Quetzal News
February 5, 2025
From Ms. O's Desk
Dear Quetzal Families,
This week, we celebrate National Counselors Week, recognizing the vital role our school counselors play in supporting students’ mental health and social-emotional learning. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of Mr. Okunnuga and our counseling team from Pacific Clinics, who work tirelessly to ensure that every child feels supported, heard, and valued. Their efforts help foster a positive school environment where students can thrive academically and emotionally.
As parents, you play a crucial role in nurturing your child’s well-being. Here are a few ways to help strengthen their mental health at home:
- Encourage Open Communication – Create a safe space for your child to express their thoughts and feelings.
- Establish Routines – Consistent routines provide stability and help reduce stress.
- Model Healthy Coping Strategies – Show your child how to manage stress through mindfulness, exercise, or hobbies.
- Foster a Growth Mindset – Encourage resilience by reminding them that challenges are opportunities to learn and grow.
As we have mentioned in the past, regular attendance is essential for academic success. When students miss school, they miss valuable learning experiences that can be difficult to make up. If your child is absent, please remember to email Michelle Olague, our attendance clerk, at Molague@mvwsd.org to report the absence and the reason for staying at home.
LCAP Survey – Your Voice Matters!
We are currently gathering input for next school year through our LCAP survey. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the programs and resources that support our students. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to complete the survey (refer to the email sent by the district on January 27th) your feedback makes a difference!
Thank you for your continued support in fostering a positive and thriving school community. Have a wonderful rest of your week!
Warm regards,
Claudia Olaciregui, Principal
Our students and Ms. O needs your help
Help Us Keep Our Students Safe!
We need your support to ensure a safe and smooth drop-off experience for everyone. Please follow these important guidelines when dropping off your child at school:
🚗 Drive Slowly – Reduce your speed when approaching and driving through the drop-off zone.
🚗 Stay in Your Vehicle – Do not exit your car; our staff and volunteers will assist your child in exiting safely from the right side.
🚗 Respect Our Safety Patrol – Please be courteous to the adults and students helping to maintain safety during drop-off.
The safety of our students is our top priority. Thank you for doing your part to keep our school community safe!
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.
5th Grade News for Middle School
Regardless of their assigned middle school, 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.
Stay tuned! Details on how to take the Graham Spanish History/Social Studies class next year will be shared at an upcoming Zoom Meeting next Tuesday at 5:30pm. Visit our link to learn more about this amazing opportunity for your child's path to biliteracy.
For now, all 5th grade families should complete the open enrollment process starting Jan 21 to confirm your middle school enrollment for next year. The enrollment system will assign your child a middle school based on your address.
PTA News
All Mistral parents are invited to attend the PTA General Meeting on Wednesday, January 29, at 7pm via Zoom. Learn more about the PTA's budget, programming, and events and how you can be involved.
Calendar
February 11
- 5th grade parent meeting about Middle School Social Studies class on Zoom at 5:30pm-Link
February 12
- ELAC Cafecito @ 8:30am - Room 21
- End of 2nd Trimester - Minimum Day Dismissal @ 11:55am
- Winter Break No School
- Parent U - Reading U @ MUR 5 - 6:30pm
- Spirit Day - Sports
- School Site Council Meeting @ 5pm
DISTRICT NEWS
LCAP survey is happening now
The District is updating the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). Your responses to the survey will guide the update of our District plan for the 2025-26 school year.
Parents, please click on your unique survey link that will be sent to your email address on Jan. 27. Your survey link is unique to your household and only one parent/guardian can complete it.
Your responses are confidential. Students in grades 4-8 will also be taking the LCAP survey. More information found here: mvwsd.org/LCAP
SEL Curriculum Pilot & Community Review
Our Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum Committee has reached a major milestone! Since September 2024, our team of educators, administrators, and community members has worked to narrow 100+ curriculum options to two high-quality finalists. Now, we are piloting these programs in classrooms to determine the best fit for our students.
Second Step Pilot: January 13 – February 14, 2025
Sample lesson plans and activities available here.
Character Strong Pilot: February 24 – April 4, 2025
More details: Elementary | Middle School.
We Need Your Feedback!
As we refine our SEL curriculum, we invite teachers, staff, and families to review and provide input at one of our Community Review Sessions at the MVWSD District Office (Conference Room C, 1400 Montecito Ave., Mountain View, CA).
Community Review Sessions:
March 13, 2025
Session 1: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Session 2: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
March 20, 2025
Session 3: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Session 4: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
These sessions provide a chance to learn about both curricula, share your insights, and help shape the future of SEL in our district. Can’t attend? Email Karin Jinbo to review the materials.
Open Enrollment for 2025-26 ends February 7
The Mountain View Whisman School District’s open enrollment ends February 7.
For CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents will be asked by email to confirm enrollment from January 21 to February 7.
For families enrolling NEW students: Please check www.mvwsd.org/register for how to locate your neighborhood school, how to explore school options and the four steps to register during the enrollment period held January 21 to February 7.
MVWSD Preschool Program: Apply now for August
Explore our flexible, low-cost and convenient options for all families in our high-quality preschool program. Preschool offers affordable 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 1, 2025. Maximum age: 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2025.)
Learn more at these parent meetings:
February 6 @ 4:00 pm (Spanish) Zoom link: http://mvw.sd/PK26
Preschool is currently located near Castro/Mistral Elementary Schools (1850 Latham St.) and Theuerkauf Elementary (1625 San Luis Ave.)
For more info go to www.mvwsd.org/preschool or call 650-526-3560.
Better Together: February
Black History Month provides MVWSD with a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the rich contributions and achievements of African Americans while fostering a deeper sense of community among our students, staff, and families. By learning about influential Black leaders, innovators, and community helpers - from local civil rights activists to Black educators, doctors, and entrepreneurs who shaped our neighborhood - students develop a broader understanding of how diverse voices and experiences have strengthened our community. Last week, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution honoring February as Black History Month. For more information about Better Together, visit mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD.
MVEF SPRING GALA - JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION!
Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 06:00-10:00 pm | Los Altos Community Center
Mark your calendars! MVEF’s Annual Fundraising Gala is on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 6 - 10 PM at the Los Altos Community Center.
This year, we are celebrating 40 years of MVEF - A Celebration of Eras! Empowering Students from Gen X to Gen Alpha.
This lively community building event includes dinner, silent and live auctions, DJ, raffle and fun! Enjoy an evening of great food, music, and fundraising fun while connecting with parents, teachers, and local leaders.
Tickets go on sale in late February stay tuned for details!
MVEF SPRING GALA AUCTION DONATIONS NEEDED!
Help make the MVEF Spring Gala a success by donating auction items!
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
To donate please submit this form. For any questions, please email dena@mvef.org.
Thank you for your support!
FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
The View Teen Center: February
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: Feb. 17. Extended hours, 1-6 p.m., Feb. 14, 18, 19, 20 & 21), and the center features a game room, makerspace, kitchen, computer/study room, and outdoor area. February events include cooking classes, crafts, and much more. For more information, click here.