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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
As we wrap up the first few months, I am proud to reflect on the strong start we’ve had at Twin Lakes. Over the past several weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to visit classrooms and observe students deeply engaged in meaningful learning experiences. From focused note-taking in math to collaborative partner interviews and creative problem-solving activities, our students continue to demonstrate curiosity, teamwork, and perseverance.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, our 6th graders participated in a hands-on learning experience making homemade tortillas, supported by our dedicated parent volunteers. This activity connected culture, math, and science while fostering appreciation for our diverse community.
Our school community also prioritized safety and engagement this trimester. We conducted a successful fire drill, participated in the Great Shakeout, reviewed and approved our School Safety Plan through the School Site Council, and hosted our first Coffee with the Principal of the year. Families learned about our schoolwide goals and our REWARDS reading program implemented in the 4th and 5th grades.
Additionally, our TPAC and ELAC meetings provided valuable opportunities to review SBAC and ELPAC data, discuss reclassification criteria, and emphasize the importance of i-Ready as a tool for strengthening literacy and math skills.
This first trimester has been filled with learning, collaboration, and community connection. I am grateful for the hard work of our staff, the partnership of our families, and the enthusiasm of our students. Together, we continue to build a strong foundation for success as our Comets learn and grow.
In Partnership,
Morena Tejada-Fisher
Principal
Academic Growth
Our official SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment System) scores have been released! Our Comets showed significant growth of 5.66% in ELA (English Language Arts), along with gains in Math. ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessment for California) scores also increased, allowing us to reclassify seven students in October. We will use the SBAC results in planning to help guide instruction.
Success Starts with Showing Up!
Attendance remains a key focus for our school, and I’m proud to share that on CBEDS Day (Oct.1st), Twin Lakes reached an outstanding 99% attendance rate! Over 240 students achieved perfect attendance for September, and several will enjoy a special field trip to Knott’s Berry Farm later this year.
Twin Lakes students participated in Pajama Day on October 1st, in support of attendance!
Over 250 Students Had Perfect Attendance!
All students with perfect attendance in September were entered into a raffle for a Knott’s Berry Farm ticket. We had 264 students with perfect attendance and selected three winners per grade level.
Capturing Kids' Hearts
At the start of each month, we host grade-level assemblies centered around the character traits from Capturing Kids’ Hearts. During these assemblies, students are introduced to the monthly theme and take part in related activities. These have included making commitments to kindness, setting personal goals, and practicing teamwork. At the end of each month, teachers and staff nominate students who exemplify the featured trait, and those students are recognized and celebrated at our monthly assemblies.
Monthly Assembly
During our October assembly, our leadership students led the 7th- and 8th-grade classes in a fun, interactive game.
Character Awards
Each month, our faculty nominates students who exemplify the Capturing Kids' Hearts character trait of the month. These students are recognized during our monthly assemblies.
Think, Choose, Act
Each month, grade-level assemblies introduce the Capturing Kids’ Hearts theme, featuring student activities. In October, we focused on goal setting, thanks to our parent volunteers for creating beautiful displays of student work.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Tortilla Making
In honor of Hispanic Heritage month our 6th graders learned how to make homemade tortillas from our group of volunteer moms. They had an amazing time during this hands-on learning experience. From this activity alone, students learned about culture, used math to determine the ratio of water to flour, and science principles of ingredients reacting as they combine together. Thank you our amazing group of parent volunteers! A special thank you to Ms. Martinez and Ms. Campa for creating this experience for our students!
Children's Day Parade
Our Comets participated in the El Monte Children’s Day Parade on October 4th, led by Ms. Schoenfeld.
A.V.I.D.
Our 8th grade AVID students toured UCLA, led by Ms. Hyatt and parent volunteers
Scholastic Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair returned to Twin Lakes during the first week of October! Our Comets and their families enjoyed browsing a wide selection of books, with many students especially excited to pre-order the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid release. Scholastic donates a percentage of sales back to our school in the form of points, which our librarian will use to purchase more high-interest books for the library. Thank you to everyone who supported our fair!
MVSD Run Club
Our Twin Lakes chapter of the MVSD Run Club is up and running 😉! Students and staff participated in the Run at Dodger Stadium at the end of September. They train weekly after school and on select weekends to prepare for races throughout the year and the LA marathon in March. Thank you to Mr. Dorf, Ms. Garcia, and Ms. Loya for supporting our students.
COUNSELING CORNER
The School Counselors began the 2025–2026 school year with “Meet the Counselor” presentations in classrooms and during the PAC meeting for parents and families. Students and families learned about the counselor’s role, confidentiality, the referral process, and available support from outside agencies.
In October, during National Bullying Prevention Month, the counselors led classroom presentations on identifying different types of bullying and responding as upstanders rather than bystanders. We also celebrated Unity Day on October 22, 2025, to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
Throughout the year, Ms. Rios and Mrs. Olivas will continue providing individual and small group counseling to support students with academics, grief, conflict resolution, coping skills, and risk assessments.
Highlights include Ms. Rios organizing a trip to the Girls Empowerment Conference at East Los Angeles College, where 30 girls in grades 6–8 learned about confidence, leadership, and the power of their voice. She also assisted 31 seventh- and eighth-grade students with enrollment in the Rio Hondo dual enrollment program.
The Counseling Corner, led by Mrs. Olivas and Ms. Rios, continues to provide a safe, calming space for students to connect and participate in sensory station activities during lunch. We look forward to continuing to grow the Twin Lakes Counseling Program and providing classroom lessons and ongoing support for all students.
Walk to School Day
Thank you for joining us on October 4th for Walk to School Day!
Community Schools
In the spring of 2024, Twin Lakes was awarded a Community Schools Grant from the state of California along with the other schools in the Mountain View School District. As a Community School, our priority is working to improve the academic, emotional and physical well-being of our students by identifying the obstacles that our students face and providing resources to help them work through those obstacles. This includes working with our entire Twin Lakes school community--students, parents, school staff, and the community around us--to create a rich learning environment for everyone here.
Some of our current and future Community School projects include:
- Partnership with the Tzu Chi Foundation to provide healthcare services for our students on campus
- Halloween Card Project for the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
- Halloween Parade (open to parents)
- AVID Parent Workshop in October
- Trip to a UCLA football game in November
- November Attendance Incentive Raffle (Knott's Berry Farm tickets) for Perfect Attendance
- Christmas Crafts for Parents in December
- Wellness Workshops for Parents
- Career Day in March (featuring former students from Twin Lakes and MVSD)
Think Together
Upcoming Events
- November 7 - TPAC Meeting
- November 11 - Veterans Day Holiday
- November 19 - Reading is Fundamental (RIF) Event
- November 21 - CPAC Meeting, 9 am to 11 am
- November 22 - UCLA Football Game Family Engagement Field Trip
- November 24 - November 28 Thanksgiving Break
- December 13 - Menudo Breakfast, 8 am to 11 am, Twin Lakes School (tickets on sale soon!)
- December 22 to January 9 - Winter Break
- January 12 - Students Return from Winter Break
- January 14 - CPAC Meeting - 9 am to 11 am
- January 19 - Martin Luther King Holiday - Schools and District Offices closed
- February 9 - Lincoln's Birthday Holiday - Schools and District Offices closed
- February 16 - Washington's Birthday
NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE
From the Superintendent - November 2025
Dear Mt. View Parents & Families,
There’s truly nothing like the start of the school year—the smiles, the laughter, and the energy remind us why Mountain View School District is such a special place for students to learn and grow.
This year’s districtwide theme, Belonging, captures something we do so well here in Mountain View. Whether it’s a warm welcome at the school gate, a kind word from a teacher, a thoughtful moment of encouragement, or a safe space where families feel supported—every interaction helps build connection and trust. Our students and families need that sense of belonging more than ever, and every day, we are committed to showing them that it’s here waiting for them.
I am deeply grateful for the amazing community we have—the dedicated staff who give their all to inspire students, the families who partner with us in their child’s success, and the students who bring so much hope and joy to our schools. Together, we continue to provide the programs, enrichment, after-school opportunities and care that ensure we are Inspiring Each Student to Succeed Every Day!
Below are a few highlights from this first part of the school year that showcase how we are living out our theme of Belonging across MVSD.
Sincerely,
Raymond Andry, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Exciting Districtwide News!
MVSD's California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)
in English Language Arts (ELA) scores went up 4% in 2025!
📈 MVSD Test Score Improvements Districtwide!
We are proud to share that Mountain View students showed a 4% overall improvement in English Language Arts (ELA) on the 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASSP) assessments across the district.
These gains reflect the dedication of our students, teachers, site teams, and families, who work together to create learning environments where students can thrive, grow, and achieve their full potential.
We are excited to see how our students keep on this trend of improvement as MVSD's newly created Literacy Plan is implemented this fall! Click the link below to review the document in full.
🏆 Celebrating MVSD’s Teacher of the Year – Ana Victoria Rodriguez
We are proud to share that Ana Victoria Rodriguez from Monte Vista School as MVSD’s Teacher of the Year for 2025–26. She was honored on September 19 at the annual LACOE Teacher of the Year Celebration, joined by Board Vice President Adam Carranza and District leadership. Ms. Rodriguez has dedicated 17 years to teaching and currently serves students in grades 3–6 in Monte Vista’s Special Day Class.
Known for her commitment to inclusive and supportive classrooms, Ms. Rodriguez is a mentor teacher and active leader on campus committees and programs including PBIS, After School Intervention, and ELPAC testing. As she shared, “I believe every child has limitless potential. My mission is to unlock it. Every child is unique, capable of growth, and deserving of an inclusive, supportive, and empowering learning environment.”
We join the Monte Vista School community in celebrating her dedication, passion, and outstanding service to MVSD students.
On September 19, 2025, the Mountain View School District's Ana Rodriguez was honored as MVSD's Teacher of the Year at LACOE's annual event. From left to right, Assistant Superintendent, Roberto Lopez-Mena, Monte Vista Principal, Dr. Fausto Barragan, MVSD Superintendent Dr. Raymond Andry, MVSD Teacher of the Year, Ana Rodriguez, MVTA President Leticia Urias, Parkview Teacher, Claudia Abascal, Monte Vista Teacher, Danielle Sawkins and Board of Education Vice President, Adam Carranza.
🧺 Family Center Walk-Up Food Pantry & Other Resources
MVSD’s Family Center continues to be a vital resource for our community. For over a year, the Walk-Up Food Pantry has consistently served more than 200 families at each event. We must thank our outstanding partners for their commitment to our MVSD community, including LA Regional Food Bank, and God's Pantry.
As many families face uncertainty around federal food assistance programs, we remain steadfast in supporting our community through partnerships, donations, and volunteers. For details on our next pantry dates, as well as other pantry dates in and around our community, please see our Parent Square message below:
Over the past year, the entire MVSD community has come together to work and volunteer their time at the MVSD Walk-Up Food Pantry at the Family Center, including staff, students and community members.
Facilities News
🏫 Completed Facilities Projects
A heartfelt thank you to our Maintenance and Operations Department for their hard work over the summer months preparing our campuses for the new school year. Their dedication ensures our students and staff return to safe, beautiful, and welcoming spaces that reflect the pride we all share in Mountain View.
Summer projects included:
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Renovated restrooms with new partitions, sinks, toilets, urinals, touchless faucets, and flush valves.
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LED lighting installations in classrooms, restrooms, and hallways at Baker, La Primaria, Miramonte, Payne, and Monte Vista Schools.
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Epoxy flooring and more than 16,000 square feet of new laminate flooring installed across Baker, La Primaria, Maxson, Monte Vista, and Twin Lakes.
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Fresh paint and new tackboards added to the administrative offices at La Primaria and Monte Vista.
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New furniture assembly and delivery for La Primaria, Baker, and Parkview.
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New HVAC systems installed at La Primaria, Twin Lakes, and Miramonte to improve air quality and comfort.
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New staff and parent rooms completed at La Primaria.
Our Grounds crew also worked tirelessly to complete irrigation upgrades and field renovations at La Primaria, Parkview, and Twin Lakes, along with ongoing efforts in tree trimming, hedging, pest management, and fresh mulch installation throughout our campuses.
🌳 Joint Use Agreement with the City of El Monte
MVSD is proud to announce a new partnership with the City of El Monte to revitalize the field space at Cogswell Elementary School. This exciting collaboration comes at no cost to the District, while MVSD retains full ownership and oversight of the property. The upgraded space will provide students and the surrounding community with a vibrant and safe place to gather, play, and connect. We look forward to keeping our community informed as this amazing project progresses!
🦸♂️ Success Starts with Showing Up!
September marked Attendance Awareness Month and our superhero-themed campaign reminding everyone that “Success Starts with Showing Up.” Many schools hosted fun attendance rallies, celebrating students who attend school regularly and helping families understand that consistent attendance truly helps students soar to new heights. While September was a special kickoff, this message is important all year long, as daily attendance is a key part of student success. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure every child is present, engaged, and ready to learn!
District Leadership Spotlight
💡 Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council 2025–26
This fall marked the first meeting of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, a group of 5th–8th grade students from across MVSD who meet five times a year with Superintendent Dr. Andry. Now in its third year, the Council provides a platform to amplify student voice, share ideas for improving the student experience, and make recommendations that shape positive change in the District. Past Council contributions have included new school lunch recipes, bathroom improvements, and enhanced access to sanitary products. We look forward to the meaningful ideas and growth this year’s Council will bring!
Important Reminders for Staying Connected!
💬 Staying Connected Through ParentSquare
Communication is key to belonging—and ParentSquare continues to be our District’s official communication platform connecting schools and families. Through ParentSquare, parents can receive important updates, message teachers and principals directly, and stay informed about school events—all in one convenient place and in their preferred language. If you haven’t already done so, please make sure your notifications are turned on to stay connected with your child’s school community.
🧾 Aeries Data Confirmation: Strengthening Family Connections
This school year marked the first time MVSD launched the Aeries Data Confirmation process for all families at the start of the year. Through Aeries, parents can easily update contact information, emergency details, and important permissions—ensuring schools have the most accurate information for every student. Families completed the process online via the Aeries Parent Portal before the August 14 deadline.
For ongoing support or to review the step-by-step instructional video (available in English and Spanish), families can visit mtviewschools.com/dataconfirmation or contact their school office.
📞 Relaunching WeTip Anonymous Reporting
This fall, MVSD is relaunching our WeTip Anonymous Reporting line with updated signage at all school sites. The new signs feature a District-specific call-in and text number, as well as a QR code for easy reporting. This change ensures that reports go directly to the District rather than the national hotline. Old WeTip signage will be replaced at each school to reflect this new process, helping students and families safely share concerns while protecting confidentiality.
MVSD Preschool Newsletter
Mental Health Resources - Support is Available!
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 Care Solace.
Together, we can support every student’s journey to wellness. For more information, reach out to your school or visit our website.
Care Solace
For 24/7 support with finding mental health providers, Care Solace connects MVSD families with local care options. Contact Care Solace at (888) 515-0595, email weserve@caresolace.org, or visit caresolace.com/site/mtviewfamilies to speak with the Care Concierge team. Services are free, confidential, and all information is securely stored.
MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION
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
