disruptions to your child's testing schedule, please refrain from scheduling appointments during the coming weeks, particularly on testing days.
By working together and providing our students with the necessary support and encouragement, we can help them approach state testing with confidence and determination. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the upcoming state testing, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or contact the school office.
Thank you for your partnership in ensuring the success of our students.
Best regards,
Claudia Olaciregui, Principal
Calendar
April 3
- PTA General Meeting via Zoom @ 6pm
April 8 - 12
- Spring Break NO SCHOOL
April 15
- Classes Resume
April 15
- State Testing for grades 3-5
- ELAC Meeting in the MUR @ 5pm
April 26
- Día del Niño from 1:45-5pm
- Spirit Day-Quetzal Day
DISTRICT NEWS
MVWSD Preschool Program: Apply now for August
Explore our flexible, low-cost and convenient options for all families in our high-quality preschool program. *New this year* Lower tuition and an 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. class, in addition to extended/full-day class until 3 p.m. and part-day (3 hour) classes.
Our preschool offers age-appropriate early math, language, literacy and science inquiry instruction, as well as social-emotional development. Children who will be 3- or 4-years old are eligible (Minimum age: 3 years old by December 2, 2024. Maximum age: 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2024.)
Preschool is currently located near Castro/Mistral Elementary Schools (1850 Latham St.) and Theuerkauf Elementary (1625 San Luis Ave.)
All 3- and 4-year-olds residing in the Castro School boundaries are eligible for FREE, part-day state preschool at Latham.
For more info go to www.mvwsd.org/preschool or call 650-526-3560.
Better Together: April
In April, MVWSD is recognizing National Volunteer Month and the #BetterTogether monthly theme of advocacy. This presents our district with an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of volunteers in our community but also an opportunity to highlight the significance of advocacy in supporting volunteer efforts. Through advocacy, volunteers can advocate for causes they are passionate about, promote volunteerism within their communities, and advocate for systemic changes that create a more inclusive environment for all. By recognizing the importance of advocacy within the context of National Volunteer Month, we empower volunteers to not only lend their time and skills but also to be agents of change in building a better, more equitable society. We are #BetterTogetherMVWSD. For more information about Better Together, visit mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD.
MVWSD Child Nutrition Focus Group
MVWSD's Child Nutrition Services Department is seeking parents and staff members to join a focus group to discuss menus, meal service, etc. in an informal focus group setting. We will hold a meeting in April. Please enter your information here to express your interest. Questions may be directed to Food Service Director Debbie Austin at daustin@mvwsd.org.
21st Annual MVWSD Interscholastic Chess Tournament
The 21st Annual MVWSD Interscholastic Chess Tournament, sponsored by your PTAs, will be hosted by Landels Elementary on Sunday, April 21st, from 10:00 am to 5:00pm. Students from all MVWSD schools are welcome to join and enjoy an afternoon of friendly competition and camaraderie! The registration form and instructions can be found at tinyurl.com/mvwsdchess, and the deadline for registration is April 20. Any questions can be sent to Jonas Klittmark, tournament director, at mvwsdchess@gmail.com.
InPlay: Find Camps And After School Activities
Spring break and summer vacation are 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.
MVEF: Gala Auction
Attending the Gala is a great way to connect with members of the Mountain View community who strongly support public education through their leadership and philanthropy. Gala Event attendees can participate in the Live Auction! But whether or not you attend the Gala, there is something for everyone (and anyone can bid) in the online auction! There will also be a Raffle, participants need not be present to win. Learn all about the Gala here https://www.mvef.org/2024gala
Survey: City of Mountain View Wants To Know About Your Journey To School
Next week, schools throughout Mountain View and Los Altos are participating in the City of Mountain View Safe Route to Schools (SRTS) evaluation project by collecting in-school and in-home information on how students travel to and from school. Students will take a brief survey about their commutes to school during the week of April 1. Parent participation is essential in helping the City of Mountain View develop plans to enhance safety and promote responsible travel behavior for both adults and children on our city streets. The City invites you to take part by completing a brief survey to help us understand your household’s perspective on the journey to school. This survey linked here will be open until April 25, 2024.
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. (April Adjusted Hours, Open 1-6 p.m.: Spring Break Apr. 8-12), and the center features a game room, makerspace, kitchen, computer/study room, outdoor area, and much more! See attached flier for details about upcoming events and programs in April or visit their webpage for more information.
City of MV: Earth and Arbor Day Photography Contest
The City of Mountain View has launched a photography contest for its first joint Earth and
Arbor Day Celebration! The Mountain View Earth and Arbor Day Photo Contest is open to all
Mountain View community member amateur photographers, with three age categories: K-8, High School, and 18+. Entries are due by 5 p.m. on April 10, 2024. This year’s theme is “Rooted in Our Environment.” We encourage images that depict the beauty, biodiversity, and resilience of the environment in and around our City. Click here to learn more and submit your photo.
SCCOE: Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival
Santa Clara County Office of Education invites you to the first ever county-wide Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m taking place at the Ridder Park Office, 1290 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95131. Students in grades TK-8 can discover the fun and joy in mathematics by playing games, and solving puzzles with family and friends! We are also looking for volunteers to help with the festival. Parents, educators, high school students and anyone in the community are welcome! Community service hours are available upon request. For registration, volunteer sign-up & more information, please visit https://sccoe.to/2024JRMF.