Quetzal News
March 20, 2025
From Ms. O's Desk
Dear Quetzal Families,
It’s incredible to think that we are almost at the end of March, and before we know it, the end of the school year will be here! I am so proud of our students' commitment to hard work and perseverance. Please continue to support these values at home, as our partnership is essential to your children’s educational journey.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the families who attended our Multicultural Event last night. We had a wonderful time enjoying a beautiful Venezuelan dance performance from the Lu Paulin family and sharing the delicious food brought by our community. A special thank you to Yesica, Ronald, and Esmeralda for their help in making this event a success!
I also want to invite all of you to our Open House for the 2024-2025 school year! Our teachers and students are preparing to showcase their work, and we would love for you to join us. The event will take place next Thursday, March 27, starting at 5:30 PM with the Arts Display in the MUR. Classroom visits will be from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you there! We are still looking for some amazing parents who can help us organizing our students' arts work in the MUR. Please email me at colaciregui@mvwsd.org if you can help us out on Thursday morning. Thank you!
Additionally, a reminder for our 3rd-5th grade families: CAASPP state testing will take place from April 14th through May 9th. I will be sharing the testing schedule soon, but in the meantime, please ensure your child arrives at school on time during these weeks (and every week) and avoid scheduling any appointments.
Restroom construction on Friday (not school day)
We're currently constructing a new restroom building near the Mariano Castro/Gabriela Mistral Elementary School field. This standalone facility will be maintained by the City and will provide a convenient option for public use after school hours.
On Friday, March 21, at 7:00 AM, a crane will be set up on Latham Street, outside the field fencing, to lift the modular restroom building over the fence and into the construction area. Lane closures on Latham Street will be required during the operation, with flaggers and security personnel on-site. School will not be in session on this day.
Please avoid the area during this time. Thank you for your patience and support as we work to improve our school/community spaces. For updates, see https://www.mvwsd.org/construction .
I hope you all enjoy the long weekend. We are expecting wonderful weather!
Warmly,
Claudia Olaciregui, Principal
Important information for our 5th Graders!
Spanish History/Social Studies Course at Graham Middle School
For incoming 6th, 7th, 8th-graders next year: Students who completed 5th grade at Gabriela Mistral Elementary will have the opportunity to take the Spanish History/Social Studies course at Graham Middle School next year. The Spanish History/Social Studies course is a core academic class offered only at Graham Middle School that follows the grade level standards for Social Studies. This class takes the place of the required social studies class taught in English and uses the district-adopted TCI History Alive! Curriculum.
The Intent Survey to enroll your student in the Spanish History/Social Studies course is now open. Please reference the email you received on Wednesday, March 12th with the survey link. The survey window has been extended until Monday, March 24th, to allow families to enroll their students. If you have any questions, please reach out to your School Principal or email Ms. Swati Dagar, Director of Administrative Services.
PTA General Meeting: Join us!
We are excited to invite you to the next PTA General meeting on Monday, March 31, featuring a special presentation about the upcoming Outdoor Learning project. This district-led initiative will transform our campus through the introduction of trees, seating, garden beds, and new play spaces. Please attend this meeting (held in conjunction with Castro's Community) to learn more from the landscape designers Carducci Associates and give feedback on the current plans. Preview the designs for Mistral/Castro and other campuses here.
At this meeting, we will also elect the executive board for next year and talk about exciting opportunities to help out next year as several of our committee leads graduate from the school.
Date: Monday, March 31
Time: 6pm (NOTE: UPDATED TIME)
Location: Online via Zoom
We need volunteers!
We will have the art show at our Open House event on 3/27. Art Show volunteers are a vital part of this event and an excellent volunteer opportunity for those who are only available for one or two days of volunteering a year. If you can help us out, please complete Art Show Volunteer Form.
MVEF Board Members Needed
Two Board members from MVEF are stepping down as their children transition to high school. If you are interested in being part of this amazing organization that provides music, arts, and Living Classrooms at our school, please let me know. You can contact me at colaciregui@mvwsd.org. The role involves attending one Board meeting per month, usually on the second Tuesday evening from 7–9 PM (2 hours), as well as participating in 1–2 committees. These committees focus on areas such as Major Gifts, Gala, Programs, Marketing, Recruiting, Outreach, and more, with responsibilities evolving each year.
Calendar
March 21
- Teacher Work Day - No School
- ELAC Meeting @ 8:15am Room 21
- Open House 5:30pm-Art Show in the MUR and class visits at 6 - 7:00pm
March 28
- Spirit Day - Dress like the 80's
- Cafecito w/ Ms. O @ Room 21 8:15am
April 2
- Science Fair @MUR 5pm
DISTRICT NEWS
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, March 20. Closed session will begin at 4:30 p.m., and open/public session begins at 6 p.m.
Some of the topics include:
Staff Housing Update and Options to Fund Purchase of Land
Literacy Update
Canopy Partnership at Bubb
Second Interim Budget Report
Resolution in support of LGTBQ+ students
For meeting details and agenda, please click here: https://www.mvwsd.org/trustees.
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.
Please join the upcoming ThoughtExchange to share your thoughts from March 26 – April 4. This online survey will be open to all staff, parents, and students in grades 4-8. Additionally, there will be focus groups for more in-depth discussions with staff, students and parents. Your input matters!
Social Emotional Learning Curriculum: We Want Your Input!
As part of our shared commitment to ensuring the best for our students, we are inviting the MVWSD Community (teachers, staff, families) to review and provide feedback on the pilot curricula. Your perspective matters, and we’d love for you to join us at one of the following community review sessions:
SEL Curricula Review
Location: MVWSD District Office - Conference Room C
1400 Montecito Ave., Mountain View, CA 94043
March 20, 2025
Session 3: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Session 4: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
These sessions are a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the SEL programs being considered, share your insights, and engage in the important work of shaping the future of our district’s approach to social-emotional learning. If you are unable to attend these sessions and are interested in reviewing the curricula, please email Karin Jinbo (kjinbo@mvwsd.org). For information, please see this webpage.
District Film Festival: April 1
Please join us for the third annual District Film Festival, "Spotlight on Solutions," at 6:30 pm on April 1 at the Graham Middle School Auditorium. All students in grades K-8 were eligible to enter short films that explore real-world problems and showcase inspiring solutions. During the festival, the films that are selected as finalists will be screened and awards given. We are excited to see the results of students and their teachers implementing research, science and technology for this important issue. Please RSVP at this link.
Graham Musical: The Pirates of Penzance Jr
Raise the anchor and prepare to set sail as Graham Middle School presents The Pirates of Penzance Jr! You can see the show on March 21st and 22nd at 7:30 pm and March 23th at 2:00 pm at the Graham Middle School Auditorium. Join us for this classic Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, a hilarious, rollicking adventure with something for everyone -- Leap Year misunderstandings, the dynamic love of Frederic and Mabel, the Major General's classic pattersong, and of course, piracy. Join us, and you're guaranteed to have a great time! Tickets are available for purchase here.
Crittenden Musical: Willy Wonka Jr.
The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation by Crittenden Middle School of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth. The show will run from Mar 28th - Mar 30th. Purchase digital tickets here or at the door 30 minutes before the show.
Better Together: March
March is Women's History Month at Mountain View Whisman School District! This special month celebrates the vital contributions, achievements, and influence of women throughout history and in contemporary society. This month, our #BetterTogetherMVWSD initiative highlights "Serving our community/Sirviendo a nuestra comunidad." Community service strengthens our connections, builds empathy, and creates meaningful change through collective action. Join us as we explore how we can work together on projects to make a positive impact in our community. For more information about Better Together, visit mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD.
Earth Hour
From 8:30 pm local time on 22nd March, WWF’s Earth Hour, the world’s largest grassroots environmental movement, returns for its 19th edition with the ‘Biggest Hour for Earth’ in support and celebration of our planet. Earth Hour serves as a beacon of positivity, hope, and inspiration to rally as many people as possible in over 180 countries and territories.
Since its creation in 2007, Earth Hour has been known for its “lights off” moment. As landmarks and homes across the world switch off, supporters are also invited to symbolically switch off and 'Give an hour for Earth’, spending 60 minutes doing something - anything - positive for our planet.
Earth Hour invites everyone, everywhere to find the most enjoyable ways to give an hour for Earth. Whether it is cooking a sustainable meal at home, catching a nature documentary, taking a mindful walk through the woods to bask in nature and feel the earth, or engaging in a home scavenger hunt to identify and swap out unsustainable products with eco-friendly alternatives, there are myriad options to choose from. Check https://www.earthhour.org/take-part/give-an-hour for more.
DON’T MISS OUT ON THE MVEF SPRING GALA - JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION!
Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 06:00-10:00 pm | Los Altos Community Center
This year, we are celebrating a big milestone - 40 years of MVEF - A Celebration of ERAS celebrating our legacy of Empowering Students from Gen X to Gen Alpha.
Over the past 40 years, MVEF has made a lasting impact and we are excited to celebrate this milestone while continuing to provide vital resources for our local schools and students.
This lively community building event includes dinner, silent and live auctions, DJ, raffle and student performances!
GET YOUR GALA TICKETS WHILE THEY ARE STILL AVAILABLE!
Get your Early Bird ($140) or First Time Attendee ($125) tickets here until March 25th!
General Admission Tickets will go up to $165 after March 25th.
LAST CALL FOR AUCTION ITEMS AND HOST AUCTION PARTIES!
Do you have a vacation home? Do you like throwing parties for kids or adults? Do you have extra tickets for a concert or event? Do you have extra wine bottles to donate?
This annual event usually raises over 10% of our annual fundraising goal of $1.2M to support programs across MVWSD.
Great auction donations include:
Vacation home stays
Themed party experiences for adults or kids
Event tickets (sports, concerts, etc.)
Bottles of wine for the "wine wall"
Professional Services
Merchandise, etc.
Donate Gala auction items here. We appreciate your support!
FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
MVLA Parent Ed Speaker Series: How to Find the Right College
Join MVLA Parent Ed on Tuesday, April 1 at 7 PM at the MVHS Spartan Theatre (3535 Truman Avenue) for an insightful presentation on “How to Find the Right College”. A panel of four experts in college recruiting, applications, and admissions will share valuable strategies for identifying great programs and reducing the stress of the application process. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert advice and make informed decisions about your college search. Register for this free event here.
City of Mountain View Nature Photography Contest, Earth & Arbor Day 2025
The City of Mountain View is excited to announce the launch of the second annual
Earth & Arbor Day Nature Photography Contest! Submit your photograph that depicts the beauty, biodiversity, and resilience of the environment in and around Mountain View. The Earth and Arbor Day photo contest is open to all Mountain View community members, including people who live, go to school, and work in the City and their families. Submit your photo by April 1 at 11:59 p.m. For more information and to submit, visit https://collaborate.mountainview.gov/photocontest.