Quetzal News
February 12, 2025
From Ms. O's Desk
Dear Quetzal Families,
Happy Valentine’s Day! 💕 Tomorrow is a wonderful opportunity to talk with your child about the importance of kindness, caring, and showing appreciation for others. Whether through a kind word, a thoughtful gesture, or simply spending time together, Valentine’s Day is a great reminder of how we can spread love in our community.
As we wrap up the second trimester, please remember that tomorrow, Friday, is a minimum day. Dismissal will be at 11:55am, so please plan accordingly.
Next week, we also celebrate Presidents' Day on Monday, February 19. This national holiday honors the leadership and contributions of U.S. presidents, particularly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, whose birthdays fall in February. Take some time to reflect on the values of leadership, responsibility, and service to others. It will support the values that we talk to your children at Mistral.
Join us for Parent U on Thursday, February 27, at 5:00 PM! This engaging workshop will explore the Science of Reading, providing practical strategies and tools to support your child's literacy development at home. Dr. Nguyen, our Curriculum and Instruction Director, and her team will lead the session. Bring your child along—they’ll have the opportunity to create a helpful reference board to use at home with you. We look forward to seeing you there!
For those heading out of town, we wish you a fun and safe ski break! Whether you're enjoying the snow or staying local, we hope you find time to relax and recharge. We look forward to seeing everyone back soon, refreshed and ready for the next trimester!
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.
Calendar
February 14
- End of 2nd Trimester - Minimum Day Dismissal @ 11:55am
- Winter Break No School
- Parent U - Reading U @ MUR 5 - 6:30pm
- Spirit Day - Favorite Sport
- ELAC - Art Night @MUR 5pm
- School Site Council Meeting @ 5pm
- Cafecito w/ Ms. O. @ Room 21 8:15am
DISTRICT NEWS
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Feb. 13. Closed session will begin at 4:30 p.m., and open/public session begins at 6 p.m.
Some of the topics include:
Volunteer Process Update
LCAP Update
Financing options for purchasing land
Governors January Budget Proposal
For meeting details and agenda, please click here: https://www.mvwsd.org/trustees.
Take The Survey Now: Superintendent's Search Input
MVWSD Board of Trustees is asking for your help in selecting our next superintendent. To ensure this is a collaborative and inclusive process, the Board is providing an anonymous online survey and encourages your participation. This is an opportunity for staff, parents, and community to give input on what are the most desirable qualities and characteristics in the next superintendent.
This survey is open now through Feb. 15, at 4:00 PM. Please click here to take the survey now.
To stay up to date on the search process, please visit our Superintendent’s Search webpage here.
LCAP survey is happening now: Last chance to share your input before Feb. 14
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.
Middle School Information Night Presentations Available
If you are an incoming 6th grade family and weren’t able to attend the Middle School Information Nights in January, materials from the presentations are available. Click here for Graham and click here for Crittenden.
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
This year, we are celebrating a big milestone - 40 years of MVEF - A Celebration of Eras! Empowering Students from Gen X to Gen Alpha.
Over the past 40 years, MVEF has made a lasting impact by collecting over $20M of funds, 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!
MAKE OUR GALA A SUCCESS - DONATE TO OUR AUCTIONS!
Support our biggest fundraiser by donating an item or experience to our silent and live auctions! Your contribution funds vital resources for all MVWSD students. From vacation stays to gift certificates, unique experiences, or special items, every donation makes a difference. Plus, you'll gain valuable recognition. Thank you for your support!
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.
To donate please submit this form. For any questions, please email dena@mvef.org.
MVEF IS SEEKING NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES!
We are actively recruiting Board Members and School Representatives to join our team!
Do you care about public education and want to make a meaningful impact in our community? Or do you know someone who would be a great fit for MVEF?
Interested or have a recommendation?
Learn more here.
Email valerie@mvef.org to express interest or share recommendations.
Our recruiting committee will connect directly with all candidates.
Together, we can strengthen our schools and community!
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.
College, Career, Civic Engagement, and Volunteer Opportunities for Teens
Is your teen looking for meaningful ways to gain experience this spring and summer? See the flyer attached for a comprehensive guide from The View Teen Center on college preparation, career exploration opportunities, civic engagement, and volunteer experiences for teens. For more information, click here.