Miramonte School

February 2024

Dear Miramonte Families,

Welcome to another wonderful season at Miramonte Elementary! We are excited to continue working together to ensure a positive and enriching educational experience for all of our students.

At Miramonte, we are proud to implement our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. PBIS focuses on fostering a safe, respectful, and responsible school culture by encouraging and recognizing positive behavior. Students are taught clear expectations, and they earn rewards for following them, contributing to a supportive learning environment.

Attendance is another cornerstone of academic success. Consistent attendance helps students develop important routines, build relationships, and stay on track with their learning. Missing even a few days can significantly impact progress, so we encourage families to prioritize daily attendance and arrive on time. Together, we can help students achieve their full potential.

We are thrilled to have hosted and invite you to our upcoming family events:

• Family Literacy Night – On Feb. 3rd we enjoyed an engaging evening celebrating reading!
• Valentine's Day Canopy Decorating Event – Let’s bring love and creativity to our school community by helping to decorate grade level canopies.
• Parent Engagement Field Trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific – An exciting opportunity for families to learn together. See Ms. Zuleyma for information.
• Abriendo Puertas Reading Workshops – Empowering parents with strategies to support literacy at home. Classes begin in March.

We thank you for saving the date and encourage you to participate in these activities, as they are wonderful ways to connect with your child’s learning journey and our school community.

Thank you for your continued support in making Miramonte Elementary a vibrant place to learn and grow.

Sincerely,
Dr. Shane Muetzel
Principal

For over twenty years, Avery Company has donated binders, school supplies, uniforms, and games for all of our students every December. Before our Winter Break, Santa and his elves visited our school, spreading joy as they handed out binders and candy canes to each student.

The students were thrilled by their presence, and the staff enjoyed having them on campus as always. We were deeply grateful for Avery's generous contributions each year, especially for Maureen Tarango, who coordinated this meaningful project with care and dedication.

Max Learning has been buzzing with activity, as students dive into robotics, music, and art with enthusiasm. Their excitement has been contagious, making each session a joy to witness.

In February, we’re thrilled to offer parents a Literacy Night with activities centered around reading. If you would like your child to participate, please use the attached QR code to register.

HFA is offering basketball and soccer for 2nd-6th grade that includes skill-building practices led by an experienced head coach and 1-2 volunteer coaches (high school/college students) on campus, after school.

Cultural Bytes is offering Mandarin for grades Kinder-6th to learn and develop short fun conversations on everyday topics such as the family, the house, feelings, and more in Mandarin.

Lift Healthy Cooking teaches healthy culinary workshops to students where they learn to chop, cook (and eat!) a healthy recipe they can replicate at home from real chefs in the industry for 1st-6th grade students.

Windtree is offering Oceanography/3-D Design through engaging activities, hands-on experiments and interactive lessons, students will develop a deep understanding of oceanography, marine biology, and environmental science.

Miramonte Elementary is excited to share that all TK through 2nd grade students are practicing their phonemic awareness skills daily with the use of the Heggerty curriculum! This systematic program supports essential literacy skills, such as rhyming, phoneme segmentation, and blending.

Our dedicated teachers are implementing Heggerty to help students build a strong foundation in reading and writing, setting them up for lifelong success in literacy.

Here are 3 major parts of reading:

1. Phonics - Does your student know the sounds of the letters? Are they able to sound out words?

2. Fluency - How fast does your student read? Students should be able to read fast enough that they know what the sentence is saying.

3. Comprehension - Does your student know what he or she read? Can they tell you the main idea and details of writing.

Encourage daily reading habits by reading with your child for at least 30 minutes a day. Engage in discussions about stories and ask questions to enhance comprehension. Celebrate their progress and make reading a joyful experience.

Here are five ways parents can encourage a love of reading at home for their elementary school child:

1. Create a Reading Routine
   Set aside a specific time each day for reading, such as before bed or after dinner. Consistent routines help children associate reading with relaxation and enjoyment.

2. Make Reading Interactive
   Ask questions while reading, encourage your child to predict what might happen next, or let them act out parts of the story. This keeps them engaged and makes reading more fun and interactive.

3. Provide a Variety of Books
   Offer books on topics that interest your child, from animals to space adventures. Visit the library together and allow them to choose their books to foster a sense of ownership.

4. Be a Reading Role Model
   Let your child see you enjoying books, magazines, or newspapers. When they see you reading, they’re more likely to view it as a valuable and enjoyable activity.

5. Incorporate Reading Into Everyday Life
   Read recipes while cooking, signs while driving, or instructions for a new game. Showing how reading is useful in daily life helps them see its importance and value.

During library time, students started working on a bookmark for the annual RIF bookmark contest.

Students create their own bookmark to show everyone why you think reading is FUNdamental and important. All entries are due by Feb 28.

December was a busy and exciting month at Miramonte, with just two weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter Break. Over the course of three days, we hosted several 1st Trimester Awards Ceremonies for our TK-6th grade classes.

Students were celebrated for their academic excellence with the Principal's Award and recognized by their teachers for individual accomplishments through the Achievement Award. Additionally, we honored students for outstanding attendance in the new district-wide categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

A heartfelt thank you to all our Miramonte parents and families for attending and supporting our 1st Trimester Awards Ceremonies. We look forward to celebrating more student achievements at our 2nd Trimester Ceremony!

As we enter testing season, students and teachers are actively preparing for upcoming state assessments. Our testing schedule begins with the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC), which is administered to all English Language Learners across the state.

This assessment evaluates students in four key areas: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

After Spring Break, students in grades 3-6 will take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), which measures proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. In addition, 5th-grade students will also complete a Science assessment.

For further information and resources, please visit ELPAC or CAASPP.

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a program designed to prepare students for college and career success. At Miramonte, our teachers have been diligently implementing AVID strategies such as #CUBS, one-pagers, and the Frayer Model, which support students in developing critical reading skills. To further promote college and career awareness, each class is represented by a college.

We are proud to be in the early stages of becoming an AVID Elementary School. This milestone reflects our commitment to fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment where students develop the skills and mindset needed for long-term success. Thank you for your continued partnership in helping our students achieve their goals!

Miramonte has consistently achieved the highest attendance rate in the District, demonstrating a strong commitment to student engagement and presence. In January, we celebrated this achievement by hosting a frozen yogurt challenge to honor students with perfect attendance.

Congratulations to our students and their families for their continued support. Our current year-to-date attendance rate is 96.50%.

Our recent attendance rallies have been a great celebration of student dedication to attending school and staying engaged. We’ve been excited to recognize students each month with excellent attendance, along with the top two classes who received trophies. These rallies help motivate students to maintain their strong efforts and make the most of each school day!

At Miramonte, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) aims to create a positive and supportive school environment by encouraging students to meet expectations and follow procedures.

To recognize their efforts, students earn STARBucks from teachers and staff, which can be used at the Miramonte student store to purchase prizes or participate in special events.

This February, we are excited to introduce our newly stocked PBIS store, filled with exciting new rewards for students. Additionally, our counselor, Ms. Chirinos, will host a special Trimester 2 event.

We look forward to the upcoming PBIS-exclusive activities and to celebrating the continued achievements of our students!

Events:

Kindness Week February 10th-14th

Kindness Week is an engaging initiative dedicated to promoting acts of kindness among students and staff throughout the school community. This special week features a variety of fun-filled activities and spirit week designed to encourage everyone to spread positivity on campus. Participants are invited to say something nice to others, make new friends, and express gratitude to those around them. During this week, students and staff will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities during lunchtime with Mrs Chirinos, reinforcing the importance of kindness and its lasting effects on the school community.

Career Day- March

The Fire Department and Waste Management company will participate in our Career Day, educating students about their vital roles as community helpers. This event will provide students with insights into their career paths, showcasing the various opportunities available in these fields. By engaging with professionals, students will not only learn about the operations of their machines and equipment but also understand the importance of these careers in maintaining a safe and clean community.This experience serves to plant the seed for higher education in young minds, inspiring them to explore various career options and consider their futures. Through hands-on learning and real-world examples, students will see the value of pursuing education and training in these essential professions.

January/February - Mental Health

March - College and Career

April/May - Conflict Resolution

Transition to Middle School - 6th grade

Mrs. Chirinos offers personalized support through individual and group counseling sessions. These sessions help students develop essential skills for success in school. Topics covered include social skills, behavior management, anger management, and strategies to improve attendance.

Every Wednesday and Thursday during lunch recess, the counseling team opens up their room to all students to come in and play with legos or board games to help create social opportunities, friendships and model kindness to students.

Thank you to all our parent volunteers for helping our teachers prepare materials for students and their dedication and effort, in making all school events and activities possible! When parents take the time to be involved in their child's school, it shows their child they care, and that education is a family value.

If you haven't participated, we encourage you to join us to learn and support your child's education. Here are some ways that you can participate:

• Join us for our PAC and CPAC meetings

• Parent Workshops

• Parent Engagement Field Trips

• Upcoming school events

• RIF

• Coffee with the Principal

If you want to become a parent volunteer, feel free to contact our Community Liaison, Zuleyma Jimenez at (626) 652-4609

• February 13 - Valentines Under the Canopy
  
• February 13 - Board of Education Meeting
• February 14 - Valentine's Day
• February 17 - Presidents Day - Schools and District Offices Closed
• February 19 - Student of the Month Assembly
• February 19 - Immigration Law Clinic

• February 20 - Food Pantry Distribution
• February 20 - Districtwide Speak-Up Competition
• February 24 - Bingo/Lotería Night
• March 3 - Student Free Day
• March 4-7 - Read Across America Week

• March 5 - PBIS Family Picnic
• March 6 - RIF Day
• March 12 - CPAC Meeting
• March 14 - End of the Trimester
• March 14 - Coffee with the Principal
• March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
• March 20 - ELAC/PAC Meeting
• March 20 - Food Pantry Distribution
• March 27 - Career Fair
• March 31 - Trimester Awards (Upper Grade)
• April 1 - Trimester Awards (Lower Grade)
• April 3 - Food Pantry Giveaway
• April 4 - Attendance Party
• April 9 - CPAC Meeting
• April 10 - Student of the Month Assembly
• April 11 - Movie Night
• April 14 - Math/Science Night
• April 16 - Food Pantry Distribution
• April 17 - PAC/ELAC Meeting
• April 18 - Local Holiday - School Closed
• April 21 - April 25 - Spring Break

Dear Mountain View School District Community,

Since our last Principal’s Newsletter in November, I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable Winter Break and a strong start to the New Year this past January. I want to start with thanking the Mountain View community for the incredible resilience our school communities have demonstrated. The start of the year has not been without hardship, particularly with the impact of recent fires. However, through it all, our students, families, and staff have come together to support one another, reinforcing the strength and unity that define Mountain View School District.

I also reiterate as in messages past that many in our community are facing uncertainty and fear due to the ongoing rhetoric and actions surrounding immigration enforcement. Please know that Mountain View School District remains steadfast in our commitment to providing Safe Schools for All Students and Families. This commitment was reaffirmed by our Board of Education in December 2024 through the resolution emphasizing our unwavering support for every student and family in our district.

As part of this commitment, we encourage you to visit our newly launched Immigration and Family Resources page, where you will find valuable information and support. Additionally, we invite you to attend our upcoming FREE Immigration Law Clinic on Wednesday, February 19th, which will be available both in person and virtually.

At Mountain View School District, we believe that every student deserves to learn in a safe and supportive environment. Our MVSD families are a huge part of making that a reality. Thank you for being part of a community that stands together for the success and well-being of our students.

Sincerely,

Raymond Andry, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Do you or someone you know have legal questions? If so, you are invited to attend and sign-up for a 1:1 consultation.

FREE Immigration Law Clinic:

🗓️ Wed, February 19, 2025

⌛ 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.

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🙋🏼 In Person:

Payne Elementary School

2850 Mountain View Road, El Monte, CA 91732

🅿️ FREE Parking: Off of Mountain View Rd. & Cogswell Rd.

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📲 Virtually:

Via Zoom (use this link or SCAN QR Code)

https://mtviewschools.zoom.us/j/83474884388

Meeting ID: 834 7488 4388

In light of recent reports of immigration enforcement activities in California, many families may be experiencing uncertainty and fear.

To further support our families, the District has launched a dedicated webpage with valuable resources, including contact information, proactive guidance, and important updates. Please visit our Immigration and Family Resources webpage for details.

As a District that deeply values diversity and the strength that comes from our shared experiences, we firmly believe that our differences are what make our community unique, resilient, and beautiful. During these challenging times, we want to reassure all students, families, teachers, and staff that we are united in our support for one another.

To ensure the safety and well-being of our community, the District leadership team has reviewed current laws and model practice responses to immigration-related issues. This effort aligns with California State Law, specifically AB 699—the Safe Schools for Immigrant Students Act, which:

• Prohibits the collection of immigration status information.

• Requires policies to prevent immigration enforcement on school campuses.

• Forbids discrimination based on immigration status.

We also remain devoted to our Board’s Resolution, which is committed to the Education of All Children and Making All Campuses a Safe Zone for Students and Families Threatened by Immigration Enforcement.

If U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents or law enforcement were to visit a Mountain View School District campus, students, parents, teachers, and staff are to direct them immediately to the school administrator or a designated responder without granting them access to our school campus.

Our employees have been explicitly instructed not to share any information about students, families, or staff unless authorized by the legal counsel through the Superintendent’s Office or Designee. This policy serves to protect the privacy and safety of everyone in our school community.

We also understand the emotional impact these circumstances can have on students, families, and staff. The District offers extensive mental health support, with counselors and mental health professionals available to provide assistance and a safe space for those in need.

YOU can shape the future of our MVSD Schools

Mountain View School District parents and guardians are invited to submit their survey responses to our Community Schools Assets & Needs Survey from now until February 15, 2025.

Our District families' participation in this survey is part of the California Community Schools Implementation Grants that MVSD was awarded in May of 2024.

Our students stand to benefit from the transformational educational outcomes of Community Schools through the establishment of the whole child and family and community connections at each of our school sites.

In January, we announced that the Intra-District Permit application window for the 2025-2026 school year is now open through Thursday, February 27, 2025.

GREAT NEWS! Students who already have an intra-district permit on file WILL NOT need to renew it on an annual basis.

Who does this apply to?

Families newly requesting their students attend a non-resident school within MVSD will need to submit an intra-district permit application on the District website. Read more on our Parent Square post here.

Mountain View School District continues to foster a culture of health, safety, and well-being for students, staff and families. We’re pleased to offer free mental-health resources through Hazel Health and Care Solace.

Together, we can support every student’s journey to wellness. For more information, reach out to your school or visit our website.

Many of our students and families may have noticed the addition of solar panels at several of our campuses. We are excited to provide an update, as construction on ALL solar panel projects is expected to be completed by this summer 2025.

A few years back, after careful consideration, MVSD determined it was in the District’s best interest to research and implement a solar panels initiative to support the District’s energy efficiency and renewable energy production with the following goals:

1. Achieving energy cost reductions

2. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and

3. Providing educational opportunities and shade structures to students and staff

Through the use of solar panels to generate electricity, MVSD will contribute to sustainable green energy which will lead to substantial cost savings for the District. At the May 5, 2022 board meeting, the power lease agreement estimated that MVSD's solar initiative could result in reduced electrical costs of up to 35% over the 25-year term. Solar installations across ten campuses are expected not only offset those electrical costs but provide shade and rain cover for students. As part of the power lease agreement the installation and maintenance of the solar structures will be the responsibility of Lumince, the installer of the system.

The ten campuses benefiting from solar energy include Baker Elementary, Cogswell Property (housing our Children’s Center and Warehouse), La Primaria Elementary, Maxson Elementary, Miramonte Elementary, Monte Vista School, Parkview School, Payne Elementary, Twin Lakes School, and the Voorhis Property (the future location of the MVSD District Office).

Our Family Center’s Walk-Up Food Pantry is still going strong with five more dates scheduled through April 2025.

Check out all their dates through the 2024-25 school year. Help us spread the word and read more by clicking here.

Interested in volunteering? Volunteers are always needed! If you or someone you know, such a business or community organization are interested in giving back, please call the Family Center at (626) 652-4077.

Year two of the Disney Imagination Campus STEAM field trips kicked-off this January and will continue through March 2025.

Last year, MVSD was one of only four school districts in Los Angeles County to be invited to participate in this outstanding three-year program, exposing our students to innovative and valuable STEAM experience.

During their full-day trip, our MVSD 5th grade students will participate in “Theme Park Design” at Disneyland and our 8th grade students will partake in “The Physics of Roller Coasters” at the neighboring California Adventure.

We want to thank all our amazing parent and family Volunteers as well as our dedicated staff for making this experience a reality for each 5th and 8th grade student in our District!

We are excited to share that several furniture and structural installations have taken place throughout the District to refresh our schools’ indoor and outdoor spaces!

We extend a big thanks to our Maintenance & Operations staff for their hard work and dedication in completing these upgrades over the Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks.

Additionally, we must thank our amazing teachers and staff for the time they spent preparing and setting up their learning spaces before our students returned to class.

We heard that our students returned to school after each break to find their spaces newly refreshed, with new classroom furniture, cafeteria tables and other, providing an inviting and comfortable environment for learning, eating and playing.

We appreciate everyone’s efforts in making these school enhancements possible throughout MVSD.

MVSD joined schools across the nation in highlighting the crucial role of school counselors in U.S. education systems. At Mountain View School District, counselors collaborate to create a comprehensive counseling program that supports students' academic, social-emotional, and career development.

In an interview, Ms. Lira, a Monte Vista School counselor, shared her passion for the profession saying, "I became a counselor because I love working with kids. It's rewarding to watch students progress from setting goals at the beginning of the school year to achieving them. I enjoy measuring their growth throughout this process."

When asked about what makes counseling at Mountain View unique, Ms. Lira emphasized: "I appreciate the strong support our counseling team provides to one another. Mountain View has also given us the opportunity to participate in the Hatching Results program, which has enhanced our knowledge and helped establish a district-wide counseling program."

We are very grateful for the invaluable service our School Counselors and comprehensive student support staff bring to our students everyday!

Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year begins February 19. MVSD is proud to offer excellent full-day Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten programs at our outstanding schools.

Children who will be 5-years-old on or before September 1, 2025, are eligible to register for Kindergarten and children turning 5-years-old between September 2, 2025 and June 2, 2026 are invited to register in Transitional Kindergarten (TK), which is a bridge between preschool and kindergarten and gives young learners a head start, providing them with an opportunity to learn and grow in an environment that is tailored to meet their academic and social needs.

To access the online student enrollment process, click this link https://mountainviewesd.asp.aeries.net/air/.

Our District’s Preschool Programs serve our community by offering valuable educational and family support services to expectant mothers and children ranging from ages 0-4 years old!

• Free for eligible families

• Full day, year-round services

• Healthy meals and snacks

• Services for children with special needs

To learn more call (626) 652-4250 or visit the MVSD Children’s Center at 2109 Burkett Road, El Monte, CA 91732. Enroll today at preschoolprograms.mtviewschools.com.

Quick overview:

• Early Head Start Home-based Programs at Baker and Monte Vista support expectant mothers and children 0-2.9 years of age.
• Early Head Start Center-based Programs at Cogswell and Baker support children 18 month-2.9 years.
• Head Start and State Preschool Programs at Baker, Cogswell, Children’s Center/Kranz, Maxson, Miramonte, Monte Vista and Parkview support children 3-4 years of age.

Jacqueline Saldaña - President

Adam Carranza- Vice President

Veronica Sifuentes- Clerk

Christian Diaz - Member

Cindy Wu - Member

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION

Raymond Andry, Ed.D. - Superintendent

Darrin De Knikker, Ed.D. - Associate Superintendent of Business Services and Strategic Planning

Mercedes Gomez, Ed.D. - Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services

Roberto López-Mena - Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources