The Dolphin Whistle

Dear Parents,

Next week is the February break already! When we return on Monday, February 22nd we will be gearing up for reopening if the county numbers continue to improve. You are all receiving a required questionnaire to indicate whether you prefer the blended option (two days at school and three at home via zoom) or full distance learning (5 days at home via zoom). All families must complete this questionnaire. Once I have your answers I will have the information I need to form classes.

After February break, office staff are available to help you with this questionnaire. All responses are due by Friday, Feb. 28th.

Our next materials distribution is Wed. Feb. 24th. The textbooks and supplies that will be used by students in March will be distributed on that day. On this day, students will also be receiving free, new books for reading at home, purchased through a generous donation from WiPro.

As always, if your family is affected by Covid, please let us know. We have many resources to support families.

Best Regards,

Theresa Lambert

Principal Mariano Castro Elementary

cell number (831)206-9522

If your child attends one of the learning pods, remember that if anyone in the household is showing symptoms of Covid or is awaiting test results, your child needs to stay home until the COVID test results of the affected person are returned as negative.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021 - Diaper Distribution, 11:00a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021- Principal's Coffee, 3:30p.m. - 4:30p.m.

Friday, February 12,2021 - End of Trimester 2 ( Minimum Day)

Monday, Feb 15, 2021 - Feb 19, 2021 - Winter Break ( No School )

Monday, February 22, 2021 - School Site Council, 5:00p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021 - Material Distribution, 11:00p.m. - 5:30p.m.

Friday, March 5, 2021 - Report Cards sent homes

MVWSD is currently planning to reopen schools for in-person learning 14 days after Santa Clara County passes into the Red Tier. Because this reopening target is based on numbers of COVID-19 cases, we don’t have the specific date Santa Clara County will pass into the Red Tier, but we are preparing as if it’s soon.

Learning Options Survey due Feb 28: We’ll need to collect updated information on your preferences for your students’ learning options for the rest of the school year. You will still have the option to keep your children at home in distance learning, or you may tell us you’d like them to return to campus when schools reopen. Please look for the survey to come to you by email on Friday.

We wanted you to have ample time to review it, which is why you received it before February break. Please answer the survey with as much certainty as possible, and if you have questions, we can help you the week of Feb. 22. Information is available on https://www.mvwsd.org/academicsduringcovid

Our reopening hinges on COVID cases continuing to drop. Please remain vigilant about wearing masks, avoiding gatherings and curtailing travel.

The District is beginning its annual process of writing the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). Your input from the survey will guide the development of our District’s three-year plan that will correspond with the first three years of the District’s new Strategic Plan 2027. These documents are the blueprints that guide all of the District’s work for the benefit of our students.

Parents, we want to hear from you: Please click here - http://mvw.sd/ParentLCAP - to give input through February 12 in a survey. We recognize that the wording of some of these questions might seem a little awkward because we are in a pandemic, distance-learning year. Please answer as fully as you can based on the experiences you've had this school year. If you would like a paper copy, please call the office at (650) 526-3590.

Please look for a meeting at your school to learn more about the LCAP/Strategic Plan process. Our school's meeting will be held on January 26, 2021, February 9, 2021 and February 10, 2021.

Due to COVID-19, our schools will not be holding Open House events this spring, as we traditionally do in April. This year is different since our students’ work has been done at home, and gathering in groups at school is not permitted. We certainly will miss seeing all of the amazing work from our students and teachers, and look forward to a time we can gather to celebrate students’ work.

MVWSD's free, multi-day to-go meal packs for children will be distributed at Castro Elementary only from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12 for meals for Feb. 12 through Feb. 17. On Wednesday, Feb. 17, meals will be available at Castro Elementary for Feb 17 through Feb. 21. Regular meal service will resume on Monday, Feb. 22.

Even before children can talk, they are learning about the world and about race through the words and actions of others. Parents, teachers, and caregivers have the unique opportunity to frame their child's first attempts to understand and talk about race. Talking about race matters because (1) everyone has a racialized identity, (2) racialized identity significantly impacts a person's life, and (3) race is a defining social construct in America.

This Black History Month, use the Better Together infographic to begin racially-focused conversations with children acknowledging that conversations about race will look different for each family and classroom and there is no single way to talk to children about race. Have honest conversations with your students about the history of privilege and oppression as it relates to Black History and, where appropriate, connect this to local community and larger global issues.

Together, we can explore Black History. Together, we can become anti-racist.

For a closer look at the graphics, click on the attached flyers or visit https://www.mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD

Join us on Wednesday, February 24th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for our next Parent University event: The Special Education Team - Who We Are and How We Support Our Schools and Students.
Arianna Mayes (Director) and Acantha Ellard (Coordinator) of MVWSD's Special Education Department will facilitate a panel discussion with Special Educators and professionals who support MVWSD schools and students. The discussion will include who and what the team does and how students are supported both in-person and during distance learning. Additionally, you can submit your own questions beforehand via this Google Form.

Zoom link: Register in advance for this meeting: http://mvw.sd/4JMka

Spanish interpretation will be provided.

**Please also take a look at recordings and materials from our previous Parent University sessions at www.mvwsd.org/parentu

Attend and support science, technology, art and music in our schools from your home. Please join us for a lively evening of trivia and fun in support of our schools. You can attend only for trivia OR enjoy the addition of appetizers and drinks (wine and cocktails) delivered to your home. Check it all out on the MVEF website! mvef.org/virtualgala

In addition the MVEF Virtual Gala is featuring a Raffle. You don't need to be present to win.

Ticket Prices 1 ticket: $5, 5 tickets: $20, 20 tickets: $60 To buy tickets please send email: jenn@mvef.org

Raffle Prizes include:

Oculus Quest 2:

Oculus Quest 2 is the most advanced all-in-one VR system yet. No PC or console needed. Explore an expansive library of awe-inspiring games and immersive experiences with unparalleled freedom. Retail Value $399

CSMA Gift Certificate for classes:

$200 gift certificate for art and preschool classes. Expires December 2021.

Mike’s Bikes:

$200 gift certificate towards your purchase at Mike’s Bikes.

1 year subscription Adobe Creative Cloud:

Adobe Creative Cloud gives you the world’s best creative apps and services so you can make anything you can imagine. Get all 20+ creative desktop and mobile apps including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and Acrobat. Retail Value $600

Happy New Year! SELPA 1 CAC and the Learning Challenge Committee are your groups for special education and broader learning challenge needs. We are ALL having learning challenges right now, and CAC and LCC are here to help. If you have questions about learning challenges and special education needs, email selpa1cacinfo@gmail.com or check out www.selpa1cac.org

We encourage families to learn about the sensory needs all children may have during distance learning: Try a Sensory Diet

February 9 Parent Chat, 10 am - Support for parents of teens with mental health challenges. A great place for help and support for challenges with your teens. Please contact trudy.palmer@me.com for Google Meet invite.

February 10, 7 pm Evening Let’s Talk - IEP/504 support group. Have questions about the process to get help for your child? Have an IEP but are not sure how to make changes? Need to vent? This is your confidential group. Please contact selpa1cacinfo@gmail.com for the Zoom link for this meeting or sign up on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-talk-iep504-support-tickets-135554074887

The Mountain View Public Library and CHAC Family Resource Center are sponsoring a free Valentine’s Celebration for families with young children on Friday, February 12, on Zoom. Please see the attached flyer for details and registration.

You can change the life of a student! Come learn about volunteer opportunities to Mentor high school students and Tutor students in grades K-8 in our Mountain View and Los Altos schools.

Becoming a Mentor or Tutor will add joy to your life and help a student in our local community to a brighter future!

There is no obligation to sign up as a volunteer. You're welcome to just come and learn more about what we do.

Please note: Our programs are currently remote and will remain so until students are back in school and the school district permits volunteers in the classroom.

All volunteers must be high school graduates.

Date: Thursday, February 25th

Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Location: Online via Zoom (URL provided upon registration)

Register: REGISTER ONLINE

Questions: programs@mentortutorconnection.org

Information: MentorTutorConnection.org